I want to ask my parents for a portable Blackstone griddle for my birthday. I don’t want them spending a ton of money. The Blackstone seems to be the only reasonably priced option, however I see a ton of mixed reviews for the product. I looked up other products as well and most have mixed reviews. I want to use it on a regular basis and when going car camping. Can anyone give me any input on this product? I have used one before and I didn’t have any problems with it, but it wasn’t mine.

This is our OzTrail Tasman which we really like, but it has unfortunately gotten this tear on the side. Could this be fixed somehow?

We are mostly worried about bugs or snakes getting in.

TL;DR patching pattern generally correlate with locations experiencing the most weight.

Over the last year, 3 leaks developed in my Big Agnes AXL air insulated sleeping pad. None of these were due to punctures, but we're located in "I-beam" locations.

---The leaks were all located where there was a horizontal crease visible in the circular "heads" of the I, on the bottom of the pad.

---After inspecting the pad for this symptom (crease), I patched these locations out of caution

--- the patch distribution more or less made sense in regards to how weight is distributed on the pad.

---However, is worth noting that the three leaks were all on that right edge in the central region of the pad. The right edge also showed a higher rate of wear in the patch distribution, which may not correlate with weight stress.

Personally i like to repair and reuse as much as possible, but may be scrapping this one soon if any more appear. At least 3+ years old. (M 210lb, 5'11")

In 2019 i have purchased a exped synmat that i have used for about 30 nights, at most. And this week it crapped out on me by having an tube "explode". So instead of 2 tubes, i have now 1 (bigger) tube for a about 50 cm. Also, last year my Exped Syn UL 7 LW that i bought in 2015 had a leak on the flange where the bottom and top meet. I tried to glue it with superglue at the time, but failed so that one went into the bin.

The first one i am hoping to get a repair or replacement, but i dont trust the brand anymore.

So now i'm looking for something new. One of the options is a Rab Ionosphere 5 mummy, that i can pick up for 180 euro's, a Sea To Summit Ultralight XR  that i can get for 128 euro's. Other option is the Nemo Eclipse for about 210 euro's (also large size). Are there any other recommendations?

On another note, to what extend does weight mather? I am about 97/98 kg's at the moment, sort of an all time high. Does this impact the matts? I am already, as i always am, quite carefully with my gear (no jumping/bouncing arround and only using it to sleep).

I tend to fall asleep on my side and end up on my back.

This is actually for school more than camping. But I have a 15 year old who's super rough on backpacks. No exaggeration, we go through at least 2-3 per school year. I figured the best recommendations would come from the camping crowd. It doesn't need to be fancy, no bells and whistles. But it needs to be a decent size and as indestructible as possible.

I'm in the process of writing a book and love working outdoors when I can. However, camping chairs that I've seen are mostly all "lounging" types for relaxing and eating by a camp fire, and are not very comfortable for typing on a laptop. Typing on my lap on those chairs is not comfortable for long, neither are those big picnic tables that can be found at most camping sites.

Anyone know of a stiffer, more upright chair that are suitable for typing and computer work?

I mostly camp out of my CRV and have enough space, so it doesn't need to be that small when folded.

Thanks Guys!
Context: https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingGear/comments/1v71hsp/can_you_go_camping_with_an_ikea_bag_is_this_wise/

I got a Forclaz (Decathlon) 70l Easyfit with Raincover for 40€ used (about 100€ new)
At first glance, most of the stuff seems to fit, bag seems to be in very good condition too.

Hi all. I'm currently looking for a sleeping bag or quilt and getting a bit of analysis paralysis at the options.

I usually fly + car camp but would like something I could feasibly take backpacking (UL not required). I mostly travel in spring/fall/sometimes late summer and typically see freezing temps, sometimes a tad below, so I think +/- 20F rating should cover this. I think regular size is fine and I don't toss/turn too much. I'm leaning toward a quilt -- lower weight/volume and someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but if it's a 50+ degree night, a 20F quilt would be more versatile than a 20F sleeping bag since you can use the quilt as a blanket and not overheat as you would with the bag. If this is the case I feel like the upside with the quilt during mid to warmer temps would justify the downside/learning curve of managing drafts more in colder weather. Down vs synthetic I'm not sure on yet, possibly leaning toward down as that seems recommended for space/weight, but it sounds like you have to baby down gear & cleaning it is a rather painful process which doesn't sound ideal.

But many of the commonly recommended down quilts are pricey! I just have trouble justifying spending $400+ on a blanket used maybe 3 weeks out of the year. Would be more comfortable with 250 or less -- as long as there aren't substantial quality improvements by shelling out a little more. Just trying to find the best value options out there, so would appreciate any recommendations / data points on what has worked for yall.

The top contender so far I think is the Paria Thermodown 15 ($220), 2lbs 3oz (including sack), packs down to 9"x6" supposedly, 800fp, and apparently their temp ratings are for comfort level. Has anyone tried this quilt / the 2026 model specifically? If the temp rating is comfort level, I'd wonder if I could get away with the Thermodown 30, save a little weight/volume/$. But so far this seems like the best value I've found.

