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Camping/gear recommendations

abc

Veteran

Hi guys!

We took the kids camping a while back and they loved it. Surprisingly, I did too

We borrowed a tent last time but I would like to get one of our own.

What should I be looking for?

We are 2 adults and 2 kids and of COURSE we carry a few bags of crap with us wherever we go. I'm guessing we need something like a 5 or 6 person tent?

I am also thinking we need sleeping bags, but are there some that are good for year round use? We won't be in any super cold temps, I would say 30s at the lowest and then most of the time overnight lows around 50-60 would be my guess.

Being new to camping, I am open to hearing your "must haves" (and I don't mean a bathroom and shower, haha). I don't wanna go overboard buying stuff but would love to hear recommendations on essentials.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks as always!

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16 replies

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JAileen

Veteran

Have you looked at REI? They have a good selection, good quality and if you get to a store, knowledgeable staff. If you are a member you also get a percentage of your purchases back.

rachylou

Veteran

Depends how much you're willing to spend. REI is of course the go to, but frankly Coleman from Walmart or Big 5 is more than fine for summer car camping. My stuff is decades old REI; my mom, Coleman.

abc

Veteran

Right now I am doing research so hopefully I can buy when in the USA again. But I did see a tent at Costco locally so I may start there.

It would be nice to go to rei and talk to the SAs but not sure I will have access or time.

Thx for chiming in!

rebekahphoto

Veteran

We have done quite a bit of car camping up & down the coast & in the national parks. Our classic 5 person Coleman dome tent (costco) was a great deal, is easy to set up, which is a plus...(especially in the wind-easy=less arguing)

For gear, I have found great deals at REI/outlet, LL bean and http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ they have lots of coupon specials all the time, great prices and service.

Some things in our camping box that have been super useful:

Propane 2 burner stove/lighter
inflatable mattress~! (the pads are just not enough any more)
Electric/solar lantern (for inside tent)
covered insulated coffee cups (keeps the bugs out)
Italian Moka Espresso pot
wet wipes
tarp/cord (for making a shade shelter) they also sell fancier shades
Clothesline
small mag light flashlight on a neck cord (super handy at night)
a spice kit. I made mine of film canisters & a small makeup bag
axe/rubber mallet/good chef knife

Elly

Veteran

Rebekah is right -- most coleman tents are perfect for your needs since you won't be out in freezing rain, snow, or high winds-- or backpacking. An air matress can be a nice addition for adults if you do it a lot, or a huge pain in the butt. Unless there are no restrictions on campfires it is always good to have a small propane stove to boil water and cook on just in case. I also think the electric lantern is a must and a camping friendly coffee pot if you or the hubs drink it. I like to put a tarp under my tent to protect the bottom of it and provide extra waterproofing in the rain, but they also sell "footprints" for most tents and sizes if you go a lot. Good flashlights are important, as are good knives, and a dish pan with earth safe soap if you will be cooking. A small camp axe is great for firewood.

Inexpensive but temp rated sleeping bags should also do you guys just fine. I don't think you need REI for casual family camping in a fairly warm climate.

abc

Veteran

rebekahphoto and Elly, that was the info I was after. What do we need - or not?

I think most places we go will allow campfires and DH is the resident fire-starter of the family, so not sure we will need the propane stuff.

Sleeping bags will do us fine, I don't expect us to go that often to need or want the air mattresses. I am trying to simplify and not over-buy, so at least to start sleeping bags will be ok. If we morph into super frequent campers then we can re-evaluate.

The tarp or footprint idea is brilliant. Hadn't thought of that and as luck would have it, the last time we went it rained almost the ENTIRE time. We were SO lucky, the borrowed tent we used kept us totally dry! I would have been miserable with two toddlers soaking wet. I guess that's why I am asking all of this ... Most of the other people had 2 person tents and ALL of them were flooded wet. For some reason the tent we used was bone dry. I don't know what the difference was, but I need to figure it out bc I DO NOT wanna be stuck in a wet tent with a 3 and 4 year old. I try not to be high maintenance but that's where I draw the line! LOL

electric lantern is a good idea, as it was tough leaning the flashlight to light up the tent once it got dark.

small mag light flashlight on a neck cord (super handy at night) -- brilliant. I kept losing my flashlight last time.

THANKS AGAIN!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to a lot of rebekah's suggestions.

If there is a Bass Pro Shop near you, they can be a great, more affordable alternative to REI for lots of camping basics. I love REI though -- they're very knowledgable and have a great selection.

I have to say that my Thermarest air mattress makes ALL the difference in getting a good night's sleep while camping:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....ge_o08_s02

It's just enough extra padding under a sleeping bag to eliminate any possibility of roots, rocks, clumps, or what have you digging into any part of me while I get a night's rest. I tend to sleep on my side, and it helps for a little cushioning on my hip that way too.

You may also want to consider a mini headlamp for each person:

http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E9.....l+headlamp

These are great for hands-free use for not only inside the tent (reading, etc) but also for middle-of-the-night restroom excursions, etc.

