When I saw the announcement at RohanTime.com about the Readers Choice Outdoor Innovations 50/50 award, I started thinking. Which one should it be? It’s not as easy as I thought.

While there are plenty of innovations in the outdoor industry but most of them are just minor. Lighter materials, fancy features, more comfort and better efficiency are all great but it’s not the level of innovation I’m looking for. The latest camping mattress like Exped’s SynMat 7 UL, may be lighter, more robust and packs smaller but the innovation to me is still small. I want to nominate something with a WOW factor. Innovations in outdoor gear, I thought, is not that great after all.

Other questions came to mind. Do I choose the ones that started the innovation or the ones that improved on it? Why 50 years? How could something NOT in the last 2 years (or even the last year) win on innovation?

This is really difficult. Maybe I should start listing out all the backpacking and camping gear categories and choose a few products in each that qualify as “innovative”. This is going to take a lot of work.

I’m starting to think about the problems I have when I’m in the outdoors and which gear could solve that problem. I think if I spend enough time on this I might just invent some new outdoor. I need a break…

I went outside for a smoke break and decided that I need some coffee when it suddenly came to me. People have probably been dealing with crap camping coffee for the most part of the last 50 years. The one thing that made me go WOW when I first saw it was Mypressi. I didn’t know about Handpresso until a few days later and it was probably the first portable espresso maker of its kind but Mypressi makes better espresso so there you go. I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to nominate Mypressi.

And to think that I was just about to go through some tents, sleeping bags, camping mats, camping stoves, etc and list out the ones that are the most innovative in each category and then painstakingly pare down to the one gear I would think is the most innovative.

I don’t know about you but I’m going over to RohanTime.com right now for my nomination. I don’t really care if I win but it would certainly be interesting to see which gear won in November.

UPDATE

You can actually put up to 3 outdoor gear for nomination.

If you want to avoid expensive baggage fees the first thing you need to do is the reduce the amount of stuff you carry. Here are some tips courtesy of Cheapflights.com:

1. Consider renting camping gear if available at the destination.
2. Pack easy-to-dry clothing, lightweight and breathable clothing but be prepared for all weather conditions.
3. Be sensible with your choice of clothing. Don’t pack a down jacket if it’s going to be hot.
4. Get some micro fiber towels. They’re super absorbent, fast-drying and they pack small.
5. Pack recipes for some easy-to-cook one-pot meals and lightweight camping cookware. Multi-functional cookware works best.
6. If you’re a pillow person, pack an inflatable one. Otherwise stuffing your clothes into a stuff sack works too.

Other things you should be aware of:

• Camping stoves are allowed in checked luggage but the fuel is not.
• You can’t carry a lighter on you of most flights.
• Sharp items like a camping knife are allowed in checked luggage.

Mountain Equipment has prepared some cool new outdoor gear for spring 2010:

For more details go to OutdoorsMagic.com

The guys at CampingGearTV did a video entitled “What to Pack in Your Camping Chest”. It’s a bit long at 8 minutes 43 seconds and you might not like going through the video and finding out that there’s a part 2 to it so here’s a list of what’s inside their camping chest:

1. Sunscreen
2. Propane Canister
3. Propane Stove
4. Portable Spotlight
5. Big Plastic Water Jug
6. First Aid Kit
7. Paper Plate Holders
8. Disposable Utensils
9. Spatula
10. Beer Bong
11. Plastic Cups
12. Beer Cozy with Neck Strap

Family camping is a great way to strengthen the bond you have with your family. The things you go through on a camping trip like working together to set up camp, solving problems, playing, talking, eating together and all the other things you do at camp creates an experience that each member of the family will remember for life, good or bad.

Obviously you would want to have a good experience at camp and with a bit of knowledge you can have a family camping trip that runs smoothly. It takes more than just a good family camping tent. An article by OUTDOORSmagic teaches you how to instantly become an expert in family camping. It covers how to choose a tent, how to sleep well at night and how to keep everyone happy.

In truth, you won’t be an expert by just reading the article. You need to get out there and get the experience camping in the outdoors. You can at least try backyard camping and see how things go. The more experienced you the are, the easier the camping gets and the less you spend on camping gear and supplies.

Camping gear is expensive, especially tents and it’s probably the main reason why many are reluctant to go camping. It’s a big investment, more so in these tough economic times and a tough one to make until you’re sure you’re going to camp regularly. One way to know if you’re going to like camping is by cabin camping.

