DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

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Below are the major categories of my camping equipment and information.  Please remember that I am in no way suggesting that I am an authority in this area.  This is only meant to give reader ideas about my preferences and ideas.    Your personal preferences will probably be different than mine.  Please see Some advice about advice for more discussion in this area.

Camping Equipment Menu

Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Toiletry Bag
Solar Power for Camp

Misc Articles

Stealth or Free Camping
The Frugal Bike Tour: How to Save Money and Economiz
How to Prevent Flat Tires

Clothing

Bike Touring Shorts
Shoes For Bicycle Touring
Helmets

Electrical

Bicycle touring lights
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3

Other

Maps
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping
Books

Future

gloves
layering

Buying Camping Equipment

I started looking at camping equipment in a new light when I realized that I was not just buying a new tent or stove but my new apartment and appliances.  After all, this was not just a vacation but our my nomadic lifestyle.

Researching and buying all of my camping equipment was almost as confusing and frustrating as buying my new bike.  I have been camping all of my life and have experimented with several different types of gear and feel that I have a handle on what I like.

There are many reasons to camp while bicycle touring, backpacking, or trekking.  These reasons may include getting out in nature or the joy of living with few material possessions.  Camping and the equipment involved is absolutely necessary in two situations.  First, if you are traveling in remote places there are often no hotels or other indoor accommodations within a day's bike ride from each other.  In this case you have no other choice but to camp.  Usually this type of camping does not involve a campground or any other type of facilities.  I typically ride until late afternoon, find a place to collect several liters of water, and then ride on until I find a place.  I prefer a flat location, well hidden from anyone, where I can sleep under the stars or pitch the tent.  This is what some cyclists refer to as "guerilla camping" or "free camping."  Much of North and South American camping fit in this category.  In fact, if you are riding around the world you will find that you often have no other choice but to free camp.

The second reason that cyclists camp is to save money.  There are places where you can find hotel rooms at the end of every day.  In these places many bike tourists choose to not carry camping equipment and rent a room every night.  This is sometimes called a "credit card tour."  The advantage to this is that you can travel much lighter and faster.  The disadvantage is the expense.  You have to pay off that credit card someday.  Places where a credit card tour is possible might include the eastern states of the USA, Europe, and Japan.  In these places a much cheaper option is to stay in campgrounds or free camp at night.

I stay in hotels when they fit in my budget, free camp when I have to or to save money, and stay in campgrounds in developed countries. Below are my favorite retail stores where I like to shop.

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REI - Camping, Cycling, and Traveling Gear Recommended

REI Outlet Store:  Great deals on camping and bike gear

Very good prices on hard-to-find bicycle touring panniers, racks, and more.