Camping

If you’re like me, you may be experiencing a special kind of melancholy this year; an unfortunate synergy between your run-of-the-mill winter blues and the novel coronavirus blues. Most days we’re stuck indoors, counting down till summer, trying to catch but a glimmer of sunlight through the short, overcast days. But while there’s many ways to deal with this bummer, here’s one you haven’t considered: Winter camping. Really—what better time to hit the trail? It’s the pinnacle of social distancing! Best of all, you’ll have the lovely woods all to yourself. There’s no better way to recharge your body and

Those who love the Great Outdoors are not always easy to shop for. Not only do they value experience over objects, they’re also likely very knowledgeable about the gear they do need. Lucky for you, we’re here to help! Our list below is filled with gift ideas that any outdoors person will love. And, with gear constantly being built stronger, lighter, and more durable, there’s always some piece of equipment in their kit that can use an upgrade. With our advice, you’re sure to turn Christmas 2020 into a holiday miracle. Read on to discover our top 10 gift ideas

Believe it or not, your sleeping bag isn’t the only thing keeping you warm and toasty at night. For a good night’s sleep in the bush, sleeping pads are the true unsung heroes.Not only does a sleeping pad add a layer of heavenly comfort between you and a patch of rocky soil, but it also prevents precious body heat from escaping through the ground. Below, we review the best sleeping pads in 2021.  The Top Sleeping Pads Reviewed ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Product Name LightweightWarmPrice Shop Product Name UltralightDurableComfortablePrice Shop Product Name PriceComfortableThoughtful designWarmth-to-weight ratio Shop Product Name Seriously ultralightWarmth-to-weight ratioPackable Shop Product

We’ve rounded up this year’s best camping chairs to guide you through the different ways you can comfortably kick back in nature.Our choice for best overall camping chair in 2020 is the Helinox Chair Zero, for its combination of lightweight materials, packability, durability, and comfort. Best Overall Camping Chair The Helinox Chair Zero is the ultralight answer to your traditional, bulky camping chair. Constructed with lightweight DAC aluminium poles and a ripstop polyester seat, it weighs just 1.1 lbs. It can be compressed into a 4”x4”x 14” stuff sack, roughly the size of a foot-long Subway sandwich. For its weight and size, you might think it flimsy; however,

Remember, choosing the right tent isn’t about choosing the priciest one or the one with the most features—it’s about choosing the one that meets your needs. Going for a weekend glamp with the fam? Looking for a seriously insulated winter shelter? Planning a thru-hike on a shoestring budget? Here we review 11 of the best camping tents for 11 unique types of campers!THE BEST CAMPING TENTS REVIEWED ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Product Name Easy set-upWell-ventilatedWell-insulatedSpacious vestibule Shop Product Name LightweightGreat head spaceAmazing ventilation Shop Product Name Spacious interiorSpacious vestibuleWell-ventilatedStanding room Shop Product Name UltralightPacks smallEasy set-upTwo doors Shop Product Name Easy set-upWell-ventilatedWell-insulatedSpacious vestibule

As an outdoors person, you already know that a good night’s sleep can be the difference between a lovely day on the trail and a wilderness nightmare—and that’s the best-case scenario.In the woods, where circumstances can change very quickly, it’s essential to pack the right stuff. A lousy sleeping bag is not only uncomfortable but can allow precious body heat to escape, resulting in hypothermia. For its warmth-to-weight ratio, water-resistance, insulation, and compressibility, the Neutrino 400 by Rab is our choice for best all-around sleeping bag in 2021. Check out our other top picks for backpackers, budgeters, and more. ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Best All-Around Camping Sleeping Bag A top-of-the-line model

By definition, camping entails a return to basics: everything you need to survive is either contained in your backpack or the trunk of your car. Now, even though you can live off a diet of Cliff bars and trail mix, that doesn’t mean you should.  Here, we walk you through the best camping stoves of 2021, so you can enjoy the luxury of a warm meal even in the midst of a rugged adventure. ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Best Single-Burner Camping Stove If you’re thru-hiking or just love to travel light, the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove is the perfect companion for your

