(Part 3) Top products from r/camping

I would say go to an REI and poke around their clearance item bins. I found an REI Taj 3 tent for $40 last weekend. Granted, I'm sure I got REALLY lucky with that, but there were other options I'd been seriously looking at before I scored that deal:

Ledge Sports Tarantula 2 - Before finding the Taj 3, I was leaning towards getting this to use for a season or two before upgrading to something better. Looks to have a full rainfly and decent options, but I don't know how well built it really is.

Slumberjack 3P Trail tent - This was $80 a few months ago; for me it shows up as $109 now (Amazon does goofy stuff with pricing). But it's fiberglass poles, so for the price, I preferred....

Mountainsmith Morrison 2P - Aluminum poles, full fly, looks to have nice options like pockets (and IIRC, a gear loft) and zippered mesh windows, so this might have been my "upgrade" tent as some point, unless I decided to go "good" and get the....

Kelty Grand Mesa 3P tent - which is only 30% more dollars for 50% more space than the 2P version, has aluminum poles, and the good Kelty name brand.

Just my thoughts as someone who got a fair amount of advice elsewhere and look for a LOT of different options. Aluminum poles will definitely last you longer (fiberglass breaks), and the better materials will last longer as well. Oh, and I'd also recommend the book Camping's Top Secrets by Cliff Jacobson - I learned TONS of great things in there.

Sleeping bags depends on what temps you plan to camp in - there's some decent deals in the Outlet section of REI, but they aren't exactly cold-weather bags. But there's some 3-season ones that are $50 - $60 that should be good.

Hope that helps - I'm no expert, so if others chime in with poor experiences on anything I've listed, feel free to defer to their expertise. But that should help point you in some useful directions to consider.

First off, think about how much you like camping. How often will you do it realistically? Will you stay camping more than you do now? Do you think you'll be backpacking and camping? I.E. hiking to a campsite, stay the night and then hike several miles to another campsite.

If you won't be camping very often, say 2 or 3 weekends a year and you normally will be car camping or only hiking a couple miles to camp, then you don't need the lightest and best gear.

Take this tent - great deal, roomy and should last a casual camper for years and years. Coleman Hooligan 2-Person Tent,Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HMBN0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kUtEybSZA8DB4

Do you shop at Amazon? Teton Sports makes some excellent bang-for-you-buck backpacks.

Use the BULK your money on good sleeping pads and sleeping bags. Sleeping well will make a world of a difference in your enjoyment. There are a number of good options,I would recommend going to a store like REI where you can really touch and feel the gear, plus they have a great return policy so you can try out a sleeping bag and pad without being stuck with it.

They sell waterproofing kits for tents, sometimes called seam sealer. It's a big help. Also, when it's raining, avoid touching the rain fly to the tent itself.

Its super useful to have an open shade/rain shelter. This can be a tarp strung between trees, or something purpose built. I have on that relies on two poles and rope tension, but I'd rather have a freestanding shelter like this one. It's nice because if it rains you don't have to hang out in your tent all day. It also comes in handy when it's sunny, to have a little shade.

You really only need a lidded pot to boil water. That said, a jetboil or similar pot with a heat exchanger on the bottom makes it much faster on a stove or campfire.

I think its really useful work out a daily menu before camping. It can help you make sure you bring enough and also not too much. I do it when its just two of us, but its even more useful with a big group. Otherwise you end up with 8 bags of potato chips and nothing for breakfast.

I'm not from California, but here are a few things you should bring:

-Warm clothes, extra clothes and at least 3-4 pairs of thick boot socks that has a wool mixture.

-Good boots.

-Gloves

-Wool cap

-Sun cap

-sunglasses

-Cutting tool (depends a lot on the environment you're in, but for the Cali desert, I think a knife is enough. Here's a good, sharp, affordable and safe knife: http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Craftline-Allround-Utility-3-8-Inch/dp/B004GAVOUU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395556620&sr=8-8&keywords=morakniv)

-At least 3 different ways of making fire (storm proof matches, lighter, firesteel, magnifying lens, etc)

-Rope and cordage

-Water bottles and different ways to catch, store and purifying the water. Also, bring enough water if you're heading into a dry area.

