Being prepared isn’t just the Boy Scout motto, it’s the best way to ensure you will enjoy your next camping experience. The friendly folks at Any Mountain don’t just sell camping equipment, they use it all the time. Whether you’re family car camping, backpacking, or even bike touring, stop by one of the Any Mountain stores the next time you’re in the San Francisco bay area and get geared up for your next adventure into the great outdoors. In the mean time, here is a quick shopping list that will help decide on which gear is right for you.
Tents can range in size from the lightweight 2 person North Face Tadpole to the spacious Eureka Copper Canyon which sleeps 12. Marmot, Sierra Designs, & Kelty are other great brands that offer a wide selection of tents.
Sleeping Bags come in all different shapes & sizes. The outside temperatures and weather conditions you will generally be camping in are key factors to consider when choosing which bag is right for you. Mummy style or square cut, down or synthetic, partial or full zip will be some of the choices you will be presented with.
Sleeping Pads will greatly improve your warmth and comfort factor. Anything from an inexpensive Stansport foam pad to the costly yet luxurious Therm-a-rest Dreamtime is a must have when sleeping on the ground.
Stoves are essential if you enjoy waking to a hot cup of coffee or cooking up your favorite camp meal. Snow-Peak, Optimus, MSR, & Jet Boil all make very lightweight compact single burner stoves. Coleman is still the name for two burner camp stoves, and now they even offer one with a burner & a grill.
Cook Kits are a good, easy, & organized way to keep all of your pots, pans, plates & utensils in one place. GSI & MSR both offer kits for the back packer and family car camper alike. These come in solo, 2 & 4 person sets or you can mix and match to create your own custom kit. Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and even the old school blue enamel wear are materials you can choose from.
Lanterns, like stoves, come in a variety of sizes and configurations. The backpacker might choose the lightweight and packable Snow-Peak GigaPower Lantern with the durable metal mesh globe. The car camper has a plethora of choices from brands like Coleman, Black Diamond, Snow-Peak and more, offering single and double mantle lanterns running on batteries, white gas, propane, and/or iso/butane.
Food & Water are an obvious essential, and that’s why Any Mountain offers a dynamic array of freeze dried foods from Mountain House and Back Packers Pantry as well as energy food products from Clif Bar, Power Bar, & GU. In the hydration department, one can carry their water in a Camel Bak, Stainless Steel Bottle, or many colorful choices of BPA free plastic. Katadyn and MSR offer several ways to filter your water if the origin of your drinking water is questionable.
First Aid & Bug Repellent can help your stay in the outdoors both safer and more enjoyable. Adventure Medical has your first aid needs covered, whether you’re on a day hike or weeklong back backpacking trip in the Rockies or Sierra.
Coolers will keep your beverages & perishables fresh & cool, especially with Coleman’s 5 day guarantee on select models. There are also several insulated drinking vessels on the market to keep your favorite beverages both hot and/or cold.
Ear plugs help this camper sleep through the night, whether at a music festival or camping next to the “Country Bear Jamboree” of snoring snoozers.
I hope this list helps you fine tune your camping equipment and helps you enjoy your next ultimate outdoor experience.
Happy camping!
