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Best camping mattress

Choosing the best Camping Mattress

The camping mattress buyers guide to help you choose the best camp mattresses by considering the advantages and disadvantages of using a camping air mattress, foam camping mattress or self inflating camping mattress.

There’s nothing like a good sleep system to get a great nights sleep on a camp trip. However, there are some important camp mattress considerations to note before parting with your cash.

If your family camping or car camping you may be looking for a double or king size camping air mattress because weight and portability is not an issue.

Backpacking and hiking trips require a camping mattress or as most of us call them sleeping pads, made from a couple of foam variations and air camp mattresses.

Best Air Mattress for camping

 

Wow, the best  air mattress for camping will be the most comfortable of all. These are made to be as close to a household bed as possible. However, close is quite far, as the companies that produce a camping mattress have a challenge to provide the comfort of your own bed.

I’m afraid you may need to lower your expectations for what an air camping mattress can do.

When buying an inflatable camp mattress you have the option of manual pumping, using a foot pump or electric pumps.

Electric pumps are the most convenient but will increase the cost overall if you have to buy separately. You will either need an electric hook up, or your car close to the tent if access into your tent is tight and the electric pump runs from the car battery power.

Rechargeable pumps are a good option and plenty of campgrounds have an electricity point to recharge when needed.

Manual pumps will either be a kind of foot pump or a hand pump fitted to the camping mattress that takes some pumping to fully inflate. The hand inflating camping air mattress is not fun to pump after pitching a tent on a hot day, although they are cheap and need no form of power, apart from arm power.

The down side of a camping air bed, includes slight deflating during a nights sleep, punctures and/or air leaks causing the air bed to completely deflate.

Reviews are all 50/50 for the performance. Some consumers say they had no deflating problems others say it went completely flat overnight. Using the instructions for inflating is advisable, and buying from a trusted retailer that has a good returns policy is smart.

Various sizes are available, from single to twin, double and king size. Also, if you have problems with getting up from close to the floor you have the option of buying a camp mattress that is the size of two camping mattresses to provide the height needed.

  • Popular Air Camp Mattress Brands
  • Coleman
  • Wenzel
  • Aero bed
  • Intex air mattress
  • Other top brands for buying camping gear will sell a camping air mattress, although with limited reviews for performance.

Cheaper options are available but be warned, you have a good chance of waking up deflated.

Self Inflating Camping Mattress And Foam Camping Mattresses

The self-inflating camping mattress or a foam camping mattress is what is better known as sleeping pads.

These are the option for backpacking or hiking trips. The foam camping mattress is the most versatile and will never leak or become punctured.

If car camping and no one has major comfort issues we would advise you to look more into using these types for reliability.

The self-inflating camping mattress is a great lightweight option that also provides comfort.

For more information about the self-inflating camping mattress and foam camping mattress visit the camping sleeping pad guide.

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Best camping lantern

Various camping lanterns can be seen around most campgrounds, from a camping candle lantern to an led camping lantern. We help you choose the best camping lantern by explaining the different types.

A battery operated lantern, liquid fuel lanterns, camping gas lanterns or an led camping lantern will bring much-needed light for finding the way around a camp site. The various camping lanterns all have advantages and disadvantages, that are worth considering before making a choice.

Camping lanterns are most suitable for car camping and base camp trips. The weight and pack size conscious backpackers will find camping headlamps and other camping lights more suitable. Although, there are lightweight options to consider.

Battery Operated Lantern

These are the most popular camping lanterns for most campers. These are safe for children to use, have no fire risk and the easiest to use, just click the button and light!

The disadvantage would be having to make sure the batteries do not run flat, and to be prepared with enough spares. Using rechargeable batteries are a good option if you have an electric hook up and save money. You are also able to buy a rechargeable lantern or a cross between solar power and batteries.

A battery operated lantern may also become affected by very cold weather conditions. Batteries discharge quicker. This is where other liquid fuel lanterns become a better option.

