Backpack Camping

Bring Your Tent, Lantern, and Stove!

 Backpack camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.  You will need to make sure the camping equipment you take is light weight and easy to transport because you may be backpacking or hiking quite a distance.  Don’t forget to bring your tent, lantern, stove, and of course your backpack.  Coleman makes a nice variety of products so be sure to check them out. 

Backpack camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.  You will need to make sure the camping equipment you take is light weight and easy to transport.  Don’t forget to bring your tent, lantern, stove, and of course your backpack.  These are essentials that you can’t leave home without.  But how do you choose the right one?  Read on, 

Choose a light weight backpack that is designed for backpacking.  These are known as frame packs.   The word frame refers the exterior tubing on the pack that helps keep it shape and you can get them with either internal or external tubing.

Internal frame backpacks are the most popular because they are much more comfortable than the exterior style and they tend to form better to the body.  However when it’s hot there is no air flow between you and the pack so they will make you sweat and be uncomfortable.

Your next concern will be your tent.  Tents are made out of canvas or cloth and should have a water repellent finish.  For backpacking you are going to want to find the smallest lightest tent possible to accommodate the number of people.  It’s usually best to choose tents that will hold two people and just pack more tents if your group is bigger.

Dome tents use flexible fiberglass tent poles with a nylon covering.  The poles are what give it its shape. The dome tent is very easy to set up and take down however they are unstable in a strong wind.

The lightweight beach tent is made of ripstop nylon with fiberglass poles.  The newest models store flat and open up to a full size tent.  They are great for backpacking as they are easy to carry. 

For backpacking you’ll need to choose the smallest style of stove available.  These are usually a one burner stove that attaches to a small fuel bottle.  Which ever style you choose you want reliability, durability, and compactness.  The best backpacking camping stoves are under 4 ounces including the fuel container.

Lastly you need to choose a lightweight lantern that is designed for backpacking.  Lanterns come with a variety of fuel sources such as kerosene, propane, battery, butane, and candle.  Choose a lantern that uses the same type of fuel as your stove does to reduce what you need to pack.

Candle lanterns have the advantage of being very light, in fact they can weigh in under 3.5 ounces but the amount of light is rather poor.  They are basically a candle with a cover to protect the flame from going out and to make them a little safer.  Use with caution in the woods and do not use in your tent.  These are a big fire hazard!

Backpack Camping and backpacking can be fun for the whole family!  Even toddlers can toddle along.  Isn’t it time you and your family got out to enjoy what nature has to offer?  Start planning your backpack camping trip now!