A lot of people have never gone camping before. One of the main reason is the fear of not having sufficient gear. Having the right gear doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.
Just about every camping equipment is expensive. Hiking boots, stoves, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks and trekking poles cost a lot of money. Depending on the terrain, you might need crampons, gaiters, balaclavas and other special equipment. If you are hiking with children you might want to have a child carrier.
If you want have the best of everything, then it could really cost you a lot of money. However, people without a lot of money can still enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity. Manufacturers like to make you think that you need all this stuff and all the expensive features.
The truth is camping is about going back to basics. You don’t need the state-of-the-art equipment. You can even find what you need in your own home or the local thrift store.
Check out the gear tips below that can really cut your costs:
- Raincoats are very costly and can be too hot even in winter because as you hike you generate a lot of heat. Multiple layers will keep you warm and offers you can adjust if it gets too hot by removing the layers. If you use cotton, you will stay wet for a long time if you sweat. It’s better to use synthetics and wool instead. Synthetics dries easily and keeps you dry. Wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet.
- A windbreaker is a good option for a cheap waterproof outer shell. Parkas are only necessary when you have a low tolerance for the cold and/or the weather is extremely cold.
- You can almost always get away with a cheap camping tent by applying a seam sealer to it. Do this before every camping trip. Cheap tents can be found at your local Walmart. Remember to check for tears. Unless you’re on an expedition or just backpacking, you don’t really need an expensive tent.
- A lightweight sleeping bag can cost you a lot of money. A zero degree synthetic sleeping bag should be good enough for mild winters. Use a chemical warmer and some layers of clothing to keep warm inside your sleeping bag. If you’re not backpacking and weight is not an issue, you can even be without the sleeping bag. Just use whatever suitable bedding you have at home but make sure you insulate yourself from the ground.
- The worst thing that can happen to you is getting blisters. That’s why I don’t recommend using just any cheap hiking boot. However if you’re just camping, you can wear just about any footwear as long as you’re comfortable.
- Campfires are not always allowed so you would need to use a camping stove for cooking. If not, there are a lot of cheap and practical stoves out there. You can either buy it new or used or you even just borrow them.
- For trekking poles you can just use a strong enough stick. I’ve used it for a few years without any problems. Some people may argue that cutting out sticks from the forest is bad for the environment and I recommend that you avoid cutting out walking sticks on the trail but the process of making those expensive trekking poles takes an even bigger toll on the environment.
This list is pretty basic but covers the most common concerns people have told me about. Camping gear doesn’t have to be overly expensive.
Of course the tips here may not apply to every situation. Sometimes you need specialty equipment e.g. gaiter but whenever possible you can use what you already have.
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