Turn beginner camping into experienced glamping with these tips Pt.1

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Your experience with #beginnercamping doesn't have to be like mine, sleeping on gravel with no sleeping pad in a $10 garage sale tent with a broken zipper and waking up covered in 6 inches of snow in the middle of May... But that didn't kill us so all the future trips seemed like a vacation. Here are a few tips and tricks on picking some absolutely needed gear. It's easy for this to fall into the #GlampingVibes sort of situation but after you get your gear and skills setup nearly anywhere and in any conditions can feel like glamping which will allow for more exploring and being comfortable enough to want to bring the whole family.

Part 1 - Sleeping gear

Coming from years of experience with sleeping on rocks and roots I can't advocate strongly enough for spending at least a few dollars on a sleeping pad. Over the years I have tested using inflatable mattresses (no) and foam roll out pads, kinda like yoga mats but thicker (also no) don't do this.

Get a self inflating pad like this: Gear Doctors Camping Pad if you're concerned with size and weight for backpacking, or this: Elegear Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

if you plan on living on a winter camping trip. (which is another subject entirely)

The Gear Doctors Camping Pad is surprisingly good and I bought it on a whim to test out a small option. It can support someone over 6 feet and 190 pounds comfortably and has quite good insulation with a 4.3 R-value.

If you are planning to go out in temps below about 45f I would advise the Elegear Self Inflating Sleeping Pad with it's chunky 9.5 R-value I have personally slept on this pad for several years in temps into the low teens in comfort.

Next up is sleeping bags. Depending on your interest level here you can go all out and get something like Kelty Galactic Down if you want something lightweight, warm, and compact for both camping and backpacking but with a lean into the backpacking aspect more than car camping due to it's form factor.

Or...for a more budget option and what I still have and love I would start with this combo. For the 30-50 degree nights this will keep you comfy if not a little too warm on the high end Teton Celsius XL - and pair that with - Elevon 3-4 season sleeping bag to give yourself flexibility. I have used the lighter weight option in summer weather as more of a blanket, and in the winter you can double bag and be warm at 20F and below.

On a sidenote, you can regularly find a US made 40 degree sleeping bag at Walmart for around $15 that works great for your double bagging and summer weather needs. Also works great as a camp chair liner or general camp pillow use for cheap.

#familycampingadventures #outdoorgear

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