Before we get into my review of the Mountain Fleece, a Topo Designs fleece top, I should say I've always wanted to be one of those athletes that celebrates winter. I have often wished that I could fly down the ski hill with icy pellets bouncing off my face, still sporting an ear-to-ear grin. Or return from a run outside with ice hanging from my eyelashes and be unfazed. But I'm not, and the driving reason is that I get cold quickly. I've made it a personal mission of mine to find clothing that is warm enough, to the point

Established in 1897 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Filson is the leading outfitter and manufacturer of unfailing goods for outdoor enthusiasts. They have a reputation for being reliable and hard-wearing, a favourite among those who would rather be outdoors, and the same is true for  Filson flannel shirts. I have a few Filson shirts now, and as soon as I put one on, I'm reminded of how strong they are. The quality is right there in the stitching, the fabric, and the details. I instantly feel more capable, ready for anything in a Filson flannel shirt. Right now I’m wearing the

The Eureka Alpenlite 2XT tent is a 4 season tent. However, I believe it excels in the shoulder season and colder months. I received this tent in the warmer months and had been anxiously awaiting giving it a proper winter test. Fortunately (depending on how you view it) winter came early as it often tends to on the east coast. Pros: Cons: (Relatively) Lightweight Rugged Durable Intuitive Set-up Slightly small for 2 people After a fresh snowfall and a few weeks of snow accumulation, I was ready for a backcountry camping trip. Hauling a gear sled with my tent and supplies tucked

Everyone has outdoor enthusiasts on their gift list: a camping lover with an intrepid spirit and nearly impossible to shop for come the holidays. It's one thing to go through camping gear gifts for our hiking, and backpacking friends. Camping articles like the best winter camping sleeping bags can be helpful but sometimes we want a wider choice. Imagine, though, a one-stop article for all unique camping gear gift guide ideas. Here is our guide to unique camping gift ideas, with something to please all enthusiasts whether going away for summer camp or setting up shelter in winter snows. Our

Like many insulated outdoor gear products, sleeping bags use to main types of insulation: down or synthetic. Both have pros and cons that you have to consider. Ultimately, your sleeping conditions will determine the type of sleeping bag you will need. Read our Ultimate Sleeping Bag Buying Guide   Sleeping Bags with Down Insulation The quality and strength of insulation varies. You might have noticed a number beside the down filling : 550, 600, 650...800. This number refers to the loft capacity of the down; the higher the number, the better the quality of the sleeping bag. Remember that this

You’ve liked the spectacular insta pics of vast valleys, sky-piercing peaks and frolicking forests. You geared up with the latest hiking boots, down-filled jacket, merino baselayer and durable hike socks. Your do-everything backcountry backpack is bursting with accessories. You hit the trails full of excitement. And every night you’re cold, sleeping on a lumpy hard surface digging into you where you wish it wouldn’t. Each morning you’re so groggy and tired no amount of instant coffee on your portable stove can save you from stumbling through the day. Camping mat, anyone? Shop Exped Sleeping Swiss-Style Founded in 1983 in Zurich,

The idea of side sleeping designed bag hadn’t crossed my mind. I mean it’s so obvious right?! This is coming from someone that can only sleep if I’m on my side which has meant in the many years that I have been camping and using sleeping bag’s I haven’t gotten the best night’s sleep. So along comes the Nemo Equipment Disco sleeping bag and I couldn’t be more eager to try it out. Pros: Cons: Expandable zips Side sleeping makes it very comfortable Lightweight Packs nice and small Doesn’t retain heat once wet Now first impressions out of the bag

For as long as I can remember, bringing a cooler on summer vacation has always been a given. Whether it was at the campsite or on the beach, as kids, we’d always run over to the cooler to grab ourselves a cold treat after hours of swimming and playing in the sun. As adults, not much has changed, the cooler is still a saviour on hot days - except now, we swap cold snacks for cold drinks. [caption id="attachment_88793" align="aligncenter" width="4969"] Photo by @raphcouturier [/caption] The coolers I’ve used in the past have always served me well, but now Hydro

