Camping

What Size Camping Tent Do You Need

May 8, 2020 by Ricky Leave a Comment

You need enough vestibule area to keep your gear out, so you would have enough space in the tent.

Choosing the right size camping tent is crucial, selecting a tent that is too small can make your trip miserable, likewise, selecting an unnecessarily big tent would cause you to carry an extra load.

There are several factors you need to take into consideration, I will cover each one to help you to decide the optimum size for you.

What Size Is Optimum for You?

You need to answer three questions to decide the optimum tent size;

How many people will be sleeping in the tent?
Do I have enough vestibule area?
Do you camp in rainy seasons?

How many people will be sleeping in the tent?

This number should be the minimum size, So for instance, if you’re camping with your partner, you should go for an at least 2P tent, this number might increase regarding the other two questions.

Do I have enough vestibule area?

Choosing the right size camping tent is crucial, selecting a tent that is too small can make your trip miserable, likewise, selecting an unnecessarily big tent would cause you to carry an extra load.

You need enough vestibule area to keep your gear out, so you would have enough space in the tent. Based on my experience I recommend going for a size that offers at least 6 sq ft of vestibule area per person.

For instance: If you’re camping as four, and if the tent you’re thinking of buying is a 4P tent that offers 20 sq ft, that wouldn’t be enough, in that case, go for a size bigger.

For car camping tents vestibule area is generally not a bottleneck, but for backpacking tents, it might be. I’ve created a table below to give you some idea of the floor and vestibule area of backpacking tents.

Tent Size	Approx. Floor Area	Approx. Vestibule Area
1P Tent	21 sq ft	8 sq ft
2P Tent	29 sq ft	15 sq ft
3P Tent	4o sq ft	18 sq ft

Do you camp in rainy seasons?

If you don’t have a really quality tent that has a footprint covering the vestibule area, you most likely to keep your gear inside of the tent in rainy conditions which will be taking a great amount of space, If that is the case, then go for a size bigger (If you’re camping as 2 go for a 3P tent).

If you want to learn more about tents check out my article where I explained what are tents made of.

Camping Playlists for Outdoor Activities

May 6, 2020 by Ricky Leave a Comment

When I go camping with my friends, we usually prefer listening to chill tunes that wouldn’t suppress our conversation but keep our mood up.

My two big addictions are music and outdoors. The greatest pleasures of my life actually happened when they were combined. I had an unbelievable night by listening to my favorite songs under millions of stars when camping in Budapest.

So, to make these moments unforgettable for you too, I will be sharing the camping playlists I’ve created for every outdoor activity.

Daytime Camping Playlists

Screaming into the Woods

The great thing about outdoor is, you can release all the stress you’ve been having in the city life. And what better way to forget the anxiety of the city and to free your lungs than singing as loud as you can into the woods.

Hiking

I like to keep myself energetic while I am hiking outdoors, therefore I listen to dynamic songs. Here are my favorite spirited songs:

Cooking Outdoors

When cooking, I like to listen to mild and sweet songs that make me feel like a chef in Italy, like Più di te – Mina.

Daydreaming in the Sun

To expand my imagination, I gathered songs that are calm, melodic, and easy to listen to.

Nighttime Camping Playlists

Sitting around the Campfire

When I go camping with my friends, we usually prefer listening to chill tunes that wouldn’t suppress our conversation but keep our mood up.

Stargazing

I like to sleep under the stars and using them as my night lantern, therefore, I have created a playlist that contains my deepest tunes to increase the pleasure of stargazing.

Camping with Your Valentine

Last but not least, probably the most important playlist in the article. Believe you me, the most important ingredient for an unforgettable night with your lover is the right music, I keep this playlist as romantic and as deep as it can be.

Where to Pitch a Tent

October 28, 2019 by Ricky Leave a Comment

It is important to find a flat ground when pitching a tent to have a comfortable camping.

Camping outdoors is a lot of fun, and being in nature is healthy for our bodies. But a camper should be prepared for everything because nature is not a thing to underestimate. One of the keystones of being well-prepared is to find where to pitch a tent.

