Great Camping on the Cheap
If you're looking to go camping this summer you don't have to bust your budget. Joel Weber, senior associate editor of Men's Health magazine, showed what you should pack to maximize your outdoor adventure and minimize the cost.
TENT:
Coleman Sundome $50
This is from Coleman, it's the Sundome. There are different types of tent shapes, but a dome tent is the best shape to get the most people in and still get a little bit of headroom. You're really trying to fit as many people as you can. This holds four people. It's a perfect size, its plenty of room for two people as well, it's really the only tent you need to own. It's one of Coleman's most popular products. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a tent similar to this one; a similar design can cost three to four times as much. You want to make sure it has a rain fly, which this one does. This is a basic do-it-all tent. We found this at Sports Authority for $50.
SLEEPING BAG:
Cabela's Adam & Eve, $100
This is the Adam & Eve sleeping bag from Cabela's. People tend to think of sleeping bags as something you have to do on your own but these our double so you can actually sleep right next to each other. This is the perfect sleeping bag for temperatures 40 degrees and up because it doesn't have a whole lot of insulation in it. You probably should only use it in the summer. Its a great deal at $100 because an individual sleeping bag can cost that much.
REI Kindercone, $47
This is the Kindercone from REI. What I like about these is that they actually have prints on the inside so it almost as if there's a sheet inside. It has a bit of character so your kids feel excited about getting in a sleeping bag. It comes in bright colors. The last thing you want is a kid complaining that it's too cold. This offers a little bit more insulation so this will keep the kids warmer compared to your standard sleeping bag. Another reason it stays warm is because of its mummy like design which means it actually goes over their head and that way they won't lose heat through their head.
GRILL:
Bodum, $50
The Bodum offers the perfect blend of fashion and functionality -- not only does it come in six fun colors for summer, it's the perfect size for a quick camping getaway. A lot of camp grounds have their own grills but sometimes they're not the most efficient and they can kind of look gross. This is simple at only $50 and it comes in six bright colors. It's a charcoal grill and it doesn't have a whole lot of surface space in it but you are able to do burgers and vegetables. The big plus is that it's portable. This is also something you can take to the park, take to a picnic, and use in the backyard.
SCANDALS:
Keen Butte, $90
These are the Butte from Keen. It does two things at the same time, you have a hiking boot and a sandal in one. You don't need to go out and buy a nice pair of hiking boots, which is really a long term investment. This is the only shoe you need to take with you if you're going away for the weekend. The best thing is the toe protection; here your toes aren't exposed to the elements. It is waterproof which is very important; this won't take too long to dry. Bottom line, these are all-terrain sandals, which feature supportive instep braces and synthetic leather uppers offer comfort and support wherever your adventures lead. Not to mention they're extremely breathable, making them the perfect summer sandal for the trails or the street.
SOCKS:
Icebreaker, $19
You may want to wear these with hiking boots or sneakers. The material you want is merino wool, it doesn't stink when you sweat and it actually is a very soft material, so it's not the itchy scratchy wool that you're use to. These have advanced technical features that prevent blisters and chafing, so you can walk longer, more comfortably. It provides comfort where your feet need it. It also wicks away moisture.
FLASHLIGHT:
Freeplay Kito, $22
This is the Kito. If you need to go to the bathroom at night you just crank it to power it up. The longer you crank it the more of a charge you'll get to. If you crank it for 1 minute you'll get 1 hour of shine time. What's great about this is you never have to replace batteries or bulbs. It's eco-friendly and lasts forever. It comes in seven colors.