-Shovel (very handy).

-Navigation: map & compass in ADDITION to any eventual digital navigation system.

-Cooking pot to kill germs in water, making tea, etc.

-Sleeping pad so you don't sleep on the bare ground because that will suck the heat out of you.

-Sleeping bag / thick wool blanket.

-Shelter.

-First aid kit with bandages and compresses.

-Enough food.

-Different tools to gather and catch food.

-Flares, signal mirror and other signal devices.

-Remember to have a good backpack that doesn't destroy your back.

-Cell phone and eventual solar cell charger.

And remember to tell friend or family exactly WHERE you're heading at and WHEN you are coming back. Try to give them updates on your position at least once or twice a day with your cell phone so Search and Rescue know roughly where you are.

You can also put a note about where you're going and when you're expecting to come back under your car's windshield wiper.

Edit: and before you go, try to learn to use your gear and try to gather basic survival knowledge.

Edit 2: Try to wear colors that stands out from the Cali desert so you are visible.

Edit 3: Always stay together as a group! Do NOT split up unless you absolutelly have to.

Edit 4: Mark where you're going so Search and Rescue can track you. You can lay rocks on the ground to form arrows to indicate the direction you're heading, tie pieces of fabric on branches, etc.

Five day hike? I think you'll want to find two bags; a lightweight one that you'll be happy with carrying; and a heavy comfy one (like the Field & Stream). Car camping is great! It's tons of fun and easy experience.

When it comes to my opinion and knives; I say you don't need much for camping. I personally use a leatherman micra. I'd recommend something small; even a box cutter. Avoid cheap knock offs (like cheap leatherman look-a-likes, swiss army look-a-likes) because they are impossible to sharpen and dangerous (the folding blades will fold closed right on your hand). If you have no other knife and no particular knife-need, aside from a general camping/hiking knife, then consider this one... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GAVOUU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .

Now if you needed a knife for batoning wood, carving spoons, gutting deer, or some other particular purpose - my recommendation would change.

Renting a pack? I highly recommend it. It'll give you a chance to see what you like and don't like before you make the big purchase. A $10 pack rental is well worth it, considering packs sell for $100-300+. Also, temporarily trade out packs with your buddy when possible, even if it's only for half of an hour.

No problem! I wish I hadn't had to learn through trial and error, would have saved myself some blisters! The most helpful way I've cut down on my packs weight is by sleeping in a Eno jungle nest (hammock with a mosquito net built in) and using a mylar emergency blanket to insulate my underside when it is freezing, along with a jet boil cooking stove I am able to cook myself meals and make hot tea when building a fire is impossible. I bring food such as couscous or instant mashed potatoes so I can enjoy a hot meal without all the messy cleanup (just add water). Cured meat is good for trail protein as well, just make sure you hang your food 20 ft up and 50 ft away from your camp at night so you don't get a hole chewed through your pack or a curious bear.

Jungle nest

Jetboil

DM me If you have any questions, I would love to help! I live near the Appalachian trail and camp with my dog mostly (Australian cattle dog) but started out same as you just over a year ago. If you invest in good gear from the start it will be expensive, but worth it in the long run. I firmly believe in only buying something once and taking care of it!

I recently spent some time tent camping above the arctic circle. The biggest thing is just to have a warm place to sleep. That means a sleeping bag that is going to be adequate for the temperatures you're going to be dealing with. If you're going to be backpacking, you'll want to get a down sleeping bag good for around 0F. That will keep you warm in most conditions and because you can either not wear anything if it's hot or wear full thermals/down jacket to bed if it's really cold. If you're going to be car camping most of the time you can get a really warm synthetic bag for way cheaper than down, but it will be huge and heavy. (which is fine if you're car camping). Aside from a warm sleeping bag you'll want to make sure you have a sleeping pad that will reflect your body heat back at you so the ground does not suck the heat out of your body through your sleeping bag. I would recommend a z-pad and a blow up backpacking mattress. You could also use a huge coleman blow up mattress if you're car camping.


