What to Look for in Outdoor Gear
The great outdoors can quickly turn into the not-so-great outdoors if you don’t have the right gear. However, if you look at the massive selection of knives, lights, tents, and other supplies available, you might just be tempted to stick the camping, hiking, or hunting trip altogether and stay indoors. What in the world should you buy when you need outdoor gear? The answer is simple—buy what works for you. You may have to shift through hundreds of products, but if you know what you need in outdoor equipment, you finish shopping more quickly than you’d ever think possible.
The Average Camper
If you’re like most people, you’re just an average run-of-the mill camper looking for quality camping gear at affordable prices. You don’t need the specialized equipment available for hunters or the high-tech items used by those hiking cross-country. On the other hand, you also need more than the Barbie flashlight your daughter uses to camp out in the back yard or the fairly dull cheap pocketknife your grandfather uses when fishing at the local pond.
First, make a list of everything you need. How long will you be camping? Will you have access to running water, firewood, and the like at a commercial campground or do you plan to really rough it? What is your skill level—are you a seasoned camper wanting new camping gear to replace older models or someone fairly new to the camping world?
One of the many pieces of camping gear you’ll need is a set of knives. When camping, you should always carry a pocketknife on you to use in the woods. A basic model will do, as long as it is sharp. If you plan to cook, you may also want to carry kitchen cutlery. This set of knives will include everything you need for roasting some food over a campfire, and sets are usually made with the camper in mind, so they come with a water resistant case and are easy to carry.
Next, look at lights. The best outdoor tips you will ever receive tell you that the woods get darker at night than you’d ever think possible Flashlights are very important. If you’re going camping for a long period of time, LED lights are a good choice because your batteries will last longer. LED lights also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Mag lights are also usually very efficient. Don’t forget also to bring matches to light your campfire and a floodlight or lamp if you want excess light around the camp, such as at a table.
Of course, when camping, you’ll also need a tent to fit the number of people on the camping trip, rain gear in case of inclement weather, sleeping bags that can keep you warm at night, a hammer to pitch your tent, and a safety kit in case of an emergency.
The Hunter or Advanced Camper
If you’re an advanced camper, like a hunter or someone who plans hiking over a long period of time, you can still use all of the above outdoor tips for camping gear. However, you may also want to look for equipment that is a little higher in quality or specialized to fit your specific needs.
When looking at hunting gear, knives are very important. This is the tool you will use to protect yourself in some cases, and many hunters prefer to gut their game immediately after a kill. You should look for much sharper knives. A good outdoor tip for hunters is to carry LED knives. LED knives have lights in the handle, so you can see as you work in the dark. When choosing kitchen cutlery, a hunter may also want to look for more high-quality equipment, as would an advanced camper. You’re only as good as your tools and shaper equipment will make your mealtimes easier at the end of a hard day of hiking or hunting.
Mag lights and other flashlights with a tactile beam are also important. Hunters may find themselves tracking animals they’d shot long after dark, and advanced campers may want to do a night hike. The best of the outdoor tips you will every receive is that safety comes first, so LED lights and mag lights are extremely important. No matter what your skill level, when choosing gear, keep your specific needs in mind to find the best items.
-Ben Anton, 2007
http://www.lightsandknives.com/hunting_gear.htm
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