It’s cheaper in the short term but much more luxurious than normal camping. It’s not like sleeping in a cabin tent on a camping mattress. It’s more than that. The walls are solid and you’re going to be sleeping on a bed. Sometimes there’s a dining table or a small table. There’s even a couch in some cabins. It’s a great way to camp during winter.

These cabins are available in many state parks in the U.S.. They don’t completely eliminate the necessity of camping gear. You still need a camp stove and cookware for cooking, towel, flip-flops and toiletries. If electricity is available, you can bring some appliances.

http://www.koa.com/facilities/kabin/

2009 is the year of camping revival some might say and they could be right. With reports flying everywhere about how big and trendy camping is, stores are having a hard time keeping up with demand for camping gear.

There are two types of camping. Wild camping is camping in the outdoors away from civilization and there won’t be any of the facilities in an organized campground. It’s also referred to as technical camping and you’re limited to what you have in your backpack.

The other type of camping is called family camping and backpacking is optional. It’s easier than technical camping and the campgrounds are usually close to lakes and rivers.

The difference between family camping and wild camping is not just about the level of difficulty and location. In wild camping, it is ideal that you have small and lightweight camping equipment. In family camping, people usually arrive in their vehicles so they can pretty much carry everything under the sun. Family campers can also use whatever they have at home as camping gear.

However, they do have at least one thing in common; tents, sleeping bags and camping cookware e.g. camp stoves are the most expensive things they need to have. And because the lighter and smaller the equipment the more expensive it is, wild campers have a bigger bill when they first start out.

For family camping, the biggest considerations for a tent are space and comfort. First it has to at least accomodate the number of people to share the tent with plus one more. In general, the more space the better the comfort.

Cabin tents have nearly vertical walls and high ceilings and often comes with bug-proof netting, large rain flies, ventilation windows and even separate rooms. This type of tent has the best headroom compared to any other type of tent.

Dome tents are smaller but they still have a good amount of headroom. They’re easier to set up and often less expensive than cabin tents. Dome tents also fare better in wind and rain because they have a low profile.

Both types of tents are heavy and bulky and therefore not ideal for backpacking. Solo hikers either go for bivvies, 1 person tents or 2 person tents if they want comfort. Dome tents are less popular with backpackers because they tend to be too heavy.

As for sleeping bags, rectangular ones are more popular with family campers because they have more room to move about in. You can also zip them together to form a double bag.

Technical campers almost always prefer mummy sleeping bags because they’re lighter in general and does a better job in keeping you warm especially if there’s a hood. There are two types of insulation in sleeping bags; down and synthetic. Down sleeping bags are lighter and more effective but it can get too hot if the temperature is not cool enough. Synthetic sleeping bags are heavier and less effective in retaining heat but they keep their insulation properties even when wet and when they do get wet, they dry very easily.

A camping mat is one of the essential camping gear because even if your sleeping bag is effective, you still lose a lot of heat to the cold ground. Family campers like to use inflatable air mattresses along with battery powered pumps. Camping cots are also a popular option.

Backpackers on the other hand love to use self-inflating pads like Therm-a-Rest. They’re lighter and packs very small.

As for camping cookware, family campers can pretty much use whatever they have at home. They often carry coolers filled with their favorite food and drinks. An open fire is better suited for barbeques but it’s still much more easier and practical to use camp stoves for general cooking instead.

Wild campers have to be careful with their camping cookware so as not to carry too much and be a burden. Non-stick pans and pots are essential for easy cleaning. Propane stoves are popular with new wild campers because they’re very easy to use.

The American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. Together with outdoor enthusiasts across,  the country will celebrate the 17th annual National Trails Day (NTD) on June 6, 2009. It’s a long-standing celebration of America’s magnificient trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers.

On that day there will be about 1,500 events around the country including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running and trail celebrations.

I like the theme for this year’s NTD. It’s “Take in the Outdoors”, an open invitation to all Americans to get outside, connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agancies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.

“American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day serves as a gateway to introduce youth and adults to the outdoors and an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to give back,” said Greg Miller, American Hiking Society president.

This year’s sponsors include Nature Valley, Backpacker Magazine, Merrell, Fetzer Vineyards, REI, YMCA, and American Park Network.

The first National Trails Day was in 1993 and since then has inspired thousands of people and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors.

