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How to Organize a Camping Trip

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Camping Clothing and Footwear

Camping Gear

The outdoor outfitting industry is massive, and countless new or updated products appear each year. Always keep the essential purposes of your gear in mind: doing so will help you sort through the vast array of options and decide which features are necessary and which are excessive.

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are generally classified by their shape and filling.

Mummy Bags vs. Rectangular Bags

Mummy bags are close-fitting and tapered at the foot, with a snug hood. They are essential for cold-weather camping but too hot to sleep in during the summer. Some campers also find the mummy bag’s shape to be claustrophobic. Classic rectangular bags, on the other hand, lack the warming abilities of mummy bags but allow for more movement, and they can be more easily joined to other sleeping bags to create two- or three-person bags. This style is usually acceptable for recreational campers.

Down Filling vs. Synthetic Filling

Sleeping bags with down filling are expensive but can be advantageous in the long run: they’re lighter, more breathable, compress to a smaller size, and can last for decades (whereas synthetic bags need to be replaced every few years). However, down bags that become wet take a long time to dry, which can lead to uncomfortable nights. The main benefit of sleeping bags with synthetic filling (often a polyester fiber such as Polarguard®, Hollofil®, or Quallofil®), besides the far-cheaper prices, is that they dry fairly quickly.

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag

When choosing a sleeping bag shape, consider the nighttime temperatures at the site you plan to visit, as well as how much you usually move around and how cold you tend to get at night. Because everyone’s metabolism is different, some need more insulation than others.

Test-run a bag before buying it. Practice getting in and out of it and see how comfortable you feel. Inspect the zipper, which should be sturdy and two-way and run the full length of the bag. The zipper should also have a draft tube, which covers and insulates the entire inside of the zipper—the draft tube is key to preventing heat loss.

Sleeping Pads

A sleeping pad is placed under your sleeping bag and has two functions: to buffer you from uncomfortable bumps on the ground and to keep you warm and dry. For warmth, a sleeping bag alone is often insufficient: lying on the cold earth for hours on end causes significant heat loss. Folded-up extra blankets will work in a pinch, but they may make a lumpy sleeping surface and are heavy to carry around. There are more comfortable and easier options.

Self-Inflating Mattress

Essentially a lighter, more compact version of an air mattress, a self-inflating mattress is comfortable and durable. However, it needs to be repaired or replaced if punctured or torn.

Closed-Cell Foam Pad

A closed-cell foam pad is much cheaper than a self-inflating mattress and remains usable even if punctured or torn. A popular mattress of this type is the RidgeRest®, made by Therm-a-Rest.

Tents

A good tent must be lightweight, breathable, durable, and waterproof. A well-made tent will have tight stitching, a smooth zipper system, and aluminum poles. Light-colored fabrics reflect light to avoid absorbing excess heat. Tents are double-skinned: the inner layer is a breathable nylon, whereas the outer layer, called the rain fly, keeps the inside dry. The rain fly should cover the entire tent—if it doesn’t, it can make for a soggy night.

Vestibules are popular optional features. These are essentially tent foyers that provide extra storage space and shelter the entrance of the tent from the elements. Vestibules are useful in any kind of weather but are indispensable for winter camping.

Types of Tents

Three popular tent designs are: A-frame tents, hoop tents, and dome tents.

A-frame: Shaped like a capital A, with sharply sloping sides and a central point
Hoop: Features several arched poles that create a tunnel inside the tent
Dome: Has two or more large poles that overlap to form a hemispherical roof

Tent Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
A-frame	Reliable Rain-resistant Inexpensive	Provides little headroom Usually requires stakes to stay rigid
Hoop	Lightweight Easy to set up	Doesn’t resist wind well Provides little headroom
Dome	Resists wind well Has ample floor space and headroom	Can be heavy

How to Choose a Tent

As a general guideline, figure that each camper will require 3'× 7' of space in the tent. Keep these dimensions in mind when looking at tents: some “four-person” tents may really be more suitable for two. Tents are always a compromise between weight and spaciousness. If you’ll be backpacking, consider every pound: you’d be wise to sacrifice a roomy tent for one that you can carry comfortably. If you’re camping by car or plan to stay at only one sleeping site the entire trip, the weight of your tent will be a less important consideration.

As with sleeping bags, test out several tents before deciding. Good camping-supply stores will have a variety of tents set up and will let you take them down and repitch them.

