The Backpacker

Hiking poles can help you a lot if you plan to do a lot of hiking on woods trails with unpredictable conditions. But even if you plan to hike the wide-open paved roads of your community, hiking poles can be a big asset, gaining stability and enhancing your workout.

So what do you need to know about choosing hiking poles?

Here are ten top tips to help you get started.

1. Determine your conditions—the basis of all camping gear purchasing decisions. Know when you’ll do the majority of your hiking, and where. It matters whether you will be on an uneven woods trail or paved sidewalk, and whether the weather will be warm or cold and the trails dry, solid, soft, or icy.

2. One pole or two—decide whether you are best off with just a solitary pole or a full set. With two you’ll have to carry more, but a pair of poles offers better stability on the trail and relieves the joints of the lower body; a pair of poles is preferable in the woods and wild, while a single pole is okay for casual street walking.

3. Get a grip-the material—pole grips differ depending on whether the pole is for walking or true hiking. Grips are made from cork and rubber blends (the best, but most expensive), which provide comfort and insulation value, polyurethane (also a good, fairly warm grip, but can get clammy when cold) or polyethylene, a plastic (which is durable, but can cause hand-chafing if worn or cut).

4. Get a grip-the angle—poles may be straight or have angled grips (with angles of about 15°). Straight grips are the best seller, but positive angles relieve wrist-joint stress and overuse.

5. Get a grip-the straps—straps on grips help you keep ahold of your poles, but they can get you into trouble if you can’t get out of them quickly. Look for quick- or easy-release grips, as well as grips that are easily adjustable so you can loosen them in a flash, or adjust them without getting your hands chilly in cold weather.

6. Getting adjusted—straight, one-height walking poles are okay for the sidewalk, but for longer trekking and wood or wild hiking, you should really choose an adjustable set of poles. Adjustable poles are available in 2- or 3-section poles; generally three section poles fold up smaller for easier storage. The thing to look for on adjustable poles is strong, quality craftsmanship and locking mechanisms—an unexpected fold-up could cause a bad fall.

7. A shocking experience?—hiking poles are available with or without anti-shock systems. Anti-shock systems help absorb the impact of the pole hitting the ground. Anti-shock systems add weight to poles, and that is generally the deciding factor. Anti-shock systems do allow for increased comfort, though.

8. A tisket, a tasket, choose the right basket—this is where it really helps to know where you’ll be hiking. The basket is the shield-like structure above the pole tip. It helps to keep the pole from sinking too far down into soft snow and ground. There are different types of hiking pole baskets, but here are the top 3—small baskets are for dirt, sand and rocks; medium-large baskets are for snow; large(est) baskets are for deep powder snow. It’s best to choose a pole with changeable baskets in case one is broken or you want to hike in other conditions.

9. A tip for the Tip—tips must be made of durable materials that can withstand the conditions of the trail or surface. The best tips are made from tungsten or carbide, two very durable materials that can stay sharp for a long time, even under the most trying conditions. A cheaper option is steel tips, still durable, but less so than carbide or tungsten. Many poles offer a rubber tip cover for walking on asphalt, too. Another alternative is a “paw”-footed pole which can be used on pavement and smooth walking trails.

10. One last tip Tip—Use breakable tips. Tips are easy to replace, and replacing tips is far cheaper than replacing an entire set of poles. If you purchase poles with breakable tips, you can snap one off should the tip become immovably stuck in a crack, rocks, or ice. This can keep you from having to replace you favorite poles prematurely.

All in all, good quality hiking poles will last you a long time, so it’s worth it to take some time researching poles and invest a little more in them. Know how you plan to use your poles, and choose a strong, quality set, and you’re sure to be hiking with them for a long time to come.

Choosing the right sleeping bag is not unlike choosing any other type of camping equipment. There are a number of considerations to account for, including durability and construction, weight, weatherproof-ness, and what time of year you plan to camp. When choosing a sleeping bag, though, the necessary factors boil down to four points of interest.

First, the shape

Most sleeping bag shoppers don’t think much about the shape of the sleeping bag, of which there are basically two—’rectangular’ and ‘mummy’ shaped.

Rectangular sleeping bags allow for freer movement and sprawling while sleeping in the bag. They are the right choice for people who tend to feel claustrophobic. However, rectangular sleeping bags are usually heavier because they allow more heat to escape, and so it takes a heavier rectangular bag to match the warmth of a mummy-shaped sleeping bag.

Mummy shaped bags are those that closely conform to the human body and have a hood that can seal over the head. Mummy-shaped sleeping bags retain more heat and have less interior air space overall, so they warm more efficiently. The downside is, however, that they can feel constricting, and as said before, they are not a good choice for claustrophobic campers.

