What "season" is your tent?

Inexpensive two-season tents are for “fair weather” camping—warm weather and little wind. They don’t use poles and are extremely lightweight, traveling easily in your camping gear.

Three-season tents, the most popular choice among recreational campers, keep you comfortable in spring, summer and fall. They stand up to rain but can handle only a couple inches of snow.

For winter camping, you need a four-season tent—a durable tent with extra poles to stand up to the cold weather. Eureka! has developed a four-season tent constructed of 7000 series aircraft frames and heavy fabric that can withstand snowstorms, freezing temperatures and high winds. With the innovative quick-buckling system, campers can set up these tents easily, even in high winds and with little help.

Basic tent models

Tent manufacturers offer three basic camping tent models: the A-frame, the dome and the umbrella tent. Each tent type offers advantages for particular camping styles.

The A-frame camping tent is what most people picture when they think of tents. It’s easy to set up and has a lot of floor space, though not much head room. Rain runs right off the flat walls.

The popular dome style camping tent has a rounded top, offering campers better wind resistance and head room. It’s easier to set up than the A-frame; in calm weather, you don’t even need to stake it. And the light weight makes it a perfect trailside tent. Look for special features, like the Eureka! Sunrise hanging gear loft and wall organizer with mirror.

Umbrella tents are larger, hold more campers and have additional floor space and standing room. The nearly vertical walls create plenty of room for standing and moving around. Families often choose one or two umbrella-style tents for recreational camping.

When you’re deciding what size tent you should buy, note that occupancy ratings tend to be optimistic. Consider buying a tent rated for more people than you’ll have in your group, to give you plenty of room for stretching and for stowing your camping gear.

Maintaining your tent

Use a moist, soft cloth to wipe away dirt and grime. You can also use a mild dish soap, but avoid commercial cleaners and abrasive materials, which can damage the tent. Waterproof seams with a sealant, sold in sporting goods stores. The sealant fills the thread holes and keeps water from seeping in.

On camping trips, carry a tent repair kit, sealant and thread for minor repairs in the tent wall or mosquito screen. Use the rain fly even on sunny days to prevent ultraviolet sunlight damage to the tent material.

Back home, dry your tent well. Moisture left in the fabric can invite mold and mildew, which affect the tent’s appearance and effectiveness. Shake or sweep out any sand, sticks and other debris. Roll your tent loosely and store it out where it can breathe, rather than in a waterproof container that traps condensation during temperature changes.

Choosing your sleeping bag

A good night’s sleep makes the next day of a camping trip even more enjoyable. Choose the right sleeping bag for your camping style. Remember that sleeping bags work best in tandem with a ground pad.

If you’re kayaking or canoeing, you’ll want a lightweight bag that packs up small. The Eureka! Casper bag, only three pounds, packs nearly 40 percent lighter than comparable bags and is ideal for extended paddling trips where weight and bulk really count.

For family camping in moderate weather conditions, look for a durable bag that’s rated for use in temperatures down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Synthetic filling is affordable, non-allergenic and easy to care for. The Eureka! Copper River is made of ThermaShield polyester and is perfect for the budget-minded traveler.

If you’ll be camping when the temperature dips down to zero, you need a mummy bag. Mummy bags taper from head to foot, creating a smaller-volume bag that makes it easier to maintain body heat. You can draw the bag’s top around your head for extra warmth.

Other sleeping bag options can add to your family camping adventure. Zip two sleeping bags together for extra room. For kids, consider the Eureka! Grasshopper. It's smaller and lighter than other bags.

Cleaning your sleeping bag

Keeping your sleeping bag clean assures comfort—but make sure your clean it correctly, to assure top performance. Hand-washing is safest, though today’s sleeping bags can be machine-washed. Never dry clean your sleeping bag.

To limit the number of times you wash your sleeping bag, try using a sleeping bag liner to protect the inside from body oils, sweat and moisture. Spot clean the outside. You can buy a liner or make your own from a light blanket.

To machine-wash a down or polyester-filled sleeping bag, use a front-load machine set on the coolest setting. Use soap, not laundry detergent, and run the bag through a second clear water rinse cycle. Then put it in the dryer, also on the coolest setting.

Hand-wash your sleeping bag in the bathtub. Work it around in soapy water until it’s soaked. Drain the tub, then swish your sleeping bag through clear water until it’s thoroughly rinsed. Don’t pick up the wet bag; the material may be damaged by its own weight. Instead, drain the tub, loosely roll the bag and lightly squeeze out most of the water.

Now you can hang your bag over a clothesline or lay it out to dry—which may take several days. Keep moving it and puffing it with your hands until it is dry all the way through, preventing mold and mildew. Store your bag loosely.

How can a ground cloth help?

A ground cloth prevents your sleeping bag from picking up moisture from the ground. That’s important, because a damp sleeping bag conducts moisture away from your body, leaving you chilled.

