Camping Equipment

Tents
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, mountain expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

Columbia Bugaboo Four to Five-Person Family Dome Tent

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering. Some manufacturers make children`s tents, ideal for the backyard, or even for camping with the grownups. Look for tents which feature cohesive rain-protection systems. These often include an elevated floor, sealed seams and more, your sure to stay dry. Also, some tents incorporate a venting system which creates a vortex that flushes hot air up though the roof, providing fresh air all night long. For maximum climate control, open or close the lover vents to feel the cool night breeze or keep warm air in.

The Original Kamp-Rite Tent Cot is ideal for the single person.


* Perfect for that backyard adventure- sets up in seconds
* Light weight aluminum frame supports up to 300 pounds- folds down to 33"x30"x6"
* Can also be used as a cot or lounge chair- heavy duty carry case included
* Cot keeps you 11 inches above the ground- No see um mesh on doors and windows keep insects out
* The patented design is the leader in off the ground camping- This design is used extensively by the U.S. Military

Sleeping Bags
Selecting a Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag technology has come a long way from the days of cowboy bedrolls. Today, there are a number of high-tech materials and designs available to keep you warm during the coldest outings. Here's a list of things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a bag:

Coleman Taos 25-Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag

Buy for Cold
It's a safe bet that on at least one of your adventures, the nighttime temperature will drop unexpectedly. That's why it's smart to buy a bag that's rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips. For summer trips, a bag rated at +35 degrees or higher will likely do the trick. If you like to camp in higher elevations in the summer, or if spring and fall outings are in your future, consider bags rated from +10 to +35. Winter adventurers should look for bags in the -10 to +10 range, while those on serious winter alpine climbs and expeditions will want a bag rated lower than -10.

Keep in mind that sleeping bag manufacturers' temperature ratings only estimate the minimum temperature at which the bag will provide warmth. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, as different folks generate different amounts of heat when they sleep. If you're the type who likes to pile on the covers even on warmer nights, go for a bag that's rated ten degrees colder. The opposite is true for "warm" sleepers--a 35-degree bag will probably work for you on a 25-degree night. One of the best quality is Marmot

Goose or No Goose?
The most important component of any sleeping bag is its insulating material. Modern sleeping bags offer two choices: goose down or synthetic. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages - down bags are considered superior because of their phenomenal warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-bulk ratios. While providing great insulation, down is extremely compressible and light. There's a reason why geese can fly and stay warm through the winter! Down also boasts great long-term durability and will typically retain its insulating properties after years of use.

All of that said, there are many high-quality synthetic bags on the market and synthetic materials are getting better all the time. While a synthetic bag will weigh somewhat more than a down bag at an equivalent temperature rating, synthetic bags perform better when wet. (Yes,down loses all insulating properties when wet.) If your trips take you to wet climates, consider a synthetic bag for this reason alone. Keep in mind, too, that many people are allergic to down--synthetic bags are non-allergenic. Finally, down is considerably more expensive than synthetic, which might tip the balance for adventurers on a budget.

Gardening and other outdoor matters blog.

Bags for All Shapes
Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes that reflect their intended use. Mummy-shaped bags offer the best warmth because they conform to the body's contours. This minimizes the amount of body heat the body must put out to maintain a constant temperature. Many mummy bags are offered in women-specific shapes and sizes, as well. Rectangular bags, while they do offer more room to toss and turn, are less thermally efficient because they contain more open air space. Also, they are usually heavier than mummy bags. If you are a UK visitor to this lens and would like to view some great camping deals in the UK then go here.

Pad Yourself
No matter what kind of bag you choose, a sleeping pad is a required accessory. Not only do they provide much-needed comfort when sleeping on the ground, pads also offer crucial warmth for your backside.

Get regular updates on the latest in camping equipment, places to stay, things to do etc. Choose from a range of camping magazines and there`s a huge range of books on camping which are designed for the novice or the experienced camper amongst us.

Portable Camping Stove - Great for Multiple Situations!

For further information on some great deals on outdoor apparel, camp cooking, safety & security items, backpacks, coolers, camping knives & tools, camping furniture, water bottles, containers, & filtration, walking poles, hiking boots & shoes & more, visit here.

Columbia Sportswear Men's Razor Ridge Mid II Hiking Boot

Hiking Boots
Good hiking boots are expensive. They should be an investment, and proper care must be taken to maintain your hiking boots. Look after them, and they`ll look after you.

Light hiking boots are ideal for small trips and light hikes. Light hiking boots are flexible but with less support. Good in warmer weather, but not really for colder hiking conditions.

