Heating Efficiency

Gas is pushed out of a cannister stove by pressure but as the cannister empties, there is less pressure to push the gas out. Hence there is no consistency and the stove burns less efficiently. The performance of a propane stove is heavily affected by wind, altitude and temperature. A propane stove might not work below a certain temperature and above a certain altitude depending on the propane mixture in the cannister.

Reliability

Your backpacking stove should be sturdy because you usually only carry one. A stove is a critical camping equipment so you don’t want it to be broken too easily. Stoves should be made of strong material but this makes the stove heavy.

Propane stoves today are lighter and burn much more consistently but they may not be as tough. You can now use a propane stove at a lower temperature than before. The type of fuel used does not have as much effect on reliability as the design.

Weight

You’ll be using a lot of cartridges for a long backpacking trip which results in a lot of weight. If you want to save weight on an extended backpacking trip, use a bigger cartridge if they’re available. Bigger cartridges are recommended for longer trips because they result in less weight compared to carrying smaller cartridges.

Litter

Using a lot of cannister fuels will result in a lot of garbage. Once a fuel cartridge is empty, the container cannot be used again. If you have empty cartridges, you’ll have to carry them until you find the proper place for disposal. You don’t want to throw it in the wild if you care for the environment.

Convenience

Turn on the knob, light it up and you have the fire you need for cooking. It’s simple to use and it’s the main reason why people don’t want to convert to liquid fuel stoves.

Safety

The flame from a liquid fuel stove may be harder to control and can be unpredictable when you first light it up. A propane stove is much more predictable and you can have much more control over the flame. It’s safer to use inside a tent but only if there is adequate ventilation. It would be suicide to use a camp stove inside a tent without good air movement. You also risk getting your tent and other gear burst into flames. It would be nothing short of madness to use a liquid fuel stove inside a tent.

Propane stoves are known to blow up due to broken or missing parts. A simple stove has a reduced risk of this happening.

Fuel Availability

Liquid fuel stoves are great because you can use different kinds of fuel in case white gas is not available. You may end up with anything to cook your food if the fuel cartridge you need is not in your area.

Cost

The initial cost of propane stoves is lower than liquid fuel stoves but the running cost is higher because of the fuel. Cartridges cost a lot more and fuel consumption is quite high.

Many tents are not even suitable for backpacking because they’re too heavy. Only a few are worthy of the title. The reason for this is probably because big tent manufacturers don’t regard ultralight gear as having a big enough market and so focus less in that area. However, the increasing demand for ultralight gear have prompted manufacturers to shift their efforts.

The definition of lightweight differs depending on the type of tent. Here I’m just going to cover three-season tents because in my opinion the extra weight that comes with 4 season tents are almost always unnecessary. Lightweight two person tents weigh as little as two pounds. When I say weight, I mean the whole weight of the tent including the poles and stakes. This “trail weight” you see on the labels usually don’t include at least the stakes.

Double Walls

The weight of a double-walled two person tent should be 4 pounds or less for it to be considered lightweight. If you want the lightest, there are tents in this category that weigh just a bit above two pounds (as light as some “lightweight” bivy sacks). The bulk of the weight saving like in most tents is from the fabric and design. Lightweight poles (and less number of poles) and stakes also helps. Most ultralight tents employ a one pole design.

Lightweight tents are usually small to shave off unnecessary weight. Such limited space may cause condensation if air flow is limited. This problem is addressed by improved ventilation (that flows through the tent) like in some quality tents.

Quality and lightweight, of course, means a higher price.

Single-Wall Tents

This type of tent is preffered by many lightweight backpackers. Recent developments make them lighter than ever before. The maximum weight for a lightweight single-wall 2 person tent is 3 pounds. Single-walled two person tents can be as light as 18 ounces. They’re even lighter than most one person tents but the thin fabric used requires special care because they’re quite fragile.

Floorless Tents

Floorless tents are extremely light but they’re not very good at keeping out the bugs at night. A floorless two-person tent can be considered lightweight if it is no more than two pounds. A ground sheet is good substitute for the floor and they only weigh a few ounces and can be cut according to the size of your body. If you really want to backpack as light as possible, this is the way to go.

The first thing you need to consider when buying camping mats is your height. You can get away with having a pad that is too small by using a ground sheet but one that is too big means extra weight. The type of camping mattress that is ideal for car camping would be different from one used for backpacking. Comfort almost always comes with extra weight but sometimes weight doesn’t need to be considered much.

Weight is an issue when you need to carry your gear on your back over long distances. The weight however can be well worth it if it helps you sleep well at night. With a good night sleep you’ll feel refreshed in the morning. It keeps you warm by providing insulation against the ground and keeps your sleeping bag from getting dirty. Sleeping bag makers assume that the user is using a mat when they rate a sleeping bag. You can use some types of pads as a frame for your backpack.

There are two types of camping pads but you might also want to consider a camping cot:

Foam Mats
Foam pads are light and cheap. At only four ounces, some a bit more, some less, this is a favorite among ultralight backpackers. They have the best warmth-to-weight ratio but they don’t provide good cushioning. The best about it is it’s puncture-free. You still have to check the sleeping area for sharp objects but you can rest assured that you won’t lose the cushioning and insulation in the middle of sleep.

Air Mattress
Inflatable mattresses include self-inflating pads and air mattresses. The comfort that inflatable mattresses provide is unmatched by foam pads much like the lightness of foam pads cannot be matched by inflatable mattresses. It’s important to have a repair kit handy because the problem with inflatable mattresses is that there’s a risk of it being punctured.

Use Ground Sheets

A ground sheet is commonly used to keep dirt and moisture away from your sleeping bag and pad. To reduce the risk of punctures, use a highly durable ground sheet and make sure the area is clear of sharp objects. Ground sheets can be as light as 3 ounces but as an alternative, you can use your poncho.

1. Plan for an Emergency
The best thing you can do is to stay calm and the calmest guy in the room is the one with a plan. Whatever situation you can think of, make sure you have a plan for it. Your survival kit should be in place where it easy to remember and accessible. Having a small survival kit in your car is a good idea in case something happens on the road. To go a step further is to execute the plan by performing drills.

2. Medical Emergency Kit
The emergency kit you can buy at the camping store is a good base to start building a medical emergency kit. Add items that are not included in the kit as you discover them. Try the professional version of the emergency kit. It’s still not complete but it’s a very good place to start with.

The more medical supply you have, the better, but don’t sacrifice your goat to get more. You can build it up slowly adding the most important ones first. “Too much” might not still be enough in a natural disaster but at least you did your best. Always buy extra bandages and antiseptic wipes for better protection.

3. Practical First Aid Skills
For a serious condition, practical first aid skills are essential. To help you get started, CPR, First Aid and AED courses are offered by the Red Cross. Other recommended  ones are injury prevention courses, blood borne pathogens training and community disaster education. Knowing these skills can be lifesaving.

4. Store Drinking Water
Water is critical for survival because you’re not likely to survive long without water. Replace the water with fresher ones every three months and use a strong durable container. Fill up all your containers if you think that a disaster is coming soon.

The European Union have announced that it will ban the supply and sale of iodine for use in disinfecting drinking water. It will no longer be an option for many people.

5. Save Up Some Food
Make sure you have different types of food in your stock to cater for time when you can’t heat up your food. A good preparation can enable you to eat hot food most of the time if not every time.

6. Cooking
Access to a stove may prove difficult in a emergency situation. Here’s where a camp stove comes in. I recommend propane stoves because they’re easy to use. Having hot food to eat keeps your body nourished and helps you deal with the cold better.

7. Replacement Lights
In natural disasters, you most likely to lose power so you alternative source of light. If you’re using an electric lantern, be sure to stock up on batteries. Light sticks are great for emergency lighting. LED lights give out light for a very long time as it doesn’t require much power. Glowing sticks are another good option because they don’t require any batteries.

