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Posts Tagged ‘camping’

When planning backpacking or hiking trips we need to understand the various important systems we need in place, for choosing the best backpacking camping gear items needed. Gaining as much knowledge as possible is an important part of planning the backpacking gear and essential items needed.

The priority that we need to make when choosing the gear we take, will include arranging a good sleep system, cooking system, essential items and of course a camping tent suitable for hiking and backpacking. If we get this right we will truly have a great adventure that we will be looking forward to doing again, or getting it wrong could mean heading of the trail early with our tail in between our legs. Lets make it the former not the latter.

Sleep System: A good sleep system will include a sleeping bag, sleeping pad or maybe an air mattress that is lightweight and compact enough to use to minimal space in the backpack. A sleeping pad will provide protection needed between you and the floor, whilst also providing comfort. An air mattress for camping is the most comfortable, although these can be a disaster if they puncture. A foam sleeping pad may provide less comfort but are cheaper to buy and can be lighter than their counterparts. Sleeping bags are given different temperature ratings that come in different shapes and sizes. We have the choice from ultralight and lightweight and the kind of fill required, including the most compact, warmer down sleeping bags.

Cooking system for backpacking: We choose a camp stove, camping cookware and food to meet the needs for what is suitable to pack, and what we are willing to carry on our backs. Some will use a basic home made alcohol backpack stove, whilst others will want to option of using the various fuel types from companies like MSR. Other backpackers want a rapid boil system, like the Jetboil stove to boil some basic food in 2 minutes and hike. The weather conditions and the choice of fuels available will determine a backpackers choice. Food needs to be standard to be able to minimize weight and stay fresh. When on the trail dried food and other basic options will be sufficient for a few days in the wilderness. It may not be gourmet cooking buy it does the job.

Backpack Tents: Our tent is the most important piece of kit we will take backpacking and hiking, so lets choose well. Some want a basic shelter that may just be a tarp shelter, bivouac or camping hammock, whilst others want comfort and room to store gear. Its kind of nice to have a vestibule to store boots and gear for camping, i must admit. Investing in a quality tent is important and will pay long term for your backpacking needs. Its a good idea to buy at the mid range price tag, which is from about $200-$300, that should get a good quality camping tent.

Essential backpacking items: The listed backpacking camping gear items above are essential and necessary. We just have to choose from what suits our backpacking needs the best. Essential items for hiking will include a camping first aid kit, map and compass, GPS for hiking and a fire lighter. The best way to determine what essential items to take is by preparing a backpacking list to check of the essential backpacking items needed and eliminate those that are not, based on the conditions and place we will be going.

Note: The backpacking camping gear we decide to take will depend on the weather conditions we will face, our budget and weight allowance. However, investing in the best backpacking gear your money can buy is highly recommended, but research, research, and research.

Jason J, has a wealth of camping, backpacking and hiking experience he shares on his website Smart Camping Guide that includes camping gear advice for hiking and Backpacking Camping Gear information and tips.

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If you spend a lot of time outdoors camping, then you know how important choosing the right sleeping bag can be. When looking to buy a sleeping bag there are many choices that you have to make in order to get the one most suitable for you. You need to decide what size and style you want. You need to determine what type of filler and lining you want. You need to know how warm / cold the climate is that you will be using it in.

There are three basic shapes from which to choose when selecting the best bag for your needs: rectangular, mummy or a combination style. Once this is decided the rest of the choices you will have to make as to features will be minimized. Unlike the other sleeping bag styles, the mummy bag is made to conform to your own contours thus keeping cold air from coming in and getting trapped. The warm air inside the bag is prevented from escaping with a hood and drawstring or elastic collar for extra protection from the elements.

The rectangle style bag allows much more space for movement but does not have a hood or draft collar. Rectangular bags are indeed a great deal wider and arguably more comfortable. As an addition, two rectangular bags could be joined together to form a much larger double sleeping bag to hold two people. The combination sleeping bags use different features from each style, enabling you to possible have the best of both worlds, depending on your preferences. It is important to look at all styles and judge what you would personally feel more comfortable in.

The next feature to decide upon is what sort of filler and lining suits you best as you will be choosing between down and synthetic materials. If you are sensitive to down due to respiratory conditions or asthma, or are even allergic to it, choose a synthetic fiber filled bag which is actually heavier than down but which does not absorb water even when it is wet. In the case of a down filler, however, the material is lighter than the synthetic but you absolutely cannot get the bag wet. If you do, it will be useless and you will not get a good night’s sleep.

Is the sleeping bag you are considering of a correct size to accommodate your height and weight? Although the necessity of this proper sizing seems evident, this is actually one factor that many people seem to forget about when making their decision. And as a final but no less important point, keep in mind that sleeping bags have temperature ratings which they are designed to meet. You might choose a bag rated for temperatures even cooler than the environment you will be in if you are one of those people who is always cold. And for your own comfort, don’t forget that it is generally more difficult to warm up than it is to be too hot and cool yourself down if necessary.

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