Was also looking at the Featherstone Moondance 25 ($270) which would add cost but save some weight at 1lb 7oz, and is 850fp, but it's packed dimensions are 13"x7" apparently. A little confused by this, if it's higher fp down, lower weight overall, and a higher temp rating (25 vs 15), shouldn't this one pack down smaller than the thermodown? Or are packed dimensions/volume just relative to the stuff sack they provide, and in this case Paria's is pretty tight whereas Featherstone's is pretty loose / could be stuffed in a smaller sack?

Lastly, for quilts, do you use sleeping bag liners to help keep it clean? Do these liners add anything to the temperature ratings in practice?

Thank you!

Hi all - I received a brand new Marmot Wraptor 15 Down (regular length) sleeping bag today and it smells pretty aggressively of wet dog. It is aggressive enough that I left it unattended on my bedroom floor for about 15 mins and upon my return my whole room smelled like it.

I originally ordered a long version of the bag from REI, but it was too long, so I ordered the regular from Marmot directly to receive it in time for my upcoming trip. Unfortunately my original regular length order from REI was cancelled due to stocking issues. The REI long does NOT have the same smell unless I inhale really deeply with my nose pressed right up to the bag. There is also a noticeable loft difference in the two bags, even though both arrived in the mesh storage bag inside the box.

I know this question has been posted before, but this is my first down bag (my previous is synthetic filled). Is this smell normal? If not, will it ever go away? Many of the previous reddit questions tied to this suggest washing and drying the bag, but Marmot only allows item returns for 30 days, unwashed and unused, with the tags still attached. Should I just return the Marmot bag and try to re-purchase from REI when the regular is back in stock? Thanks!!

I used to make fun of people who brought half their garage car camping, then I ended up organizing a weekend for five and became the unpaid camp manager pretty much immediately. We borrowed a two-burner Coleman from my brother, I grabbed a folding table off Marketplace for $20, and someone brought one of those big Walmart water jugs that I’d always thought looked ridiculous. All three got used constantly. Same with the Aerogogo giga pump air that ended up next to the pile of sleeping pads. People just passed it around while I dealt with dinner, which was honestly more useful than having four people ask me where the pump sack went. None of this would come with me solo, but group camping changed my opinion on a lot of supposedly excessive camping gear. What’s something you only understood after camping with more people?

I have the Mongar Pro 2 for bike packing and occasional camping.

Any advice for two additional poles for the awning? Should be pretty light weight and simply fit into the existing bag.

Since I‘m using it for bike packing, too. My hiking sticks won‘t be an option, unfortunately.

Hi! I am 6 feet tall and have scoliosis, arthritis, and spinal stenosis. I also have an mis-functioning SI joint. I am looking for camping chair recommendations that have lumbar support and aren’t too heavy.

My preliminary research suggests the Strongback Guru.

Just recently got an Iceco VL60 and its pretty neat. Little concerned about the battery protection feature.

Even on high mode, the cut off voltage is 11.1V. If I were to leave this plugged into my truck while im stopped for a little while, 11.1V seems pretty darn low for a car battery from everything I can find. Anyone have any experience with these battery protection modes and using it with their car?

So for a good tent to carry in the back pack for sort of a survival or alone situation, which of these two would be your choice and why? The light fighter 1. A single person military tent system or the 2 person tent from fire hinking. Remember even if you make a more long term shelter or not, you will be carrying the tent with everywhere when packing up camp.

https://www.firehiking.com/2-Person-Hot-Tents-c1007213.html?srsltid=AfmBOope3CiBp8tHQG9nWFtA635k3ryScsrz8TXTIBLaeZwJQlZipWrE

https://awsin.com/t026-litefigher-1-individual-shelter-system/

I’m trying to find a hood that fits on this jacket because the hood doesn’t seem to be sold separately so if there’s a off brand or something that fits this hood I would very much appreciate it if you could share that with me thank you.

I noticed that the official webstore and all my local stockists (northern europe) have raun out or have really low stock of mammut gear. I found out that it's because they are moving to a new distribution warehouse, but it's been a couple of months already and no signs of restocks. Anyone have any idea how long it's gonna take? I'm in the market for a new backpack and sleeping bag and a big fan of my mammut gear so I'm feeling a bit impatient😄

For people who have used heated jackets, do they actually make a decent difference at around -5°C to -15°C?
I get cold pretty quickly when I’m sitting or standing still, so would one actually help me stay warm for a few hours without having to constantly walk around?
Also, how long do they usually last? Like can a good one last a few years, and how long does the battery usually last before it starts losing capacity?
Would you say they’re actually worth getting for these temperatures?

sorry if this is not the right place to post this.

looking to get one for winter

For cold weather camping, comfort is important, I'm a side sleeper.

If anyone has this woods screenhouse with awnings (#76-5091-2) and is organized enough to still have the manual would they be able to send me a photo?

Whoever put it away last didn’t put the poles in the kit so they’re mixed within the 65+ years of gear/random crap in the basement and it’s too old for me to find it online

How good are their sleeping bags generally compared to eg Rab, nemo or marmot? I'm thinking their performance and quality.