| Camping and hiking can be an expensive pastime | | | | windbreaker and make it waterproof by applying |
| especially if you're just starting with no existing | | | | a bottle of waterproofer that will set you back a |
| camping equipment. This article will hope to help | | | | few dollars.You only need expensive parkas when |
| beginners to cut down equipment cost. Outdoor | | | | you're going for an expedition under harsh |
| recreation presents a good opportunity for some | | | | conditions. |
| people to show off their latest camping gear. It | | | | - Use a cheap camping tent or bivvy and treat |
| gives them a sense of pride for own such an | | | | them with a seam sealer. Do this before every |
| expensive equipment even if they don't need it. | | | | camping trip. You can find cheap tents just about |
| However, the majority of my friends have never | | | | everywhere. Remember to check for tears. |
| even gone camping before. This is mostly | | | | Unless you're backpacking, you don't really need |
| because of their fear of not having enough gear | | | | an expensive tent. |
| or the right gear. They think that to have the | | | | - A lightweight down sleeping bag can cost you a |
| complete set of gear they need to spend a lot of | | | | lot of money. A zero degree synthetic sleeping |
| money and they are not willing to spend that | | | | bag should be good enough for the mountains in |
| much especially in the recession. | | | | most cases. Use a chemical warmer and some |
| Good hiking boots cost around $200, clothing could | | | | layers of clothing to keep warm inside your |
| cost you about $600, a reasonable down sleeping | | | | sleeping bag. If you're not backpacking and weight |
| bag costs about $200, 4-season tents can cost | | | | is not an issue, you can even be without the |
| $600, internal frame backpacks can cost up to | | | | sleeping bag. Just use whatever suitable bedding |
| $500 for a good one and $100 for trekking poles. | | | | you have at home but make sure you insulate |
| This is just some of the equipment. You might | | | | yourself from the ground. |
| need camp stoves, flashlight, crampons, gaiters, | | | | - Blisters are your worst enemy when you're |
| child carriers, lantern, hammock and more. | | | | hiking so I don't recommend cheap hiking boots. |
| For a lot of people, this is a lot of money. Yet | | | | However if you're just camping, you can wear |
| there are still a lot of people who don't have that | | | | just about any footwear as long as you're |
| much money to spare that enjoy hiking and | | | | comfortable. |
| camping with little problems. Manufacturers like to | | | | - There are still quite a few places where you're |
| make you think that you need all this stuff and all | | | | allowed to build campfires. This eliminates the |
| the expensive features. | | | | need for camping stoves. If not, there are a lot |
| The truth is camping is about going back to basics. | | | | of cheap and practical stoves out there. You can |
| You don't need the state-of-the-art equipment. | | | | either buy it new or used or you even just |
| You can even find what you need in your own | | | | borrow them. |
| home or the local thrift store. | | | | - For trekking poles you can just use a strong |
| Check out the gear tips below that can really cut | | | | enough stick. I've used it for a few years without |
| your costs: | | | | any problems. Some people may argue that |
| - Down parkas are very expensive and they | | | | cutting out sticks from the forest is bad for the |
| make you sweat when you hike. Using layers will | | | | environment but the process making those |
| keep you warm and you can adjust if it gets too | | | | expensive trekking poles takes an even bigger toll |
| hot by removing the layers. Avoid using cotton | | | | on the environment. |
| for layers as they absorb water and makes you | | | | This list is pretty basic but covers the most |
| wet. Use synthetics and wool. Synthetics wick | | | | common concerns people have told me about. |
| away water and keeps you dry. Wool keeps you | | | | Camping gear doesn't have to be overly |
| warm even when it's wet. | | | | expensive. You can and should use what you |
| - For the waterproof outer shell you can use a | | | | already have as much as possible. |