The Camping Blog

Traveling light is the key to a hassle-free camping or hiking. Every backpacker aims to bring a device that is multifunctional. This is the main reason why Victorinox knives are very popular. They are known because most of these army knives come as complete set of tools that one can use while hiking, fishing and camping.

Victorinox knives make use of cross in the center of a red shield as their emblem. They are available in various sizes and functional combinations. Aside from Swiss army knives, Victorinox became very famous also for their kitchen knives. They are of superior quality and readily available in lots of stores.

One of the important things to master when backpacking is how to keep weight down. This ensures that the backpacker is comfortable during the hike. But it is also important to be properly provided in terms of shelter. Backpacking tents should provide adequate shelter from the cold but should also be well ventilated. It should be able to withstand all weather conditions including wind, rain and snow. Backpacking tents are available in the market that will meet all these requirements and still remain lightweight.

Experts suggest that one way to keep your load light is to choose the food that you bring along. Think of high calorie foods that weigh less. Mixed nuts, for example, have as many calories per pound as bread. Surely, you will be able to come up with a food balance that will consider weight versus calories and still be nutritious. You should also avoid canned goods and choose vacuum packed foods instead.

A space heater is a device that provides heat in an enclosed area. A heater can be portable and will come in different variants. The most popular ones are those powered by electricity. They are more convenient and safer because there is no threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. They can, however, be expensive to operate. Other kinds of heaters are halogen and propane heaters.

Halogen heaters use light from an energy efficient halogen bulb to produce heat. They are light weight and efficient converting about 85% of the input power to the output source of energy. Propane heaters are powered by a compressible gas that is stored in liquid form. Propane heaters are popular in heating up spaces like the outdoor patio. There are free standing ones and table top ones.

To the uninitiated, kayaking can be confused with canoeing. The difference lies in the sitting position of the paddler. In a kayak, the paddler faces forward with legs extended in front. In a canoe, the paddler faces forward in a sitting or kneeling position. Another difference is in the paddle used. A kayak paddler will be using a double bladed paddle while a canoe paddle is single bladed.

Both are great fitness activities. It involves strength training, flexibility and aerobic workouts. Repetitive paddling works your abs, arms, shoulders, back and chest. It also gives your legs a workout because paddling starts at the feet. There will be a lot of questions when you decide to buy your own kayak. Rigid kayaks are what most people are familiar with but there are also folding and inflatable kayaks. They offer terrific portability and ease of storage.

Never assume that water at campgrounds is safe to drink. Also, water in lakes, springs, and rivers may look crystal clear but they often have bacteria that can cause illness. Unless an official announcement is made that water at a campground is safe to drink, you must use a water purification method to keep safe.

Bring along a portable water purification filter whenever you go camping. Its purpose is to strain out microscopic contaminants to give out clear water that is safe to drink. A good water filter weighs less than 20 ounces. It must be easy to hold, simple to use, and not too hard to clean and maintain. At the very least, go for one that removes protozoa and bacteria, not only giardia and cryptosporidium.

For the best sleeping bags for adults and children, it is best to check out brands with credibility. Snugpak prides themselves as one the last manufacturers of quality sleeping bags and insulated clothing in Europe. Their products are manufactured using durable fabrics and highly compressible lightweight insulation. They have not stopped improving on their products to provide comfort in the midst of challenges. Snugpak sleeping bags are always intelligent choices.

Snugpack provides a collection of sleeping bags that will fit every kind of adventure. You will also have a wide choice as far as your budget is concerned. Their Softie 3 Merlin sleeping bag is a combination of insulation and highly breathable reflective barrier. Its most attractive feature though is that it packs to the size of a cantaloupe melon. This is just one of the many products being offered by Snugpack.

There is no need to leave your beloved pet in the care of a kennel or neighbors when you go on vacation. Check out the many kinds of North Carolina pet friendly vacations you can avail of. This makes it possible to bring your pet with you.

When inquiring, ask if there is a fenced in yard where your pet can roam free. Ask too if pets are allowed inside the room or cabin. There are pet friendly vacation rentals that even provide pet beds, bowls, bones and toys that your dog or cat can play with while there. This way, not only the humans would be leaving with wonderful memories of the trip.

Optimus is a Swedish stove company. It has been known to manufacture camping stoves since 1899. To date, Optimus stoves remain quite popular with most hikers and campers. After all, the brand is one of leading stove makers known for its amazing innovations.

According to some, the Optimus Svea is the best classic stove for hikers. The construction is that of a solid brass canister that integrates the burner and gas chamber in one assembly. The Svea model has been in the market since 1899 and no other single part has been changed. Thus, there is no other stove to date that has been field tested as much as this model has been.

Going camping with the family is always fun. It is great bonding time for the family. It will require more extensive planning, though, especially in terms of accommodation. A camping family will need a cabin tent, portable shelters that are designed for use by typically four or more people. Not only are they bigger, they are also designed differently.

A Eureka family tent will provide special features to make a family’s stay enjoyable and comfortable. A full mesh panel roof maximizes ventilation. Straight-wall design maximizes interior space. Removable room divider offers interior space flexibility. There are storage pockets to make sure necessities are within easy reach. Most importantly, a 12-volt system is built in.

There are many different brands of quality sleeping bags. Coleman sleeping bags is one of them. Children may have been introduced to it while joining summer camps. They have firsthand experience in the kind of warmth that Coleman sleeping bags provide. Coleman may have made innovative changes in their product but one thing has never changed. Their superior quality has remained the same.

Children have also learned certain tips in the use of sleeping bags which they continue to benefit from even as they have grown into adulthood.

~They keep some clothes inside the bag. Not only does it add to the insulation; they are also warmed up when they put them on in the morning.
~Graphite from a No.2 pencil helps to smooth out stuck zippers.
~Unrolling the sleeping bag at least an hour before bedtime allows enough time for the insulation to expand and perform better.
~Using sleeping bag liners add to the insulation while keeping the bag clean.