Essential Camping Gear for your Next Camping Adventure

If there is one recreational activity that is gaining in popularity, it's camping, especially with family and friends. More and more people are turning to camping to savor the freshness of nature and the natural world and to take a break from the noise, mess and pollution of urban life. Even hardened city folks are joining in to calm their nerves and gain a new perspective.

Many people camp at campsites and campgrounds so that they have the amenities of picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, potable water and other conveniences. In short, they want their camping experience to be a little less rustic. However, this idea of camping does not work for some people who are a bit more adventurous. So if you are like me, and you love the outdoors and camping in "the wild" then go for a real camping adventure; I'll help you find the right camping equipment.

Essential Things Not to Forget

Remember that when you go camping, you must be equipped with the right gear because the only thing out there is you and mother nature. For the basic necessities: a camping backpack, camping sleeping bag, camping tent, axe, ropes, flashlights,a camping stove with extra camping gas and a tent. For survival necessities don't forget water in stainless water bottles, dried or canned goods, and a first aid kit. Don’t forget a good pair of hiking boots or trekking shoes.

This is all of course if you are staying overnight. Expect that you will be exposed to cold, rain and insects so bring protection from the elements. Bring maps or a GPS receiver. You can buy all these on eBay or Amazon and then you are ready to go.

Hiking in a Tropical Country

Head nets and waterproof hats are also necessary especially if you will be traveling and hiking in a tropical country like the Philippines. Why the Philippines? Because this tropical country has the most beautiful hiking areas in Asia. It has picturesque mountains, untouched landscape, fresh bodies of water, and protected national parks so hiking and backpacking to various Philippine mountains can be a unique and unforgettable experience. For tourists, the best month for backpacking trips is from December to March because there is almost no rain and the weather is still a bit cool.

Now to get back to the basic equipment for camping, below you'll find some of my preferred camping gear.

Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent

This roomy tent measures 17 X 10 feet so it is spacious enough to accommodate 8 campers comfortably; ideal for housing your family and friends during your weekend camping trips. A unique feature of the Red Canyon is its removable privacy walls because it allows you to create three separate rooms. Even if you camp in rainy locales, you don’t have to worry about leaks as the Red Canyon has reliable leak-free protected seams.

In addition to being weather resistant, it has waterproof floors and a tough zipper. The frame will stand up to windy days, and setting it up is quick and easy because the poles are color coded and shock-corded. So if you're looking for big tent for your whole crowd, this will probably fit the bill.

Ready to Go Camping...

When it comes to camping and hiking backpacks, I recommend these because my friends have already used some of them and are very satisfied with their performance. So I'll share those I think are most reliable.

This affordable pack has the features of an expensive backpack and it's tough to boot. It has bellow pockets and lots of room for your sleeping bag, clothes, water, and other gear.

The zippers slide easily and stay rust free. It has a rain cover and almost everything about it is fully adjustable. Also, it's comfortable and the straps are easy to reach if you need to adjust them.

It weights only 5lbs and is hydration system ready - i.e. you can put a bag of water in it. The straps are extremely comfortable and it has pockets almost everywhere.

Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack

For those with a smaller build, this pack may be just the right fit. It has adjustable-height shoulder straps and lots of pockets for staying organized. Its top loading main compartment makes it suitable for your sleeping bag to fit in and a smallish tent should fit inside it. Comfort is what makes this backpack popular because it's well padded. This one also ranks high for durability.

When it comes to getting your rest in the great outdoors, you should go with the best sleeping bag you can get. I recommend these bags for waking up as well-rested as if you spent the night in your bed at home.

Coleman Green Valley Cool-Weather Sleeping Bag

This bag is really great for cool weather camping and lucky for me, it can comfortably fit a 6 foot man. Its cotton flannel liner is made of polyester and the interior is made up of 3 pounds of Cole Therm insulation so even if the night dips down to 30-50 degrees F, you'll still have a comfortable sleep. It also has a Quick Cord storage system where you can keep your flashlight, books and other small things. Many campers are impressed with the ThemoLock system because it can reduce heat loss with the help of its specialized zipper unlike other bags that leak heat.

Teton Sports Celsius XL 0-Degree Sleeping Bag (Black, Right Zip)

As the name implies, this bag is perfect for cold nights on the camp site. It can accommodate two kids and is long enough for a tall person. It weighs around 9 pounds and has fiber insulation to really keep the cold out so it is perfect when camping in the fall or early spring. It also has an adjustable mummy hood and an oxford compression sack so you can easily pack it away whenever you move out. Whats more, its internal storage pocket can securly hold your wallet, keys and other small things.

Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator

No one likes getting lost, right? This little yellow navigation gadget is just perfect for people who really love to explore and discover even the deepest canyons without worry of losing their way. Because it is lightweight, you can carry it anywhere. It has a four-level gray LCD and unlike other GPS navigation gadgets that can be hard to read outside, the eTrex H screen will remain crystal clear to read in any weather.

Functionality wise, this little navigator can store up to 500 way points in its expanded memory and it has a TrackBack feature to get you back to where you started. It can run for 17 hours on two AA batteries. Garmin has made this to be intuitive and user-friendly, so it's a breeze to use one-handed.

 I’m running out of space so I am wrapping things up here. Happy camping!!