Like your grandmother's favorite purchase, sturdy shoes should be your No. 1 priority. A pair of medium-weight waterproof boots, that is. Even if you're a ten-mile-a-day jogger, don't expect to hike in the wilderness in the same type of shoe that you use in your daily run. A pair of sneakers will serve you well at the campsite, later in the day or evening, but for most of your time outdoors, you'll be glad to have the arch support and strength of good leather boots.
 In addition to at least two pairs of jeans, a couple pair of shorts, some long-sleeve shirts, a hat and a good supply of socks and underwear, you will want to invest in lightweight rain gear. Thanks to modern technology, windbreaker materials like Gortex serve not only to keep out chilly winds and rain, but they help insulate your body from the cold without adding any bulk. Ponchos work well, too.
First-time campers will not often forget to bring along their tent and sleeping bag, only to arrive at the campsite and, upon bedding down, realize that sleeping on the ground, even on a waterproof ground cloth, is not conducive to a good night's rest. Some purists insist on digging out a shallow sleeping area and filling it with leaves and other soft woodsy material. That means extra work at the campsite, especially if the ground is very hard and uneven. Most likely, it will be.
Thankfully, today there are numerous outdoor "mattresses" available at all camping stores at moderate prices, everything from plastic blowup air mattresses that can also be used as flotation devices to one-piece padding, similar to gym mats, especially designed for outdoor use. They are light and easy to roll up.
A small blow-up air pillow (not inflated fully) or a rolled-up sweatshirt is also helpful in getting a good night's sleep.
Coleman offers a wide variety of stoves and camp lights. And if you want to splurge a little, for about $200 you can buy a UV water purifier, a small, wand-like device that takes the place of tablets. You can also choose from a number of canvas chairs and recliners which are lightweight, and give your campsite a "home away from home" feel.
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