On first glance at the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset, your first thought is that there is only one larger 5.3-liter cooking pot for a cost of $159.95. Although it seems expensive, you are intrigued by what makes this pan so costly so you open its lid to peer inside. That’s when you discover a complete set of cooking needs for a group of four people—all included in this one, now very affordable, price. Digging inside the pot is like opening a grab-bag of goodies, as you discover the following containers tucked within:
DuraLite DX Aluminum Pot & Lids
The MSR Flex 4 System Cookset includes this 3.2-liter pot with a nonstick finish for incredibly easy cleanup. This durable pot has an anodized surface to resist corrosion and avoid tough and sticky food that can adhere to the outside. It is also Teflon coated on the inside to prevent sticking and minimize burning. The larger pot that holds the entire MSR Flex 4 System Cookset is a 5.3-liter size with the same coatings. The pots also include brushed aluminum lids with integrated strainers. When your boiled foods are fully cooked and there’s leftover water in the pot, just turn it upside down and avoid the use of a heavy or inconvenient colander that must be held by a trusting assistant or placed inside the sink to tip and teeter from one side to the other. To make sure you suffer no painfully blistered fingers or accidentally loose your grasp on the pot, the smaller 3.2-liter pot comes with a Talon™ handle that attaches and detaches by the use of outside brackets. By including this handy accessory, the makers of the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset help you to maintain a scratch-free inner surface that allows for easy storage within the larger 5.3-liter pot, which has two built-in handles of its own for easy and safe lifting.
Plates & Mugs
For those hot soups, hamburgers with all their fixings, or juicy steaks, you will enjoy the DeepDish plates included with the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset. They are deep enough to hold soup or sauces, and yet you can still reach over the side to cut into that tender meat or fish without tipping its contents onto your lap. You’ll know who hasn’t cleaned up their individual dishes because the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset has color-coded them for easy identification. The 12.5 ounce stainless-steel mugs keep your beverages hot with their insulated sleeve and covered, sip-top opening that allows almost no steam to escape. Your MSR Flex 4 System Cookset has included four mugs and plates, and still they all fit within your larger pot for easy storage.
Lifting your packed pot is a task made easy by the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset, with an overall weight of 3 pounds, 10.8 ounces. They are designed to maximize space in your camper or tent, as each piece packs inside the other after each meal. Careful though, you may find yourself liking the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset so much that you will borrow a pot or two for home cooking and use it so much that you forget to return it to the camper. There is an easy way to always ensure your MSR Flex 4 System Cookset is always in the camper where it belongs, though, simply purchase a second set for your home.
It’s difficult to misplace this Bonfire orange Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, with a regular size of 82” x 31” x 20”. As comfortable as its 600+ goose down fill is, the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag has become quite the rage for cold-weather hikers, climbers, and backpackers whose sport often requires them to withstand temperatures of down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. Without careful preparation, which should include a Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, enjoyment can be hampered and the sportsperson’s safety compromised. Besides the color, there are several more features that are making the Marmot Never Summer+0 Sleeping Bag stand out in a crowd of comfort-seeking campers. For instance, sleepers love its full-length, left-side zipper opening that also includes a guard to keep the fabric from being chewed up by the zipper teeth. The ground-level side seams enable people who are at the maximum weight and height limit to still have easy in and out access to the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, with hassle-free comfort once inside.
The regular size fits people whose height does not exceed 6 feet, and the price of approximately $300 is just as accommodating as its fit. If you need a bit larger size for more foot room but don’t want to go larger than a regular size Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag—no problem. You can get a regular size with a standard trapezoidal foot box that will allow you additional space and still be light and comfortable to carry. In fact, the full weight of the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag – Regular is only two pounds, twenty-eight ounces. It can be easily tucked into a seven-by-fourteen inch stuff and storage sack, included with the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, for worry-free carrying when conquering your most difficult challenge on the trail or mountain.
Having backpacked your ultra light weight Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag to your desired site, the next best thing is that the protective twenty-eight ounce down fill will keep your fingers and toes as warm as a bonfire. With its Nautilus hood and draw cord, and the down-filled collar to prevent the loss of heat around your neck and head, you’ll be ready to face the new day after a cozy night’s sleep in your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag. When your fellow campers see how completely comfort-tucked you are in your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, you may have to guard it with all you’ve got the second night in camp. The biggest temptation will be resisting all the extra goodies you’ll be offered in trade for just one night spent in the bag.
