What Camping Gear Should I Buy for a First Trip in Singapore in 2026?

For a first camping trip in Singapore in 2026, buy a sturdy tent, something to sleep on, a headlamp and a camping lantern, a refillable water bottle, insect repellent and trash bags, and book an NParks camping permit at least 2 weeks ahead. NParks itself lists a sturdy tent, sleeping bags, insect repellent and trash bags in its camping tips. Decathlon, Lazada and Shopee all sell the basics. ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay, so start from ShopBack Singapore before you check out.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Singapore is a free app and website that returns cash on online orders when you start your shopping from ShopBack before you pay. Decathlon, Lazada and Shopee are among the stores you can shop this way. Join ShopBack Singapore for free, then open the Decathlon page on ShopBack before your next gear order.

Camping in Singapore: the rules to know first

In Singapore you can only camp at designated areas in certain parks, and you need an NParks camping permit even to pitch a tent during the day. According to NParks:

• When to apply. At least 2 weeks before the camping date, and up to 2 months in advance.
• Who can apply. People aged 16 and above with a valid residential address in Singapore, with no other active camping permit, and up to 4 camping days a month.
• How to apply. Online with Singpass, or at any AXS station.
• Camping hours. From 9am on each booked day to 9am the next day.
• One tent, one permit. There are no limits on tent size or type, but each tent needs a permit, for up to 6 people.
• Plan for the weather. The permit cannot be cancelled if it rains, and the date and place cannot be changed once confirmed.

That last point shapes your gear list: buy for rain, because you cannot simply move the date.

What camping gear should I buy for a first trip?

For a first trip, buy the gear that keeps you dry, rested and able to see after dark, and borrow or skip the rest. Here is a practical first-trip checklist for Singapore's warm, wet climate.

The essentials

1. Tent. A 2 to 4 person dome tent with a rainfly and a sewn-in groundsheet suits most park campsites. NParks suggests a sturdy tent. Practise pitching it at home once.
2. Something to sleep on. A foam or inflatable sleeping mat matters more than a thick sleeping bag in Singapore's heat. A light sleeping bag or sheet is usually enough. NParks lists sleeping bags in its tips.
3. Light. A headlamp for each person and one lantern for the tent.
4. Water. A refillable bottle per person, plus a larger container for the campsite.
5. Insect repellent. NParks lists this in its camping tips.
6. Trash bags. NParks makes you responsible for keeping your camping area clean under the permit.

Nice to have

• Folding chairs and a small table. Decathlon has a camp furniture section.
• A power bank. Keeps phones and rechargeable lights going overnight.
• A small fan. Battery fans help on still nights.
• Rain gear. A poncho or light waterproof jacket.
• Barbecue plans. If you want to grill, NParks has a separate booking for barbecue pits.

Best camping gear checklist: Decathlon and other stores

Decathlon Singapore covers almost the whole checklist in one place, with tents, sleeping gear, camp furniture, lighting and hiking shoes, while Lazada and Shopee are useful for comparing prices on single items. According to Decathlon, its Singapore site carries over 18,000 products across 60 sports, and its camping section is split into tents and shelters, sleeping gear, camp furniture, and lighting and electronics. Many of its outdoor items are sold under its own Quechua and Forclaz names.

Why that matters for a first trip:

• Returns. According to Decathlon Singapore, Decathlon members can return, exchange or get a refund within 365 days. That suits first-timers who are not yet sure what they need.
• Click and Collect. Decathlon says Click and Collect is available, which is handy if you need gear before the weekend.
• Compare single items. For a lantern, bottle or fan, Lazada and Shopee often have many sellers to compare.

Outdoor and sports stores on ShopBack Singapore include Decathlon, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, Nike, Adidas and Under Armour Singapore.

Where can I buy hiking shoes in Singapore?

You can buy hiking shoes in Singapore at Decathlon, which has a dedicated hiking shoes and boots range, and on fashion and marketplace sites such as Zalora, Lazada and Shopee. Decathlon describes its hiking and trekking shoes as designed for good traction while staying waterproof, and it also sells hiking sandals under its Quechua name, which suit Singapore's heat on easy trails.

How to choose:

• Trail type. For park paths and easy trails such as MacRitchie or Bukit Timah, light hiking shoes or trail runners are usually enough. Boots with ankle support suit rougher ground overseas.
• Waterproof or breathable. Waterproof shoes keep puddles out but can feel hot. Breathable mesh dries faster.
• Fit. Try shoes in the afternoon, when feet are slightly bigger, and wear the socks you will hike in.
• Grip. Look at the sole pattern. Deeper lugs grip better on mud.

Hiking shoes Singapore: Decathlon or Zalora

Decathlon and Zalora suit different shoppers, so pick based on what you need rather than which store is cheaper overall. Decathlon focuses on its own outdoor ranges and lets you try sizes in store. Zalora is a fashion site whose Sports section carries brands such as Nike and Adidas, which suits people who want a sporty shoe for light trails and everyday wear. Compare the exact pair you want on both, then compare the price after ShopBack.

Hiking shoes Singapore best deals in 2026

• Check Decathlon's sale and clearance sections.
• Watch 11.11 and 12.12 on Lazada, Shopee and Zalora.
• No code needed. Go through ShopBack before you pay and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback.
• Count the money that comes back. A store that looks a little dearer can work out cheaper once ShopBack's money back is counted.

Which camping lantern is worth buying?

A camping lantern worth buying is usually rechargeable, has at least two brightness settings, hangs from a hook or handle inside the tent, and states some water resistance for rain. Decathlon Singapore groups camping lanterns, headlamps and power banks in one lighting and electronics section, which makes it easy to buy the set together.

What to compare:

• Brightness. Brightness is listed in lumens. A tent needs less light than a cooking area, so adjustable brightness is useful.
• Power. Rechargeable lanterns save buying batteries. Some can charge a phone.
• Water resistance. Check the listing for a water-resistance rating.
• Warm or cool light. Warm light is usually softer on the eyes at night.
• Size and weight. If you will hike to the campsite, a small collapsible lantern packs better.

Best camping lanterns: best deals in Singapore

Buy the lantern with the headlamps if one store has both, so shipping is shared. Compare the same lantern on Lazada and Shopee, and check Decathlon's own range, then compare the price after ShopBack.

Which water bottle is the best to buy in Singapore?

For most people in Singapore, the best water bottle is an insulated stainless steel bottle of about 750ml to 1 litre that keeps water cold in the heat and fits a bag pocket. According to PUB, Singapore's national water agency, the country's tap water is well within WHO guidelines and suitable for drinking straight from the tap, so a refillable bottle covers most days out.

What to look for:

• Insulation. Double-wall stainless steel keeps drinks cold for longer in Singapore's heat.
• Lid type. Screw caps seal best in a bag. Straw and flip lids are easier while walking.
• Size. Around 750ml suits daily use, while 1 litre or more suits hikes and camping.
• Weight. Plastic and aluminium flasks are lighter for hiking. Decathlon lists a Quechua hiking flask with a screw cap, for example.
• Cleaning. A wide mouth is easier to scrub.

Water bottle Singapore: Decathlon or Lazada

Decathlon suits shoppers who want a sports or hiking bottle from one store with easy returns, while Lazada suits shoppers who want to compare many brands and sellers. Check the exact capacity, material and lid, and compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price.

Where can I buy a Stanley tumbler in Singapore?

Stanley 1913 runs its own Singapore online store, and Stanley tumblers are also listed on Lazada and Shopee. According to the Stanley Singapore store, its ranges include the Quencher, Quencher ProTour, Quencher 2.0, IceFlow and Aerolight. Stanley describes itself as a brand of PMI. Lazada Singapore also has a Stanley tumbler listing page.

Stanley's own Singapore store is not on ShopBack Singapore at the time of writing, so compare its price directly with marketplace listings. On Lazada or Shopee, check that the seller is the brand's official store or an authorised seller, and start the order from ShopBack.