Quebec, like Canada, has its fair share of hidden gems. With a geography as diverse as the people who inhabit it, there’s still plenty left to explore. Now’s the time to step out of wi-fi range and beyond those campsites easily accessible by car. By bike or on foot, for those of you willing to venture out into wild unclaimed lands, having the right gear is essential. A lightweight compact tent should be the first thing on your list. Here are some tips and suggestions for all your camping tent needs. The North Face Triarch The tent I’m currently using

Glamping—the outdoors made better with the cozy comforts of home at your campsite. Alright, that might not be the exact glamping meaning, but it works for my family, and it’s how we do camping. As attractive as the outdoors are, the city in us love urban comforts. Without my cortado, my New Yorker and my nightcap, I’d be hopelessly lost. Enter glamping, of regal heritage (queens and kings under ornate canopies over 500 years ago), and today’s answer for getting in touch with Nature without, you know, touching Nature too much. My wife and I watched the kids recoil in

Nothing is more rewarding on a sweltering hot summer day than gulping back a refreshing beverage that instantly quenches your thirst. Ice cold lemonade, a crisp beer or chilled water, whatever you're reaching for when the sun is blazing, a cooler that keeps it icy fresh is a must. Soft coolers are handy for days at the beach or hiking, but hard coolers usually have more space and are more like a portable mini fridge - keeping your food and drinks cold all day. Although some hard cooler models are quite large and heavy, if you can transport your cooler from

The Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System exceeded our expectations!  We go camping often, and this little cooking system heated our coffee in record time. The coffee boiled over the first time we were making it because we didn't think it would heat that quickly. Luckily, the hot chocolate was a much smoother experience. It also paired well with the Grande Coffee Press. Our review Pros: It's compact and easy to set up. Boils water VERY quickly. Has a push Ignitor The bowl on the bottom of the canister has measuring units The fuel canister stabilizes the stove (good when kids are

A couple years ago I was out camping with friends… I pull out my chair and get cozied up to the fire. A friend looks at my chair and says… ‘You camp how many times a year, are constantly adventuring outdoors and this is your camp chair?’ BIG LAUGH TO FOLLOW. Shop Helinox Chair One Our review of this product The pros are: Lightweight Durable Comfortable The cons are: Missing a cup holder ;) My camp chair at the time was pretty flimsy, not comfortable, and definitely not made for my kind of adventures. It took up so much room,

No matter what you think, a good night’s sleep out in the wilderness starts with the right sleeping bag. If you insist on using your old-school sleeping bag from your boy-scout days, you’re going to figure out real quick it is a bad choice. Like most activities, there’s proper gear for every situation. Bubba Watson isn’t going to pull out his driver to make his last 10cm shot. If you have some specific questions, feel free to use these links to jump straight to the answer or you could just read the whole sleeping bag buying guide for fun. What is

The plan was simple: fly to California for a project, then ride to Joshua Tree to explore the National Park in the desert with The North Face. That morning we’d set out from LA with supplies strapped to our dual-sport bikes. But the plan had been in jeopardy. The longest US Government shutdown in history had closed all national parks. During the shutdown, The North Face issued statements regarding the need for vital park protection services. Partial services had returned, and a window opened for us to head out that weekend.    We’d seen the news but didn’t know what

The magic of camping comes mainly from the joy of waking up in the mornings, at the edge of a calm lake or looking as far as the horizon will go from the peaks of a mountain top. To truly appreciate the view, however, it is necessary to have the required energy. Even in the forest far from the comforts of your cozy bed at home, it is possible to get a sound night of sleep. When it comes time to drift away into a deep slumber, choosing the right mattress is essential, but having a sleeping bag suited to your needs

Camping; the action of escaping civilization to spend a night (or more) in the wilderness sleeping under the stars with just a tent and the basics; a time to relax and refuel the mind. This is a favourite pastime that has been enjoyed by many for centuries and continues to evolve year-after-year with new technologies constantly improving equipment. In the 1800's, camping equipment was very heavy and often transported using boats due of its connection with the pleasure boating craze of the late Victorians. Since then, improvements have made camping more accessible and more mobile thanks to newer, lightweight products. Along

