Boots?
Backpacks?
Tents?
etc.

With today’s internet one can look up reviews of products so that’s a start. However if it’s sold at wall-mart or k-mart or if it says made in China, I won’t buy it. Quality camping gear comes with cost. I have bought many things from R.E.I, Cabelas, L.L Bean, North Face and other big name outfits and am sad to see they are now selling a few inferior products. Just read the customer reviews and you will see what I mean.

This is what I look for;
Tent; quality material, waterproof floor, triple stitched (or more), sealed seams, rain fly included, good venting, UV resistant rip stop fabric, fine mesh screens, self healing zippers, no aluminum poles (you want poles that can flex), able to handle high wind conditions, breathable fabric walls to lessen condensation and easy to assemble.
Backpacks; quality materials, self repairing zippers, water proof rip stop fabric, wide padded shoulder and waist straps, at least triple stitched and sealed seams, quick release straps, hydration bladder that’s removable, and designed for good weight distribution.
Boots; welt construction, good arch support and padding, non-slip soles like vibram, quality materials, removable sole insert, sealed seams with strong stitching, light weight, water resistant and good warranty.

If a company doesn’t stand behind their product with a good warranty don’t buy it.
Its better to pay a few hundred for a good product than $50 bucks at Wally world and have it fall apart. I have an outfitter tent that cost $1200 in 1983 and it still works today as it did then. My brother has gone through a few dozen cheap tents that cost him $150 or so each in the same time frame. He could have bought a quality one for less and still be using it.

I’m looking to buy a tent that can house anyone from 2 to 8 people, haven’t made up my mind yet as to how big, but my question is where can i get the best tent that wont bust the budget? i want something good quality, durable, sturdy and weather proof, but i have no idea what manufacturer, or should i go army surplus? other question is where can i get good camping equipment in one place? anyone know? should i try ebay?

the "best" tents are budget busters…unless you are scaling Everest or doing a 20 dayer in the Boundry Waters Id go with a Coleman from Wal Mart..add one person for capacity…if there are two of you,egt a 3 man,etc…as soon as you get it,erect it and spray it twice with Scotch Guard and let it dry good before packing it….believe me,you dont want to bunk with more than 3 people

we have a tent, and are going next week no idea what to take!
especially food, we are going to Billing Aquadrome, whats it like and is there a lake, or somewhere to go fishing?

well the number one thing you should take is bug spray! lol
also poison ivy/oak medicine. (you never know)
and i first-aid kit

as for food, clothes, and stuff.
is it cold or hot?
if its somewhere warm take a bathing suit,shorts (you can guess how many depending on how long you are staying) take one pair of pants just in case, two if you feel you need it, also bring at least one sweater just in case it gets chilly.

food, well definitely bring marshmallows, gram crackers and chocolate! what’s camping without smores?
also hot dogs are good for roasting over a fire. so you could bring hot dog buns. bread, meat and cheese for sandwiches.
honestly food depends on what you and your party wants to eat while you’re out.

if you’re not sure if there’s a place to fish, bring fishing gear anyway. it would be better to have it and not need it than not have it and want it.
also take flashlights, if you have to go to the restroom in the middle of the night. then the obvious toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrushh,deodorantt, shampoo and othertoiletriess

I’m not a hard-core camper. I don’t backpack much. I usually just go the the state park campground for a weekend or maybe the week. But I have usually gone with others that have brought the majority of equipment so I guess I need to start getting my own. I know what I need for food and clothes, but I’m looking for suggestions for other equipment and often forgotten items. I will be tent camping, but will have my car so I’m not worried too much about space. Suggestions?

Hi Simba,

When you start to think about what to bring, it is easiest when you divide your needs into basic categories and make a list.

You will need your shelter and bedding items (such as tent, sleeping bag, hammer or mallet for stakes, air mattress).

Kitchen items (stove, mess kit, charcoal, propane, grill, can opener, coffee pot, etc.)

Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, towel, shower shoes, etc)

First Aid items (bandages, anti-itch cream, antibiotic cream)

Lighting: Lanterns, flashlights, extra mantles

Fun stuff to take, games, as well as chairs, hammocks, etc.

It is best to sit down and make a list for yourself to keep and use every time you go camping so you don’t forget. Some pretty thorough printable checklists are available to make this easy at
http://www.your-camping-guidebook.com/complete-camping-checklist.html and
http://www.your-camping-guidebook.com/camping-checklist.html Use what is there…leave out what you don’t want and add your own favorites.