A word of caution, when sporting your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, fellow campers will see your gear and perceive you as a much more experienced sportsperson. So, listen carefully to the campfire talk and nod a lot to avoid detection; after all, one of the worst things for an inexperienced backpacker is exposure, right? A good idea before heading out is to take a trip with your group to the local sports store and encourage them to purchase some Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bags all their own—just as a preventative measure.
When you need to cook or simply want to relax around a campfire, knowing what kind of wood to use can eliminate frustration. There are two basic kinds of wood for campfires; hardwood and softwood
Campfire Wood
Hard Wood burns longer, here are some examples of hardwoods:
Oak
Eucalyptus
Citrus
Cedar
Almond
Mesquite
Ash
Beech
Hawthorn
Holly
Soft Wood burns fast & splits easier, here are some examples of softwoods:
Avocado
Pine
Pinyon
Birch
Fir
Hazel
Larch
The Burning Properties of Wood
Wood from an evergreen tree, called "softwood," burns quickly, lets off lots of heat and dies leaving no coals. It makes a colorful bonfire, but you will need lots of it for a whole evening. Deciduous or "hardwood" takes longer to ignite, burns slowly and turns to glowing coals. It is perfect for a cooking fire.
Remember that good firewood is always dry while rotten, crumbly, wet or green wood will make a smoky fire and Poplar can smoke even when it is dry. Avoid softwood with balls of tree gum attached, as this will cause a fire to spit.
For a great fire starter, use "fatwood" or dry wood from an evergreen tree that is streaked with resins. Pine needles and Birch Bark (never peel from a live tree) also work well if they are very dry. Don't try to start a fire with other kinds of bark though, since bark does not burn well.
Note: Never collect wood near Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. The smoke from burning any part of the plants can cause an allergic rash and can be even more dangerous if inhaled.
A natural result of tree recognition is to learn the burning properties of their woods. Below is a listing of the most common woods for burning and their burning properties. There are more, but this is a good list to start. If you are unsure of the wood, the best and safest bet is not to burn it and it is worth remembering that ALL wood will burn better if split.
Alder: Poor in heat and does not last, to be seen growing beside ponds.
Apple: Splendid – It burns slowly and steadily when dry, with little flame, but good heat. The scent is pleasing.
Ash: Best burning wood; has both flame and heat, and will burn when green, though naturally not as well as when dry.
Beech: A rival to ash, though not a close one, and only fair when green. If it has a fault, it is apt to shoot embers a long way.
Birch: The heat is good but it burns quickly. The smell is pleasant.
Cedar: Good when dry. Full of crackle and snap. It gives little flame but much heat, and the scent is beautiful.
Cherry: Burns slowly, with good heat. Another wood with the advantage of scent.
Chestnut: Mediocre. Apt to shoot embers. Small flame and heating power.
Douglas Fir: Poor. Little flame or heat.
Elder: Mediocre. Very smoky. Quick burner, with not much heat.
Elm: Commonly offered for sale. To burn well it needs to be kept for two years. Even then it will smoke.
Hazel: Good.
Holly: Good, will burn when green, but best when kept a season.
Hornbeam: Almost as good as beech.
Laburnum: Totally poisonous tree, acrid smoke, taints food and best never used.
Larch: Crackly, scented, and fairly good for heat.
Laurel: Has brilliant flame.
Lime: Poor. Burns with dull flame.
Maple: Good.
Oak: The novelist's 'blazing fire of oaken logs' is fanciful as Oak is sparse in flame and the smoke is acrid, but dry old oak is excellent for heat, burning slowly and steadily until whole log collapses into cigar-like ash.
Pear: A good heat and a good scent.
Pine: Burns with a splendid flame, but apt to spit. The resinous Weymouth pine has a lovely scent and a cheerful blue flame.
Plane: Burns pleasantly, but is apt to throw sparks if very dry.
Plum: Good heat and aromatic.
Poplar: Truly awful.
Rhododendron: The thick old stems, being very tough, burn well.
Robinia (Acacia): Burns slowly, with good heat, but with acrid smoke.
Spruce: Burns too quickly and with too many sparks.
Sycamore: Burns with a good flame, with moderate heat. Useless green.
Thorn: One of the best woods. Burns slowly, with great heat and little smoke.
Walnut: Good, and so is the scent. Aromatic wood.
Willow: Poor. It must be dry to use, and then it burns slowly, with little flame. Apt to spark.
Yew: Last but among the best. Burns slowly, with fierce heat, and the scent is pleasant.