The other thing is food. If it's really cold you won't want to be cooking something complex. I usually bring a can of chili and some bread or something to quickly cook in a jetboil.


Obviously you'll want to make a fire so bring wood if you have a car. As far as activities go, when it's cold you're just going to spend the entire night sitting around the fire eating and drinking.


Just make sure you dress appropriately or you're going to be miserable. That means layering. Thermal base layer, warm pants, medium weight fleece, down puffy over that. You may want gloves and a beanie for sleeping.

My husband is 6'7" and loves to primitive camp. He got the Mountainsmith 2 man 3 season tent on Amazon and loves it. The two of us are able to share it though he really got it for himself for when he does solo trips. It weighs about 4 lbs 11 oz.


Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent (Citron Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00452C2IC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_bzvgybC7Z4HWP


We have yet to find a sleeping bag he's 100% satisfied with so feel free to share if you find one!

The Klymit Static one has been great for me, I've had it for a few years, and its fantastic. Doesn't matter if I'm on my side, back, or stomach. Hope this helps, and happy camping!

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Inflatable-Sleeping-x2-5/dp/B00LGAQ7NW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1487012743&sr=8-12&keywords=ground+pad+for+camping

If they like coffee, my SO got this for Christmas. It's a collapsible coffee brewer. It's very light and compact.

If he has dogs that he takes camping, a rechargeable LED collar is great! We have one for our dog and it's great to be able to quickly see where he is at night.

I have the Klymit Static V2 and for $40 when I picked it up it was a huge upgrade from just sleeping on the ground but sometimes I find myself rolling off the sides. With that said if your looking for comfort they sell a Lux version of this that is larger and thicker and is pretty well reviewed.

I have this one by Coleman. Its a 12x10 but has two entrances across from each other and goes up easily. Been perfect for camping - we put it over the picnic bench and there is still room to walk around the table.
Edit: fixed link.

I've tried a few and the self inflating ones don't cut it for me, I seem to always feel what's underneath. In my mind it's no better than a thin yoga mat. This is my current fav, a few breathes to inflate and don't really feel anything. Ymmv.

You can get it for under $40 during pretty regular Amazon sales https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LGAQ7NW/

for low to mid price range....I love coleman tents for their waterproofness from the factory.

Some require sealing of the seams for complete waterproofness, but the last 2 I have owned havent. They have been thru some very severe rain storms and only ended up with few drops in the tents and that's after 15-20 uses. They are nothing fancy and only really good when its above 40 degrees, however for the price you cant go wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-17-Foot-10-Foot-8-Person-Modified/dp/B000W7BHJY
That is our current one, got on an amazon/slickdeal sale for $79 shipped

The older one is 10.5x10.5' and paid about the same. The older one we have taken to multiple music festivals where dozens of tents were uprooted and blew away, ez ups snapped, etc from severe rain storms and it survived and was relatively dry inside each time.

Gotta get the 10" long, heavy duty tent stakes for whatever tent you get and severe storms.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-10-Inch-Steel-Tent-Stakes/dp/B002HU086C/

You should definitely have a sleeping pad to keep you off the ground, preferably with an aluminized coating that will reflect body heat back up towards you like this one. Or you can use a mylar emergency blanket between your pad and your bag

Hand warmers are very handy and have many uses as well. Toss one in the foot of your sleeping bag before you turn in. It won't last all night but even once it's used up it helps absorb moisture in your bag.

I go camping and to festivals often, so I have a big tent from REI and I just got a new shelter to replace my $40 walmart "take forever to put up and let water thru" specials. If you think Bonnaroo will be the first step in you getting into camping, I'd think about getting a decent tent before the shelter.

