Buying sleeping bags can be a difficult task, with prices ranging from a few pounds to a few hundred. Ultimately you have to ask what you want to use it for. The sleepig bag is an important part of the kit. If you are hiking then you ideally want something that will pack tightly and is quite lightweight, such as a compact sleeping bag, although you have to be careful as these sometimes don’t provide the best insulation. Temperatures drop at night more than ost people expect, even in the middle of sumer so you should make sure you’re prepared. A sleeping bag traps the warm air around your body which provides the best insulation possible. The best sleeping bag is one which allows moisture to escape while keeping warm air trapped.If you are in a couple, you might prefer a double sleeping bag (there is no better central heating than the body heat of someone else.
Slepping bags are given temperature rating based upon their intended use. One season sleeping bags are designed for use in the sumer months only and aren’t suitable for camping in the winer (they just won’t keep you warm). Two season sleeping bags are suitable for the extended summer months (from early spring to late autumn, but aren’t suitable for sub zero temperatures. Three season sleeping bags will provide warmth in temperatures which are slightly sub zero and four season bags are designed to be used all year round and will be the most expensive type of sleeping bag.
Temperature ratiings should be taken as a general rule, remember, temperatures can drop below zero in spring, particularly at higher altitudes so you should follow specfic directions of the manufacturer. The amount of heating that different people will need can vary widly, with some people requiring more warmth than others.
What you sleep on is also very important, a good ground mat provides great insulation and is very important when camping.
If you are just planning on camping in the summer, you probably don’t need to spend too much, if you are looking at trecking, climbing, mountaineering etc then you really want to look at the top end, as the cheaper models simply won’t keep you warm enough. You might also want to consider a “bivvy bag”, as this can be useful in emergencies, or if temperatures drop lower than expected.
The fill in sleeping bags can be made of a wide range of things, most commonly goose, duck or down. Down is the warmest and often most expensive but not very good if it gets wet.
You may aso want to look out for a bag with a 2 way zip so you can stick your feet out the bottom. Double sleeping bags are also available and singles that join together to form a double. Insulated zips are also important if it gets very cold. A good ground mat is also an essential. They are only cheap and provide excellent insulation.
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Help answer the question about camping hiking
Where is there some good weekend camping/hiking in Southern California near Los Angeles?I just moved to the L.A. area and I'm looking for some good weekend camping locations. Looking for moderate difficulty. I have some camping experience. Couple week long trips in the boundary waters. I'm looking for somewhere that has good one or two night hiking trips. Thanks all!
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Tags: backpack, backpacking, camping, food, frame, gear, Hiking, weight
this is for people who dont want to cook
@rongenman I agree, although I do more of just “hiking through” “tactics” so I am going to stick to MRE’s but trust me I am a BIG camper so its always a great meal when I get to cook up some bacon out in the woods
Ill be sure to check your vids out!
this was boring, a waste
REI is an excellent resource for beginners looking to get into Backpacking they have expert advice, check lists for what you need and tons of gear for sale at all levels of pricing.
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/camping
For a good backpack to handle a 3 day trip it is going to be bigger then a day pack you would use on a simple all day hike 7000ci vs 1500ci. and then there is internal frames vs external frames. All personal choices. REI has a rental program where you can try before you buy and they will assist you in fitting for just the right size pack for your needs.
local hikes are the best place to start you want to be familiar as much as possible with where you go so you can be as prepared as possible in my area this is a good link for hikes
http://www.localhikes.com/
I suggest you search for Girl Scout recipes. There are several web sites that provide an abundance of recipes for outdoor use.
I like gorp. It used to be made of Post Sugar Crisp, M&Ms, and peanuts. It's an energy snack. One has to be careful today with the various allergies children have.
Dried fruit "chips" (slices) are fun to make and easy to carry and eat. Banana, apricot, apple, peach, all make good chips. Banana and apple are the least messy.
