20 Camp Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
Oh, the endless money I've spent on camp gear only to discover that some of the fanciest items don't measure up to simpler choices. At the end of it all, I'm the proud owner of six tents, seven air beds, three folding mattresses and more cookware than I'll ever be able to fit into my SUV for one trip. Learn from my purchasing mistakes to avoid spending money on inferior camp items!
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Popup tents save me from back pain and heat exhaustion
The older I get, the more difficult it is to bend over and insert poles into the long channels running across traditional tents. It's the very last thing I want to do on a hot, humid day. I bought the two most popular popup tents on the market to test them against one another.
The Gazelle T4 person popup tent is more durable than the Core 4 person
Link to the Gazelle T4 tent:
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Air beds can get brutally cold, but they're great for hot nights
If your'e a hot sleeper who prefers to camp in the summer, an air bed is a beautiful choice. However, beware that air beds will absorb a wicked chill if the temperature plummets at night. I bring different types of beds depending on the season. I've found that Coleman air beds are more durable that air beds that aren't made for camping. Read reviews carefully, as some of those luxury models for home use can't be used with portable air pumps.
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A simple folding bed is cheaper and stronger than a camp cot
Plus, you can store gear underneath!
^ Link to the folding bed I love. Be sure to click the size options to find the stats for the narrow twin, which is 19 pound and 75 x 30 x 14 inches.
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When you get down to reading reviews, you'll find that some of the most expensive camp cots are collapsing in the middle of the night, including the ones rated for 400 pounds..This $79 folding bed is rated for 1,200 pounds. No matter how heavy or thin you are, you'll get a more durable product for half the price, and it doesn't weigh any more than a traditional camp cot. Sometimes, merchandise made specifically for camping isn't the best merchandise. It takes a solid product with 20,000 favorable reviews to show the real merits of choosing traditional frames over camping items that aren't designed to be used 365 days a year. SIZES: Narrow twin, twin, twin, full, queen, king, California king. TIP: A narrow twin is the best choice for tent living. You can always push two narrow twin beds together if you want a double bed.
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A tri-folding foam mattress is much warmer and more dependable than than an air bed, but be sure to get the smaller, packable size.
Link to the Milliard Slim Twin
75 X 31 Inches (4 Inches thick) |
Advantages:
Be sure to choose the correct size for camping:
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A thermal insulated compact bed is best for hiking
My large SUV allows me to carry things like camp cots and folding foam mattresses, but if you're travelling in a standard sized car,you may not have the room for luxury sleep gear. If a blowup bed is all you can accommodate, be sure to get one that's thermal insulated. Otherwise, you'll wake up freezing. this compact bed made by Klymit is thicker than most models on the market, and it blows up with less than ten breaths. Even when I'm carrying luxury beds, I put compact air mattresses in our hiking bags. an emergency backup bed is something you should never leave home without.
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Get a big rain fly so that you can still cook during storms
A screened shelter is stronger than a rain fly, but it gets too hot!
A setup like this looks like a dream come true, but the reality isn't as pretty as the picture. Those tightly woven mosquito nets do an excellent job of blocking air flow. You may want to invest in a portable fan. I can't carry big rain shelters because they're difficult to fit in the back of my SUV will all my other gear. On the up side, a popup shelter like this can withstand a decent wind storm.
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A heavy duty locking chair is best for tall or big frames
Link to the King Camp Chair:
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Camp chairs are known for saggy seats and the tendency to tip or wobble. With heavy duty steel construction, this camping chair locks into place and supports up to 400 pounds. Even if you weigh far less, a chair's maximum capacity indicates how long it will last and how well it will withstand abuse from relatives who like to plop into chairs. I love that this chair comes in so many inviting colors! I picked the dark orange (shown at left). I bring this chair everywhere I go, from festivals to campgrounds to local parks. It's nice to finally have a seat that feels even more comfortable than my kitchen chairs at home.
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It only takes a few minutes to spray your campsite with a good organic pesticide, and the effects will last throughout your trip.
Link to my favorite camp pesticide:
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Take it from someone who has been in the pest control industry for 12 years. You're not "glamping" if you spend your precious vacation worrying about various diseases that can be contracted from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. With a cheap portable sprayer, it's possible to kill and repel a wide variety of critters that would otherwise ruin your trip.
Which Scents Last Longer? Many different oils will kill fleas and repel mosquitoes, but you should consider the evaporation rate of various oils. In aromatherapy, a "top note" is the first note you'll smell in a perfume blend. It comes out fighting but fades quickly. A "base note" is the lingering essence you smell when the top note is long gone. Common Top Notes: Orange, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, sage, thyme and spearmint. (All of these will attract bees). Common Base Notes: Cedar, clove, patchouli, frankincense, sandalwood My Personal Favorites: Cedar is my top favorite for outstanding residual effects. For residual affects that last for MONTHS, spread cedar granules. All liquids evaporate eventually, but granules will give off a new burst of pest controlling aromas each time it rains. Avoid Scents that Attract Bees: Bees are attracted to plants such as lavender, spearmint, oregano, peppermint, thyme, lemongrass and sage. Don't saturate your campsite with oils that have the potential to attract large numbers of bees to the area. |
Compact grills and stoves are better than big ones!
Link to Weber Go Anywhere Grill:
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I originally ordered a propane grill that stands at a comfortable cooking height, but the 50 pound monster was very difficult to shove into my loaded vehicle. My new cooking system includes a Weber grill and a little Coleman bucket grill. The bucket grill allows me to cook side dishes in a pot while preparing meat on the main grill. The main grill allows me to cook six burgers at once.
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A camp stove has so many great advantages over a grill
Link to Coleman Classic Camp Stove:
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Would you believe it took me 20 years to make the decision to buy a camp stove? It just seemed like extra junk to carry, and the thought of buying propane didn't sit well with me. I now understand that there are many advantages to owing a camp stove.
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Storage tables make packing and food prep so much easier
Link to Camp Chef Storage Table:
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I used to carry a cooking table plus a camp stove plus a big plastic bin full of cookware. The Camp Chef is a cooking table, carrying case and storage unit all in one! That saves a whole lot of space in the back of my SUV. Now, I just lift the Camp Chef from my vehicle, pull out the telescoping legs and set my entire camp kitchen into place.The bags provide plenty of storage room for cans, cookware, utensils, condiments and more. There's enough space inside the unit to slide a basic Coleman camp stove above or below the storage bags. If you prefer to use your Camp Chef as a suitcase, you can fill the storage bags with things like socks, underwear, toiletries and medications. It's the modern day answer to the Victorian steamer trunk.
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There's nothing like a cast iron pan for cooking perfect steaks
Link to my favorite cast iron pan:
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For many years, I believed that I was hopeless when it came to cooking steaks. It turns out I just didn't have the right tool. If you're into a really nice sear with tender and juicy meat in the middle, don't leave home without a cast iron skillet. I prefer square cast iron pans to round pans because the shape allows me to fill up the corners and cook two streaks at once. Cast iron is also the best type of pan for making extra crisp bacon.
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Be sure your steel cook set is thick enough for open fire cooking
This entire nesting set fits into a single Camp Chef storage bag!
Link to Stansport cookware set:
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Hot Tip: I took the smallest pot away from this set to use in my hiking backpack. The second smallest pot goes in my husband's hiking bag. |
A handicapped commode is more comfy than a bucket toilet
Link to the strongest commode:
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If squatting over a bucket isn't your idea of a comfortable bathroom experience, you'll love this extra durable handicapped toilet that's rated for 650 pounds. Even if you don't intend to put that much weight on it, a higher weight rating translates to greater durability over time, especially if you have a large family with multiple users and abusers! Older campers with sore backs and knees will appreciate the opportunity to sit comfortably with no worries about tipping. Use this toilet with the included commode bucket or place the toilet over a hole in the ground. For large families, dig a latrine and move the chair along the channel with each new use. Features: 1.) Large and durable 14 x 17 inch deep seat with lid. 2.) Padded armrests 3.) 12-qt. commode bucket with carry handle, cover and splash shield. 4.) Measures 33 1/2" w. at the base. 5) Assembles in 3 easy steps with no tools.
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This kitty litter controls odors like no other
Link to the best brand of kitty litter:
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I first learned about this blockbuster organic product in an editor's choice review published by USA Today.The deal is that it controls odor better than chemicals without the negative health effects. It's a great way to save money versus buying expensive commode liners filled with harmful chemical clumping materials. This clay cat litter is uniquely formulated combining heavy non tracking granules with medium grain. The result is an excellent clumping litter that prevents moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box while providing a clump that will not break apart. SOME TIPS: I prefer to use small garbage bags as commode liners because they're less expensive. If you run out of commode liners on a long wilderness trip, you can remove the waste bucket and position your toilet over a hole in the ground. Scoop kitty litter over your waste each time you eliminate.This will prevent odors from attracting bugs.
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Don't forget the baby wipes and no-rinse foaming soap
Link to my favorite foaming soap:
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In situations where you don't have access to a shower or water faucet, no-rinse foam soap becomes extra important. Not all foam soaps are suitable for intimate areas, but this hospital grade formula is designed for babies and elderly people. The PH-balanced formula is sulfate free and paraben free for fragile, sensitive areas. When a shower or bath is not convenient or safe, simply lather onto skin and wipe clean with a damp towel or cloth.
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A strong disinfecting shampoo is ideal for camping
Link to extra strength tea tree shampoo:
Link to extra strength tea tree conditioner:
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Tea tree oil is a common ingredient used to control dandruff and skin conditions caused by bacteria and fungus. After a nice swim in the river, it's a good idea to wash your hair with tea tree shampoo. Leave it on for a few extra minutes and rinse with a galllon of water. If you have a bottle of tea tree oil on hand, you can mix a few drops into a handful of shampoo each time you wash your hair.
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Use extra strength tea tree body wash to kill those river germs
Link to extra strength body wash:
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This extra strength tea tree body wash was created for body acne, athletes foot, ringworm, nail fungus, jock itch, yeast infections, eczema and bodyodor. Even if you have none of those conditions, camp life can get pretty gross and dirty. A disinfecting body wash is great to have around, especially after swimming in lakes and rivers.
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These lanterns still work when wet or frozen!
Link to lanterns:
Perhaps you already know about these "As Seen on TV" lanterns that are proven to keep working when frozen into a block of ice. I was skeptical about those claims, so I went to YouTube and found videos of happy customers who dropped these lanterns in water and put them in the freezer. I haven't tried the freezer trick, but I can tell you that these are the brightest lanterns I've ever owned, and they really do keep working in the driving rain. Modern technology is amazing! In the past, I've paid double this amount for non waterproof lanterns that weren't as bright.
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Individual tools are better than tool kits
Behold my camp tool collection. My husband used to favor camp tool kits, but there's always some hot item we need that's missing from his set, like gaming sheers or serrated knives to cut steak. I've learned not to waste big money on a kit full of pieces that aren't as good as the individual components you could find on their own. It's better to build a custom tool kit that sings to your heart.
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Gaming sheers are perfect for cleaning fish or cutting steak strips
For safety reasons, get a hatchet that's forged in one piece
A large survival knife is great for cutting rope and branches
Be sure your pocket knife meets the following criteria
Link to my favorite folding knife:
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This tactical hammer has 18 pullout tools!
I found this gem in the "As Seen on TV" aisle in Walmart. I had planned to store this nifty survival tool in my backpack with my other emergency supplies, but I kept taking it out for various reasons! My husband carries a Swiss Army knife, but he's more likely to go looking for my pullout tools than his own.
Included Tools: Axe, hammer, flat rip pliers, pipe grip pliers, wire cutter, straight knife, bottle opener, chisel, wrench (6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm), serrated blade, small flathead screwdriver, nail file, saw blade, fish hook remover, Phillips screwdriver. |
It's nice to have a set of pairing knives with sheaths
Always carry windproof, waterproof matches
Use paracord three types of life saving survival strands
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An emergency water filter is a must, even if you're not hiking
An emergency water filter is CRUCIAL if you enjoy trips to remote places without access to clean water. The Sawyer Water Filtration system is the most powerful travel filter on the market. It removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, including salmonella, cholera, and E.coli. It also removes 99.9999% of all protozoa like giardia and cryptosporidium. You'll never waste money on cartridges because this single filter can purify up to 100,000 gallons. A simple flush with the included syringe will keep it clean. The kit pictured below comes with three BPA-free collapsible pouches (16-, 32-, and 64-ounce) that roll up tightly for easy packing.
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You'll need a place to store your filtered water
No spill thermal insulated cups are indispensible
I cleaned up spills on vacation for 20 years before I decided to buy a no-spill thermal insulated cup. Don't be like me.
Never leave home without a good raincoat!
I feel compelled to discuss both of my favorite raincoats because each serves a specific purpose. The shorter raincoat is stylish and sporty but thick enough to keep me dry when rainfall is light. It doesn't get super hot or restrict my freedom of movement on the trail. The poncho is thicker and longer for heavier storms..It's great for situations where I need full body protection, but it does get hot in the summer. The extra warmth is a bonus when freezing rain threatens to cause hypothermia. Both coats pack down tight for easy transport. The sporty coat has a big front pocket that serves as a carrying pouch. Just fold the jacket down and push the fabric into the pouch.
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Waterproof boot covers can save your shoes and your life!
When we let our feet get cold and wet, our body temperatures can quickly plummet to dangerous levels, especially in the fall. Even if you're a summer camper, it's nice to know that you can protect your expensive sneakers or hiking boots at the first sign of rain. I like to fold these boots into quarters and slip them into the back zipper compartment of my backpack. That way, I have quick access when I need them. I prefer the high top design because taller boot covers protect my pant legs from mud splashes.
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Link to rain shoe covers:
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Link to rain boot covers:
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Get a bug suit if you plan to spend time on the river
More than 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the United States every year. That’s 1.5 times the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer, and six times the number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS each year in the US. (Source: LymeDisease.org.) The numbers may actually be much higher, as many people who have Lyme often believe they're suffering from some other type of illness.
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Moisture wicking t-shirts keep you dry in the summer
Moisture wicking underwear will save you from camp misery
Cargo pants give you pockets to carry more stuff!
A good tactical vest is worth its weight in gold
Ten Quick Cold Weather Tips
Don't let fear delay your purchase of a tent heater
For safety reasons,I've delayed the purchase of a tent heater for more that ten years. When a friend and camp mate invited me into her heated tent to play cards, I was amazed by how much warmer her environment felt. I asked if she feared fires or toxic fumes. She said, "No. I just switch it off before bed." How simple and brilliant! If you're a fearful kind of person, just use the Big /Buddy heater to warm up your environment before bed. I'm putting this item on my birthday wish list!
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Tape space blankets to tent walls and ceilings
Space blankets are designed to reflect body heat back to us when draped around our shoulders. If you tape them to the ceiling of your tent, they'll reflect rising heat back down to you. The same goes for taping space blankets to walls. It's a great emergency survival technique for those who are caught without heaters on frigid nights.
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Be sure your sleeping bag is rated for zero degree weather
Some folks have hundreds of dollars to spend on the perfect thermal sleeping bag, but most of us are hoping to spend less than $100. Whatever your budget, be sure to look for a sleeping bag that's rated for zero degree weather. This $72 Teton is arguably the best zero degree bag you'll find for under $100. If you have money to burn, look into the $950 WarmCube by Marmot or the $300 Instinct Alaska from Cabela's. I prefer to spend less on a sleeping bag and save my extra money for a tent safe generator to run an electric blanket.
You can use a tent safe generator to run an electric blanket
How to choose the proper electric blanket for your generator
While electric blankets vary by size and brand, the average single electric blanket requires about 60 watts, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, with the average double electric blanket rated at 100 watts.That means the indoor generator pictured above is more than adequate to run your favorite electric blanket, but do check the wattage of your blanket and experiment before leaving on your trip.
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Use moving blankets to insulate tent floors
In cold or snowy conditions, a padded moving blanket will help stop frigid ground air from seeping into your living area. If conditions are also wet, slip a heavy duty tarp under the blanket. Be sure that your floor covering is a bit LARGER than your tent floor. Fold the edges upward so that any liquid seeping into the tent from the ground will collect below the tarp. Even the best tents will have a little bit of condensation under the tarp by the end of a rain filled trip. That doesn't mean your tent "leaked." It just means that a bit of "sweating" occurred. Just like a glass of ice water feels wet to the touch, a tent floor can develop condensation when the interior temperature of the container clashes with the exterior temperature.
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Look into rechargeable heated gloves and socks
I'm in love with fleece sweatshirts that feel like soft blankets!
Quilted coveralls can make you sweat in zero degree weather
A quiet autumn evening can quickly turn dangerous when brutal winds rolling off the water take the temperature under 30 degrees. In emergency situations, you may actually have to go to sleep wearing snowsuits or quilted coveralls. At home, the coveralls come in handy for shoveling snow. Even in zero degree conditions, my husband can end up sweating because his Carharttc cveralls are so warm and insulated.
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Try a wearable blanket for sitting around the campfire
Look into fleece lined sweat pants for men and women
10 Quick First Aid Tips
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