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Guide to buying the right tents & sleeping
bags. Choose from a range of camping, hiking,
& sleeping equipment
This camping equipment guide discusses type
of tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads,
as well as other important items, which you
should consider for your enhanced camping
pleasure.
Tent Guide
Selecting
a Tent
Fortunately,
there are all kinds of tents for weekend car
campers, Everest 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.
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 you buy, 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.
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.
Sleeping Bag Guide
Selecting
a Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag technology
has come a long way from the days of cowboy
bedrolls. These days, there are a number of
high-tech materials and designs available
to keep you warm during the coldest outings.
Here's a short list of things to keep in mind
when you're shopping for a 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.
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. While 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, the Achilles heel of down is that
it loses all insulating properties when wet.)
If your trips take you to wet climates, you
may want to 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.
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
typically heavier than mummy bags, and are
generally not offered with down insulation,
making them best suited for car camping or
short backpacking trips.
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, as the weight of
your body compresses--and renders virtually
useless--the sleeping bag insulation that
lies beneath you.
Get regular updates
on the latest in camping equipment, places
to stay, things to do etc. Choose from a range
of informative
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.
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