If you really want comfort you could have boots which are individually crafted by hand into the shape of your foot. That guarantees you get the perfect size for your feet, but expect to pay for the privilege.

Waterproof hiking boots are always a good idea when going on a backpacking trip. If you are likely to be hiking in wet weather conditions it seems more logical to use waterproof boots. Wet feet are at the very least uncomfortable. Waterproof hiking socks also prevent blisters from forming on your feet.

If you are in to winter hiking it can be an exciting activity provided you have the right equipment and footwear.

Insulated hiking boots are essential on hiking trips in severe cold conditions. Insulated boots provide the much needed warmth to the feet in the chill.

Before throwing away your old/worn out pair of hiking boots out, see if you can get them repaired. Hiking boots are an investment, and it might be cheaper than you think to repair them rather than to buy a new pair.

Stay Warm
Keeping warm on a cold expedition, hike, or just a walk is vital, otherwise it can all be rather unpleasant, and even be damaging to your health. Consider Hand & body Warmers, toes warmers, and foot warmers.

One of the best known makes is Heatmax
* Individually sealed in an airtight package to guarantee a shelf life of six years
* Portable (No wires or batteries)
* Odorless, disposable, safe
* Non toxic, nonflammable
* Enviromentally friendly, contains all natural ingredients

Water purification can be an issue on your camping and hiking expeditions. Water treatment is available in various forms, chemical, tablets, hand held, but get what`s right for you, especially if you are sensitive to any of the chemicals that may be used.

SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier
No pumping, no chemicals, no test strips, no timekeeping, no lubricating, and no replacement filters are required. All that is required is to push the water purifier's button (once for 32 ounces, twice for 16 ounces), place the pen-like lamp in clear water, and stir until an indicator light turns green. Water has no aftertaste after being purified. Measuring 6.1 inches long, the purifier comes with a nylon case and a user's guide. It exceeds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for testing microbiological water purifiers.

Another option is water filters, and again they come in different sizes with a variation of capacities and features.

Camp Food
Keep stuff you want to stay cool in a shady place and be prepared to move it as the sun moves. Covering with a damp towel keeps it cool - the evaporating water draws heat from whatever you are trying to cool.

Freeze as much stuff as you can before you go and use that to keep stuff cool.

Most sites will re-freeze ice blocks for you, so if you take plenty you can rotate to keep a limited amount of things cool- we find it's best to keep cheese and smoked sausage etc cold. BBQ's - sausages, sweetcorn wheels, chicken kebabs.

And, rather than bottles of wine, consider taking boxes as they`re much less likely to spill if they are placed on uneven ground - or break.

Mountain House #10 Can Ground Beef, Cooked (18 3/4 cup servings)

Another option is to buy the specially prepared camp meals, which nowadays come in a number of ways, and with some delicious choices.

Backpacking is a very mobile variety of tent camping. Using lightweight equipment that can be carried long distances on foot, backpackers can get around quite easily. They hike across the land, camping at remote spots, often selecting campsites to stop at. Backpacking equipment typically costs more than that for car camping, but still far less than a trailer or motorhome, and backpacking campsites are generally cheap.

Canoe camping is similar to backpacking, but uses canoes for transportation; much more weight and bulk can be carried in a canoe or kayak than in a backpack. Travelling rivers and lakes can be very exciting, and reasonably long distances can be travelled too.

What about combining bicyle riding with camping? The bicycle is used to carry the gear and as the primary means of transportation, allowing greater distances to be covered than backpacking although sometimes there is less storage space for equipment.

As a progression from using a bicyle some prefer motorised means of transport - the motorcycle. Again, there is restricted space for camping equipment, and many prefer to use the same equipment as backpackers, due to the lighter weights and compact dimensions associated with backpacking equipment.

There are campers who like RV camping better to experience nature with the amaneties of home.

Many RV owners will tell you that RV's are the only and best means to travel and go camping with the family, especially when with children.

Do rent a Recreational Vehicle for your short camping trip; it is the best means to survey your actual requirements before purchasing.

One advantage of using a van or or truck is the ability to carry one of these portable grills on the rear.


Freedom Grill FG-50 Hitchmount Portable Propane BBQ Grill

In a nutshell consider these as a minimum to pack with you whatever type of camping you are doing..

* A sleeping bag for warmth
* A sleeping pad or air mattress is often placed underneath the sleeping bag for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground
* A portable stove to prepare hot meals and/or drinks where campfires are forbidden or impractical
* A lantern or flashlight
* A hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood (where allowed) or constructing camp gadgets.
* Various types and sizes of ropes and tarps for stringing clotheslines, sheltering dining areas, and other purposes.
* A chuck box to hold the many varied camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup.