Air Mattresses
There are many variables to consider in this process of selecting an air mattress. Some things to consider before buying include: insulation (from the ground temperature), comfort, weight/bulkiness, and durability. You also need to consider your outdoor plans. Things like the kind of weather you expect, the level of comfort you want while sleeping, how much extra weight you want to carry with you, and how much space you have for storage and for carrying it. These websites will greatly help you with the process of purchasing the appropriate air mattress for your needs. They will assist you in comparing all the pads together with their pro's and con's, prices, dimensions, weight, and durability.
Backpacks
In order to find the best backpack, there are several factors to consider.Depending on what kind of activity you're about to undertake, you may need a lightweight day pack or one for week-long intensive excursions. These websites will help in the decision process.
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Binoculars
Binoculars are made for many different things and come in a variety of different price ranges. There are many factors to consider including things such as: size, ease of use, focusing distance, and many additional features. The first step in determining which binoculars will be best for you is to decide what you are willing to spend on them. Binoculars can range in price from just a few dollars to the price of a new car. Once you have established a price range it is good to consider when you will be primarily using your binoculars. Different binoculars are made for various things such as hunting, sporting events, bird watching, marine, night-use, and travel. Another important part of selecting and purchasing binoculars is to become familiar with the vocabulary associated with them. There are a lot of new terms you must know to make an educated purchasing decision. For most people a pair of budget binoculars (under $200) will suit their needs just fine. Knowing what you are looking for and what features are important to you will help you get the most for your money.
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Sleeping Bags
A sleeping bag’s most common use is a camping trip, where it will need to keep you warm at night and be easy to pack around on your back all day. This however, is not the sole purpose of a sleeping bag; its uses may vary from a child at a sleep over to a full grown adult hiking Mt. Everest. So how do you know which one is right for you?
Here are the basics of what you should consider when buying a sleeping bag.
Size/Shape
There are two basic sizes a mummy and a rectangular bag. The reduced volume of a mummy means it insulates better and compresses to a smaller size. Rectangular bags are bulkier and heavier but can open flat to act as a comforter. There are sizes for children and sizes for people over 6 feet tall. Higher end bags are offered in men's and women's versions, wider at the shoulders or hips, respectively, for comfort and insulated in different patterns. These bags take into account anatomical and sleep differences.
Construction
Not all bags are constructed at the same level of quality. One very simple indicator of quality is the stitching on the edges of the bag. The edges of the bag should have a high quality stitch with inner and outer stitches that do not meet. If the stitching runs directly through the inner and outer layers of the bag cold pockets will be created. These spots will let your body heat out and the cold night air in. if you buy a bag of this quality you may only be comfortable using it for temperatures above 45 degrees.
Filler
The two main categories for filler are down and synthetic. There are many options in these two categories and it is important to remember that they are not all are created equal. In general down performs well when dry but is outperformed by synthetics when wet because synthetics tend to dry faster. Downs are lighter than synthetics and can give you the same amount of warmth in a noticeably lighter bag.
Temperature Rating
The temperature rating is the lowest temperature that the bag will still be comfortable to sleep in. If this is not listed on the sleeping bag do not plan on using it in any type of cool weather. An average backpacking bag would be rated for about 20 degrees. This does however, assume that you will be wearing appropriate clothing, have a secure tent, and some sort of insulated sleeping pad below you. The temperature rating is a great way to compare quality of different bags.
Price
The better a sleeping bag’s temperature rating the higher its price will be. A bag filled with down rated at 20 degrees will cost two to three hundred dollars. While a synthetic bag with the same rating will only cost one to two hundred.
Top Online Resources:
- ehow.com
- Hiking Equipment and camping gear guide: Hiking equipment tips
- REI: Outdoor Gear and Clothing
Stoves
They range in size and description from large campground stoves to small backpacking stoves. These websites are sites that sell a variety of stoves for all your camping needs.
In today's climate of global awareness, many of the stoves made these days are conscious of the gas they emit and the effect on the environment. This can be taken into consideration when choosing a stove. On these sites one can research the different stoves and identify which one suits them most economically and environmentally. Many of the stoves have different features that will vary in importance according to what type of camping you will be participating in. For the more rugged type, one will want a stove that is weatherproof, wind resistant, heats fast, and is lightweight to transport while hiking. The stoves vary in prices; most ranging between $100 and $200. However, they can also be sold ‘used’ at a cheaper price or can be more high-tech and expensive. The stoves either come with accessories or have accessories sold separately. These accessories can be cooking cups, fry pans, utensils, stands, safety guards, etc. You usually have to purchase these separately. In most cases, you will also need to purchase your fuel separately, which can be sold in canisters from these sites as well.
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Tents
Tents are used for many different events, reasons, performances, and throughout the many seasons of the year. People take them on road trips, for an overnight hike into the backcountry, on rafting trips, when they are just feeling the urge to sleep under the stars, or desire to take in the cool and refreshing air offered by the outdoors. Because there are so many uses for tents, there is a very wide variety offered to the public. One consumer guide described it with much comprehension when he said “buying a tent is sort of like buying a car – there are so many models to choose from”. This is why when consumers go shopping for a tent they need to be prepared and have a game plan ready so that they do not end up with the wrong deal or the wrong tent.
The size, color, structure, material, endurance, and waterproof capability are all major factors when choosing “the right tent”, the tent that will last and be able to accommodate their wants and needs. Do they want it to be compact and lightweight, or roomy and family-comfortable? Furthermore, a significant attraction while searching for a tent is simplicity. As an “Average Joe,” as most tent-purchasers are, you want a tent that is going to be easy to assemble when you are out in the middle of nowhere and Mother Nature is howling. It is often recommended that the best way to tell if a tent is right for you is to set it up in the store, and then again in your backyard before heading to the backcountry. The price-range of a consumer adds another dynamic to finding and purchasing a tent. The tent’s overall design and its technical features are two factors that affect price. How much a person values the extra and more technical luxuries and accessories is up to them and their wallets. Tents are commonly broken down into three main categories: family, three-season/convertible, and four-season/mountaineering tents.
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Trekking Poles
When buying trekking poles, one must consider several aspects to getting a good deal. The price for the poles s the first thing that people think about. This totally depends on the manufacturer and where one is buying them from. The material that the poles are made out of can also play a role in the price of the item, likewise it can also affect the quality which is not readily distinguishable over the internet.
The most compelling reviews are the ones that do not try to sell the reader the product while in the same breathe try to be objective. Non-profit sites are usually more likely to be these kinds of sites, like Consumer Report or Consumer Search. Trekking poles are not a very hot item in today's outdoors market so it is hard to find reviews on them.
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