| Car camping is a great tradition and its important | | | | is so popular so that many units can be |
| to have the right equipment. When you are at the | | | | manufactured at once. For car camping, it's a |
| camping and outdoor supply store, be sure to | | | | good idea to bring as large a tent as possible. |
| discriminate between equipment meant for car | | | | There's no reason to get a tiny backpacking tent |
| camping, and equipment meant for backpacking | | | | that you can barely sit up inside. |
| and backcountry camping. Backcountry camping | | | | You will also want a camp stove with two |
| means carrying everything on your back and puts | | | | burners. This way, you can efficiently cook much |
| a premium on size and weight. Car camping is | | | | like you can at home. You may also want a camp |
| almost completely the opposite: you will probably | | | | lantern powered by gas so that you can see at |
| be camping 10 to 20 feet from your car, so | | | | night. Flashlights and headlamps are convenient to |
| there is no reason to pay a lot of money for a | | | | have too. When sleeping at night, it's okay to |
| lightweight tent and stove unless you anticipate | | | | prioritize your comfort. You can buy an inflatable |
| reusing them for backpacking in the future. | | | | mattress and bring a battery powered air pump |
| Specialized backpacking camping equipment tends | | | | to inflate it! This is a luxury that would never be |
| to be very expensive. Car camping equipment is | | | | possible when camping in the backcountry, but will |
| usually surprisingly cheap since it does not need to | | | | help you wake up without a sore back! |
| be made with weight as a concern and because it | | | | |