Choosing the optimum spot to set up your tent can save you from big problems such as waking up in the morning with the direct sunlight, not being able to sleep due to wind, etc. Below we pointed out 10 things to consider before selecting a spot to pitch a tent.

Find a spot with flat ground

There is no bigger mood-killer than a sore back at camping. Therefore the most important issue for choosing where to pitch a tent is, finding flat ground. Sleeping on an uneven surface can result in months of back pain and spinal problems.

Find soft ground

If you don’t have a thick, comfortable sleeping pad then you should look for soft ground. You can end up having a sore back by sleeping on hard ground.

Clear stones, sticks, and bushes

Imagine you set up your tent, then gone for a hike in nature, ate your meal, maybe had some drinks with your friends and you are ready for your sleep. And you are feeling some sticks poking your back when you lay down. It is the worst thing, to move your tent in the middle of the night and clean the sticks. So before you pitch your tent make sure to clear all the stones, sticks, and bushes around the area.

Look for a shady spot

Pitching a tent on a shady spot can give you a romantic experience in the afternoon and a good sleep until not-so-early morning.

Watching the sunset in the afternoon can be very romantic, but in the morning the sun can be a big pain.

If your tent is directly exposed to the sunlight I can assure you, you will be waking up at 7 a.m. in the morning and not being able to sleep again.

So always look for a shady spot, and if you are going to a bald place with no trees, consider buying a camping sun shelter.

Stay away from windy spots

In choosing a spot to pitch a tent, make sure to stay away from windy areas or at least the door of the tent is not facing towards the wind.

The wind is not a deal-breaker. We, well-prepared campers can do outdoor activities in windy conditions as well. But we need to be ready for it.

If you still haven’t picked your campsite, make sure to look for areas that are sheltered.

If you have already picked it, then look for a natural windbreaker, it can be a big bush if you are out in nature, it can be a big wall if you are camping in a facility.

After choosing the spot to pitch your tent, make sure the door of the tent is not facing towards the wind.

Find a spot close to the water

Water is the main element we need at camping. You need water for cleaning the dishes, boiling a bowl of water, cleaning yourself and countless other things.

It is a good option to pitch the tent near the water, but not too close to avoid flash floods.

If you pitch your tent far away from the water, filling your bottle every time can be a great effort, therefore find a spot within the walking distance to the water.

And make sure to pitch your tent not too close to the water to avoid flash flood.

Check the weather

Camping in the rain can be a lot of fun, but without the right gear it can be a big problem, therefore before camping, you should always check for the weather.

If you are expecting rain, try to pitch your tent under a shelter to be protected. After choosing the spot make sure the door of the tent is not facing towards the wind so rain wouldn’t get in the tent.

Don’t set up your tent too near to other campers

Camping is about relaxing, feeling nature, spending time by yourself or with your friends. It is important to not get disturbed by the others, and also not to disturb others.

Set up your tent far away firing pits

Pitching too near firing pits can cause a constant smoke and smell. Besides, it is good to be away from big fires for safety.

Pitch within a walking distance to the toilet

If you are camping in a campsite that has toilets, make sure to pitch your tent within walking distance to the toilet. Walking one mile every time you need to use the toilet can be harsh.

Watch the video below to know more about where to pitch a tent:

Best Camping Pots and Pans of 2020

October 24, 2019 by Ricky Leave a Comment

Preparing food is one of the best activities when we are camping. For most of us, food tastes even better than home-cooked meals when we are outdoors, but if you don’t have the right equipment, it can be a big effort and stress. We have found the top 10 best camping pots and pans by researching over fifty camping cookware.

If you are also looking for a convenient camping stove make sure to look at our article about Top 5 Best Wood Burning Camp Stove.