Consider getting a bigger tent than you need so you have room in the middle to chill. Any 6-8 person tent should be able to satisfy both of your needs. Coleman, REI, Kelty: take your pick they all make good tents. I've never seen this one before, but it looks like they made it for you.

Kodiak Canvas has some very nice canvas tents as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Kodiak-Canvas-Flex-Bow-4-Person-Deluxe/dp/B002QZUOTE

I liked these videos / reviews the most:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq62fGjEoQc


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-rMcBmhCfk

I would probably go Kodiak over a bell tent because of the ease of setup. Also most of the sites I've camped at this year could support a Kodiak but a large bell tent would be pushing it.

Also know how to maintain a canvas tent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5lrmOypuRY

I'd spend the money in a heartbeat to get a larger canvas tent but I think I need to let the wife come to that conclusion on her own once our $80 WalMart tent bites the dust.

I've got this one for food prep. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004GAVOUU

It came shaving sharp and has stayed that way. This plus a dollar store frisbee, chopsticks, a spoon, a silicone baking dish and a cheap tea kettle are pretty much my field mess kit. I like the full size kettle because it is just fun to tie to the outside of my pack.

This looks sweet for the price https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TFY8Z54/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1492142643&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tent&dpPl=1&dpID=41836oQ955L&ref=plSrch


Edit. This one looks a lil smaller but an easier set up
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004E4ERHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1492142815&sr=8-23&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tent#featureBulletsAndDetailBullets_secondary_view_div_1492142923645


Edit 2. Maybe this one is what I'm looking for
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TS6WWC/ref=mp_s_a_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1492142968&sr=8-38&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tent

Great recommendations. A nice addition to the window vent kits, as it also blocks out some light and keeps insects from finding their way in.

this is what we have or the older version that is really close to it. It folds up and fits in a bag similar to those folding camp chairs. The two bars on the end have to be inserted when setting them up (they also fit in the carry bag). The center bar hangs low enough that it does not bother mine or my husband's backs. My dad however, bought the larger XL cabelas cot for when him and my mother camp b/c he is a bigger guy and heavy enough that the middle bar rubbed on his back all night. He loves the XL cot and has no issues with it. Both my husband and I use sleeping pads and sleep like a babies. We usually have our singles separated in the tent. Once you lay in the cot you sorta sink into it and the middle ridge will be higher than you think. It could work though depends on your sleeping pads.

This is the Kodiak Canvas truck tent (I'm not affiliated with them at all).

I use a cot and a 0 degree bag and so far I've been good even down to about 0 F. I do have a buddy heater inside (tank outside) that I use to warm it up before bed and then I warm it up before getting dressed.

This is from a weekend of ice fishing at about 9,000 ft above sea level

This Wenzel Klondike tent is considered an 8 person tent, but isnt huge and also has a nice "screened in porch area". Also has an $18 coupon on Amazon right now.

I'm not sure about the reservations but I'm gonna suggest one of these [http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J5C09-500-Amp-Built-In-Compressor/dp/B002X6VXL4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372734340&sr=8-3&keywords=Black+and+decker+battery+charger+and+compressor] for the air mattress and to keep in the car. I have a similar one and that with a tire plug kit has save my @$$ more than once

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002PWFSEO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468727214&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=therm+a+rest+pillow&dpPl=1&dpID=41OJYEzCXqL&ref=plSrch

Thats the one I have. Works great, weighs very little, and because it's made of down it will hold heat in the winter.

Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag for Big and Tall Adults | North Rim Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag, Olive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUSO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_01sRDbBBXYCHP

Haven’t tested this out in the wild yet, but it’s in your budget, rated for 0°F, and seems very warm and comfy when I tried it out inside! I got it on sale for $35 so you might want to wait and see if it’ll go back down to that

I have the houligan 2 and so do 3 other friends. We camp regularly and I have to give it mad props.