8. Emergency Tool Kit
In an emergency situation, you might need some tools for whatever tasks comes your way. You might need to dig of hole, cut wood, fix the camp stove or tons of other stuff. A multi-tool is always handy so make sure you have that.

9. Emergency Radio
To keep up-to-date with the news and weather reports in a natural disaster emergency you need a radio. It’s important that an emergency radio can still play even without power e.g. a wind-up radio.

10. Guides
There are a lot of useful tips you can get from survial guides. Check with other guides to see if the informatoin has at least some truth in it. Pay particular on the part about foraging. There are thousands of deaths in a free because of eating poisonous in the light. Mushrooms, in particular, have been responsible for thousands of deaths through the years. Foraging and survival guides can help give you that extra edge.

Making sure that you and your family is safe is your responsibility. You can never know when something may happen, and being prepared is the best way to make sure you and your family come out safe in any emergency.

Stormproof Bivvy

A stormproof bivvy does not let water seep in by any means. It eliminates the need for a roof in the worst of storms. The fabrics, seams and opening determines whether a bivvy sack is stormproof or not.

Gore-Tex is commonly used as a waterproof/breathable fabric in stormproof bivvies. Fabrics like these not only prevent water from seeping through but allows vapor to escape as well to prevent unwanted condensation.

The floor of a stormproof bivvy needs to be waterproof but it doesn’t have to be breathable. Waterproof-nonbreathable fabric such as silicone coated nylon is typically used for the floor. The main function is to keep water from seeping through from the ground. Additionally the floor has to be resistant to abrasions and punctures.

To be sure that water cannot leak in, a stormproof bivvy needs to have sealed seams and waterproof closures as well.

Water Resistant Sack

A water resistant bivvy sack does not have sealed seams, waterproof fabrics and waterproof closures. Sometimes water-resistant bivvies are better than stormproof bivvies.

Many ultralight hikers prefer water-resistant sacks because they’re much lighter than stormproof versions.

Because the fabric in water-resistant sacks are much more breathable, they’re also less prone to condensation. The type of fabric used removes vapors very quickly before it has the chance to condensate.

This type of bivvy fails miserably as a standalone shelter but excellent when used in combination with a tarp as a bivvy shelter. I use a 5 x 8 foot tarp for use with a bivvy sack which works well the foulest of weather.

The bad news is, no fabric is good enough to completely eliminate the risk of condensation inside a bivvy. Condensation occurs when a warm body in a confined space is mixed with cold temperatures outside. Condensation is likely to occur inside the bivvy sack where there is a lack of ventilation or the lack of body heat. The risk is increased when the weather is humid but if there is good ventilation it is less likely to occur.

If you want to save a lot of money then camping is a good idea. Camping is a very rewarding experience and it’s cheap entertainment which is good for the soul.

If you decide to bring a friend who is a dedicated camper then it would be easy for you to convince them to go with you. That’s great but you might need help recruiting who have never gone camping before.

Getting a reluctant camper to go camping for the first time might be difficult. Their opposition can be smothered with the right preparation and kindness. Almost all camping disasters are a result of poor planning and negligence to your fellow camper’s problems.

Increase your chances of getting them to love camping by finding out what makes them reluctant to camp and adjust accordingly.

Fear of insects:

A bug repellent is very handy but be sure you also have some bug spray with you and let them know about it. Check your mesh screens for any holes where insects can come through.

Shower at camp:

Some people may not be able to go without showering for more than twelve hours. Unless you have a portable camp shower find out if a campsite has one. You easily find out by checking the county website or by doing a search in google. Be sure that the showers are in working condition. In general campgrounds charge about a quarter for every three minutes.

Animal Encounter

The fear of being attacked by animals is a common reason why people never go camping. It would help if you did some research on the campsite you choose to make sure that the occurence of animal attacks are rare.