Oh, and bug spray. A must for me.

rachylou

Veteran

Headlamps are handy (although I can never find mine), a plastic spade and mallet, gallon jugs for carrying water (to put fire out), and lightweight aluminum lawn chairs. The chairs are a super nice luxury.

As for unexpected rain.., two plastic tarps, one for under the tent and one for over. The rain flys that come with tents are NOT waterproof.

Also, someone weird at REI told myop this year that those therma rest pads are supposed to go INSIDE your sleeping bag... I have a down mummy bag and I see all sorts of problems with doing that.

Also fire starter sticks are another luxury, and whistles for emergency preparedness. If you're feeling like a survivalist, you can get a whistle/magnifying glass combo (the magnifying glass is for starting a fire without matches).

Elly

Veteran

I would ask your friend that you borrowed from more about their tent, where they bought, what price, and if they do any seam-sealing or waterproofing.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I am thirding (fourthing, maybe) the Coleman tent recommendation. We've had our Coleman tent for 7 or 8 years, with maybe 1-4 car camping trips a year, and it hasn't let us down.

One thing that's worked really well for us is having a Rubbermaid/Sterilite bin to hold most of the camping gear. We decorated it with stickers from all the parks we've been to, and it's always fun to pull it out at the beginning of the season. I'm a list person, so here's the checklist I have attached to the gear bin:

Misc. Gear
__Tent
__Groundcloth
__Sleeping Bags
__Pillows
__Sleeping Pads
__Blankets
__Propane Lantern
__Flashlights
__Chairs
__Books/Maps
__Daypacks
__Stove
__Wood

Gear Bin
__Bowls
__Silverware
__Cups
__Pots/Pans
__Can Opener
__Dishpan
__Dr. Bronner's Soap
__Sponge
__Hand Sanitizer
__Tablecloth
__Extra Propane
__Paper Towels
__Ziplock Bags
__Aluminum Foil
__Trash Bags
__Tarp/Line
__Fire Starter
__Mallet
__Matches
__First Aid Kit
__Cards/Games
__LED Lantern (easier than the propane lantern, but not as bright)
__Flashlights
__Extra Batteries
__Glowsticks
__Sunscreen
__Bug Spray
__Compass

Traci

Veteran

I really love having a small rug of some sort on the ground outside the tent door. It helps keep dirt out of your bag if you can wipe your feet going in.

Speaking of wiping feet, we keep a bag of baby wipes in the tent to clean our feet at bedtime. We all sleep better with clean, dry feet.

Another family favorite is a good read aloud book for bedtime. We've been working on Douglas Adams' Last Chance to See for the last few summers.

For coffee we just use the little Starbucks instant packs. Once I forgot sugar and threw a jumbo marshmallow in my mug. Now that's my go to.

I don't recommend super warm sleeping bags. We go with medium warmth, then layer a fleece liner inside or down blanket on top, if we need extra warmth. I love my silk blend sleeping bag liner. Nylon feels gross on my skin.

We have a little 3 drawer cart we pack up with all our camping supplies at the beginning of summer. I love it because we live right out of it at the campsite. No more endless packing and unpacking.

And finally....bungee cords! So much easier than twine and rope.

Helen11

Veteran

Have fun! I have refused to go camping with little children, but that excuse is losing traction. Keep it simple. I really need something comfortable to sleep on, though.

kerry

Veteran

We've been camping for years and for the last 5 summers with our 5 year old daughter.

Here's what I would consider must haves ...

A great tent with a great fly put up properly (that will keep you dry) and a ground sheet. Our tent is a Marmot Halo (probably more money than you want to spend). We got a 6-person tent for three people and I insisted it be tall enough for me to stand in (our last tent was a Kelty mountaineering tent - small!). My only beef is the vestibule is shallow, wish it were roomier.

A Coleman stove - can't beat it! Ours is propane powered - easy. It has one burner and a grill which you can switch out with a griddle.

Cooler - not too big, not too small. I'm a minimalist when it comes to packing food for camping. We come home with nothing!

Headlamps - you need your hands!

Comfy chairs for sitting by the campfire.

A tarp, non-stretchy lines and carabiners to put it up.

Thermarest and comfy sleeping bag.

This year we added a hammock made of parachute silk my DH picked up at Costco. We all loved it so much he bought another one! My DD had two 2-hour+ naps in that thing!

Our camping trips are always the highlight of our summer!

Cerinda

Veteran

Great lists. These smart folks will have you well outfitted.

Also suggest you check Cabela's for sale priced gear. Their niche is hunting/camping: well-made, long wearing equipment you would never want to take backpacking.

And pocket knife, bandana, extra tent stakes, and line (tent, clothes).

Nebraskim

Veteran

Our local university has an outdoors adventures office through the Student Rec center and you can very inexpensively rent items like tents, stoves, etc. The other idea is to buy them 2nd hand off Craigslist or via garage or estate sales. I am often surprised at the nearly new quality of items I find at garage and estate sales.

Anonymous

I recommend the biggest tent you can buy. 10 man minimum. 5-6 won't cut it, IMO.
So nice to be able to stand up inside, and just have a bit of wiggle room.