Basic Camping Gear

[den's wife]

I'm buying my son some gear to use for camping as a Christmas gift. He's started to do some wilderness camping with a few of his buddies, but only has hand-me-down stuff. What basic stuff should I buy?

[ponderosa]

What part of the country are you in, and what seasons will he be camping in? Are they camping near their vehicle, or backpacking away from civilization?

[Lamebeaver]

That's a tough one. Gear is very personalized. I'd say a gift card to REI of some other sporting goods store.

[ppine]

Hand me down stuff is fine. He will let you know when he really needs something new.

[charley]

I would ask him what he would like. What is his dream gear and what will get the job done. I agree that where he is going and how far from the car he will be camping are important considerations.

[pastywhite]

If I could go back and buy one thing to start out I would get a good set of hiking poles. I prefer cork handles and something with a flick-lock (not the twist lock).

[den's wife]

He'll be camping from about April to October, no winter camping yet. They drive to their general destination which is property that his friend's dad owns, then walk in for an hour or so until they find a spot. His friend already has the tent taken care of. Is there a "wow" piece of equipment I might get him?

[ponderosa]

A good water filter is nice to have. There are some really comfy/warm lightweight sleeping pads on the market (that may be more important to me than to the typical teenaged boy). A good backpack would last him for many years, as would a good down sleeping bag. I like to cook, so I get excited about nice backpacking stoves and cooksets. Nice rain gear is a good gift. If any of those ideas sound interesting to you, I and others could make more specific suggestions regarding brand/model.

[Gunny Webb]

How much are we spending?
You can go many ways, a nice pair of boots at 100-150.
A light weight sleeping bag about 125-300.
Water filter at 65-100.
Nice backpack, around 140-200.
Backpacking stove and cooking kit, 50-100.

REI has a descent sale on some backpacks and sleeping bags I saw today.

Honestly if it were me, I spend 125 on boots, 150 on a backpack and find a fair sleeping bag. Look for something in the 30 degree range under 3.5 lbs. They make a lightweight synthetic bag now for less than 100. You can get some others throw some money or gift card and he can get a nice jacket, wool socks , a lightweight stove and a cook set.

I always tell people to save up 500, spend a third of it on boots, never buy junk.
Buy a good backpack, a nice jacket, and spend a little time researching sleeping bags before you buy a 6 lbs monster you'll wind up hating.

[ejdixon]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

That's a tough one. Gear is very personalized. I'd say a gift card to REI of some other sporting goods store.

I agree with Lamebeaver. This is the best option to give him. At least he would be able to choose which one would work best for him.