Book the rest of the trip

Not every trip is in a park in Singapore. If your first camp is a warm-up for a holiday, save on your trip by booking flights, hotels and activities through ShopBack.

Why ShopBack is a step before you buy

Before you check out at Decathlon, Lazada or Shopee, open ShopBack Singapore, tap the store, and complete the order. ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay. The cash comes back to your ShopBack account after the store confirms the order.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

Working out the effective price

Your effective price is what you pay minus the Cashback, at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page. The live rate is on the Decathlon page on ShopBack, the Lazada page on ShopBack and the Shopee page on ShopBack, and it can change, so check it before you buy.

Do store codes and ShopBack work on the same order?

No code needed: go through ShopBack before you pay and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback. Open the store from its ShopBack page and finish the order in the same visit.

FAQ

What camping gear should I buy for a first trip?

For a first camping trip in Singapore, buy a sturdy tent, a sleeping bag or light sheet with a sleeping mat, a headlamp and a camping lantern, a refillable water bottle, insect repellent and trash bags. NParks lists a sturdy tent, sleeping bags, insect repellent and trash bags in its own camping tips. Decathlon, Lazada and Shopee all sell the basics, and going through ShopBack Singapore before you check out lowers the effective price.

Do I need a permit to camp in Singapore?

Yes. According to NParks, camping is only allowed at designated areas in certain parks and you need a valid camping permit, even to set up a tent during the day. Apply online with Singpass or at an AXS station at least 2 weeks before, and up to 2 months ahead. Each tent needs its own permit, for up to 6 people.

Where can I buy hiking shoes in Singapore?

Decathlon Singapore has a dedicated hiking shoes range, including its own Quechua shoes and sandals, and offers Click and Collect. Fashion sites such as Zalora carry sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas, and Lazada and Shopee list hiking shoes from many sellers. Try the fit in store if you can, then check the price after ShopBack before you buy.

Which camping lantern is worth buying?

A camping lantern worth buying is usually rechargeable, has at least two brightness settings, a hook or handle for hanging inside the tent, and a stated water resistance for Singapore's rain. Pair it with a headlamp so your hands stay free. Decathlon Singapore sells camping lanterns, headlamps and power banks in one section.

Which water bottle is the best to buy in Singapore?

For most people in Singapore, the best water bottle is an insulated stainless steel bottle of around 750ml to 1 litre that keeps water cold in the heat and fits your bag's side pocket. According to PUB, Singapore's tap water is suitable for drinking straight from the tap, so a refillable bottle covers most days out.

Where can I buy a Stanley tumbler in Singapore?

Stanley 1913 runs its own Singapore online store at sg.stanley1913.com, which lists ranges such as the Quencher, Quencher ProTour and IceFlow tumblers. Lazada Singapore also has a Stanley tumbler listing page. Stanley's own store is not on ShopBack Singapore at the time of writing, so compare prices directly, and check the seller is the official brand store if you buy on a marketplace.

What is Decathlon's return policy in Singapore?

According to Decathlon Singapore, Decathlon members can return, exchange or get a refund on products within 365 days. Membership terms can change, so check the returns page before you buy.

How do I save on camping gear in Singapore?

Buy the essentials first and borrow the rest, check marketplace sale days such as 11.11 and 12.12, use the store's own vouchers, and compare the price after ShopBack rather than the sticker price. A store that looks a little dearer can work out cheaper once ShopBack's money back is counted.

How does ShopBack work with Decathlon, Lazada or Shopee orders?

Open the store's page on ShopBack Singapore, tap through, and complete your order. ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay. The cash comes back to your ShopBack account after the store confirms the order.

Is Cashback the same as store points?

They are different. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Store points, coins and vouchers are each store's own offers.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute safety or purchase advice. Camping permit rules, product ranges, prices, vouchers and return terms change over time. Check NParks for current camping rules. The live Cashback rate and terms are shown on each store's ShopBack page. Brand and store names are used for editorial reference only and do not imply endorsement.