To know more about National Trails Day and the American Hiking Society, go to www.AmericanHiking.org.

Any community organization that would like to host an even should contact Heather Sable, Trail Programs Manager through email at hsable@americanhiking.org or call (800) 972-8608 x.204.

This is the right time to buy camping gear.

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If you plan on camping in Michigan, you’re in luck.

The state of Michigan has launched a “first-time camper” program offering a bargain for camping beginners not already in the state park central reservation system. Newbies can book a two-night stay in any of 15 participating state parks or recreational areas including Muskegon State Park and P.J. Hoffmaster State Park for $20.

The 20 bucks covers campsite fees and camping gear on rental. The camping gear includes camping tents, sleeping bags, camp stove, fishing pole, lantern, flashlight, chairs and instructions on how to use them.

Anyone who is interested better hurry because the first 110 campers to sign up get to keep the fishing pole. Who gives away fishing poles these days? The rental gear is provided by Gander Mountain. Participants get a discount if they later want to purchase their own.

You can book by calling one of the participating parks directly. You qualify for this offer if you’re new to camping and not in the park system’s reservation system. The number of takers is limited by the available space.

Once booked, participants will be mailed an introduction packet. Upon arrival, camp rangers or interpreters will help the family set up the tent and teach them how to use the provided equipment, start a campfire, even make a S’more. An orientation packet will include additional information on the area and other free, family-oriented events occurring at the given park during the time of the stay.

Seasoned campers are absolutely forbidden to even try to book and take advantage of the freebie. It’s camping 101 and more experienced campers are better off with the hundreds of low-cost options available in the state. However, anyone with a library card can get a free day pass (normally $6) to a state park where they can grab a hammock and read.

Did you notice?

There are a lot of news concerning the increase in the number of campers. More people are going camping if not just to enjoy the great outdoors and save a little coin. Campsites are getting full and the sales of camping gear is on the rise.

Can you believe it? Even when a lot of people are hooked to the internet, mobile phone, etc, more are willing to let go of the modern world for the natural world.

However, the new wave of campers are not all just about going back to basics. It’s more about comfort in the outdoors. That’s why there is a big increase in the number of car campers.

The best thing about car camping is that you don’t have to worry so much about the weight of your camping gear so can save a lot of money while not sacrificing comfort because ultralight gear like down sleeping bags cost a lot of money. Car campers can use bedding they currently have at home.

Camping gear that is high in demand includes tents that you can stand it (like dome tents), bivvies, coffee makers, hammocks, headed fold-up chairs, big coolers, inflatable dinghies, first-aid kits, water purifiers, filters and GPS.

A lot of the people that are part of this camping craze are young families with young parents who grew up camping. Even though camping can cost a lot of money, it still beats paying for the hotel in a single vacation. Plus, you can use your camping gear over and over again.

So savings on holidays is still the major factor in the camping boom.

Outdoor recreation presents a good opportunity for some people to show off their latest camping gear. It gives them a sense of pride for own such an expensive equipment even if they don’t need it.

However, the majority of my friends have never even gone camping before. This is mostly because of their fear of not having enough gear or the right gear. They think that to have the complete set of gear they need to spend a lot of money and they are not willing to spend that much especially in the recession.

Good hiking boots cost around $200, clothing could cost you about $600, a reasonable down sleeping bag costs about $200, 4-season tents can cost $600, internal frame backpacks can cost up to $500 for a good one and $100 for trekking poles. This is just some of the equipment. You might need camp stoves, flashlight, crampons, gaiters, child carriers, lantern, hammock and more.

For a lot of people, this is a lot of money. Yet there are still a lot of people who don’t have that much money to spare that enjoy hiking and camping with little problems. Manufacturers like to make you think that you need all this stuff and all the expensive features.

The truth is camping is about going back to basics. You don’t need the state-of-the-art equipment. You can even find what you need in your own home or the local thrift store.

Check out the gear tips below that can really cut your costs:

- Down parkas are very expensive and they make you sweat when you hike. Using layers will keep you warm and you can adjust if it gets too hot by removing the layers. Avoid using cotton for layers as they absorb water and makes you wet. Use synthetics and wool. Synthetics wick away water and keeps you dry. Wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet.

- For the waterproof outer shell you can use a windbreaker and make it waterproof by applying a bottle of waterproofer that will set you back a few dollars.You only need expensive parkas when you’re going for an expedition under harsh conditions.

