Whether you trek across the countryside regularly or want to spend a memorable weekend outdoors with your family, you need to have the proper camping gear. You will need to choose what to wear, what to sleep and rest in and how meals will be cooked.

The tent is probably the first item to consider. Most new models are extremely lightweight and simply pop up in a few seconds. They must also be tied down or staked, in at least four corners, so they don’t blow away in case of winds. Newer tents are water resistant. Some have a secondary roof over the main structure, for added protection.

The size of tent you choose depends upon the number of people who will use it. Try to get one that holds one more person than you plan to have in your party, to allow for storage of supplies and other equipment. For those who plan to pack the item in a backpack, a light weight model that is compact is extremely important.

Don’t forget to provide for ways you will rest during the day. Camping chairs play a big part in the overall activities of your trip, so select durable and comfortable ones.

You must also consider what to wear. Comfortable hiking boots are useful in any weather, as you cannot always know what kind of terrain you may encounter. For weather that is unpredictable, a lined jacket that is designed for the outdoors is ideal. Even in areas with a warmer climate, nights can get chilly. You will not want to rely on building a fire to stay warm.

The other important piece of equipment is a cooking stove or device. For backpacking, folding stoves that pack flatly are a great choice. They may use cans of cooking fuel and are simply utilized by lighting a match. Propane stoves or grills are more suitable for families or groups, where items do not need to be carried long distances. Of course, flashlights, batteries, compass, water bottles and even a GPS unit are recommended items to take along as well.