COMPARISON TABLE OF BEST CAMPING POTS AND PANS

Name	Material	Weight	Capacity	Packed Size
TOAKS Titanium 1100ml Pot with Pan	Titanium	0.35 lbs	1.1 lt	Ø 4.5 x 5.5 in
GSI Pinnacle Soloist	Hard Anodized Aluminum	0.68 lbs	1.1 lt	Ø 5.5 x 5 in
Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact	Titanium	0.7 lbs	1.78 lt	Ø 6 x 4 in
Winterial 11 Piece	Aluminum	1.5 lbs	2 lt	Ø 6.75 x 3.5 in
Terra Hiker Camping Cookware	Hard-anodized aluminum	1.56 lbs	2 lt	Ø 7.2 x 5.1 in
Optimus Terra HE	Aluminum	1.58 lbs	1.75 lt	Ø 8.26 x 4.52 in
Sea to Summit X-Series Set	Silicon Walls,Anodized Aluminum Base	1.34 lbs	2.8 lt	Ø 8.4 x 1.6 in
MSR Quick 2 System	Aluminum	1.75 lbs	4 lt (Total)	Ø 7.75 x 5 in
Stanley Adventure Base Camp	Stainless Stell	4.75 lbs	3.5 lt	Ø 9.4 x 6.3 in
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper	Aluminum	3.69 lbs	5 lt (Total)	Ø 9.1 x 5.8 in

TOAKS Titanium 1100ml Pot with Pan

WEIGHT: 0.35 lbs

CAPACITY: 1.1 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 4.5 x 5.5 in

Toaks Titanium is backpacking cookware that comes with a pot and a pan. It is generally sold with TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove which fits perfectly inside the pot. Since they are both titanium they are extremely lightweight and durable.

Although it is a convenient gear, accessories don’t come with the cookware, you have to bring them separately. If you like to pack light and durable equipment it is great for you.

Pros	Cons
Extremly Lightweight	Accessories Not Included
Durable	Not Non-Stick
A Wood-Burning Stove Can Be Stacked in The Pot

GSI Pinnacle Soloist

WEIGHT: 0.68 lbs

CAPACITY: 1.1 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 5.5 x 5 in

GSI Pinnacle Soloist is a great tool for solo camping. It is compact, versatile and it won’t take a big space in your backpack. It comes with a pot, a lid, a spork-spoon, and a bowl cup. Its pot has a collapsible arm that takes almost no space, and this arm is also used for locking everything in place.

Another good thing about GSI Pinnacle Soloist is even when you put every tool in the pot, it still has space to put a small stove in it.

Its bag has a rigid form so you can use it as a sink to clean your stuff. It is great camping cookware for backpacking solo, but if you are planning to camp with your family or a group of friends I would recommend GSI outdoors Bugaboo Camper.

Pros	Cons
Quality Material	Accessories Not Included
Lightweight And Compact
Non-Stick Coated

Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact

WEIGHT: 0.7 lbs

CAPACITY: 1,78 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 6 x 4 in

Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact is an ultralight cooking kit. It comes with two pots and two pans (pans can also be used as lids), each item has a foldable handle. It has a good nesting design. Each pot has markings to arrange the amount of water.

If you are looking for ultralight, durable cookware, Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact is great for you.

Pros	Cons
Ligthweight	Accessories Not Included
Durable	Not Non-Stick
Good Quality

Winterial 11 Piece

WEIGHT: 1,5 lbs

CAPACITY: 2 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 6.75 x 3.5 in

Winterial 11 piece is a cookware that can be used for both car camping and backpacking. It comes with a pot, a frying pan, a teapot, two bowls, a ladle, a spatula, a brush, a cutting board, and two lids. It has almost everything you need for camping.

My favorite thing about Winterial 11 piece is that it comes with a teapot, I personally am a big tea lover, I make tea almost in every two hours when I am outdoors and the teapot is a really convenient tool.

If you like to have every item in your kitchen with you and if you don’t mind using a little bit more space considering other cookwares, Winterial 11 Piece is perfect for you.

Pros	Cons
Accessories Included	Not-Nonstick
Has a Teapot
Fold-Down Handles

Terra Hiker Camping Cookware

WEIGHT: 1.56 lbs

CAPACITY: 2lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 7,2 x 5,1 in

Terra Hiker Camping Cookware is extremely convenient considering its capacity and size. It has enough capacity for two-people camping. It comes with a pot, a frying pan, a teapot, two lids, a foldable ladle, a spatula, and a cleaning sponge.