You’re likely never have to worry about rattlesnakes because they stay away from campsites and places where there are people around.

The most likely visitors to your campsite are raccoons, chipmunks and deer but they can still be dangerous when they panic so much sure you store your food away from your campsite and never put them inside your tent.

Food

There are a variety of delicacies you can enjoy at camp. You don’t necessarily have to stick with instant food. There are a lot of things you can eat at camp if you know how to make them.

Get them to list out the things they like to eat and make the necessary preparations. Ask for an alternative if the food is too complicated for you to cook. There’s always something that they like that you can easily cook.
Food tastes better outdoors when you eat around a campfire with the rest of the crew.

Sleeping comfort

You can get a lot of warmth from using down sleeping bags. Since you won’t be going for arctic expeditions or the like, synthetic bags are good enough.

You also need cushioning from the hard ground so remember to pack the camping mat, pad or cot. Air mattresses are comfortable and it can almost feel like sleeping on a bed. Be sure that you’re ready in case the air mat get punctured.

Invite an expert camper

Invite someone who can be considered an expert in camping for a better camping experience. Having him or her around can help you a lot especially in the work that has to be done on a camping trip.

Check out the campsite

Make sure that you choose a good campsite so that your friends won’t come disappointed. A flat ground is essential if you want a good night’s sleep.

Being too close to the toilets could be annoying because of the lights and noise.

Trial run

Do a trial run by camping in your backyard to expose the weakness of your planning and gear. You’ll likely have to add something to your plan and gear. You can use this trial to practice pitching your tent and test every piece of camping equipment you have including the camp stove. Ideally this should be done a few weeks before the trip.

Aside from the thorough preparation, consideration of the kids’ needs take top priority, and you might have to sacrifice a little of yours and your wife’s. Camping is an experience the kids will remember their whole life so it’s well worth it.

You can spend a lot of quality time playing, hiking, exploring and doing other camping activities which are rewarding for both the kids and you. Because you love these little bundles of joy so much, you probably don’t mind putting that extra effort to your camping trips because you know it won’t be memorable without them anyway.

Here are some tips to make the most out of the camping trip:

- Get the kids involved with the planning and preparation. Ask for their suggestions and ideas regarding camping activities and places to visit. Getting them involved in planning and preparation is good for their mental development.

All these things would make them see that you value their opinions and that you treat them as mature responsible adults. They are likely to act so because they would want to prove to you that they are.

- As a practice run for yourself and the kids try to do some backyard camping before the real trip.

- Getting your kids to help you out will help to make sure that things will go smoothly. Make sure you teach them some basic outdoor skills like pitching a tent.

- Make sure you brief your kids on the importance of safety.

- Campfire singing and story-telling is a good way to bond with your kids at night.

- Show them the wonders of nature by taking them into an environmental tour through a day hike. During the educational tour of acquainting them with the flora and fauna and the creatures that reside in the forest, be sure to incorporate valuable lessons on respect for nature.

- Don’t forget to teach them how to keep themselves safe at the camp. No playing with fire and no swimming in the lake alone are just some of the many rules they have to be familiar about.

- Creating games out of camping chores will get the kids interested in doing them

- Apply insect repellent and sunscreen on your kids.

- To help your kids deal with anxiety at night, give them a flashlight or glow stick.

- A tent helps the kids feel secure at night when they sleep.

- The first aid kit is essential so don’t leave it behind.

- Have some night snacks. Not inside the tent of course. Before you go to sleep, a few chats and chips will surely be a great finale to a great day.

- Bring toys that will make the camping even more fun. For instance, a kiddie magnifying glass will make exploring of insects even more interesting.

- Be sure that you have a camera to capture the unforgetable experience.

Camping with the kids is a cheap vacation alternative especially in these tough economic times. Seeing the kids happy will make the extra effort worthwhile.

