I'm potentially going to ask for some camping gear for Christmas, namely a sleeping bag, and I'm curious what brand(s) to go with. I stopped by REI tonight to check them out but the selection was kind of overwhelming. I would potentially look to upgrade my tent and get a pack as well. I've been wanting to start camping for a while now, I haven't been for probably 12 years, but I don't have a sleeping bag and my wife has no interest in going. My brother-in-law mentioned it recently so I hopefully have someone to camp with going forward.

When I think camping I think Coleman for everything

This is you in 5 years.....quality humor and fun

http://touch.dailymotion.com/video/xoxs3_homesteader-droopy_fun

I camp in a 5th wheel so I'm not sure I count.

justincredible;1531661 wrote:I'm potentially going to ask for some camping gear for Christmas, namely a sleeping bag, and I'm curious what brand(s) to go with. I stopped by REI tonight to check them out but the selection was kind of overwhelming. I would potentially look to upgrade my tent and get a pack as well. I've been wanting to start camping for a while now, I haven't been for probably 12 years, but I don't have a sleeping bag and my wife has no interest in going. My brother-in-law mentioned it recently so I hopefully have someone to camp with going forward.

What time of year are you going to be camping? You can get sleeping bags depending on the type of weather or time of year. You want to get a good tent that is the biggest thing I will recommend. I have old military mummy sleeping bags and they are pretty nice for cold weather. I have not bought a new one in a while so not real sure what is out on the market. I do have a warm weather bag as well that is like a like blanket type bag.

justincredible;1531661 wrote:I'm potentially going to ask for some camping gear for Christmas, namely a sleeping bag, and I'm curious what brand(s) to go with. I stopped by REI tonight to check them out but the selection was kind of overwhelming. I would potentially look to upgrade my tent and get a pack as well. I've been wanting to start camping for a while now, I haven't been for probably 12 years, but I don't have a sleeping bag and my wife has no interest in going. My brother-in-law mentioned it recently so I hopefully have someone to camp with going forward.

Going to Brokeback Mountain?

mcburg93;1531738 wrote:What time of year are you going to be camping? You can get sleeping bags depending on the type of weather or time of year. You want to get a good tent that is the biggest thing I will recommend. I have old military mummy sleeping bags and they are pretty nice for cold weather. I have not bought a new one in a while so not real sure what is out on the market. I do have a warm weather bag as well that is like a like blanket type bag.

Three season. I'm not sure if enjoy camping in the winter all that much.

Ytowngirlinfla;1531754 wrote:Going to Brokeback Mountain?

No.

If you don't mind Justin going to piggy back here. Looking at getting into free-range camping and would like some lightweight backpack tents and mummy sack recommendations.

Fab1b;1531778 wrote:If you don't mind Justin going to piggy back here. Looking at getting into free-range camping and would like some lightweight backpack tents and mummy sack recommendations.

Not a problem.

What is free range camping? Just sans-tent?

Basically camping as you go on natural land (where permitted). I want to set off on a trail for a few days and set up camp along the way at night. Small fire, some water, and food. Then sleep and get up and continue on.

Fab1b;1531788 wrote:Basically camping as you go on natural land (where permitted). I want to set off on a trail for a few days and set up camp along the way at night. Small fire, some water, and food. Then sleep and get up and continue on.

Gotcha. That sounds pretty awesome.

Big time hiker/camper. Do you know if you want down or synthetic sleeping bag?

Also to consider is how serious you want to get. You want to be able to sleep in sub 40s you're going to want high quality gear. I have a marmot synthetic mummy sleeping bag rated for 30 degrees. Didn't think I would ever need that, until randomly this summer. Did a 12 mile backpack trip into Sykes Hot Spings. Hot as shit, mid 90s during the day. The night before I didn't use my bag at all. The night after the 12 mile hike in, the temp dropped to high 40s in the middle of the night. In Ohio in the summer though, you prob don't need all that. A simple cheap bag will get you going.

For light pack camping, I've heard hammocks are great. Light weight, not a lot of gear to carry and easy to set up long as you're in a wooded area.

Also Justin, solo camping is always an option. I got a buddy that does it least once a year.

justincredible;1531792 wrote:Gotcha. That sounds pretty awesome.

By awesome, you meant miserable.

Commander of Awesome;1531845 wrote:Big time hiker/camper. Do you know if you want down or synthetic sleeping bag?

Also to consider is how serious you want to get. You want to be able to sleep in sub 40s you're going to want high quality gear. I have a marmot synthetic mummy sleeping bag rated for 30 degrees. Didn't think I would ever need that, until randomly this summer. Did a 12 mile backpack trip into Sykes Hot Spings. Hot as shit, mid 90s during the day. The night before I didn't use my bag at all. The night after the 12 mile hike in, the temp dropped to high 40s in the middle of the night. In Ohio in the summer though, you prob don't need all that. A simple cheap bag will get you going.

For light pack camping, I've heard hammocks are great. Light weight, not a lot of gear to carry and easy to set up long as you're in a wooded area.

Also Justin, solo camping is always an option. I got a buddy that does it least once a year.

No idea on down or synthetic. Probably synthetic, assuming it's cheaper. I probably won't get super serious, and if I do I can always upgrade, but I saw some bags rated down to 27º at REI for less than $150 that only weight about 2 pounds. Seems like that would probably be a decent place to start. I like the idea of using a hammock as a pack.

Thinking of heading into western Ark. late Dec. I'm going to look at gear soon but I think the wife will want a hotel then. I'm down to camp in the cold though as long as I can make a fire. My thing is water. I go through a ton of water so finding a source to purify is my main concern. Going to start small though and go from there.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IS1ZX8/?tag=047-20
These look sweet.

Fab1b;1532158 wrote:Thinking of heading into western Ark. late Dec. I'm going to look at gear soon but I think the wife will want a hotel then. I'm down to camp in the cold though as long as I can make a fire. My thing is water. I go through a ton of water so finding a source to purify is my main concern. Going to start small though and go from there.

http://www.amazon.com/Vestergaard-Frandsen-527950-LifeStraw-Personal-Filter/dp/B006QF3TW4

justincredible;1532214 wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Vestergaard-Frandsen-527950-LifeStraw-Personal-Filter/dp/B006QF3TW4

Nice find will be ordering!

Coffee singles. Lots of gimmick coffee makers for camping but these are still easier and less weight to carry in the backpack.

If ever going to do camping where you go from location to location in a canoe= dry bag is a must.
something like this-













Obviously a quality knife, flashlight and lighter is important. Mess kit and first aid kit as "fancy" as you think necessary.
Get a good camping air mattress. Also keep a bundle of a few hundred feet of parachute rope in the bottom of your camping bag.

I really want a Coye Ridgeback knife, but holy shit are they pricey. REI had a bunch of Gerber knives under $50.

What all websites ya visiting?

Can go search around http://www.campmor.com/ for hours.


Personally I have a few different sized Leatherman multi tools I use for a knife.

justincredible;1532326 wrote:I really want a Coye Ridgeback knife, but holy shit are they pricey. REI had a bunch of Gerber knives under $50.

Have you checked out Benchmark outfitters in Blue Ash?

superman;1532337 wrote:Have you checked out Benchmark outfitters in Blue Ash?

I haven't, but I know exactly where it is. We are moving our office to the top floor of that old furniture store next to the stage area in Blue Ash in January so I can see myself killing a lot of time there in the future.

said_aouita;1532328 wrote:What all websites ya visiting?

Can go search around http://www.campmor.com/ for hours.


Personally I have a few different sized Leatherman multi tools I use for a knife.

Haven't checked out any other than REI. Thanks for the link.