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.