If you're like me, you cannot function properly without your daily dose of caffeine so having a good insulated cup is vital. After all, what's better than sipping hot coffee to start the day off right? Isothermal mugs are also commonly known as "thermos." Their double-wall design allows you to insulate your liquids, hot or cold, to maintain the initial temperature as long as possible. No more drinking a cold Americano once you arrive at the office or in class: the models presented here will keep your beverages hot until your coffee break. Shop Our Thermoses YETI Rambler 30oz Tumbler

My first overnight test of the Oberon sleeping bag coincided with the first official day of winter. Even though we’ve had snow on the East Coast since mid-October, I figured I’d have to wait so it wouldn’t be considered “fall” camping. Hauling a sled of gear into the wilderness and including no actual shelter gave the trip a greater sense of adventure. The plan was to build a lean-to and camp fireside. Well, I’m writing this review so I’m pleased to say it was successful! Shop Therm-a-Rest Our review of this product The pros are: Comfortable Lightweight Compressible The cons

The NeoAir Xtherm mattress has been a great new addition to my camping set up, and I’m pleased to say it will be joining me on many future adventures. From camping in a lean-to, the back of a Subaru, or even taking a nap on the living room floor this mattress is very versatile. Shop Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Mattress Our review of this product The pros are: Tough Comfortable Lightweight The cons are: Fill valve takes time to get used to Features I’ve paired this mat with the Therm-a-Rest Oberon bag with amazing results. The first test was slightly elevated

Nothing is more invigorating than a multi-night winter trip. Lung-searing fresh air and clean powder can quickly dispel your winter doldrums. Luckily, tent or hut sleeping during frigid weather is less of a problem thanks to Marmot’s lineup of ultrawarm sleeping bags. Marmot’s wide selection of sleeping bags can make for a tough choice. We’ll look at warm bags for differing cold temperatures instead of year-round activities like trekking or mountaineering. Let’s start with the deepest cold... Shop Marmot's sleeping bag 1. For Extreme Cold: Col MemBrain Down Sleeping Bag -20F/-29C The Col MemBrain is rated down to -29 Celsius.

Solo camping is great, but it's even better with a partner you can share the experience with. Together you can make memories that you can later reminisce about and it also helps add an extra element of safety on an overnight adventure. The best part of camping with a partner is that a lot of camping gear is now available in sets of two or made for couples. You can pool your budget together and avoid the hassle of bickering over the more cushy mattress or bigger bowl. Camping never goes out of style, so the products just get better every year. This

For simple biology, like the basic fact you have to fuel up, but also it has to taste…good. A fine meal is great motivation to slug through that last three klicks of mud and rock, 40 kilos of equipment on your back, before breaking camp.I don’t know about you, but after hours of trekking, I’m more inclined for something deliciously original instead of the same old like ramen, oatmeal, or dehydrated ‘delights’ (even if there are some REALLY good ones like Southwestern Beef Masa by Alpine Aire Foods or Happy Yak curry Shrimp). Product Name LEARN MORE Product Name LEARN MORE Product Name

The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus is a four-season R value-5 sleeping pad, which allows you to use it year round in a vast array of temperature ranges. Furthermore, the sleeping pad is 2.5 inches thick which keeps you off the cold ground. I used this air mattress from temperatures ranging from -5° Celsius to 12° Celsius and have slept comfortably every night. I was never too hot or too cold any of the nights I have used this sleeping pad. This makes the sleeping pad extremely versatile! Shop Sea to Summit Mattresses & Accessories Our review of this product The

I run mountain bike events, guide, and instruct, in short, I typically ruin everything within a matter of weeks.I’m very rich with experiences, not so much when it comes to currency.  Why is that important? Well, if I’m going to spend a lot of money on something, especially clothing, it has to have multiple uses and damn well better last a lifetime.  Clothing for me has to to be low maintenance, practical, and rugged.  A bonus if it looks good.Fjällräven is a brand that you often see being worn on the grouse grind, in the Canmore coffee shops, but there’s a