100 miles in Korea
landed at Inchon, walked & fought all the way to the 38 th parallel
they stew are wonderfull. the ice creams are like a chalky texture and taste like choclate pepto bismal lol
Military MREs are ok. however, I like fresh eggs, bacon, ham, spam, cereal, hot grits, oatmeal, french toast,when my sons and I backpack, we are not out to cover 70 miles per day, we go backpacking to get away from the crowds so we can ‘CAMP” ..we always have a great campsite….I will be posting videos soon.
Tyler State Park, Dangerfield State Park, if it is after Labor Day the crowds will not be large.
Depends on your area I guess, I love hiking I also know a few others that love doing it to. Not much of a camper not really my thing prefer a nice warm bed.
Ramen noodles and high mileage…until you get to the next town. Then consume nutrients for the next section. Repeat. Over and over and over again.
Can't really offer you a "complete" list since you don't specify what you'll be doing or where you will be staying. But, some things I can't live without when camping in jungle conditions are listed below. All of them cost between $10 and $20 but are worth their weight in gold.:
"Blu Bandoo" cooling bandanas. They are scarves that you can tie around your head or neck that have gel beads inside the fabric. You soak them for 10 minutes in water, the beads swell and it causes a chemical chilling affect that lasts all day. Wearing one around your neck really helps keep you cool. You can re-use them over and over.
An Eddie Bauer sports series zip-neck long-sleeved shirt made with what they call Cocono poly fabric. It has fine mesh panels on the sides and down the back that really keep you cool and dry and the material is SPF 50 rated to prevent sunburn (near the Equator, even people with darker skin can burn painfully). I think they discontinued these shirts but I just bought 2 on their outlet website for $20 each.
A cheap lightweight plastic salad bowl that holds about 2 quarts of water (like a basketball cut in half). You can fit it in the bottom of your daypack and it is really handy for washing your face or doing undie and sock laundry. (get it in the picnic goods department of K-Mart or other discount store for a dollar or two.)
Speaking of laundry, get a set of small backpacker clothespins (they are small bright colored metal or plastic clips.) Very handy for hanging up wet gear and even a flashlight in your tent or cabin. Camping goods departments sell them (COughlans brand, usually) for a few dollars.
A backpackers mesh hammock is handy too (only cost $10 or $12 and fold down small enough to fit in a pack pocket.) Hung between two trees you can sit on it or sleep in it, hung on the wall in a tent or cabin it gives you a big pocket to keep your gear off the floor.
Quick dry underwear made of polyolefin or polyester mesh — they won't get damp and sweaty while you wear them and dry overnight when you wash them out. Check sporting good stores.
Wool socks (yes, wool), lightweight cushion weave. Much easier on your feet in hiking shoes in damp hot weather — more absorbent than cotton or synthetics and will cut down on blisters.
A wide brimmed fabric hat and a mosquito net that can go over it when the bugs get to bugging me.
A small journal to write in each night before going to sleep. You think you'll remember everything when you get back but you never do — it's so much fun to read your own first hand account years later.
A couple of tiny LED flashlights — they look like a big clear plastic gem about an inch across attached to a black plastic clip that can attach to your pack, hat or pocket. Excellent for walking around camp at night or reading and writing in bed.
Where do you find the Military MRE’s?
I would have recommended Big Sur, but due to the fires there that's not an option. Try this website for info. I use it all the time to book my camping trips.
for 100% wilderness north/northwestern Scotland , wildest part of Britain is the north Pennines
@SBPStudio This is late but ANY Army Navy Store, but Id call them first, the Military MRE vs Civilian MRE are DIFFERENT. (try to spend the extra $1 and get the military one… ask first
The Ozark Highlands Trail is in Northern Arkansas and it is beautiful in early spring. I used to go hike a week on there every year for spring break. The Ozark Highlands Trail Guide Book by Tim Ernst is very helpful to get you started. This is one of the most beautiful areas to see waterfalls.
Hollah!