- Use a cheap camping tent or bivvy and treat them with a seam sealer. Do this before every camping trip. You can find cheap tents just about everywhere. Remember to check for tears. Unless you’re backpacking, you don’t really need an expensive tent.

- A lightweight down sleeping bag can cost you a lot of money. A zero degree synthetic sleeping bag should be good enough for the mountains in most cases. Use a chemical warmer and some layers of clothing to keep warm inside your sleeping bag. If you’re not backpacking and weight is not an issue, you can even be without the sleeping bag. Just use whatever suitable bedding you have at home but make sure you insulate yourself from the ground.

- Blisters are your worst enemy when you’re hiking so I don’t recommend cheap hiking boots. However if you’re just camping, you can wear just about any footwear as long as you’re comfortable.

- There are still quite a few places where you’re allowed to build campfires. This eliminates the need for camping stoves. If not, there are a lot of cheap and practical stoves out there. You can either buy it new or used or you even just borrow them.

- For trekking poles you can just use a strong enough stick. I’ve used it for a few years without any problems. Some people may argue that cutting out sticks from the forest is bad for the environment but the process making those expensive trekking poles takes an even bigger toll on the environment.

This list is pretty basic but covers the most common concerns people have told me about. Camping gear doesn’t have to be overly expensive. You can and should use what you already have as much as possible.

Check out our windbreakers and compare them with parkas. Also see how expensive down sleeping bags can get.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonsky_Sicuna
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-You-Can-Reduce-the-Cost-of-Your-Camping-Gear&id=2310222

Campers Village was originally founded in 1921 as North West Tent & Awning based in Edmonton, Alberta. The company encourages affordable ways to enjoy recreation and leisure time with the family, with camping as its core business. Today, their product offferings includes camping gear and travel.

Despite the recession, the West End Campers Village has expanded and is about to celebrate the completion of their much anticipated renovations. This is largely due to the fact that many people have turned to outdoor activities as a cheap alternative vacation. People are also attracted to the wide range of activities they can do for the price they pay. This includes hiking in the mountains and roasting hotdogs in the local park.

The grand reopening of the West End Store will offer an entire weekend of excitement for the Edmonton locations on May 9th and 10th. A crew of Girl Guides will be involved and staff will spend the night in a sleeping bag under the stars in the parking lot.

There will be chances to win some great prizes including 2 two-day, all expenses paid trip to Mount Assiniboine Lodge, located in the scenic Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. This includes a $1,000 gift card for the winners to purchase the necessary equipment and the necessary ground and helicopter transport to and from Mount Assiniboine Lodge. This prize is valued at $4,500.

What started as an April Fools joke by Thinkgeek.com could actually become a reality. The site put up for sale a cute and rather appealing Tauntaun sleeping bag.

In case you’re not familiar with Star Wars, a Tauntaun is a furry warm blooded reptomammal (half reptile and half mammal) used as pack animals by the good guys.

The idea for the sleeping bag probably came from the scene when Han Solo slices open a warm Tauntaun carcasss and inserts the young Luke Skywalker to keep him from freezing to death.

The description says, “This high-quality sleeping bag looks just like a Tauntaun, complete with saddle, internal intestines and LED Luke Skywalker Lightsaber zipper pull. Use the lightsaber zipper pull on the Tauntaun sleeping bag to illustrate to your wee ones how Han Solo saved Luke Skywalker from certain death in the freezing climate of Hoth by slitting open the Tauntaun belly!”

Mind you, this sleeping bag is probably not the kind of sleeping bag suitable for camping but with a price tag of $39.95 it attracted a lot of buyers. But it wasn’t real and it created quite a big buzz on the internet. ThinkGeek.com soon realized that it wasn’t just a good idea for a prank.

Check out the message on their product page:

“ATTN Tauntaun Fanatics! Due to an overwhelming tsunami of requests from YOU THE PEOPLE, we have decided to TRY and bring this to life. We have no clue if the suits at Lucasfilms will grant little ThinkGeek a license, nor do we know how much it would ultimately retail for. But if you are interested in ever owning one of these, click the link below and we’ll try!”

But why stop there? My suggestion is to create more star wars related camping gear like crampons, tents, trekking poles, hiking backpacks and even boots. It could work especially for kids anyway.

Alternatively check out these kids sleeping bags.