Then, the size

You might not realize there is a range of sleeping bag sizes, but there is. Essentially, you are looking for adequate length without overdoing it too much. Be sure your bag is long enough if you have a tall frame! Also, consider purchasing a bag that is a bit overlong if you plan to camp in the winter, so you can store essentials and keep them dry.

The second consideration for size is size of the compacted bag—you’ll want to be sure the bag rolls and stores compactly, particularly if you will be hiking and carrying the bag with other gear.

How cold is it outside?

You don’t want a stifling hot sleeping bag in the summer, and you don’t want to freeze in the winter, so choose your bag according to the time of year you plan to camp and the bag’s temperature rating.

If in doubt, though, remember it is better to be too warm than too cold.
Here’s a quick guide:

• Summer camping—choose a bag rated for 35° F or higher
• 3-Season Camping—rating of 10° to 35°
• Winter/Cold Weather—rating of -10° to +10°
• Extreme Cold—rating of -10° and below

Your favorite insulation

Warmth is achieved through insulation in a sleeping bag; that insulation is either down feathers (from ducks and geese) or a poly/synthetic.

The choice is yours, and here are some pros and cons—

• Down—is the ultimate insulator, is lightweight and compressible, and returns to loft-height when laid out; but down causes allergies in some people, and does not insulate well when wet. Furthermore, down takes a long time to dry when it does get wet. It also costs a little more.

• Synthetic—it’s cheaper, and a great insulator, but not quite as good as down. On the other hand, synthetics can still keep you warm when they are wet and will dry quickly should they become wet. Synthetic insulation is also a little heavier than down and doesn’t compress as easily. If you are allergic to down, though, synthetic is your answer.

In the end, choosing your sleeping bag is pretty much the same as choosing a tent or other camping equipment—you have to know your conditions and price range, and shop with helpful salespeople from there. If your shopping is online, find a site with excellent informational resources, and live-help via chat or email.

There’s more to choosing a camping tent than you might expect. Size, shape, material, cost, added features, and seasonal use all factor into the tent buying equation. In order to determine your needs, first ask yourself a few questions.

When and how will you use your tent?Are you planning only to camp during the warmer spring and summer months, or will you be tenting in cold weather, too?—These factors will determine fabric, frame construction, weatherproofing, and durability, as well as screening and ventilation needs.

How will your tent get to your site?—Backpackers will need lighter tents, while those arriving via a vehicle can negate this worry.

How many people do you need to accommodate?

How much gear do you need to accommodate? (Remember that ratings for number of people are for sleeping space, not including gear storage, so you might choose a 3 person tent for extra storage even if there are only 2 of you.

Shopping For Your Tent: You Have Choices

After determining your tent needs, it is time to start looking for the right tent within your budget.

Here’s what to look for:

Construction and Durability

Fabric is one of the first considerations. Tents are made from a variety of fabrics including cotton, nylon, polyethylene, and rip-stop nylon. Most importantly, however, you want a fabric that is breathable and will not condensate excessively, is waterproof and wind resistant, is fire resistant, and has been treated with a UV protectant to minimize deterioration. Polyester is recommended for long-term camping (as it withstands UV rays), but nylon is preferable for a lightweight, shorter stay.

The fabric needs to be strong and properly designed for strength. All seams should be taped to maximize waterproofing; no seams should lie low on the floor, touching the ground, as that invites water flow into the tent. Seams should also be double-sewn. Additionally, check the construction for ventilation screens. It is imperative that all tents have some ventilation and breathability for the safety of occupants.

Also check the closures and fixtures used in the tent’s construction. Look for sturdy, free-moving zippers and fastened grommets to prevent stress and tears.

Another construction consideration is tent poles; the choice is either fiberglass or aluminum. Many prefer aluminum because they are lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and are not affected by UV radiation. Fiberglass poles are considered more durable.

Ease of Use

Choose a tent that is easy to set up and can go up in a relatively short amount of time (of course, this is also dependent on the size of the tent and its design). Remember that freestanding tents will tolerate the wind and weather the best without blowing away; of these, tunnel, ‘A’ frame, and dome shapes are most wind resistant.

Additional Features

After you’ve covered the basics within your budget, look for some useful extra features to help break a tie. Extra storage pockets and vestibules for storage will come in very handy.

For a very general guide, let price help determine tent quality; generally higher-priced tents have the best quality, materials, and construction, but if you shop on price alone you might find yourself with an expensive tent that far exceeds your needs. The best tent buying advice is to determine those needs first, then work with knowledgeable sales staff in person or online so they can help you find the tent that suits your kind of camping.