Build a camp sleep system: pad, bag, pillow and shelter that work together
Warm, quiet sleep outdoors comes from pieces that work together. Here is how heat is lost, how to match a pad and bag to the night, and cheap fixes for a cold night.
The library
Camping and outdoor gear guides for American trails
Six long-form guides and a free sleeping pad R-value picker, from building a camp sleep system and choosing a dry bag to camping on public lands and in red-rock country.
How to choose a dry bag by activity: kayak, raft, pack and beach
The best dry bag depends on what you are doing. Use this activity-by-activity guide to pick sizes, closures and materials, and to avoid common leaks.
Camping on U.S. public lands: BLM, national forests, parks and Leave No Trace
Public land offers some of the best camping in the country, but rules differ by agency and place. Here is how to find where you can camp and how to camp responsibly.
Car camping vs backpacking gear: what changes and what stays the same
The same trip can need two very different packing lists. Here is how weight, volume and comfort trade off, with a side-by-side look at the gear that changes most.
Camping in red-rock and desert country: water, heat, floods and fragile soil
The desert Southwest is magnificent and unforgiving. Plan for water, heat, sudden floods, wind and cold nights, and tread lightly on soil that takes years to recover.
Campsite setup and packing checklist: from arrival to leaving no trace
A good camp starts with a good spot and a good list. Follow this arrival-to-departure routine and checklist to set up fast, stay safe and leave the site cleaner than you found it.
Sleeping pad R-value picker, plus a hammock hang-angle check
Enter your coldest night, how you sleep and what is under you for a suggested R-value, then check a hammock's hang angle and the force on its anchors.
Browse by category
Camping pillows
A good camp pillow is the cheapest way to sleep better outdoors. Learn the types, how to match loft to your sleeping position and how to keep one fresh.
Sleeping pads & mattresses
Your pad is your warmth and your comfort. Learn the main types, how R-value works, which sizes to look for and how to find and fix a leak.
Dry bags & waterproof bags
A dry bag keeps gear dry only if it is the right type, packed well and closed properly. Here is how to choose, use and test one.
Camping tables
A stable table makes camp cooking and meals far easier. Here is how to choose a type, check capacity and avoid wobble, heat damage and pinched fingers.
Picnic & outdoor blankets
A good outdoor blanket works as a ground cover, a beach mat and a camp throw. Learn which materials suit which uses and how to look after one.
Camping folding chairs
A comfortable chair makes camp life better. Learn the types, how to read weight ratings, how to choose seat height and how to stop chairs sinking in sand.
Hammocks & stands
Hammocks are comfortable and light, but hanging one badly strains gear and trees. Here is how to choose, hang and care for a hammock or stand.