February 15, 2010
The Right Sleeping Bag And How To Select It
META: A sleeping bag is an essential part of your camping equipment but finding the right kind of sleeping bag is the most important task. As your comfort relies totally on the sleeping bag that you use, it is vital that you find one that suits all requirements.
The efficiency of a sleeping bag is greatly dependent on the type of environment it is going to be used in. You could not possibly not sleep in a thinly padded sleeping bag if it’s freezing cold; you would be shivering all night. Because you are likely to be spending quite a few hours in your sleeping bag every night it is important that you get one that is very comfortable. Unless you are using an air mattress, make sure you invest in a sleeping bag that is padded. This will ensure you do not feel the hard uncomfortable ground below when sleeping. If you have taken the time to invest in perhaps 4 season tents, then selecting the sleeping bag should be easier.
There is plenty of choice in sleeping bags as they come in a variety of sizes, colours, shapes, material and designs. Most sleeping bags are water resistant however you can buy one that is completely waterproof, though it will cost you a little more. You need to ensure that not only does the outer fabric of the tent need to be waterproof but it needs cross ventilation. Without this, the bag will collect moisture which will result in dampness. This will make the bag very uncomfortable to sleep in.
Also you must check that the fill material used for the stuffing is thick enough because you do not want to be having a hard sleepless night tossing and turning on those sharp rocks and twigs. Fillings to stuff sleeping bags come in various kinds. The most commonly used filling material are polyester fibres and goose down.
Sleeping bags with goose down filling are the most lightweight, can be folded into a small convenient roll besides which they keep you very warm. These are inefficient when wet, cost a great deal of money and are difficult to maintain. Synthetic filling on the other hand can retain body heat even if they get wet and are quite simple to maintain. They are however, very cumbersome and heavy to carry which is the downside to this type of sleeping back.
So when you are look for a sleeping bag make sure it has a good heat retention ability. Checking all the minor details as well as the major is really important. Look for how neat the stitching is, the hood, drawstrings and how it’s been stitiched where it’s been filled. This will determine how much it moves when you roll around during the night.
There are three different shapes of sleeping bags available in the market. If you want a sleeping bag that gives the maximum amount of warmth and comfort then you should plunge for a mummy-shaped bag. The rectangular-shaped bag can be unzipped and attached to another sleeping bag of the same kind providing for more sleeping space. However this kind of a sleeping bag is not very comfortable and cannot retain much heat. This one is warmer than the previous sleeping bag mainly due to the fact that it is a tapered sleeping bag. The downside is it only has limited movement.
To have a comfortable night and an enjoyable camping trip ensure that you have the right kind of sleeping bag along with the right tents for camping; this gives you enough warmth and a good rest to your back.
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February 8, 2010
What Is The Must Have Gear When I Am Going Camping?
META: When you are on a camping trip, there are some basic essentials that you need to carry with you so that you can have an equally enjoyable time away from home. Carrying everything you need probably isn’t feasible, so make a list of all the essentials that you cannot do without. Therefore, amongst many other things, lightweight tents for camping should be considered.
As exciting as it may be, you cannot enjoy a camping trip if you are not geared up with the right kind of camping equipment. Arriving with the basic necessities is important so check out the your list of the essential things you need.g. tents, cooking equipment and clothes. In order to have all the appropriate things you need to plan well before your trip. Maybe you could start checking your list to ensure you have the appropriate equipment a few weeks beforehand. Forgetting something really important on your trip would be devastating, so make sure you take time out plan everything right down to the last detail.
The first and foremost thing is to get yourself a tent. A tent that best suits your needs is what you should be looking for, along with a tent that is suitbable for the weather conditions of the place you will be visiting. The next thing that goes on your list is a comfortable sleeping bag and these come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, material, fabric and colours. If you want a really good nice sleep and really do like your home comforts,then take along an inflated mat, this will give you better insulation.
Your list of foodstuff that you intend to carry depends on how many people are going to eat that food. Avoid taking perishable food as it is difficult to store. As for the cooking and eating utensils you could carry a frying pan, two or three pots, a cooking spoon, spatula while plastic plates, spoons and cups would do beautifully for your meals. You should carry spare containers with you just in case you have any left over food; this can be stored and used for your next meal.
A camp stove can be very handy, if bad weather forbids you to light up a campfire. You can do a great deal with a camp stove; you will be surprised. Fresh meals can be cooked if you can be bothered to take time out to cook them.
Flashlights, matches and lighters can be of great use if you have to fend for something in the dark. Another useful piece of equipment is a first aid kit. This can come in handy at times. Please see below some of the items included in the kit; insect repellent, aspirin, strips of band-aid, cotton balls, antiseptic ointment, gauze, sunscreen, an antibiotic, aspirin, a burn spray.
As concerns the clothing, you must take lightweight clothes yet they should be sufficient for the kind of weather you are going to face. Do not take clothes that tend to remain damp or do not dry fast. Lightweight rain gear could be added to your list if you wish as it may come in useful if it rains. Take the right kind of footwear, a pair of sneakers would be perfect but if you are planning a hike on rough terrain it would be suitable to have a pair of sturdy boots.
Apart from these you will need a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harsh sun. There are a few other necessities you might like to include, a small knife, a small hatchet, a book or two. Other pastime articles like a deck of cards may be included.
One thing you must remember is that whatever you take with you, must be lightweight specifically if you are going backpacking because you would not want to come back with a bad back. Gather the most essential stuff, think twice about the weight, pick up everything that you are going to need and you are ready to leave for your camping trip.
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