What camping and backpacking gear should I invest more money in? There are going to be thousands of answers to this question, but for my money I invest in products that provide COMFORT. No matter how many cool toys and gadgets I have in the outdoors, if I am not comfortable then I'm not going to be enjoying myself. There are 5 main areas that fall under the "Comfort" category and lucky for us, they all start with S. So here are the "Five S's" of Comfort and the five areas you should be looking to invest in, in no particular order.
1. Sleeping Bag
If you have ever been camping in the outdoors with the wrong sleeping bag then you know what a miserable experience you can have, especially if you are camping in really cold weather. Go ahead and spend some extra cash here. You're sleeping bag may not just keep you comfy, it may be the item that keeps you alive. If you're out in temperatures below freezing, your $25 generic sleeping bag is probably not going to cut it. Not to mention the cheaper bags can be tough to carry if you are backpacking and don't have a bag that is compact AND warm. Don't worry about going with a duck down bag versus a goose down bag if you need to cut back a few dollars. They both will perform the same if their fill power rating is the same. The North Face Hotlum and Kelty Coromell are good bags to look at without going too far overboard.
2. Sleeping Pad
I'm a big advocate of using a pad. Anything that is going to help give me more cushion while I sleep is a good investment. Both your sleeping pad and bag are crucial in achieving a good night sleep and keeping energy levels high during the day. This could also mean a more uncomfortable trip for you and a more dangerous one if you are moving through any treacherous terrain between naps. Nemo makes some great pads that are inflatable and are still lightweight. But Kelty and Therm-a-Rest are good choices here as well.
3. Shelter
This seems like a no brainer here, but I still hear many horror stories about people camping in harsher conditions than what their tent can handle. Make sure you have a tent that can handle the seasonal elements that you will be facing. Wind, rain, freezing and tropic temperatures can all be protected against with the right tent. The more weather proof your tent is the pricier it can become. But tents in the medium to upper price ranges generally will come with superb warranties, guaranteeing you will get more mileage and use out of your tent. Things like taped zippers, water proof walls, and extra thick and durable floors can keep you nice and toasty in the cold and the rain.
4. Shoes
We get asked questions all the time about shoes. The truth of the matter is there are thousands of good shoes out there, but that doesn't mean they will all work for you. Everybody's foot and calf shape are different so boots and shoes will react to everyone's unique form. Going out with the right pair of shoes for your feet and activity will keep you all the more comfortable. Going out with the wrong pair of shoes can cause everything from terrible blisters to nasty ankle sprains. Simply having to hike with wet socks can ruin one's outdoor trip. So take some time and try out a few things until you find the right one. Spending an extra $50-$100 will be well worth keeping your feet and body healthy and comfortable.
5. Safety
This area is too easily overlooked, which can cause real consequences. First aid kits are often taken for granted, since people underestimate the types of problems they may encounter in the outdoors. Animal and spider bites, rashes, bad cuts and bruises, ankle twists, sunburns, and any other number of problems you can think of. Take some time to think about the kinds of problems you could face when you are headed for outdoor adventures, and plan accordingly. You'll be much more comfortable if you are able to treat your injuries properly.. 99% of the time you will probably not have a problem but the 1% of the time you do, you will be glad you spent a little extra money for a first aid kit.
1. Sleeping Bag
If you have ever been camping in the outdoors with the wrong sleeping bag then you know what a miserable experience you can have, especially if you are camping in really cold weather. Go ahead and spend some extra cash here. You're sleeping bag may not just keep you comfy, it may be the item that keeps you alive. If you're out in temperatures below freezing, your $25 generic sleeping bag is probably not going to cut it. Not to mention the cheaper bags can be tough to carry if you are backpacking and don't have a bag that is compact AND warm. Don't worry about going with a duck down bag versus a goose down bag if you need to cut back a few dollars. They both will perform the same if their fill power rating is the same. The North Face Hotlum and Kelty Coromell are good bags to look at without going too far overboard.
2. Sleeping Pad
I'm a big advocate of using a pad. Anything that is going to help give me more cushion while I sleep is a good investment. Both your sleeping pad and bag are crucial in achieving a good night sleep and keeping energy levels high during the day. This could also mean a more uncomfortable trip for you and a more dangerous one if you are moving through any treacherous terrain between naps. Nemo makes some great pads that are inflatable and are still lightweight. But Kelty and Therm-a-Rest are good choices here as well.
3. Shelter
This seems like a no brainer here, but I still hear many horror stories about people camping in harsher conditions than what their tent can handle. Make sure you have a tent that can handle the seasonal elements that you will be facing. Wind, rain, freezing and tropic temperatures can all be protected against with the right tent. The more weather proof your tent is the pricier it can become. But tents in the medium to upper price ranges generally will come with superb warranties, guaranteeing you will get more mileage and use out of your tent. Things like taped zippers, water proof walls, and extra thick and durable floors can keep you nice and toasty in the cold and the rain.
4. Shoes
We get asked questions all the time about shoes. The truth of the matter is there are thousands of good shoes out there, but that doesn't mean they will all work for you. Everybody's foot and calf shape are different so boots and shoes will react to everyone's unique form. Going out with the right pair of shoes for your feet and activity will keep you all the more comfortable. Going out with the wrong pair of shoes can cause everything from terrible blisters to nasty ankle sprains. Simply having to hike with wet socks can ruin one's outdoor trip. So take some time and try out a few things until you find the right one. Spending an extra $50-$100 will be well worth keeping your feet and body healthy and comfortable.
5. Safety
This area is too easily overlooked, which can cause real consequences. First aid kits are often taken for granted, since people underestimate the types of problems they may encounter in the outdoors. Animal and spider bites, rashes, bad cuts and bruises, ankle twists, sunburns, and any other number of problems you can think of. Take some time to think about the kinds of problems you could face when you are headed for outdoor adventures, and plan accordingly. You'll be much more comfortable if you are able to treat your injuries properly.. 99% of the time you will probably not have a problem but the 1% of the time you do, you will be glad you spent a little extra money for a first aid kit.
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