An led camping lantern can last for over 50 hours run time compared to many of the fluorescent tube types. When considering a battery powered lantern, check the burn time and the lumens (the higher the brighter).

Liquid Fuel Lanterns

These camping lanterns are as bright as the cannister lantern although more efficient with fuel that requires a mantel replacement when needed.

They are made to be used with either unleaded fuel, coleman fuel or kerosene. Many coleman lanterns are duel fuel types that use coleman fuel or unleaded gas. Coleman fuel is available from most camping stores.

These are a great option for cold weather camping and can be used with the fuel for a camp stove to save taking various types of fuel.

Refilling and spillage can be a disadvantage for liquid fuel lanterns; Also, safety is an issue compared to a battery operated lantern because these have a flame rather than bulbs. You will need to make sure a flame is allowed in the camp area, some areas have restrictions.

Not many campers use the kerosene lamps now due to the better options available. Kerosene can smell, and is quite a dirty fuel. Although, widely available and an option for emergency circumstances.

Liquid fuel lanterns also need cooling before refilling for safety reasons, that can be a pain during the night. Best have your torch! Although winter campers may be grateful for some heat.

Some consumers complain amount the noise a fuel lantern can make.

Cannister Lanterns – Gas Camping Lanterns

These camping lanterns will either be used with a propane cylinder, butane or isobutane. Again, if you already use a camp stove that uses a cylinder this may be a good option to minimize taking various fuels.

They are easier to use than liquid fuel, by just screwing the cannister on, rather than refilling, with the option of buying a 2 mantel type, for extra output.

Gas lanterns will not perform as well as liquid fuel lanterns below freezing temperatures. These lanterns are known for blasting out some light, if you really want to create an illumination around your camp.

Solar Powered/Dynamo/Wind Up Camping Lanterns

These lanterns have no need for fuel or batteries. Many are combined with solar and batteries or solar and wind up. Consumers have many complaints about these types not producing enough light, or take too much winding for the amount of light output.

There are many cheap options that people complain about. We get what we pay for, I say. You will struggle to get the same output from one of these compared to some of the camping lanterns above.

The obvious advantage is having no concern for batteries, replacement mantels or fuel; also better for the environment.

Camping Candle Lantern

Camping candle lantern can be bought very cheap; They are basically a lantern or tube that just protects the candle from going out and a place for it to reside.

These are never going to give the same output as battery operated lanterns or fuel types. A good option for backpacking and hiking because they weigh as little as 4 ozs without the need for carrying fuel, or spare bulbs and batteries.

Camping Lanterns Safety and Tips

Whatever lantern you choose, keep in mind the safety of you and your family with the flame types. We would not advise using a flame inside a tent.

Any of the lanterns above either may need replacement bulbs, canisters, batteries or fuel, that needs to be part of your camping kit to be prepared before setting out.

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Choosing the Best Camping Stoves

Find the best camping stove for backpacking, hiking or car camping.

When buying a camping stove we want to get the right type for the trip planned. The stove is an important piece of camping equipment to get right without wasting money that can last many of years.

Stoves vary for fuels used, size and weight. Various types include the propane camping stove, backpack stoves, coleman camp stoves, wood camp stoves, duel fuel camping stoves and many other variations and choices.

This guide will provide useful information for those considering a new camping stove or renewing the old clapped out stove.

Some stoves measure their efficiency in BTU, or British Thermal Units. Hotter stoves produce more BTU’s than more cooler stoves. However, the best way to gauge a stove efficiency is boiling time. Most camp stove manufacturers advertise their product’s boiling time in the stove information guide. The quicker a stove boils water, the more efficient it is.

Camping Stoves and Fuel Types

Camping stoves run on a variety of fuels. The type of fuel used will play an important factor in your decision making.

