Camping...The Outdoor type...

[sharkchomp]

There are tons of good tents that are cheap, but two tips. One, put the tent up in your house or backyard before you go camping and apply a good seam sealer. The stuff I used was a roll on type. I think I had to apply a few coats but it goes on fast and easy. Second, buy a rain tarp - or make sure the tent you're buying comes with one. This provides you with an extra barrier between your tent and the rain. You'll be happy you bought one if it does rain.

I would buy a good lantern and have extra batteries. It's been a long time since I last went camping but I used to go fairly often and I'm trying to remember things that were important to me.

If you're backpacking then it's different than car camping because everything you buy is about weight. For instance, if you're backpacking it, taking a cast iron skillet - unless a very small one - will get heavy. Food gets heavy. Water gets heavy. Are you going for one night, two or three? Is water accessible? Is it potable or is it stream water?

I'd find out exactly what you're doing, then plan from there.

~~~shark~~~~~~~

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by sharkchomp

There are tons of good tents that are cheap, but two tips. One, put the tent up in your house or backyard before you go camping and apply a good seam sealer. The stuff I used was a roll on type. I think I had to apply a few coats but it goes on fast and easy. Second, buy a rain tarp - or make sure the tent you're buying comes with one. This provides you with an extra barrier between your tent and the rain. You'll be happy you bought one if it does rain.

I would buy a good lantern and have extra batteries. It's been a long time since I last went camping but I used to go fairly often and I'm trying to remember things that were important to me.

If you're backpacking then it's different than car camping because everything you buy is about weight. For instance, if you're backpacking it, taking a cast iron skillet - unless a very small one - will get heavy. Food gets heavy. Water gets heavy. Are you going for one night, two or three? Is water accessible? Is it potable or is it stream water?

I'd find out exactly what you're doing, then plan from there.

~~~shark~~~~~~~

Yeah, I have to agree with shark, Rook...find out exactly what's going on.

I mean, if you're just going for a few days, you can get away with a tarp and some clothesline. Why spend all that money on a good tent you're just going to use once.

Also, is this equipment you're going to be using more than once? I mean, are you just going camping this one time out of spite, or do you actually plan to go again sometime? Because there's just no sense in spending a lot of money on quality gear if you're not going to use it (or sell it to me for really cheap after you've used it once).

Another option for a tent/sleeping is a hammock...click here. It's your shelter and bed in one E-Z to carry and lightweight deal.

But again, why spend the money if you're just going this one time?

And like shark said, I'd also find out exactly what's going on, because lightweight stuff is going to cost you a fortune. And you really don't want to be stuck carrying a huge ass Coleman stove if you're going backpacking (where you'll want something like a Whisperlite). The price difference in just these two stoves is pretty big.


Dylan

[Linus]

Originally Posted by sharkchomp

There are tons of good tents that are cheap, but two tips. One, put the tent up in your house or backyard before you go camping and apply a good seam sealer. The stuff I used was a roll on type. I think I had to apply a few coats but it goes on fast and easy. Second, buy a rain tarp - or make sure the tent you're buying comes with one. This provides you with an extra barrier between your tent and the rain. You'll be happy you bought one if it does rain.

And to add to this, also consider a tarp for under the tent so water doesn't necessarily seep through the floor (although it will depend on which manufacturer you get). If you have to do a lot of stuff solo, you want to make sure you can handle putting the tent up by yourself.