Its only 50$ and has survived roughly 100 trips so far. fits a queen size air mattress snugly. I use a twin and have room for my pack and gear and me.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Hooligan-2-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B0016HMBN0

If you have the room, the best sleep I ever had in a tent was on a cot. It was a friend's, but I'd bet it was something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-765353-Trailhead-Military-Camping/dp/B003696236

Sea to Summit inflatable doesn't suck, but not great. If you can stand a little extra weight and space I really like the Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow. Not inflatable, but packs fairly small when you need it to and is an actual pillow.

A lot of the tents I have used and looked at have a mesh ceiling with a separate rainfly that covers the top. You could eliminate the rainfly and cut a hole in the mesh.

Here is one example.

Look at the third pic and you will see what it looks like with the rainfly removed.

Where exactly are you going? Are you car camping or hiking in?

For car camping you can't go wrong with this bad boy right here.

I've had this tent for a few years now and it is great for its price. No issues so far, and it doesnt leak in the rain. It's a little under your budget but I can attest to its quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Hooligan-2-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B0016HMBN0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417555042&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+hooligan+2

Thanks, i had a look at them but i think they are a bit out of our budget. I'm thinking of going for an 8 man coleman tbh, so i hope it lives up to the reviews i have read.. I'm thinking about going for the Coleman 8 canyon tent: http://amzn.to/2gQbmUk Have you had experience with that one?

Coleman North Rim Adult Mummy Sleeping Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUSO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_TYvfGb5GvhRCN

It did. I was still dressed for it, though. Layers, socks, hat and such. Some folks seem to be able to sleep in less. But yes, by 6am my feet were starting to get a bit chilly, but it was time to get up anyway. So overall, I’d say a 9 out of 10. It got to about 25 degrees.

Adding on to this, pretreating your clothes with permethrin really helps as well. I've literally watched them die on my pantleg.

Edit: I've always used this spray

Consider permethrin for treating clothes/supplies. It is poisonous to cats while it's wet but harmless once it dries.


Sawyer Products SP649 Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Trigger Spray, 12-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ANQVZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_T-STAb3RN6TWG

Jump starter with compressor. I have one made by Stanley (not the below linked one though, they don't make mine anymore.)

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J5C09-1000-Starter-Compressor/dp/B002X6VXL4

Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034VYQQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Zcc3AbKGNPX7Q

Bought these the other day. They're what people on the /r/xvcrosstrek sub suggest.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YI3IGA6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Netting. [This link] (http://www.amazon.com/ShadeSox-Universal-Shade-Protects-Included/dp/B00YI3IGA6?ie=UTF8&keywords=car%20window%20shade&qid=1458941483&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5) should show you what I mean.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ANQVZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_.E-KAbS4M7KX7

For the straps. Only needs occasional treatments

I just bought this last week and used it this weekend. It was big enough to hold all of our belongings, 1 cot, a futon mattress and 5 sleeping bags. It stretched the length of my 99 Tahoe.

It was me, the wife, 11yo, 3yo and 2yo.

Hammock and GSI Java Drip.

Pay Attention here... PUT SOME INSULATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE DAMN GROUND!

IMHO, Have read your other posted questions, you need to get better at listening to advice.

Have fun...

I'm just going to share my tent and mattress because I love them. I dont think the tent is quite what youre looking for.



Wenzel Klondike Tent - 8 Person https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PB2HPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DRQ7CbTC4VXEJ



Coleman 2000020270 Cot Queen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6AVLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QTQ7CbKYRV0ZB




This mattress rocks! My partner (200lbs) and I (160lbs) sleep on this thing together with no problem. It has a battery powered air pump that is not attached to the mattress. Ive noticed the ones that come attached to the mattress seem to leak more. We just pump it up so it's super firm before bed and when we wake up it's a comfy slightly deflated. No feeling the cot underneath. I chose one with a cot underneath incase something happened to the mattress; my partner has a bad back and cant sleep on the floor. The mattress is tough though! Our German shepherd tried jumping on there a few times and it never got any holes. Very happy with it