[Sportsandrec] Hiking camping gear

[Kelly Thornbury]

Brad, 

Do you have any outfitters or outdoor supply stores in your area. Some items, like backpacks and boots are best purchased in person if you don't know exactly what models you want. 

Probably the first, and most important step, is to consider what type of camping/hiking you plan to do. Things like weather conditions and terrain are also important. As an example, if you are "car camping," where you drive to, or close to, your campsite, then your equipment (tents, sleeping bags, stoves, etc.) can be a bit heavier. If you plan to carry everything, then weight considerations are important, and the lighter it is, the more it will probably cost. Starting from scratch is an expensive proposition, but the better quality equipment you can budget for, the longer it will last and in most cases the more extreme the conditions it will handle. 

Freeze-dried foods are pretty good these days, certainly better than ten years ago. With any of these products, you will want to try them out at home first. There isn't much that sucks worse than bringing a brand of foods that don't agree with you. You should consider the wildlife when preparing meals as well. You don't want to bring any nut, mint, fresh fruits, or eggs if you may be in a bear area. Hint: bears actually hate the smell of bacon, so this is actually pretty safe in bear country. 

For water purification, there a couple options (and you should consider carrying more than one if possible). Boiling water takes nothing more than your cooking equipment, but takes a while and you will have to carry extra fuel if you are using a camp stove. Iodine tablets work, and are real easy to pack, but they take at least half an hour typically to purify water. "Pumps," or filters, are the quickest, just do your research on how small of a particle the filter will catch. The finer the filtration, typically the slower the filtration process, and the more often/harder it is to clean the filter. Not all filters will catch all parasites, so do your homework. 

Tents should be suitable for more extreme conditions you expect to camp in, but this preparation comes at a weight penalty. Remember though, if you are hiking with another person, the tent can be divided between you. My personal favorites for tents are North Face and REI brands. My REI half dome has stood up to horrendous down pours and the Wyoming winds without a complaint. You'll want to practice setting up several times before your first trip, as learning the set-up in bad weather conditions takes some of the fun out of the adventure. 

Boots should suit the terrain and conditions you expect to encounter. Try them on with your hiking socks and walk around a bit before buying. The days of "breaking in" boots are pretty much in the past, and a quality boot should fit right right away. 

Canoe camping will also require some waterproofing as well. The bonus is that, if you do not plan many long portages, you can carry a bit more weight. When canoe camping, or if the weather is expected to be wet on hikes, I pack everything in my bag, like clothes and my sleeping bag, in dry bags. Then, your pack can get soaked, but the important contents (the ones that will keep you warm at night) will remain dry. 

Ok, so that answered nothing; hopefully it gives you some things to think about. 

Kelly

On Dec 1, 2012, at 12:46 PM, Brad Dunse wrote:

> Hello.
> 
> 
> 
> This spring/summer my wife and I would like to do some hiking camping and
> possibly canoe camping as well. The camping gear we have  used to date is
> not all that great and almost non-existant these days.
> 
> 
> 
> I am looking to research some quality gear that would prove to be
> long-lasting, light, and yet not budgetless.
> 
> 
> 
> Anyone here have suggestions for backpacks, tents, sleeping gear, water
> filtration, dry food, waterproofing, multi-tools, footwear, etc.?
> 
> 
> 
> Just tossing out general feelers prior to researching it over the months
> ahead.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> Brad
> 
> 
> 
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