Retail Camping Equipment
Retail camping equipment from an army surplus store, means you can get good quality camping equipment at bargain prices. And, if you're seriously thinking about a serious camping trip, you'll need a lot of equipment, so bargain prices are a good thing.
Obviously, first and foremost on any campers wish-list is a good tent. The market is flooded with different types of tents, each with its own positive reason for buying it. Look carefully at the type of tent you are going to need and always buy the best you can afford - if you scrimp you'll only regret it at a later date. If you are going to be doing a lot of hiking or climbing and carrying your own equipment, then you'll need a lightweight tent. Most modern tents are light-weight but some have these advantages more than others, with lighter poles, groundsheets and the like. You will also want to make sure that your tent folds up nice and small. It’s no good buying the lightest tent in the world if you cannot fold it up and fit it in or at least on your backpack. Think about how big a tent you need - if you are on your own, you may think a one man tent is perfect, but if you are spending a lot of time in it, you should probably think about buying a slightly bigger one. Similarly, if you are travelling in a group, remember that the berth indicated on the tent is how many people it will sleep - think about storage and changing space too - a tent can get pretty hot and crowded! But, if you are just going to be pitching for the night then packing up the next morning, you will not require so much space and can get away with a smaller tent.
The bigger and better tents on the market do add storage room and many have awnings, but it is always worth checking this out before you buy.
So, you've got your tent sorted, what other retail camping equipment should you be looking for?
A good sleeping bag is essential, to keep you warm, dry, snug and comfortable. A good night's sleep means a good and fulfilling next day. You may also want to invest in a sleeping mat just to make the hard floor a little more bearable.
If you are going on a remote camping trip, where you are going to be cooking your own food, then a good
camping stove and supplies are absolutely essential. Particularly if you are having a budget trip, you don't want to resort to eating out every night because you bought a flimsy stove which only lasted the first day.
There are a wide range of different stoves with different fuels available so take the time to discover which one will work best for you. Don't forget eating utensils - it would be a shame to go to the trouble of cooking up a delicious meal only to remember you have nothing to eat it from. There are a wide range of collapsible pans, bowls and bottles on the market to fit into your pack without taking up too much room.
A good utility knife s essential for so many reasons when you are camping. Buy a good one, with different functions and it will help you out of all sorts of problems.
Of course, there are many other things to consider as well - this list just scratches the surface. the most important thing to think about when stocking up on retail camping equipment is what you are doing for your trip and what you want from it - the rest should follow naturally.
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