Do you love camping but hate sleeping on the ground? If so, the Grand Trunk Travel Hammock Ultralight Hammock is a savvy product to take camping. This hammock is very sturdy and remarkably comfortable for both kids and adults. Installation is simple and can be completed in minutes with only one person on the job. The nylon fabric allows the hammock to breathe and not get too hot in the summer, and it dries quickly if there is any rain on the camping trip.
As far as specifications, the Grand Trunk Travel Hammock Ultralight Hammock is made for just about everyone. The hammock is made out of 100% polyester taffeta and weighs only 12 ounces. This makes taking the hammock along on both long and short trips quick and easy. It also has an attached sack for condensed transport. The ultralight hammock comes with a pair of 10-foot pieces of 4.5 mm accessory rope that is pre-knotted. For trouble-free hanging, it comes with attached stainless steel S-hooks and a stuff sack that’s attached for compressed transportation. The Grand Trunk Hammock dries quickly and is mildew resistant. Along with all that , it also comes with a 10-year warranty.
The Grand Trunk Travel Hammock Ultralight Hammock is by far the best deal as far as camping hammocks go. It’s great for both children and adults, and the nylon fabric allows the hammock to breathe in the warmer seasons so you stay cool. However, in colder seasons it may not be so warm as some other, thicker hammocks.
This hammock has a weight capacity of 250, which leaves just a very small portion of people who cannot use it. Besides that, it weighs a measly 12 ounces and folds up small enough to fit into a bag that’s attached to it so you can easily stow it away in a camping bag and never feel it. In addition, setting up this hammock is a one-person job and can take as little as two minutes. It also comes with everything you need to hang it up, including the stainless steel S-hooks and pre-knotted rope.
If you are a serious camper or backpacker, the Grand Trunk Travel Hammock Ultralight Hammock is without a doubt for you. Its lightweight, compact size and sturdiness is ideal for adventure tripping in the great outdoors.
Think of your Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent as your home away from home, with a lot less stress in setting it up and maintaining its condition. Much like your home, the Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent is designed with your needs and wants in mind. Let’s talk further about its advanced and easy design, special features, the cost of your Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent, and what you’ll need to know about refund and warranty items.
Advanced & Easy Design
The Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent is quite environmentally friendly, with its 100 percent recycled polyester fabric and dye-free color. Its Silicon treated fly and floor are also constructed of 100 percent recycled, dye-free ripstop polyester, containing a protective waterproof polyurethane coating. The Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent’s manufacturers have ingeniously incorporated NSL poles with press-fit connectors that use an anodization process in order to be significantly less intrusive on the environment. With recycled plastic clips to attach the body of the tent to the frame, and waterproof fly and floor seams that contain solvent-free polyurethane, there’s not much in their design that isn’t green.
Special Features
This three-season backpacking tent offers extra spread with its expansive space around the head and shoulders area and a side-door, dry-entry vestibule that can be staked out and used as an outdoor awning. Not only does this allow easy entry, but it brings the beautiful views and that wonderful outdoor freshness into the Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent for all to enjoy. Well ventilated with its four fly vents, it also has reflective webbing on its corners for after-dark visibility, so you can protect yourself from any uninvited and unwelcomed guests that may be wandering right outside your Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent. Of course, if you need to make a quick getaway, the hob-pole design offers tear-down in just seconds.
Price & Protection
Expect the cost of the Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent to be around $350; a real bargain for all its special features and dynamic design. Not owning a Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent could actually cost you much more than simply spending the money for a stronger built, waterproof tent. Cutting corners can cause drastic results as you get out on the trail and experience major issues with no immediate resolution except to grin and bear it. Cost is not the only thing to consider; there’s safety and comfort at stake—literally! Of course, you could decide on a minimalist shelter and simply use the rainfly poles and footprint, which is sold separately from the Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent.
Refund & Warranty
These change with every store or every online dealer, so be sure to ask the seller for specifics regarding their refund policy and warranty limitations. Whether you plan to have your Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent shipped from a local supplier or will be purchasing it online, be sure to check the box when it arrives for any obvious possible damage in shipping. It’s always more believable to correct the problem when you have a witness to its arrival condition. The affordable price, the outstanding quality, and the wonderful features will be so appreciated as you sit beneath the vestibule awning of the Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent sipping on your favorite beverage, eating food that always tastes better when cooked out in the open air, and swapping somewhat questionable camping stories.