Both pot and the pan have fold-down handles that save a great amount of space and they are made with non-stick material. It is also cheaper than other camping cookware that has those features. If you are a tea lover who is looking for inexpensive, convenient camping cookware, Terra Hiker Camping Cookware is great for you.

Pros	Cons
Accesories Included	Bad Non-Stick Coating
Teapot Included
Good Feauters For its Price

Optimus Terra HE

WEIGHT: 1.58 lbs

CAPACITY: 1.75 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 8.26 x 4.52 in

Optimus Terra HE is a two-person cooking kit. It comes with two pots, both of them have measurement markings on it. One of my favorite thing about this kit that Its pan has ridges under it, which keeps it from sliding off the stove. It has only one portable handle with a robust design to use both on the pan and the pot.

The first pot is thinner and gets hot much quicker, which is great for boiling water in a little amount of time. The second pot is more sturdy and has a heat exchanger under it, this pot is made for making the meal instead of boiling water. The downside about this kit is that it doesn’t have a lid so it is not good for making complicated meals.

Note: If you also purchase Optimus stove, it’s stove head also has ridges which will catch the ridges under the pan which makes it extra hard to slide off the stove.

Pros	Cons
Doesn't Slide Off The Stove Easily	Doesn't Have a Lid
Has Measurement Marks on The Pots	Accessories Not Included
Convenient Portable Handle Design
Non-Stick Coated

Sea to Summit X-Series Set

WEIGHT: 1.34 lbs

CAPACITY: 2.8 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 8.4 x 1.6 in

Sea to Summit X-Series set is the most innovative camping cookware with its collapsible design. It comes with two bowls, two mugs, and a 2,8L pot. Every item in the cookware is collapsable, with its nesting design it saves a lot of space. 2,8L Pot has an anodized aluminum base, silicon walls, and silicon handles.

Even though it is great cookware it doesn’t come with a frying pan. If you don’t like to fry when you are camping then it is the most suitable camping cookware for you.

Pros	Cons
Collapsable Design Saves Great Amount Of Space	Frying Pan is not Included
Great Capacity
Convenient Lid Design

MSR Quick 2 System

WEIGHT: 1.75 lbs

CAPACITY: 4 lt (Both Pots Combined)

PACKED SIZE: Ø 7.75 x 5 in

MSR Quick 2 System is the most convenient cookware designed for 2 people. It comes with one 1.5L Hard-anodized nonstick pot (for cooking), one 2.5L hard-anodized pot (for boiling), two insulated mugs, two plates, and one strainer lid.

MSR Quick 2 System has a greatly designed portable handle that can be used for both of the pots and it is also used for locking everything in place. It is a great gear for backpacking but if you need even smaller cookware we would recommend GSI Pinnacle Soloist.

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	One Pot is not Nonstick
Durable	Bulky
Quality Material
Versatile Portable Handle

Stanley Adventure Base Camp

WEIGHT: 4.75 lbs

CAPACITY: 3,5 lt

PACKED SIZE: Ø 9.4 x 6.3 in

Stanley Adventure Base Camp is for four-person. It comes with It a 3,5L pot, 7,25-inch frying pan, four plates, four bowls, four sporks, a spatula, a spoon, a cutting board, a hot pot holder and a drying rack. It is the only cooking kit that comes with a drying rack. Another plus is; it has a big spatula and a spoon, they both are unassembled to fit into the pot when packed, and assembling them is extremely easy.

The downside about this cooking kit is, it is not made with a non-stick material but if you are looking for inexpensive and convenient four-person cookware I would strongly recommend Stanley Adventure Base Camp.

Pros	Cons
Accesories Included	Not a Nonstick Material
Good Feauters for its Price	Bulky
Suitable For Using On Campfire

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper

WEIGHT: 3.69 lbs

CAPACITY: 5 lt (Both Pots Combined)

PACKED SIZE: Ø 9.1 x 5.8 in

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo is made for four-person camping. It has every equipment to cook camping meals. It comes with two pots, two lids (the bigger lid can be used for both 3-liter pot and the frying pan), one frying pan, four plates, and four mugs, every accessory is color-coded to personalize the tableware settings.