Kerosene camping stoves: kerosene products have been around for over a century and are safe to use with the usual precautions required for anything that generates heat. This fuel is a dirty fuel, leaving you a need to clean up the stove. It is best to use kerosene in well ventilated areas , only if no other fuel is available. You must also frequently pump-up kerosene stoves because this is a liquid fuel to be kept pressurized to produce enough flame to be practical.

White gas camping stoves: Very popular and avaliable from camping stores that sell coleman camping equipment, sporting goods stores, maybe even Wal-Mart. Slower burning and great for cold weather camping. Cleanliness is also an advantage.

Propane/Gas camping stoves: Propane camp stoves run on gas and are the most popular stove used for family camping or car camping. Coleman camp stoves and many other stoves are made with two burners to suit trips for more than one person camping. Most propane stoves have push button ignitions attached that are definitely convenient, but over time the mechanism can break, so make sure you have matches or a lighter to get your stove up and running just in case. Having a windscreen attached to your camp stove can be very helpful on windy days. However many stoves have sufficient windscreens at the side of the stove. These are the easiest to use and clean, out of all fuel types. Just plug the cannister in and cook. Not the best fuel at low temperatures, below zero degrees.

Unleaded gasoline camping stoves: Widely available and cheap. Many people would not recommend using unleaded fuel. Others are very happy to use it. This fuel also means more time spent cleaning the stove compared to white fuel.

 

 

Various Camp Stoves

Duel fuel: Duel fuel camp stoves are great for those needing different fuel options. Many will run on white gas and unleaded fuel, others will also burn kerosene. However follow the manufacturers guidelines. . I would use white gas above unleaded unless circumstances required unleaded.

Alcohol camping stoves: Alcohol burns well in an non pressurized burner compared to other solid fuels.alcohol does take much longer to produce heat.

Backpack stoves: For the single burner backpacking stoves. These are not made for preparing an entire family meal. However, they can come in handy as an extra burner, or to carry with you for a picnic lunch away from your base camp. Most of these stoves will be the white gas type. This is because weight is very important when backpacking lightweight or hiking, and white gas provides the most heat for a given weight of fuel.

Wood Stoves: Wood camp stoves are a great option if you would like to have a home made stove or the increasingly popular wood gas burning systems that effectively burn the fuel twice. Wood gas stoves work like this. In the first stage, combustion air is driven into the fuel to create some smoke (or wood gas). In the second stage, more combustion air is driven into the chamber to burn the gas from the first stage. The electric fan provides the combustion air in just the right amounts to produce the gas and burn it completely. Good option for the environmental friendly folk.

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Best sleeping bags for camping

Best sleeping bags for camping

A guide for choosing the best sleeping bags for camping. The right sleep system is essential when car camping, backpacking, hiking or family camping.

This guide will help you decide whether you need lightweight sleeping bags, cold weather sleeping bags, synthetic or down sleeping bags.

Using sleeping bag reviews for kids sleeping bags, ultralight sleeping bags or backpacking sleeping bags will provide great ideas to suit your camping needs.

We review marmot sleeping bags for visitors that you may find useful.

Materials Used For Sleeping Bags for camping

Choosing a quality sleeping bag is essential, waking up during the night freezing many times does not make happy camping. A good nights sleep for the next day makes camping activities for the day enjoyable.

Down camping sleeping bags offer the best material for insulation and warmth, although a bit more expensive it can pay to invest in a down sleeping bag. Down sleeping bags are more compact for packing which is great for backpacking.

Synthetic sleeping bags are not best used as cold weather sleeping bags for winter camping. However synthetic sleeping bags are generally better for summer camping.

The negatives for down sleeping bags: Down absorbs moisture readily and loses all its insulating qualities whilst wet. They take a long time to dry and become damaged by getting wet. They can become too warm and sweaty in the summer. However, investing in a very good bag won’t have these all these issues.

Even moisture from body heat and condensation can lessen down’s insulating ability, created by condensation or morning dew. Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, not only dries fast but can keep you warm even while it’s wet.

