Camping Equipment

There's more to buying a sleeping bag than picking a color you like in a style that fits. Sleeping bags come in a variety of materials and styles and are intended for a range of conditions and uses. Selecting a bag involves some understanding of shell and fill materials, construction methods, special bag features, season and temperature ratings, size, shape, and a realistic assessment of the conditions in which a bag will be used.

If you've never camped before, you may be worried you'll be missing something important when you arrive at your camping destination. To be honest, it happens to all of us sooner or later. We unroll our tent and find we don't have any stakes.

Lucky people rarely face life-threatening situations. But even the luckiest among us never know for sure when trouble might strike. It's possible for anyone to be thrust into a survival situation any time, anywhere, without warning.

For those enduring snows and freezing temps, camping is likely not on the current adventure, to-do list. For those in warmer climates, or campers not afraid to spend chilly night out under the stars, camping has no seasonal boundaries.

If you've got to buy for a camping enthusiast, reading this guide should give you plenty of present ideas for the upcoming holiday season. Whether they're a novice or a pro, there are always a few pieces of camping gear worthy of adding to one's collection. From big-ticket items to small stocking stuffers, we've got you covered on what to wrap for your special camper.

When it comes to buying a tent, you can trust my advice. I have learned important lessons after years spent field-testing every variety imaginable, from teeny floorless pup tents to extravagant luxury models larger and better outfitted than some homes I have owned.

Camping out in nature doesn't always have to equate to roughing it.