Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Thanks! I'll be picking one up soon and then putting it through some home tests to learn how to use it

 

You can sometimes find good deals on pre loved stoves, also.. but I'd buy a can of fuel and test the stove for function, and I'd also consider a rebuild kit depending on the age, condition, and how it has been kept.

Same thing with backpacking stoves, and (maybe due to my paranoia) the cheap, Chinese no-brand stoves. Nothing says "oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck" like a iso stove with a leaking o-ring. It goes full on flame thrower until it becomes a full on bomb.

 

Unless you're backpacking, lol.
But I agree. For Truck Camping it's tough to beat the classic dual-burner Coleman. Go for the dual-fuel in case you're ever off in the middle of nowhere and can't find white gas.

 

Always use it with the wind screens in place, they're significantly more efficient. The lid (top panel) on a Coleman stove is the rear screen, and there are folding screens on either side that clip into place. Always use them!

 

I would imagine that would be largely beneficial lol. Don't need extra things to work around.

 

Oh baby.

 

So I got spoiled for Christmas and here's a quick list of some of the stuff I've gotten to begin our camping adventures with.

Kaiju 4 Person Tent - The North Face Official Site
Nemo - Verve Sleeping Bag x2 Official Site
Chinook Kids - Young Camper x2 Official Site
Therm-A-Rest Sleeping Mat x2 Official Site
Big Agnes - Insulated Air Core Official Site
Streamlight - Siege x2 Official Site
Jetboil - Sumo Official Site
SteriPEN - Sidewinder Official Site
GSI Outdoors - Bugaboo Camper Cookwear Set Official Site
GSI Destination Kitchen 24pc Set Official Site
Black Diamond - Cosmo Headlamp x4 Official Site

(Yes I made an excel list of what I have, what I want and what I think need to come along depending on where we'll be camping.)
Family of 4 + dog.

 

Not a bad score at all!

 

I made out like a bandit too!

Yeti tundra 35
Biolite stove
Marmot PreCip jacket (present to myself)

 

The holidays are a fun time! LoL

 

Hey you got my Boots, There Awesome, Enjoy

 

Good to hear! Hope they last me a while.

 

They've last at least for three years.

 

I just bought myself a ZPacks stuff bag haha. Didn't go too all out this year.

 

Salomon make great footwear! Any fans? Just got an Osprey kid carrier. Very nice! For anyone thinking about it

 

So I just got my Tacoma and I want to go camping in it more than ever! But I just do not know where to start, what are the basics I should get without blowing the bank but also being able to go out and survive a few days with a few friends.

Thanks,
Joe

 

I read through most of this thread for ideas, as I'm pretty much in your position, but I have to lug around a family with me. HaHaH. Some cool stull shown in this thread. What I've done is just try to envision what you see yourself doing for the time out and then pack/buy accordingly.

For us, we have a 2 person cycle/hike plan when the wife and I go out and then we are also building a car camping set for when the kids are with us and we're near the truck. Weight of gear can really play into the equation.

(ie. We have a Jetboil and bowls when we go in a pair, but will be getting a Coleman Triton for when the truck and kids are near by.) We have a 4 person tent, but will be probably renting a 2 person tent when it's just the two of us. If you're Canadian, you can rent gear through MEC, while I believe the US have a large chain known as REI.

 

Stay up fine for me.

I have been buying SmartWool socks, very strong and light weight. I love the feel and performance. After 4 years they have started to die. I am replacing them with Darn Tough, the last socks I will every buy.

 

Take it slow and easy!

Get a good sleeping bag, That is the super easiest basic thing and the one thing that can effect your comfort and enjoyability of any trip more than anything else.

Talk to your friends that you want to go camping with. What do they have that you can barrow? Do they have extra gear? Can you share a tent with them? What type of camping do they do, hike in a bit, truck camp?

These are all the sorts of things that will influence what you buy and in what order. If you have an REI near you, you can always rent tents and some other gear. Avoid the trap of trying to buy it all at once and have to cut corners and buying cheap crap because that's all you can afford.

I usually buy one new piece of gear every time I go camping. Gives me a chance to focus on testing it out and see if it will work how I hoped. I also usually have a list of 5 things I want to buy at the end of every trip.