Author: Steven John
A Bigger Tent for Family Camping
Are you looking for a fun thing to do with the kids over the summer vacation? Many people love to go camping as a family for several great reasons. It really promotes family together time especially when you are sleeping together in a 5 person tent, or bigger depending on the size of your family.
At a time when televisions, computers and cell phones seem to rule our lives if we let it, this can be a great way to help your children to disconnect for a bit. Also spending time in the great outdoors is a wonderful way to create memories and have good times together.
Big enough for the whole family?
One of the first major items that you will need to get ready for your camping adventure is a tent big enough for the whole family. In this article, we will discuss how to find the best tent for your needs and specifically talk about one of our favorite options which are the North Face Dome Tent.
Most tents include the number of people that it holds within the actual name of the tent. Keep in mind though, that although the tent will comfortably hold that many adults, it does not take into consideration additional storage, baggage and additional camping gear that you may need to store in the tent as well. Another option would be to keep all additional items inside of your vehicle and only use the tent for sleeping. In our example, the North Face Dome 5 Tent is meant to be a 5 person tent and would sleep 5 adults with ease.
This may be better suited for families which include 2 adults and 2 children, allowing for a bit of extra space. The added space may be particularly appreciated when you have the occasional dreary day and the children need a place to be able to play cards or a board game without being on top of one another.
When shopping for your family tent, you will want to look for something that is very durable and one that can withstand all sorts of weather. This model, for example, is made of fabric that is waterproof and very sturdy. This specific tent also utilizes a special lift venting design that allows the tent to lift with the wind rather than to bend and risk being thrown about as some cheaper tents may be. This tent will definitely survive nearly any weather condition and it is also popular among serious mountaineers and people who like to hike extensively.
If you have a plan that includes hiking to your camping spot, you will also need to take the weight of your gear into account. This is a definite consideration when hauling 5 person tents as opposed to a 2 person tent because the added material and bulk can make for a much heavier haul when trekking longer distances. The North Face Dome is very lightweight and does come with an easy to use duffle-like storage back for easy packing, so this may be of less concern than with some of the other heavier and bulkier tent options.
We hope that this article helps to provide you with an option for your tent selection. There are many to choose from and searching online will provide a wide variety of options to help you select the best tent for your family.
Happy camping!
Finding the Best Backpack For Your Hiking
The most important piece of equipment that you will need for your hiking trip is your hiking backpack, so you will definitely want to do the research needed to discover the best hiking backpack (you can choose the perfect one for you from this blog).
There are many different brands and models to choose from whether you decide to go with a trusted and higher end product, such as the North Face Catalyst 75 model or other brands such as Kelty, Osprey or one of several other companies to choose from. This is probably the most important item you will buy because it will most likely be your biggest gear investment and this is the thing that you will notice the most if you do not choose the best fit for you.
You will want to develop a criterion for yourself that lists the most important features and comforts that you would like in your backpack. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
How much do you want to carry with you on your back?
This is a very important thing to consider because it will play a critical part in the comfort level of your hiking trip as well as the size backpack that you purchase. The pack models typically include a number which is the reference to the amount of weight in liters that the backpack will hold. So for our example here the Catalyst 75 would hold 75 liters worth of gear. Whenever possible it would be best to go for the least amount that you are actually carrying on your back. You should consider all possible trips and hiking adventures though to be realistic about what your needs could be so that you don’t end up with a pack that is too small for your trip.
The most important thing to consider will be the fit of the backpack for your torso. This means that it should be appropriate to your torso height (not your overall height in general) and fit comfortably around your hips. To get your correct torso measurement, you should measure from the most noticeable vertebra protrusion of your upper spine which is your C7 vertebra, to the rear shelf of your hip bones. Many websites that sell backpacks will also have a sizing chart so that you can be sure that you are measuring correctly.
There are a lot of extra features to consider such as ventilation, cushion, opening pockets, pouches and attachment accessories. The fun part is exploring to find one that has all the great little compartments and extra zipper pouches to store your equipment, maps, food, clothes and everything you will need to be ready for a great hiking trip. The North Face Catalyst 75 backpack is an example of a pack that has all the bells and whistles that you will need.
If at all possible, you should try to visit a store where you can spend some time walking around with a backpack that has weight in it so that you can have a realistic feel for what certain amounts of weight will feel like on your back. It is also great to be able to try out different styles and fits to find the one that is best for you.
Camelbak Hawg 100 oz Hydration Pack
The Camelbak Hawg is the perfect hydration system for hiking or mountain biking enthusiasts.
Don’t worry about lugging cumbersome water bottles along…simply strap this pack on your back and you will be good to go for hours!
Features of the Camelbak Hawg 100 oz:
- holds up to 100 oz of water and includes an additional storage area totaling 900 cubic in. of space
- excellent ventilation within the back panel system that is well padded
- water access is very convenient and easy to get to
- made with excellent dual side compression
- padded shoulder straps are fit for comfort for even the longest of hikes or bike trips
- includes a suspension harness that is dynamic and keeps the pack stable as you move
- can easily customize the fit of the hydration pack to suit your body
- includes a waist belt that is removable
- the water reservoir is made with OMEGA HydroTanium and a sturdy polyurethane film that is super resistant to almost any kind of shock
- the actual drinking valve is ergonomically placed for convenient use
- includes a rain cover so that the hydration system can be used during all kinds of weather conditions
- includes a reservoir pocket that is well insulated so that you can keep water cool for hours
- includes a big cargo pocket with an organizer within to hold keys, tools and other accessories
- Want to carry your MP3 player with you? Includes a special pocket for this purpose at the top of the pack for easy access.
- includes 2 additional external zip side pockets for added storage
- lifetime warranty on the reservoir
The Camelbak Hawg hydration pack is one of the best brand names when it comes to reliable and innovative hydration systems! We wish you all the best as you set out on your trekking and riding excursions!