Sleeping Bag Features

 

  • Mummy style camping sleeping bags; the mummy style shapes lower with the body which keeps the sleeping bag closer to the body the body staying closer to the materials creates warmth.
  • Rectangle shape: is usually the same size width from top to bottom that allows more air for an advantage when it gets very hot during the night.

 

For comfort and protection, you will need a roll mat, air mattress or sleeping pad. A sleeping pad will provide insulation by compressing the bag between the mat. Your body heat will be lost through sleeping on the ground without a camping matt of some sort.

Various Camping Sleeping Bags Available

Sleeping bag reviews by the camping community will provide great camping tips and advice for what sleeping bags worked for others, whether family camping, hiking or backpacking.

Ultralight sleeping bags or lightweight sleeping bags are important and necessary for backpackers and hiking. Ultralight sleeping bags may not be necessary for many trips and will cost a bit more.

Kids Sleeping Bags will need to provide just as much quality as an adults sleeping bag. The difference will mainly be the size and costing less. There are also a limited amount of toddler sleeping bags available.

Cold weather sleeping bags vary, three season sleeping bags (spring, summer, fall) and four season sleeping bags (winter) are for the seasonal camper or the all year around adventure seeker, although checking the temperature ratings will be needed. Cold weather sleeping bags will be aimed towards below freezing conditions.

Sleeping Bags for camping Temperature Ratings

Great differences are often found between temperature ratings. There is no real all inclusive standard method or procedure for determining the comfortable temperature rating of a sleeping bag.

There is a rating available for Europe (called EN 13537), some US stores have implemented this, so others will follow.

* Upper Limit The highest air temperature at which an average man can sleep comfortably.

* Comfort The lowest air temperature at which an average woman can sleep comfortably.

* Lower Limit The lowest air temperature at which an average man can sleep comfortably.

In the US, the sleeping bag’s rating indicates the lowest temperature at which the sack will keep the average sleeper warm (20F bag should keep you comfortable down to 20F, not below). There is no standard for measuring ratings that exist in the U.S.

Two people could use the same camping sleeping bags in the same weather conditions but whilst one person slept well and very warm; the other may not have. It is very hard to decide the temperature for each person due to individuals metabolism, the food they ate that day and physical activity. Women tend to need warmer camping sleeping bags, that are available, designed for a woman’s body shape.

Temperature ratings usually indicate the lowest temperature at which an average user will sleep fine. If you get cold easily sleeping, consider a bag rated below the lowest temperature you expect to encounter.

Hot sleepers may want to adjust upward. Since there is no industry standard for temperature ratings, ratings can and do differ between sleeping bag manufacturers. Check where you buy the sleeping bags from and adjust accordingly to your body heat when sleeping.

The best we can hope for is to know that if a bag says 30 degrees it will keep you warmer than one that says 20 degrees. Then, even if you need to add or subtract 10 or 20 degrees for your personal camping needs, you can still figure out which bag is the warmer one.

If a bag does not fit the bill and work for you, most stores like AmazonKids Sleeping Bags , Moosejaw.com or Altrec Outlet have a good returns policy, allowing returning the sleeping bag easy enough.

Camping Sleeping Bags Liner And Pads

After choosing camping sleeping bags that meets your camping needs, you may want to also consider purchasing a liner.

Using a liner will cut down on having to wash the entire sleeping bag. This will greatly extend the lifetime of your sleeping bag as washing tends to make the insulating fill “clump”, greatly reducing comfort and effectiveness, especially Down Sleeping Bags.

When choosing a sleeping bag whether its backpacking sleeping bags, kids sleeping bags or ultralight sleeping bags.

Properly taking care of it will save money and allow years of backpacking, camping and hiking adventure.

A good sleep system needs a sleeping pad or air mattress. We provide a guide for finding a suitable camping sleeping pad to meet various needs.

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