My favorite thing about GSI Outdoors Bugaboo is its lid, it is robust and versatile, it has a strainer side which makes it a lot easier to strain the water and cook pasta. Also, Its carrying case has a rigid form so it can be used as a washing basin after the meal. GSI Outdoors Bugaboo is great for family camping. If you are looking for a smaller cooking kit, I recommend MSR Quick 2 System.

Pros	Cons
Versatile Carrying Bag And Lid Design	Bulky
Big Capacity
Every Essential Equipment is İnclueded (Color-Coded)
Non-Stick Coated

5 Best Wood Burning Camp Stoves of 2020

October 17, 2019 by Ricky

One of my favorite things after a long hike is boiling hot water and making a bowl of soup for myself with my wood burning camp stove. If it is a little bit chill then it is the best feeling to sit in front of the fire you created yourself and get warm in front of it.

We, backpackers need to have the smallest, lightest yet the most convenient items for our trails. Sometimes it is a little overwhelming to choose the most optimum item, therefore, we have researched over fifty stoves and find the 5 best wood burning camp stoves for you.

If you are also looking for a convenient cook kit for camping make sure to look at our article about Best Camping Pots and Pans.

What is a wood burning camp stove

A wood burning camp stove is basically a portable stove (some of them are even foldable) you can carry in your backpack. Its fuel is dried twigs, leaves, pinecones, and wood. It is generally the size of a pineapple when it is being used and it is the size of a small book when it is packed.

Why do you need a wood burning camp stove

If you are camping, hiking or backpacking at some point you will need a heat source, sometimes for a cup of tea, sometimes for getting warm, but mainly you will need a heat source to cook. A wood burning camp stove is a great tool for a heat source, it is small, light, portable and versatile. If you have a convenient one it generally takes 5 minutes to build a fire.

5 BEST WOOD BURNING CAMP STOVES COMPARISON TABLE

Name	Weight	Packed Size	Material
Kampmate Ultralight	17.6 oz	0.25" x 4.25" x 6" (Foldable)	Stainless Steel
Biolite Campstove 2	32.96 oz	5.0" x 5.0" x 7.91"	Composite
Ohuhu Camping Stove	14.2 oz	5.3" x 5.3" x 3"	Stainless Steel
Solo Stove Lite	9 oz	3,8" x 4,25" x 4,25"	Stainless Steel
Stadelhorn Titanium	7.3 oz	0.4" x 5.0" x 7.0" (Foldable)	Titanium

BIOLITE CAMPSTOVE

WEIGHT: 32.96 oz

PACKED SIZE: 5.0″ x 5.0″ x 7.91″

MATERIAL: Composite

I generally have two big problems when I am backpacking, these are: “Not being able to build a fire easily” and “Not having enough battery on my phone”. I love taking photos of nature with my phone and it uses a lot of battery. This wood burning camp stove solves both of my big problems. It generates power to charge devices by turning heat into usable electricity and the good thing is it has a removable 2600 mAh battery which can store electricity, so you can use it later when you need it. I should also mention that it is extremely easy to light a fire with this camp stove due to its technology.

It has a smart LED dashboard. On the dashboard, you can see the fire strength, you can get feedback on the battery level and you can control the fan speed. Its fan has four levels of speed which increase efficiency and improve combustion. One of the great things about Biolite Campstove that it can create a smokeless fire with its internal fan.

It is one of the best wood burning camp stoves but I should mention that it is a little bit bigger and heavier compared to other wood burning stoves. But if you have enough place for it in your backpack I strongly recommend this gear.