Related post:

• Making of the Tauntaun sleeping bag – So it turns out that the maker of ThinkGeek’s most talked-about April Fool’s prank, the tauntaun sleeping bag, is actually a friend of CJ’s own Rach. She didn’t come up with the concept, but she did assemble it, and you can check out …

In an annual Fast and Sleep Out held on campus at Loyola College students began their 24-hour abstention and slept out in the open, simulating when the homeless go through every day. The event is aimed at establishing solidarity among students and those who are hungry and homeless and increase their awareness to the reality of millions thoughout the world.

Organized by the Centre for Community Service and Justice, the students were told to bring a sleeping bag, warm clothing and other essential gear. Most of the students slept on top of a tarp to protect themselves from the wet ground.

The conditions at the time didn’t go easy on the students. The ground was indeed wet from morning downpours. Even though the damp ground provided a cushion, the winds made it uncomfortably cold. Some complained of having difficulty sleeping because of the cold. A down sleeping bag or a lot of extra layers of clothing would have helped. But then again, that could be considered cheating because the homeless would not be able to afford such an expensive camping gear. Better use a camping tent while they’re at it.

Participants were briefed on the significance of the simulation after they gathered in groups for icebreakers.

One of the student coordinators of the event said that the event exposes students to the facts and realities about hunger and homelessness in Baltimore in a vivid way by experiencing some of the discomforts and hearing first-hand accounts.

Greg Sileo, the Director of Community Outreach for Baltimore Homelessness Services in the Baltimore City Mayor’s office was followed by a panel of individuals who suffered from homelessness, sharing their experiences on the street and in transition homes within the Baltimore community.

After the presentations, the students watched a movie called “Hidden America”, which follows one family’s struggle with poverty, unemployment and food insecurity.

Other activities throughout the night included making cards to be sold to raise money for the CARES Food Pantry, which serves the Govans neighborhood right near Loyola as well as letters to Congressman John Sarbanes, Governor O’Malley, and Mayor Dixon “to draw their attention to particular funding needs related to hunger, homelessness, and healthcare legislation.”

The 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show was the biggest tradeshow in the outdoor industry and it was awesome. The fashion show attracted more than 3,500 during its premier. Given the economic situation, advertisers are pleased with the attendance.

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But fashion is not what it’s all about. It’s a showcase of some of the best camping gear available (or soon to be available) on the market.

Backpacker magazine made announcements on the Editor’s Choice Award winners which included a GPS-enabled camera, the lightest yet most livable 4-person tent they’ve ever tested, a boot that comes in sizes for every hard to fit foot, another boot that great for everything from dayhikes to extended expeditions, the most versatile headlamp, a touchscreen GPS, the most comfortable sleeping pad ever crashed on by the Backpacker and some energy chews.

I love awards like these because they’re a testimonial to the quality of the products.

18 of the best hiking and camping equipment won the award, all of which will be revealed in their magazine’s April issue – The Gear Guide. This is out of the thousands of new stuff they tested over the course of the year including tents, packs, boots, bags, stoves, puffies, hard shells, soft shells, pants, socks, hats, knives, cameras, GPSs, chairs, pads, sporks, mugs, duffels, headlamps, chop sticks and more.

The Gear Junkie, Stephen Regenold, on the other hand have a different selection with some similarities. His top picks included S.O.L. (Survive Outdoors Longer) Survival Water Bottle, Timex Expedition WS4, Wigwam and Bridgedale socks, Loki Mountain Hoodie, Cloudveil Koven Plus Down, Mountain Hardwear Refugium Trifecta Jacket, Leki AERGON Grip, Trew outerwear, Adventure Medical Kits Women’s Edition Travel Kit and GU Chomps Performance Energy Chews.

My top pick would be the Loki Mountain Hoodie which looks simple but very well made. What I like about it though is the hidden mittens that fold out of its sleeves and the hidden face with breatheable nose netting. Other features include two large zippered side pockets and two chest zipper pockets with and MP3 pass-through port.

Other things that I liked was the Mountain Hardwear Refugium Trifecta Jacket and Leki AERGON Grip.

The Trifecta is cool because it keeps you warm(the fabric itself heats up) and dry AND charges your cell phone as well. It will be available later this year for around 500 bucks.

The Leki AERGON Grip is a rounded grip atop a trekking pole which sits nicely in your palm. Very useful for descents.

There are a lot of other great stuff at the show. I only wish I could have been there.

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