Peak District Tourism

The majority of people have never gone camping before. This is mostly because of the fear of not having sufficient gear. Having the right gear doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.

There is no doubt that camping gear is expensive. Hiking boots, stoves, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks and trekking poles cost a lot of money. Depending on the terrain, you might need crampons, gaiters, balaclavas and other special equipment. If you are hiking with children you might want to have a child carrier.

A lot of money can be spent on camping gear very fast. 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 luxury 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 can sometimes be too hot for you. Multiple layers will keep you warm and offers 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. It’s better to use synthetics and wool instead. Synthetics wick away water and keeps you dry. Wool is known for keeping you warm even when it’s wet.

- A windbreaker is a good option for a cheap waterproof outer shell. You only need expensive parkas when you’re going for an expedition under harsh conditions.

- Beginners should start with easy terrain and therefore a cheap tent is usually sufficient especially if you use a seam sealer. This should be done before every trip and should be reapplied when necessary. Cheap tents can be found at your local Walmart. 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 mild winters. 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. You can use whatever suitable bedding you can find that doesn’t have to cost the mortgage 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.

- Campfires are not always allowed so you would need to use a camping stove for cooking. 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 and I recommend that you avoid cutting out walking sticks on the trail but the process of 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.

Of course the tips here may not apply to every situation. Sometimes you need specialty equipment e.g. gaiters but whenever possible you can use what you already have.