Hey guys, I’m getting a lot more into camping and wanted to buy my own gear since I’ll be camping in Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton later next year. I will be going on smaller camping trips before then but have no clue what brands I should be looking at etc. I have an REI gift card that I would like to use on the gear but I’m open to any other online or in-person store. I’m basically in search for a 2-3 person tent, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads first, then will be following the rest of the REI camping checklist as I get more money. I don’t have a specific budget I am trying to stay in, but I do not need anything crazy expensive, I care more about practical use over anything. Sorry if this type of post is posted a lot but thank you guys in advance for the help!
Stuff I wish I knew starting out: what kind of sleeper are you? It turns out I’m a side sleeper, and investing in a thicker full length 25 wide sleeping pad (I have the Sea To Summit Etherlight XT) is the difference between miserable sleepless nights and a wonderful camping experience.
@Bliss
Agree 100%. I always thought my sleeping pads were comfortable until I bought an Exped Megamat 10 before my last camping trip of the season. I got the extra wide and long version because I also toss and turn (gotta change positions due to arthritis). What a game changer. I think I slept better in it than I do at home, but my mattress needs updating.
@Bliss
I’m definitely a side/stomach sleeper so thank you for the insight!
Kelty is pretty good and has some really good sales right now plus if you Google you can find extra coupon codes. I just picked up a couple of sleeping bags and a blanket for $50 (rated to 20 for summer camping)
@Rey
thank you !
Following… Not on your trip, I promise! Although it sounds amazing!
Micah said:
What sort of camping? Car camping? Overnight hikes? Multi-day trips? Year round camping or summer only?
Multi day trips but camping in designated camp sites. Only day hikes for now. Mostly in spring and summer but probably some in early autumn. Nothing at least for a while in the winter
@Lyle
Exped MegaMat or one of its clones. Family style camping tent (Big Agnes Bunk House, Eureka Spacecamp, Marmot Halo, Marmot Limestone etc). Nemo Filo or Exped Mega Pillow. Hammock Gear, UGQ, Enlightened Equipment, Cumulus etc quilts.
@Arlen
I appreciate it! I will look into all of these options
@Lyle
So right now you’re basically car camping with day hikes, but you’d like to have the equipment to do overnight hikes? If this is the case, I suggest going a bit bigger (4-6 person) and a bit less expensive on your tent, and consider a backpacking tent later. In terms of actual backpacking, I wouldn’t go bigger than a two person tent, and I’d bring a second tent if there’s three people. A two person tent is good for one plus gear and works for two people. Being the middle person in a three person tent is miserable.
@Micah
I would eventually like to have the equipment for overnight hiking but realistically at least for a little while we’ll only be doing day hikes and be back at the campsite by sunset. So yea, I agree a bigger tent would be best for us now even if it is heavier so I appreciate the advice
@Lyle
For tents, I have a Big Agnes 4 person that I love. Room for two cots (or 4 people on sleeping mats), enough height to stand up, and super quick and easy to set up and take down. For sleeping pads, be aware that the blow-up types (kilos gear and the like) can sleep cold.
@Micah
I appreciate the advice !
Misha said:
Following… Not on your trip, I promise! Although it sounds amazing!
You can follow us, just no freaky stuff while we sleep
Misha said:
Following… Not on your trip, I promise! Although it sounds amazing!
You can follow us, just no freaky stuff while we sleep
But then it’s boring! OK ok…
Will you be camping with anyone? Do they have a tent or any cookware you could share to begin with? What’s the coldest you think you’ll be camping in? How tall are you and do you sleep cold? I’m 5’5", sleep cold, and like snuggling my sleeping bag/quilt around my neck and head. I can’t snuggle enough with a short bag, but the regular length is perfect for me. I sleep cold, so insulation is key. I need a sleeping pad with a high r value. Last spend I bought one with the highest r value on the market, therm a rest x therm. I’m regretting it a bit now because I can’t seem to sleep well on it. I’m in the market for something warm enough, but also with enough comfort to sleep well. I’m a side sleeper. Also I move a lot in my sleep, so the wider pad was a no brainer for me. For sleeping bags/quilts I look primarily at comfort rating, which I like to be several degrees lower than I expect to use it, and then look and weight and packability as secondary considerations. Even then I’ll be wearing all my clothes in the colder temperatures. For a tent I would recommend the buy once, cry once mentality. The difference in the quality of your tent can have a huge impact to your enjoyment on a trip.
@Lian
I’ll be camping with my girlfriend and we don’t have anything besides a jetboil yet. Coldest I would assume around 30 F for now. I’m 6’1 and my girlfriend is 5’8. I tend to sleep hot and she sleeps cold. And thank you for the advice! I’ll definitely keep it in mind when getting our stuff.
@Lyle
If you are in the return policy return the Jetboil and get a Fire Maple Petrel and a Campingmoon XD-2F and the Soto Windmaster tri-flex pot stand. Half the price, weighs half as much.
Arlen said:
@Lyle
If you are in the return policy return the Jetboil and get a Fire Maple Petrel and a Campingmoon XD-2F and the Soto Windmaster tri-flex pot stand. Half the price, weighs half as much.
I got it as a gift so I am not but I will keep your recommendations in my notes for when I want to do much lighter camping so thank you!