Backpacks

If you’re planning a short trip with a car nearby, a daypack may be all you need. But if you’ll be carrying everything on your back, a well-made backpack is a vital investment. Carry no more than 25% of your body weight on your back: for example, if you weigh 160 pounds, carry no more than 40 pounds on your back. There are two main types of backpacks:

External-frame pack: This pack has a large, rectangular, usually aluminum frame to which the pack and gear are attached. It’s designed to handle very heavy loads and distribute weight over your hips to take pressure off your back. The space that the frame puts between your back and the pack allows air to circulate more freely—a big asset in hot weather. In addition, you can tie extra equipment onto the frame if need be. However, an external frame is less than ideal for backpacking in situations where balance is critical, such as on rocky terrain: the trade-off for the high center of gravity and rigid frame structure is a decrease in stability.
Internal-frame pack: All the structural elements of an external-frame pack are found inside this pack. An internal-frame pack is more flexible and is better suited for use on unstable ground. It also contours to your body more precisely and will take on the shape of your back over time. Though an internal frame can be hot against your back and usually costs more than an external frame, its advantages have made it a popular choice among many backpackers.

Suspension System

The fit and comfort of your backpack depends on its suspension system, which consists of several components. Make sure you can adjust all of them easily.

Hip belt: Anchors much of the pack’s weight to your hips. The upper ridge of the hip belt should sit about 1" above your hipbone and be well padded.
Shoulder straps: Stabilize the pack. They too should be well padded, and you should be able to adjust them for maximum comfort, especially near your neck.
Sternum strap: Straps across your chest to prevent your shoulders from being pulled back by the weight of the pack.
Lumbar pad: Sits against your lower back to offer it support and protect it from sharp objects in your pack. It can be positioned higher or lower, depending on your comfort and the shape of your back.

When shopping for packs, try to wear each one for at least 15–20 minutes to see how it feels over time. If possible, test it holding as much weight as you think you’ll be carrying. Some camping-supply stores keep sandbags on hand for exactly this purpose.

Stoves

Relying on a campfire to cook food can be risky: getting a fire started in wet weather is difficult, and during dry seasons, some sites prohibit starting them. A camp stove is the most popular alternative to an open flame. There are three main types of stoves:

White gas: Ideal for those who camp often or spend long periods of time in the wilderness; also the most efficient stove for cold-weather use
Butane/propane: Burns cleanly and has an easy-to-control flame
Woodburning: Burns twigs and other firewood

Type of Stove	Advantages	Disadvantages
Liquid fuel	Fuel is less expensive A little fuel goes a long way	Stove is expensive Requires more maintenance
Compressed gas	Easy to adjust temperature Low-maintenance	Less reliable in cold weather Empty cartridges create extra bulk in your backpack
Solid fuel	Lightweight Low-maintenance	Needs constant refueling Hard to adjust temperature

How to Choose a Stove

Beyond the above fuel type considerations, think about the following factors when picking out a stove:

Weight: Will you be carrying the stove on your back? If so, look into a pack stove, which usually has only one burner but packs flat for convenient storage and transport.
Wind susceptibility: A windy night can cause a lot of frustration if you have the wrong type of stove. If you’re sold on a specific stove but are still unsure of its ability to resist the wind, you can usually buy an attachable windscreen.
Flame adjustment: Depending on how sophisticated your cooking will be, you may want to ensure that the stove’s flame can adapt easily from low to high heat.

Lanterns

Weight is a big consideration when choosing the proper lantern, as some models can be quite heavy. Smaller “packing” lanterns are more suitable for backpacking than larger, sturdier models. There are several types of lanterns, each suitable for different needs:

Candle: This small glass-and-metal cylinder holds special dripless candles. Though ecologically sound and good for general lighting, a candle lantern cannot illuminate large areas or be used as a spotlight. Never place a candle lantern on a tent floor, and be sure to bring several spare candles along.
Gas-powered: This lantern runs on propane, butane, “dual fuel,” or kerosene. It’s suitable only for campsite use, not backpacking. Never use a gas-powered lantern inside a tent.
Battery-powered: This lantern comes in a variety of sizes, each of which takes different sizes of batteries and is safe to take inside tents and cars. Most battery-powered lanterns use fluorescent bulbs. Remember to bring several replacement batteries with you.
LED-powered: LED (light-emitting diode) is a newer technology for battery-powered lanterns. An LED never needs to be replaced and drains a battery much more slowly than a fluorescent bulb. An LED lantern is great for both long camping trips and emergencies.

Rope

You can never have too much rope—you’ll need it for rigging tarps, keeping food out of reach of animals, hanging clothes up to dry, and more. Look for a thick, supple, rope that you can grab bare-handed comfortably and that’s made of synthetic rather than natural fiber. Avoid buying simple clothesline, which stretches and warps with moisture. Instead, buy nylon parachute cord—it’s very versatile because of its elasticity and strength. Look for cord with a test strength of at least 550 pounds.