The Coleman Tent Kit will come in handy throughout your entire camping trip. The mallet is a perfect fit for the stakes, and the stake puller pulls them out without bending them. The broom and dust pan are moderately helpful if you have a small mess or a little bit of dirt, dust or sand in your tent. It all comes in a little carrying case that doesn’t take up much room but helps keep everything together and in one spot so it is easy to find whenever you are in need of it.
This is a complete kit with everything you will need to set up your tent and keep it clean throughout your camping trip. The kit comes with four brawny 10-inch tent stakes for all four corners; a firm rubber mallet for hammering in the stakes into the ground; a whisk broom and dust pan for cleaning your tent; a tent stake puller that pulls out the stakes one by one without bending them; and finally a mesh bag in which to store all of it. In all everything weighs about three pounds, so it is not too heavy to carry around with you on your camping expeditions. This kit houses everything any camper might need to first put up a tent, clean it while in use, and then break it down in one simple kit.
Many enthusiastic campers have bought this useful kit without many expectations, but most found that the contents of the kit were very helpful. However, there have been a few instances where the mallet handle has fallen off the rubber part. Also, there were reports that the stakes bent the first time they were hammered into the ground and that the stake pullers were found to be just a waste of time. The same goes for the whisk broom and dust pan, as many people found that the combo was simply too small to do much good around the campsite and either a regular dust pan and broom was necessary. But overall most buyers were pleased with this purchase.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to keep your tent clean, pull your stakes out more quickly, and have a few extra stakes around, this Coleman Tent Kit should be the right fit.
The Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed is a wonderful alternative to a hammock or sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag. The quickbed can either be one twin bed, two separate twin beds or one king size bed. It is also 15% more puncture proof than competitors’ air mattresses. This unique air mattress has an included wrap-and-roll storage system which allows you never to have to look for the right size bag or box in which to store your 4-in-1 Quickbed, which is a definite convenience factor.
The double lock valve opens extra wide for the mattress to quickly inflate. There are twin-size mattresses for many arrangements. For instance, it can be used as two separate twin-size beds, or you can connect both smaller mattresses together to make one king-size bed. You can even stack both twin-size mattresses on top of one another to form an extra-high twin bed further off the ground. The Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed’s exclusive PVC method also makes it much more puncture resistant than similar products. The quickbed can withstand up to 600 pounds of pressure, and the air mattress is about 13.2 pounds and measures 5.5 x 11 x 14.8 inches.
This specific air mattress is unlike any other because of its multi-functional configurations. The fact that his bed can change into four different types of beds is perfect for almost every occasion. If you are camping alone, then one of the twin-size mattresses will do the job. However, if you are camping with one or two people you can blow up the bed to become the king-size mattress. You can also use this indoors if you have company at home or if your kids have a sleepover and there is not enough room for sleeping arrangements, since you can just roll out the Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed to provide enough room for everyone. Also, because it’s 15% more puncture proof, you can take this bed almost anywhere and can be sure that it will be intact. Furthermore, you can have pets and animals around or on the bed and rest assured that they won’t be able to puncture the mattress.
The most reliable and convenient air mattress on the market today would have to be, hands down the Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed. This is because of the wrap-and-roll storage and that fact that it does fold out into many different sizes of mattresses.
The wilderness can be a scary place. This is especially true when you’re caught in a life-threatening situation without the proper tools. For instance, one tool that might be of assistance is the Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter. This device will take away the frustration of trying to start a fire for any occasion from scratch.
Weighing in at about 1.5 ounces, the Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter is not only small in size ( ¼’’ x ¼’’ x 3’’ ) and lightweight, but it also includes a keychain to further enhance its convenience. As the product name indicates, the Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter is, in fact, made entirely out of magnesium and comes with a striker, making it that much easier to effectively start a fire regardless of the conditions or circumstances in which you find yourself.
There are many different types of gear that can provide help when a fire is needed while out in the wild, including the comparable Swedish Firesteel, Blastmatch Fire Starter and Storm Proof matches. However, the Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter stands out from the rest on many accounts – one being that it works when wet, will light wet kindling, and works for years. This specific fire starter will work the very first time you use it and will light the magnesium shavings quickly and efficiently every time. The only thing a person would need alongside this tool is a knife or something with a hard edge to scratch the magnesium into a pile. In addition, the Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter is government issued to all U.S. military pilots, which further indicates its effectiveness and durability.
If you have had trouble with fire starters before, you will definitely be satisfied with the Genuine Issue Magnesium Fire Starter. Not only does it work every time, but it will last for years to come.