A lot of lightweight tents are available especially when you hike with a partner. The weight of the tent can be split between the two of you. One carry some some parts and the other carry the rest.. The standard for ultralight 2 person tents have somehow improved over the years and most of what was considered ultralight before is not so anymore .

Many tents are still overkill the ultralight backpacker. Cheap and heavy material are still used today to make these tents. A tent will last for many years if you take care of it well enough. Mainstream tent makers are still outperformed by specialty tent makers in the ultralight field.

With the introduction of ultralight silicone-imbed nylon, two-person tents are now weighing less than 3 pounds. One person tents are even lighter, obviously. It’s not just the fabrics that got lighter. Aluminum poles are now replaced by carbon fiber. A 45″ tent pole can now weigh less than two ounces. You can also use trekking poles are tent poles to save weight. Now that reduces the weight of your tent pole down to zero. The use of titanium rather than aluminum reduce the weight of the tent even further.

A tarp can be used instead of tents if you want to save more weight. Using tarps actually makes you feel closer to nature but you’re also not completely protected form the elements. A step further would be to use tarp ponchos which doubles as raingear. To save on the total weight of gear use stuff that are multifunctional. However if you use tarps and want extra protection from the rain, a lightweight bivy or sleeping bag cover can be as light as six to seven ounces. A ground cloth is light so it’s wise to include it in your gear for extra protection as well.

If you need mosquito protection, use an insect repellent or a mosquito net. Use a no-see-um netting and configure it to stay away from your face if you want something less confining.

If insects are just about the only concern you have, use a bug bivy. It’s a really doesn’t weigh very much.

Most lightweight tents are not freestanding like your old dome tent. However, they’re easy to set up and don’t have a separate fly. Instead the tents rely on well-designed ventilation on all sides.

Consider using a one-person tent if you’re backpacking alone. Your tent should be as light as possible becaue there won’t be anyone to share the burden with. A two-person shelter is flexible because you can also use it for solo hiking for extra space and comfort.

If you look around you can usually find an ultralight tent that fit your needs as there are many options available. Check forums and gear reviews. Ask other backpackers, and remember not to give too much credibility to those who pack heavier than you. And give extra credit to those who are packing lighter than you.

The tent is usually of the heavier and bulkier things you have with you on a camping trip so if you take the lightweight option it will really save your back and the need to use bigger backpacks.

When you purchase the right ultralight shelter, you’ll enjoy comfortable nights and a lighter backpack all day long.

1. What backpacking equipment do you currently have?
Write down what you have and the corresponding weight. You need to weigh your gear to find the actual weight. You may find that the actual weight is not the same as what the manufacturer states. This will help you get the big picture of how much gear selection impact the weight of your backpack.

2. Only pack what you need
I don’t advocate leaving luxuries behind; just don’t take all of them. Backpackers like to carry luxury items such as camping mats, binoculars, books, self-inflating pads and electronics.. Use lighter alternatives if you can or go without them.

3. Your gear should be planned around the season and weather
It doesn’t make sense to carry a zero degree sleeping bag and a four season tent on the Appalachian Trail in July. Not all clothing, shelter and sleeping bag are suitable for every season.

4. Take lightweight gear
Lighter alternatives are usually available as long as you can afford them. Start first by finding lighter alternatives for your sleeping bag, shelter and backpack. However, don’t go too light on your backpack before you reduce the overall weight of your load.

5. Look for items that have multiple uses.
Start treating your gear as a system of components that work together. Multi-functional gear and the ability to recognize the synergistic relationships between your gear is one of the key skills to reduce your pack weight. One common approach is to use a poncho as both raingear and shelter.

6. Select lightweight insulation.
Down is still the best insulation for sleeping bags and clothing because they’re warmer and lighter than the best synthetics. The main disadvantage with down is that you need to be careful not to get it wet because they don’t provide insulation when they do get wet.

