Camping gear - what do I need

[diggity]

All,

I am starting to get the idea that most ONSC ride/meetings will involve camping Since I want to participate and driving the 40 takes a while so I am in no hurry to do a lot of day trips...I need help.

Have not camped for a long time 20+ years. What do I need to get that will work for the wife and I and fit in the 40 ?

- Tent
- sleeping bags/cot's/sleeping pads
- lantern
- small cook stove ?
- what else ?

Recommendations for any of the above appreciated along with whatever else I am missing...don't need to get it all at once, but want to have what I need and be reasonably comfortable.

Thanks all,

Brad

[BZEP]

This could be a big list. I would say for car camping, a tent, sleeping bags, some sort of mattress, and a small stove should be one of the first things on your list. Now comes the whole what do you want to spend question. You can get a tent at Walmart for $20 or a top of the line for a $1000. Personally I like the REI brand stuff I think it is great gear for the money. I know alot of people think they are overpriced. Check out websites like campmor.com or sierratradingpost.com. Great sites to get good deals on all kinds of camping gear. If you have any specific questions let me know.

[concretejungle]

hmmmm... well, i have kinda gotten spoiled because of the 80. I used to be a minimalist since i would hike everything in and out. Now i just carry it in the station wagon.

With that said, air mattresses i have learned to hate. Even if they are guaranteed not to go flat, they do. I lean towards a cot. Then you don't have to worry about what you set your tent up on. Plus in the winter you are off the cold ground. Can't go wrong with the thermarest air mattresses. They are top quality and do actually hold air all night long.

Get a Colman gas lantern and then get the stove that fits on it, so with one tank you have light and you can cook. Get a good set of camping pots/pans.

Get a LED head lamp. They are awesome, bright, last forever and will not be in your hands while you are trying to get things done.

Probably the only thing i would not skimp on is a good quality sleeping back. In the summer, yea, you can get a cheapy and be fine. In the winter you will be cursing yourself for not ponying up and getting the good bag. JMHO.

I just got a tentcot and it's really cool. I set it up on my roof rack, but it could easily be set up on the ground. They are fairly cheap too (around $300). Again, you are off the ground, so no worries about rocks/roots and bugs. I was in a torrential downpour last weekend and it held up fine, no leaks. Plus, being off the ground there is no worries of water running under the tent.

[swampthing]

There was a thread on this subject not long ago: here


I'd go for a semi-decent tent - I would recommend zip up windows, that fall/early spring camping trip when it's cold & windy at night - it's nice to semi separate yourself from the elements.

Lanterns are always a plus - rarely are there too many

I say, unless you want one, hold off on the camping stove...they are nice, but typically someone already has one and rarely does anyone bogart our supplies/meals.

Good job on getting the wife convinced to come camping - I've taken mine...once.

An air mattress and good sleeping bag/blankets are nice too.

[lt1fire]

Originally Posted by concretejungle

hmmmm... well, i have kinda gotten spoiled because of the 80. I used to be a minimalist since i would hike everything in and out. Now i just carry it in the station wagon.

With that said, air mattresses i have learned to hate. Even if they are guaranteed not to go flat, they do. I lean towards a cot. Then you don't have to worry about what you set your tent up on. Plus in the winter you are off the cold ground. Can't go wrong with the thermarest air mattresses. They are top quality and do actually hold air all night long.

Get a Colman gas lantern and then get the stove that fits on it, so with one tank you have light and you can cook. Get a good set of camping pots/pans.

Get a LED head lamp. They are awesome, bright, last forever and will not be in your hands while you are trying to get things done.

Probably the only thing i would not skimp on is a good quality sleeping back. In the summer, yea, you can get a cheapy and be fine. In the winter you will be cursing yourself for not ponying up and getting the good bag. JMHO.

I just got a tentcot and it's really cool. I set it up on my roof rack, but it could easily be set up on the ground. They are fairly cheap too (around $300). Again, you are off the ground, so no worries about rocks/roots and bugs. I was in a torrential downpour last weekend and it held up fine, no leaks. Plus, being off the ground there is no worries of water running under the tent.

How wide is that?? seems like it isn't very long. At 6'7 I don't think i'd fit in that very well but it seems like a good deal at only 300 bucks

There is a great camping store called Gods Country that is out near Uwharrie and their prices are hands down better than REI and about the same quality also. I met the owners a month ago on a Kayaking trip in one of the Basins.

[Fort Knox]

Some good responses so far. I'd just add:

- A good, waterproof pair of boots. Nothing sucks worse than when the rest of you is nice and dry, but your feet are soaked and cold.

- A decent set of rain gear. At the very least, a couple of ponchos.