Paper plates and plastic silverware just don’t cut it when you are out and about in the great outdoors. Thankfully, there is the Coleman 24 Piece Enamelware Dining Kit and Cutlery Set to take their place around the campfire. This set is perfect for family camping not only because it washes clean easily, but also because the pieces are reasonably sturdy. Nothing’s worse than spilling a bunch of hot food on you, but with this enamelware that just is not going to happen.
The Coleman 24 Piece Dining Kit and Cutlery Set is made completely out of enamel, which makes the pieces good and strong for outdoor use. The kit comes with four each of spoons, forks, knives, dinner plates, coffee mugs and bowls. These dishes will surely keep all your meals warm because the enamel retains heat for quite some time. The dining set comes in a small storage bin that can be easily packed and carried along with the rest of your camping gear. The cutlery set also has a roll-up cover for storage.
In many cases when they buyers of this dinnerware and cutlery set received their new dinner and utensil sets, they were disappointed when the merchandise was chipped or damaged in some way; consequently, many sent them back. But those whose sets weren’t broken in anyway went on to use them and discovered them to be quite useful. One buyer pointed out that the handles on the utensils are loose and food and other things can get into the crevices, allowing bacteria to grow. Others stated that the handles were so weak that they would simply fall off. The set claims to be dishwasher safe, but if any of the enamel has chips, holes or scratches in them, the water from the dishwasher might end up rusting or otherwise deteriorating the dishes and utensils. However, most found that the set was a very good buy and liked how sturdy and easy the dinnerware and cutlery sets are to clean.
If you are looking for a sturdy dinnerware set and utensils, then the Coleman 24 Piece Enamel Dining Kit and Cutlery Set is just the thing for you.
With the exception of a tent or Recreation Vehicle, the next biggest expense for camping is usually the sleeping bag.
The Basics: Sleeping Bags
The buzzword surrounding sleeping bags these days is lightweight. Outdoor manufacturers are continually innovating new bags with both down and synthetic fills that are extremely warm, but weigh little, and pack into a small stuff sack that can easily fit into your backpack.
New innovations circulate around designs made specifically for women – and we're not talking about pretty colors. Manufacturers like Sierra Designs and The North Face have a whole line of bags that are tapered and shorter to fit a woman's size. They also have more fill in the torso and foot-bed areas since women tend to run colder than men while sleeping.
Like other outdoor gear, manufacturers realize sleeping bags are an investment. With that in mind, they offer warranties against manufacturer's defects. Be sure to check their catalogues for further information and company warranty department phone numbers. It has been my personal experience that reputable manufacturers and outdoor stores are always willing to honor their warranties, without question, because they want your repeat business.
How to Shop
Let's face it, when you're buying a sleeping bag one of the most important things to consider is warmth. After all, there's nothing more miserable than sleeping in a bag in the wilderness and being cold. You'll have two options: a down or synthetic-fill sleeping bag. Both have their pros and cons. Synthetic-fill bags dry quickly and keep their insulation properties if they get wet, down-fill bags don't. Down-fill bags require more care than synthetic bags, but they are easier to compress and offer a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic bags. Each bag also comes with a temperature rating which states the lowest outdoor temperature at which the bag will keep you warm. Be aware that sometimes these ratings are not completely accurate so if you are concerned about warmth, take a good look at the rating, it is always better to go for more warmth as you can always unzip the bag to cool off.
To decide on which one you'll need, again it's important to consider where and when you'll be camping. When you're comparing bags, pay attention to their foot sections, hoods and draft tube. Does the insulation have any cold spots? Down-fill bags should be firm and not soft since the insulation could shift in spots and create a draft. Also, it's important to consider the material the bag is made with. Outer shells that are coated to be water-resistant and windproof are a plus, but they can be more expensive than those that aren't. Insulation is another important factor. The more high-tech the insulation, the higher the price attached to the bag.
Other cool features include a bag that is lined with a soft taffeta or a fuzzy fleece for increased comfort; a bag that has a hood that can be cinched comfortably around the face to prevent drafts; and a bag that's gender-specific. I like sleeping bags that can zip together so I can cuddle with my wife on those cold nights in the woods. Even modern modified mummy bags can be zipped together, while square bags are easiest and best for RV camping.
Sleeping bags can cost as little as $14.00 for those used at an indoor slumber party, all the way up to several hundred dollars for an ultra lightweight, extra warm mountaineering bag used for extreme outdoor adventures. Whatever you decide to buy, be sure it fits the camping experience and have a warm cozy night!