If you are going to be camping frequently, you can designate a plastic tub with a lid to pack all of your camping items..we have a separate set for camping so we don’t have to raid our home kitchen for these items. I have kept several tubs for different types of items (one for the lighting and tools, one for kitchen items, etc). This way you just check your tub to make sure everything on your list is there, clean, and working…throw it in your car and go.

Hope this helps.

Jewel

we are looking for free or low cost tents, cooking supplies, tarps, and anything usefull for Girl Scout Camping. I would be willing to pick up in Denver/Metro Colorado area, if close enough

Many councils and service units have camping equipment to loan out, from tents to cooking sets to first aid kits.

You can make some of your gear, instructions are at:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

There are all kinds of PVC structures, including a flag stand, table, wash station, etc. at:

http://www.gspiglet.org/

Also, if you see something at a garage sale or thrift store, tell them you want it for Girl Scouts. I’ve found many times the people will heavily discount things for Scouts.

Freecycle is a wonderful resource for stuff like this, too, I agree you should check it out.

I’m going to the south pacific and southeast asia, and I do not have any equipment. Where can I get a cheap but good-quality backpack, sleeping bag, tent, and other camping and traveling gear. VERY LOW BUDGET!

For a really low-budget and lightweight backpacking stove, build yourself a Pepsi-can alcohol stove.

http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/pepsistove.shtml

If you’ll be camping in warm weather, it will be lighter and probably more comfortable to get a lightweight net hammock, bug screen, and rain fly instead of dragging around a tent.

Great deals on backpacking equipment can also be found at Goodwill and other thrift stores, garage sales, etc.

Another option is to borrow gear from friends. I’ve let several friends borrow a backpack for travels to distant lands.

and has any1 who has been to benicassim noticed if they sell tents/sleeping bags/camping equipment there or should i take it with me?

My brother flew to Barcelona and took the train- he said it was no problem at all. ANd take your own things..

We are planning to cycle to and around Arran 120 miles. With 2 nights/ camping stops. We have good quality mountain bikes. Going to get a light 2 man tent and 2 light small sleeping bags. And my wifes hair straighteners lol. Anything else anyone can advise to take or has anyone done this kind of thing before?

As well as the two person tent, you will need cycle spares such as a pump, spare tubes spanners, allen keys, chain tool etc etc.

For camping, quality 3 season sleeping bags with a waterproof carrying system. Sleeping mats or inflatable bed. Cooking stove, plates, mugs, bowls, knife forks and spoons. Cooking pots and utensils.
Torch, radio, waterproof clothing, tent repair stuff camera, maps, spare clothing, spare cycling clothing, waterproof matches, food containers.

Water container,washing up bowl, drinks bottles, some T bags, a good quality general purpose knife, can opener, bottle opener, money.

Then there are the things to get once you are there. Salt, pepper, milk, food, washing up liquid, etc,etc.

Plus anything that either I or you will never think of, until you need it.

I can get all of this (for one person) in 4 panniers and a bar bag. If I’m being lazy, I stuff it all in a cycle trailer.

Where can I find a quality tent in Canada? I know you know…

Cabela’s depending on where youare in Canada

My fiance and I are registering on Amazon.com for our wedding because we want to build some a supply of camping gear. It’s me, him, and our 4 year old. We need a tent, coleman stove, you name it. I just don’t know where to start. I want to get quality stuff so any advice would be appreciated to get started. We probably will mostly do "car camping" to start, where you park right near your camp site. If someone has a list of stuff I could register for, that would be great. I remember my mom taking us all the time when we were little, and this is a tradition I would like to carry on. We really need help on choosing the right coleman stove and a tent! We probably will register for cots too. ( a luxury I didn’t have as a kid. ha ha.

A large air bed is better than a cot by far. A small (3-4 man) double wall, free standing dome type tent (with a full fly that reaches the ground, none of those little tiny flies just on the tip) for sleeping only, and a larger screen tent to go over or near the picnic table, where you’ll spend a lot of time, would be nice. Folding chairs are sturdier than those fold up chairs if you have room to pack them. You’ll want a good thick cooler, and two burner Coleman stove, and decent sleeping bags, not cotton but 100% synthetic. Always get the smallest, least fancy item, you might need, not the most complicated, but the most traditional and not the biggest and most expensive.

Coleman stoves and coolers are good but tents and sleeping bags are not their forte. A better bet would be to register at REI.

This air bed will fit into this tent:

http://www.rei.com/product/761895

http://www.amazon.com/Wenzel-Queen-Insta-Bed-Built-Pump/dp/B000B5KUAY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1217483165&sr=8-15

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-5430E700-Two-Burner-Propane-Stove/dp/B00005OU9D/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_sg/105-4347332-3500414?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=screen+tent&x=0&y=0