Put a layer of waterproof plastic under your tent. Fold its edges so they don’t stick out; otherwise, water can collect in the crease and run under the tent floor. An additional ground cloth between your sleeping bag and the tent floor helps guarantee the campers in your group a dry night’s sleep.

You may want to try a bivouac sack that slides over your sleeping bag. Make sure the sack can “breathe,” or your body will produce moisture and dampen the sack from the inside out. Air flow between the sack and your bag ensures a comfortable night’s sleep.

Choosing the right backpack

Backpacks come in all sizes and shapes. The goal is to find the right one for your size and shape. Camping gear manufacturers size backpacks according to torso length, and many offer special models for women and children.

External frame backpacks have long been the standard and are popular with beginning campers and hikers. They’re great for carrying heavier loads over typical hiking trails—and you can fasten extra gear to the frame.

Internal frame backpacks suit hikers scrambling over unpredictable terrain. Worn close to the body, they’re warmer to carry. They’re narrower and more streamlined, which gives you less room for your gear but greater maneuverability.

Good fit is vital to comfortable backpacking. Try before you buy, looking for:

• Well-padded, adjustable shoulder straps
• A padded hip belt designed for your body type. The hip belt transfers weight from your back to your hips; make sure it has no uncomfortable pressure points.
• Sturdy, easy-to-use buckles and belts
• Tough materials, solid seams and durable construction

How to choose a compass

When you’re hiking new terrain or heading out onto the water, it’s smart to slip a compass in your pocket. Beginning hikers should practice using a map and compass before hitting the trail, for extra confidence.

The basic needle compass works well for recreational hikers. Look for a needle that settles into position quickly, a well-marked base plate and a readable dial. A good beginner compass is the Silva Starter Model 1-2-3. Its clear base plate fits comfortably in kids’ hands and makes it easy to read a map. The plate is marked with inch and millimeter scales to help plot your course. And a lanyard hole helps make sure your compass is there when you need it.

New digital compasses offer advanced features for hikers, canoeists, hunters and bird watchers. Look for one-degree increments and declination adjustment (adjusting for the difference between magnetic north and true north). The Silva Compass Watch is right on your wrist, so you can glance at it as you go. Its directional indicator is teamed with calibration and declination adjustments to keep you on course. The watch also offers stopwatch capabilities, with elapsed and split-time measurements.

Keeping your flashlight working

It’s fun to camp by the light of the stars or a single camping lantern, but it makes sense to include flashlights in your camping equipment. State park campgrounds usually provide enough overhead lighting so that the kids can find their way to the bathroom, but in other locations you’re on your own.

You need a flashlight that’s powerful enough to light your way and reliable enough to complete after-dark tasks. Bring extra batteries and bulbs, stashed in small plastic containers with tissue to keep them from breaking.

For low-impact, environmentally friendly flashlight power, use the Silva Solar 2 Battery Charger. It can charge two AA or AAA batteries in just 10 hours. The unit’s solar cells are the same as those used on tents for the U.S. military. It’s the lightest battery charger on the market and folds to about the size of an index card, for easy carrying in your camping gear.

Choosing the right camping accessories

Tent manufacturers like Eureka! offer a variety of camping gear extras to improve your outdoor experience.

Gear lofts add storage room in your tent. These mesh holders attach to the tent’s clothesline rings or loops and give you a convenient place to store small gear.

A dining fly protects your picnic table from the rain or creates a shady spot for relaxing when it’s sunny. The fly is held up by lightweight aluminum poles that are easy to pack and carry.

Vestibules attach to your tent, adding space for your camping equipment.

Floor protectors go beyond the typical drop-cloth-style ground cover. They fit below your tent and extend its life.

Using a firestarter

There’s nothing like the warm glow of a campfire at the end of a fun-filled day outdoors. Check local fire regulations to be sure burning is allowed, and follow low-impact camping guidelines.

Avoid gathering wood from your campsite, and never cut down trees or break off branches. Bring a supply of seasoned wood, wrapped in plastic. Or see if your campground has wood for sale. Hardwoods, such as oaks and hickory trees, burn hotter than softer woods like maple, ash and beech, which tend to throw sparks.

Use an existing fire ring, grill, stove or fireplace. Start your fire with a cone of twigs and small branches, using matches from your waterproof container. A commercial firestarter makes lighting the campfire easy. These nuggets light quickly and burn for several minutes, igniting larger pieces of wood.

Add a piece or two of wood at a time, placing carefully to avoid sparks. Burn pieces only up to the thickness of an adult’s wrist; anything larger leaves behind unsightly blackened chunks.

Make sure the fire is out before you go to sleep. Sprinkle water, without flooding the fire ring; stir ashes and embers to make sure nothing is glowing; and wait until the remains are cool to the touch. Clean out the fire ring before you leave.