You can use these camping air beds whilst you are out on camping trips or also as a spare bed or temporary bed. The Intex air beds are very simple to set up as they have an inbuilt electric pump so you won’t get all puffed out inflating it. Letting the air out is also very simple and the Intex Rising air beds pack up neatly after use.

Intex Comfort AirBed Benefits

The Intex self inflating air beds are comfortable, easy to set up and deflate. Another great thing is that you feel like you are sleeping on a normal bed as the air beds from Intex are quite high up. With all Intex air beds you get a 90 day warranty which is great, just make sure you test it out several times to ensure your air bed is in good working condition.

Features of Intex Rising Comfort Air Beds

• You sleep on a raised platform
• Waterproof nylon flocking
• Side indentation help grip fitted sheets
• Built in pump, easy to use
• Easy inflation and deflation
• Duffel/Storage bag with shoulder straps
• Dual chamber construction
• 2-3 minute inflation time
• Dual chamber construction

Intex Air Bed Review

The Intex Rising Comfort Air Bed is very comfortable, easy to use with quick inflation and deflation times. The Intex air beds come with a duffel bag and repair patches if needed so you will be well equipped to take on trips if need be.

Lichfield tents are the sister brand of Vango. The tents are great as a beginner tent or something you can use for basic short stay camping trips, with a great brand name and low retail prices its a good choice.

The Lichfield Cherokee 2 man tent is a tunnel tent and is easy to pitch up and there is a good deal of head room and also a good porch area where you will be able to store some equipment. The Cherokee 2 is a 2 season tent best used in summer time.

Lichfield Cherokee 2 Tent Specifications

• Double entry offering great flexibility
• Seamed taped flysheet
• Protex 2000 polyester fly - very durable
• Fire retardant treatment
• Heavy duty pole sleeves
• Huge porch area
• Sleeps 2 - 2 man tent
• Weight of 4.2kg - light backpacking tent
• Length - 380cm
• Width - 140cm
• Height - 120cm
• Nice handled carry bag

Cherokee 2 Man Tent Review

The Lichfield Cherokee 2 Tent is a great little tent packed with some nice features and specifications. The Cherokee model by Lichfield provides nice tent designs at great prices with the 2 man version providing more than enough space, we really like the large porch area allowing you to have extra living space if the weather dictates you need to stay in your tent.

These handy bits of kit would be useful for anyone out hiking who may find themselves left out in the open with no shelter when a storm or some bad weather catches you out. The Vango storm shelters are used by rescue teams, hiking clubs and walking clubs and they can be used for quite an array of different things.

If you want to get out of the cold or rain for a quick break then the vango storm shelter is ideal to get out and use. Within the shelter you have a dry and warm area where you would be able to say eat a meal, take a break from walking or plan your routes.

The vango storm shelter comes in various models as shown below:

• Vango storm shelter 200 (2 person capacity)
• Vango storm shelter 400 (4 person capacity)
• Vango storm shelter 800 (8 person capacity)

Vango Storm Shelter Features

All the shelters are in a jaffa orange color so that it can stand out and be detected by rescue teams if need be. The shelters are waterproof and contain waterproof seats in the inside and reflective strips on the outside to again help detection of the shelter. The storm shelters are made of protex dura 3000 nylon and they have a viewing window included.

Specifications for Vango Storm Shelters

• Protex Dura 3000 nylon
• Lightweight
• Waterproof
• Taped Seams - long lasting protection
• Range of sizes/models
• PU Window - outside viewing
• Waterproof seats
• Mesh Vent - helps air circulate
• Vango Lifetime Guarantee
• Integral storage bag

Storm Shelters by Vango Review

The Vango storm shelter is an essential bit of safety gear that is suitable for all seasons. It has multiple uses also apart from being a rescue tent and is increasingly popular with walking, hiking and outdoor clubs.

A multi tool is a hand tool that is portable and very versatile. With a multi tool you get several tool functions in a single small tool that is normally about the size of a credit card.

CRKT Guppie Multi Tool Review

You can see how cool the Guppie Multi-Tool from CRKT is from the images. The tool has several functions and can be used as an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, knife, bottle opener, LED light, removable bit carrier and also it also has a carabiner gate so the tool can be carried easily on a belt or D-ring pack or rope.

The adjustable wrench is able to open up to half an inch wide so you will be able to use it for quite a few jobs. The blade used in the CRKT Guppie tool is a high carbon stainless steel blade that is razor sharp. Opening up this blade on the Guppie CRKT tool is very simple indeed and can be achieved with using just the one hand.

The CRKT Guppie was named as the best buy of year at the 2007 blade show and international cutlery fair based in Atlanta. The craftsmanship, quality and innovative design of the guppie help achieve this award. This compact little tool packs so much into it and is a great little bit of kit to add into your camping checklist.

CRKT Guppie Knife Features

• High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade.
• 2″ Blade Length.
• 4.1 oz weight (116g).
• Requires 2 * CR327 3V Lithium batteries for LED Light.
• 3.5 ” Handle Length.
• LED light.
• Bottle Opener.
• Screwdriver.
• Adjustable wrench to 1/2″.
• Color - Bead Blast and Black.

