What You Should Know Before You Buy Basic Camping Gear
Before you buy basic camping equipment you should do as much research as possible. Begin by working out a budget. Decide what you can afford to spend on your camping gear and what you want to buy. The next thing to do is to review some descriptions of basic gear.
Once you have finalized your basic camping gear list you can comparison shop to make sure you get the best quality for a good price.
Here are some things you need to know before you buy basic camping gear.
1) Sleeping Bags, Pads and Pillows –When it comes to camping bedding items the most important thing to take note of is its temperature rating. A good bag will be warmer than the outdoor temperature at the campground. Light sleeping bags are rated at 40° to 50° and are suited for summer camping. Heavy mountaineering bags are rated from -20° and below. You can choose from mummy, rectangular, and double sleeping bags before you buy basic camping gear.
2) Family Sized Camping Tents – Camping tents can be found in a variety of different shapes and sizes. If you’re camping with a family a large dome tent or a multi-room rectangular tent is a good choice. Before you buy basic camping gear make sure that you know what your needs are. In general choose a tent one size larger than the number of people it must accommodate.
3) Camping Lanterns< – Lighting is in short supply at most campsites so a lantern becomes an essential item. If you have a lantern you can move around after dark. Lanterns are not usually expensive and can be found in 1 mantel or 2 mantel styles. They use propane, white gas, or other fuels to produce light. Before you buy basic camping gear decide which kind of lantern you need. They can be lit by match or electronic lighter.
4) Camp Stoves – Before you buy basic camping gear decide whether you want to invest in a stove or not. You will benefit greatly from the use of a camp stove. Unless you want to eat cold food or make a fire each night a camp stove is really practical and useful. They come in various styles and use a range of fuels.
5) Coolers and Ice Chests for Camping– Before you buy basic camping gear make space in your budget for a cooler or ice chest. These are essential for keeping your drinks cool and your food preserved. Make sure you buy one that’s big enough to accommodate all your basic camping gear needs.
6) Tent Footprint Tarps – Before you buy basic camping gear make sure you include a tarp on your list. You can make your tent last longer if you use a ground cover, tarp or tent footprint. The tarp will help to protect your tent from damp, water, abrasions and makes the tent more comfortable too. Invest in a good tarp at the outset.