- A couple of comfy camp chairs.

- A decent cooler for the food that needs to stay cold. If you only plan on going on over-nighters or even just weekend trips, just about any cooler will do.

[diggity]

Guys thank you very much for the responses...crap, I have a few things to get. Keep the thoughts coming. I am going to start researching a bit more in the sites mentioned.

Thanks again all.

Brad

[concretejungle]

Originally Posted by lt1fire

How wide is that?? seems like it isn't very long. At 6'7 I don't think i'd fit in that very well but it seems like a good deal at only 300 bucks

.

it would not be long enough for you! I am 6'1" and my head and toes almost touch the screen. Any taller and i would have to take it back. 6' and under crowd, this is a great tent.

[rutbeer]

Gore-tex jacket, a water proof tent, and a good sleeping bag. The rest of it can be filled in when you have the money. I was a backpacker and carried that mentality into cruiser camping for the first 10 years I was into this. In the last four, I have decided I was old enough that comfort really started to matter. The coleman air mattresses are okay, but they will freeze your butt out on the cold trips. They just suck the heat right out of your body. For really cold weather camping, the thermarester is the only thing I have found that really works....but I haven't tried the cot approach yet.

[concretejungle]

Originally Posted by rutbeer

Gore-tex jacket, a water proof tent, and a good sleeping bag. The rest of it can be filled in when you have the money. I was a backpacker and carried that mentality into cruiser camping for the first 10 years I was into this. In the last four, I have decided I was old enough that comfort really started to matter. The coleman air mattresses are okay, but they will freeze your butt out on the cold trips. They just suck the heat right out of your body. For really cold weather camping, the thermarester is the only thing I have found that really works....but I haven't tried the cot approach yet.

alot of truth in staying dry and warm. I agree about the air matress in the cold. I know from experience. Goretex is a great product and prices are coming waaaay down on their products. When i started backpacking, Goretex stuff was the cat's meow but very expensive.

[BZEP]

The decision does need to be made if you ever plan on backpacking with your gear. I basically have 2 sets of alot of stuff. One the super light weight tent and bag and pack but not always the most comfortable. Then I have my very heavy but super luxurious car camping stuff. The difference is huge in price and comfort between the two. Another website you might want to keep open is steepandcheap.com. It is one of those websites that sell one product at a time and once they are sold out they move on to another product. I have gotten some unbelievable deals on there. If you ever see an Acrteryx product pop up on there it really doesnt get any more high end than that. As far as headlamps take a look at the zebra light, great product. A lot of stuff you could get at your local Dicks Sporting goods or Sports Authority. Eureka and Kelty make decent products both brands sold at these stores. The Thermarest's are great products, Mountain Hardwear makes a great sleeping pad as well. This is what I take when I hike in. When I have a car there I always have the blow up mattress, its never snowing out so I cant speak for getting cold but I know hands down that air mattress is more comfortable than the most expensive pad you can buy. If you have a car and weight isnt as issue you could bring the "little buddy" heater and keep toasty. Good Luck!!!

[little_joe]

For a sleeping pad, get the thickest one you can - the comfort difference is well worth it. When I was tent camping, I put the pad down, then put a wool blanket on it, then my sleeping bag and always stayed warm.

I won't make specific recommendations about gear and brands, but I will say this: when you're out in the woods car camping, you needn't deprive yourself.

I was on a tank in the National Guard and we didn't have a lot of space for gear - those 105mm rounds took up a lot of room. So we were by necessity minimalist on field exercises. I carried that over to civilian/car camping for several years.

We went on a trip many years ago and my buddy and his wife had this awesome setup, and they prepared all this yummy food. I sat on a log and ate a can of Spaghetti-O's, and on the drive home resolved to never do that again.

So what I suggest insofar as your space and budget allow: keep yourself comfortable, dry, and your tummy full.

[addicted56]

Another for the Thermorests mats. Unroll ad a bit of air by mouth and viola. Instant comfort.

One thing at least for hiking I always bring along is some sort of multi-tool like a leatherman or gerber.

The LED headlamp is a must.

Good thing the 80 series is you can sleep inside very comfortably. Unless there are a couple of you I would hold off on the tent. But unless you have to pack it around any larger walmart tent with steel legs will be just fine.

I really like the stretchy mummy bags. Keep you warm when you need it but you never get to hot if you don't. You are completely covered and you can move around without feeling clostrophobic.

[fj40z]

Originally Posted by little_joe

We went on a trip many years ago and my buddy and his wife had this awesome setup, and they prepared all this yummy food. I sat on a log and ate a can of Spaghetti-O's, and on the drive home resolved to never do that again.

Ahhhh, that explains the trail sushi!