Summary of the CRKT Guppie Multi-Tool

The CRKT Guppie Multi Tool is an award winning tool and rightly so, this little beauty packs a punch and you really get a great deal of value out of the kit. We think it looks very cool, a bit different to the “normal” multi tools we all know. If your in the market for a new multi tool to add to your outdoor camping supplies or want to give a friend a gift then the CRKT Guppie Tool would be a good choice.

Tents are categorised into 4 main types and the different sizes and shapes effect how easily the tents are pitched and how stable they are and also effect the overall weight of the tent. The shape and type of tent is determined mainly by the configuration of how the poles are set up within the tent. The 4 tent shapes are listed below, the order is done in how many nodes the tents have in ascending order. A node is a point where a tent pole crosses:

• Tunnel Tents
• Dome Tents
• Semi Geodesic Tents
• Fully Geodesic Tents

In the list above the the top tents are generally the lighter tents and the last ones being the heavier tents. This scale is also reflected in the stability of the tents with the most stable tents being at the bottom of the list.

Tunnel Tents

The tunnel tent is mostly used for family or light backpacking tents. The tunnel tent is the quicker pitching tent of the 4 different shapes and also the lighter of the tent shapes. You will also find that with the tunnel tent you have a greater amount of headroom due to the maximum internal height of the tent is running straight down the middle.

The tunnel tent needs to be fully guyed out as it is the less stable of the tent types so make sure these tents are well held down. These tents have 0 nodes so poles do not cross over at all.

Dome Tents

The dome tents are a bit more stable than the tunnel tent but have less head room due to its design. What you will find though is that the dome tents use side poles to make extra rooms and bedrooms. The dome tent is best suited as a family or trekking tent.

The dome tent is quite aerodynamic and you will find them to be more stable than the tunnel tents. The dome tents are also free standing so you can easily pick up the tent in effect and pitch it in a different location with little effort. Dome tents have just 1 node ( 1 tent pole crossing).

Semi Geodesic Tents

With semi-geodesic tents you get again another boost in the stability of the tent but the tents are getting heavier up in this range and the pitching of the tent is not as quick as it can be quite complex. With semi geodesic tents you normally have about 2-4 nodes.

Fully Geodesic Tents

The fully-geodesic tents are the most stable type of tents with about 5+ nodes in the design. These tents are the most complex to put up and are also the most stable of the tents available.

The fully geodesic tents are suited to use as a mountaineering tent where you will be encountering harder terrains and climates. If you want your tent pitched up and it stay there for the duration of your stay then a fully geodesic tent will provide you with this.

The pole configurations are strong and will ensure the tent can handle any heavy rain or sown falls.

Tent Types Summary

Of all the outdoor camping supplies the camping tent can be the most difficult to choose and the decision must be made with sufficient knowledge available. Make sure you account for how easy your tent will be to pitch in terms of effort and time, how stable the tent is and the the weight of the tent.

Read below for a review of the Raichle Mountain Trail boot and find out about its features to see if it could be the boot your looking for.

Specifics of the Raichle Trail GTX boot

On viewing these boots for the first time you are sure to be happy with the look of the boot, they are very pleasing to the eye and would look great as a general boot to wear whilst hiking, general walking or to wear as a every day boot. You can also see the great workmanship by Raichle on these boots. They certainly have perfected their art over the 85 years of making outdoor boots.

The boot is made of a full grained wax leather and you have a membrane made of goretex in the upper so that you get total water proof protection for your walking Raichle hiking boots. The Raichle GTX also have a fully gusseted tongue so that this waterproof protection is ensured right up to the top of the boot. The ankle padding of the Raichle boot is made of a soft leather and gives a comfortable wear and support for walking.

One thing that is great about these boots is that the chance of getting a blister is greatly minimised due to the design of the boot. You have a deep heel pocket that secures your feet nicely preventing much movement of the heel. Up at the forefoot the boot is opened out a bit so that anyone with a wider foot will notice these boots will fit perfect compared to many other walking boots that can cause issues for wider foots.

At the base of the boot you have a rolling II advanced sole unit specifically designed to aid the wearer in a comfortable walk. The Vibram out-sole of the Raichle Trail XT GTX mountaineering boot gives significant shock protection on any type of surface we tackled.

Raichle Mountain Trail XT GTX Features

• Full grained wax leather.
• Gore Tex Lining.
• Water Proof.
• Internal motion control concept.
• Vibram Outsole.
• Rolling II Advanced Sole.
• Comfortable fit.
• Suitable even for Wide Feet.

Summary of the Raichle XT GTX Hiking Boots

The Raichle Mountain Trail XT GTX boot offered a great combination of being a comfortable and durable boot which is suitable for a range of scenarios and terrains. The boot is also great for breath-ability so you should find your feet won’t get too hot and sweaty in hotter conditions.