7. Windbreaker as an alternative to heavy coats
Windbreakers from brands like Marmot and GoLite today weigh less than 3 ounces. Addition of a wind shirt to your clothing system can add tremendous comfort and significant warmth, allowing you to wear lighter base layers. A windbreaker increases the comfort range of your clothing system.

8. Share your backpacking gear
Hiking with a friend allows you to share some gear like a tent or camp stove for example. If you’re creative enough there are many things you can share to keep the pack weight low.

9. Develop your outdoor skills
The better you are at backcountry hiking and camping, the better you are able to make do without modern camping equipment. Acquiring outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and other gear. Attending backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses helps.

10. Minimize packaging and use travel-sized versions
Travel-sized versions of soap, toothpaste, etc are light than standard versions. Whenever possible transfer any camping supply into smaller packages to save both weight and space.

Gradually Reducing Your Pack Weight

To reduce your backpack weight, you need to do it gradually in stages. It takes experience for you to take note of the things you can leave behind and only carry what you need. It also depends on the weather and trail conditions. Going light is more of a process than a one-time task.

Second is that when you are wearing hiking clothing for warmth, you are not trying to be as warm as possible but to reach a thermal equilibrium i.e. a state in which your heat production roughly balances your heat loss so that you remain within your comfort zone whether you are on the move, on the move and sweating, sitting still and sitting still and sweating.

To achieve this thermal equilibrium under changing conditions your hiking clothing has to be versatile. Of course you can make adjustments to your hiking clothing by taking off layers when it gets too hot and putting more on when it gets cold but in most cases it’s both inconvenient and impractical.

The hiking clothing you use needs to be able to handle all the different situations, whether on the move or sitting still, at the same time. They need to be able keep the still and dry air to insulate you, keeping you warm and when you’re moving allow the vapor of your sweat to pass through and escape to keep you cool.

If your hiking clothing absorbs some of the moisture so that when you sweat heavily it remains damp, they lose the ability to keep you warm as it has lost its ability to hold dry air which acts as an insulating layer and at the same time your body will continue to draw latent heat from your body needed to turn the sweat into vapor.

The result is that you suffer from what is called the after-exercise chill. Experiments have shown that with an absorptive material the chill can last for about two hours but with a non-absorptive material like fibre-pile the chill is negligible.

The Three-Layer Hiking Clothing System

The ability to prevent after-exercise chill so well is what makes the three-layer hiking clothing system so popular. It’s a proven way to ensure your comfort outdoors. Each of the three layers have different functions that work together to cope with the different conditions.

The First Layer

Moisture management is the main function of the first layer. Some experts call it the next-to-the skin layer. It keeps you cool in the summer and keeps you warm in winter by keeping you dry.

Made of some sort of polypropylene or other synthetic fabrics, the fabric ‘wicks’ away the moisture from the skin very rapidly by capillary action dispersing it to the outer surface where it can evaporate.

The Second Layer

The second layer or middle layer of hiking clothing is the insulating layer. Their main function is to trap air, which is a good heat insulator, so you retain warmth.

This layer is made of natural fibers or fleece. Both are reliable in keeping you warm but natural fibers have a more efficient warmth-to-weight ratio and are highly compressible. Its drawback is that it has to be kept dry to maintain its ability to retain warmth.

Hiking clothing made from fleece are lightweight, breathable and insulate even when wet. They also dry faster and the warmth-to-weight ratio is even higher than wool. Fleece is very popular with many experienced backpackers I know of even when it is not as compressible as natural fibers.

The Third Layer

The third layer is the waterproof shell that both acts as a windbreaker and a rain jacket. If the outer layer doesn’t do what it’s supposed you’ll end up losing a lot of heat as the wind and penetrate into the inner layers.

It is usually made of Gore-Tex that also offers breathability. This layer of hiking clothing needs to have proper ventilation or else perspiration can’t evaporate but instead condenses on the inside of your shell.

Jonsky Sicuna is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com where you’ll find good quality hooded windbreakers and raincoats.

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