Pros	Cons
Has Fans and Control Panels to Adjust Fire	Heavy and Bulky
Has a Powerbank that Charges with Fire	Expensive
Easy to Light a Fire
Versatile

KAMPMATE ULTRALIGHT

kampMATE Best Wood Burning Camp Stove for versatility

WEIGHT: 17.6 oz

PACKED SIZE: 0.25″ x 4.25″ x 6″ (Foldable)

MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

If you like packing small, portable gears and if you have a tiny budget, then KampMate Ultralight is a great choice for you. It only weighs 17.6 oz and the great thing about kampmate ultralight is, it is almost the size of a small book when packed due to its foldable design. Some of the foldable camping stoves are a little bit risky it might cut your hand but kampMATE is 0,8 mm thick and has been processed to smooth out the edges so you will not cut yourself while assembling or folding it back up.

It has an open side to refill the fuel (woods) so you won’t have to take off your pot every time you refill the stove and it also has a cross-shaped pot holder to hold the pot still. It doesn’t have patented construction to decrease smoke and improve the combustion like Solo Stove Lite but it is the optimum wood burning camping stove for its price.

Pros	Cons
Foldable Design	Not Durable
Inexpensive
Has a Feeding Spot

OHUHU CAMPING STOVE

WEIGHT: 14.2 oz

PACKED SIZE: 5.3″ x 5.3″ x 3″

MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

Ohuhu Camping Stove is really compact and light. It comes with a grill grid and pots spotter. If you are okay with carrying solid alcohol for fuel it also has a solidified alcohol plate. It can be assembled very quickly due to its design. It is the most versatile camping stove for its inexpensive price.

Although it is great, it doesn’t have a feeding spot if you want to add more wood while the pot sitting on it. Another con is if you have a small pod, it a little hard to put it on due to its pots spotter design.

Pros	Cons
Inexpensive	No Feeding Spot
Lightweight

SOLO STOVE LITE

WEIGHT: 9 oz

PACKED SIZE: 3,8″ x 4,25″ x 4,25″

MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

Solo Stove Lite is an award-winning wood burning stove, it has a patented design which increases efficiency. Its construction helps to have lesser smoke and more fire duration. It only weighs 9 oz and made up of premium grade 304 stainless steel. Its pot spotter design has a small opening feeding spot so you can add more wood while the pot is sitting on.

Although it is a little bit expensive than other wood burning camp stoves if the quality is what you are looking for it’s totally worth it.

Pros	Cons
Patented Design to Increase Efficiency	Slightly Expensive
Great Packed Size to Capacity Ratio
Lightweight

STADELHORN TITANIUM

WEIGHT: 7.3 oz

PACKED SIZE: 0.4″ x 5.0″ x 7.0″ (Foldable)

MATERIAL: Titanium

Stadelhorn Titanium folds down to the thickness of a phone due to its rectangular construction. With the crossbar on top of the stove its easier to use small pods and it can carry heavier pods than circle stoves. It has an open side so you can feed the fire while the pod is sitting on the stove.

Stadelhorn titanium wood burning stove is almost the same with kampMATE Ultralight but due to its quality material, it is extra strong and weighs half of kampMATE Ultralight, therefore, it is a little more expensive. But if you have a bigger budget we would recommend Stadelhorn Titanium wood burning camp stove.

Pros	Cons
Ultralight	Slightly Expensive
Foldable Design
Has a Feeding Spot

Camping

What Size Is Optimum for You?

How many people will be sleeping in the tent?

Do I have enough vestibule area?

Do you camp in rainy seasons?

Daytime Camping Playlists

Screaming into the Woods

Cooking Outdoors

Daydreaming in the Sun

Nighttime Camping Playlists

Sitting around the Campfire

Stargazing

Camping with Your Valentine

Find a spot with flat ground

Find soft ground

Clear stones, sticks, and bushes

Look for a shady spot

Stay away from windy spots

Find a spot close to the water

Check the weather

Don’t set up your tent too near to other campers

Set up your tent far away firing pits

Pitch within a walking distance to the toilet

COMPARISON TABLE OF BEST CAMPING POTS AND PANS

What is a wood burning camp stove

Why do you need a wood burning camp stove

5 BEST WOOD BURNING CAMP STOVES COMPARISON TABLE

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