One of the best features is the soles rolling motion taking the effort and strain out of your feet whilst walking. The Raichle Trail GTX boots get a thumbs up from us.

The Silva Hand Held Compass

Silva has refined and perfected the design and build of the best quality hand help compasses over the years to be the firm favourite with outdoor enthusiasts. The great thing about the magnetic compass and why it is so popular is that it goes on being a reliable tool for finding your way about for many years without the need for any batteries.

Silva Compass Range

Silva do a variety of different purposes in many different ranges. You will definitely find the right compass for your need with Silva compasses. There are about 8 different Silva ranges which are listed below:

• Silva Field Series
• Silva Ranger Series
• Silva Expedition Series
• Silva Voyager Series
• Silva Eclipse Series
• Silva Adventure Series
• Silva Carabiner Series
• Silva Orienteering Series

Silva Starter Compass

The starter compasses can be found in the Silva field series range. These compasses are nice and simple and are suitable for an introduction to compasses and for young children. If you are just an occasional campers or walker then this range is also for you. The most popular compass in the world most likely is the Silva field 7 compass. The filed 7 is just so simple to use and it gets the job done nicely. Other compasses in the field series are the field 26 that is a nice compact compass that can actually float and the Silva field 11 compass that again is a small compact compass. The field 11 has a built in dual tone safety whistle and is good to keep around a life-jacket.

Features of the Silva Field 7 Compass

• Easy grip compass
• Compass housing made from dryflex
• Friction free movement of needle
• Sapphire jewel bearing compass
• A nice rounded base plate
• Map measuring scale of 1:50k and 1:25k

Silva Carabiner Compass

The carabiner range is when the compass has a built in carabiner with the compass. On these models the compasses are not really for advanced navigation but they still can be used as a reference. Models included the carabiner 9, carabiner 10, carabiner 40 and carabiner 28.

Summary Silva Compass Review

The Silva Compass has the most recognised and popular compasses in the world. If you need a basic compass or a very advanced model the Silva should have what you need.

Here are some tips to help with your camping trip when it’s raining and also to make sure you prepare for the situation when you plan your trip.

• Make sure you check your tent in wet conditions before leaving your home, you can do this by use a hose on it and checking for any leaks inside the tent.
• When you pitch your tent make sure its not at the bottom of a slope.
• Check the floor to see if it looks like an area where water may accumulate.
• Make sure your tent and tarp are held down well.
• Don’t use your stove in a tent as its very dangerous, instead have sandwiches and cold food when its raining.
• Take some dry wood in your car as it will be hard to find after a downpour.
• Make sure you take some boardgames for in the tent.
• Look out of the tent and enjoy the nature with the kids, viewing an animals or birds from the comfort of the dry tent.
• Make sure you pack plenty of dry clothes.
• An extra sleeping bag would be a good idea also.
• Take waterproof clothes.
• Keep your wet gear hanging away from your sleeping area.
• Don’t touch the sides of your tent inside as dew accumulates.
• Keep any gear you need stored in the tent so you don’t have to dash out to get something in the rain.
• Keep warm and dry as much as possible.

Remember the rain need not ruin your trip, use the time to spend some quality time with the family and do some other activities you may not do in the sunny weather.

The model is called the MoFlow which relates to “more flow”. Normally with hydration packs you need to suck on a hose to get your fluid from the pack. Well forget all that malarkey with the MoFlow. This hydration system comes with a air pump so to get some water you just need to bite on the tip and voila you get a wicked blast of pressurized liquid from the Polarpak Mo Flow, its pretty cool.

This innovative design makes the MoFlow hydration system very attractive for campers as the pack can be used for a variety of tasks and not just as a hydration system. For example you can clean your gear with the water blast or wash your dishes. There is also a nice addition so that you can use this polar pak hydration system as a shower.

MoFlow Polarpak Hydration System Features

• Reservoir capacity - 70oz fluid
• Dimensions - 6.75″w x 15.2″h
• Pump system
• Pressurized Water blast
• 2 internal baffles prevent liquid sloshing about
• 100% antimicrobial
• Bite Valve has 360 degree rotation

Summary Polarpak Hydration Systems Review

We think that the MoFlow Polarpak Hydration System is a great bit of kit to take camping, it can even be used for day outings, walking the dog and loads of other stuff. Please be aware you will need a backpack with a hydration slot. With a hydration system you ensure your getting the correct fluids which is important, the MoFlow also helps increase your intake as its so effortless to work with.

You may think, whats the point? You go camping to get away from it all and get back to basics but there has shown to be quite a few people that would welcome the service. Recent statistics have shown that about 6% of campsites in the USA have either free or pay per use Wi-Fi service. These stats are taken from a recent USA today survey. Another interesting find is that out of 28 states at least 1 park in each has wireless internet services.

I bet you will most likely find this technology to be available in most campsites in the coming years, obviously it will not be in all as some sites may be just so remote that the expense would be too much.

I personally think you should leave your work and laptop at home and spend the time enjoying your camping trip relaxing, exploring and enjoying the time with the family. Obviously the wireless option could be useful in terms of emergencies.