The right equipment and good, old-fashioned know how can make it easy to enjoy the outdoors and the company of family and friends. Consider these tips for acquiring the gear needed for a smart woman's comfort.
Match the sleeping bag with the weather
Without sleep, most people can’t enjoy anything, let alone the beauty of nature under primitive conditions. That’s why the right sleeping bag and mat or cot are essential. Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings. In the summer, a bag rated for forty degrees will probably keep just about everybody comfortable. In high temperature situations, it helps as padding between the body and whatever surface is beneath.
For cool nights, it’s a welcome source of warmth. In winter, a minus ten degree bag would be needed. If the weather report has predicted lows around zero degrees Fahrenheit, a fleece bag liner or wool blanket will lower that bag rating another ten or fifteen degrees. Feet can be warm with no extra socks inside a bag with a wool blanket wrapped around the body. Men may find a lighter bag adequate, but most women will need a margin of comfort between the bag rating and the air temperature to be warm and cozy.
Keep comfort by choosing the right sleeping surface
Mats or cots make a comfortable barrier between the body and hard ground. Cots are useful for tent camping in a location where a vehicle can be parked nearby. They are better used in summer, when air flow around the body is a refreshing treat. Make sure feet or supports on the cot will not puncture the floor of the tent, or cover the inside floor of the tent before setting up the cot.
Mats are better in the winter, because they separate the body from the great heat absorber, the earth. The ground absorbs heat very efficiently, so rolling off the mat in the middle of the night will wake even a sound sleeper. The newest bags have a built in mat on the bottom, so the sleeper never leaves the mat behind while moving in the night.
Mats come in two basic categories: foam or air filled. Both have strengths and weaknesses, however if hard surfaces will hurt the spine, an air mattress is the best prevention. Most slim mats are meant as insulation, not padding, so consider the air mattress thickness when choosing for comfort.
Choose the tent by size and conditions
Tents come in an amazing array of sizes and layouts. They can be big enough for the whole family with rooms to separate males and females, or small enough for one backpacker. Backpacking tents have to be light and easy to set up and take down.
The family sized tent will require storage space at home and in the vehicle and a little help to set up. Most tents come with collapsible poles and easy to assemble instructions. When choosing a tent, consider how many people and what time of year. A smaller tent in the winter will be more comfortable, because the heat of a body or bodies warms a small amount of air more quickly. A large tent in the summer will have large screened areas to let air flow in and out.
Cost of equipment can be reasonable
Equipment can be found in surplus stores and online for reasonable prices. If the camping trip is a first or an occasional thing, cheap is better. Once camping becomes a passion, the local outfitter and sports stores will be glad to sell the top of the line equipment. Search online for camping equipment outlets like Campmor and for the outlets of the major manufacturers like Coleman. Watch for sales, but beware of used equipment. Camping is rough on equipment and a leaky tent in a shower is no place for a first time camper or her belongings.
Try camping close to home first and get some experience. Common sense is the best approach. Be prepared is more than just a motto, it’s truly the wisest way to camp. Take the right equipment chosen with the conditions in mind and the outdoor experience will be the best way to raise spirits and share with family and friends.
For more see Food and Footwear for Comfort on the Trail and Personal Care on a Camping Trip
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