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Modern camping gear makes hitting trail easier
“Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.”
Those words, penned by Henry David Thoreau in 1854, were a sort of anthem for many campers in the 1960s and 70s. They felt that the ultimate outdoor experience could only be realized by those who took to the woods with the barest minimum of gear.
“Yessir, all ya’ need is a pair of stout boots, a bedroll, a piece of tarp and a pocket-full of trail mix,” was a commonly heard sentiment. I confess that I may have muttered it a time or two myself.
Things have changed a lot since those days. Most of us that survived the “flower power” era are more concerned these days with the realities of life — such as where we misplaced our bifocals or how we’re going to pay our kids’ college tuition. But, while we’ve gotten older, I like to think that we’ve also gotten a little smarter. Most of us who still thrill at the idea of throwing a pack on our back and taking off to see what’s around the bend in the trail, understand that camping equipment has evolved a lot over the last two decades. We also realize that you don’t have to take to the woods looking like a James Fennimore Cooper character in order to enjoy your time under the stars. Rather than detracting from the camping experience, modern materials and designs make hitting the trail as rewarding as ever, and much more comfortable.
For example, there’s the matter of camping apparel. Another Thoreau quote that I’ve always enjoyed is, “Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.” That’s alright if the “new enterprises” consist of nothing more demanding than hanging out at the mall. If, on the other hand, they involve living outdoors for several days or longer at a time, new clothes — or at least some of the newer fabrics — may be called for.
In the old days, campers had two choices when it came to clothing — wool and cotton. The former has wonderful insulating qualities and is quite durable. The problem is it’s too hot for warm weather, it itches, and some folks are allergic to it. Cotton, on the other hand, is cool and comfortable but it doesn’t hold up to rough use and, worst of all, offers very little insulation when damp. A wet cotton tee shirt will conduct heat away from the wearer’s body an estimated 10 times faster than the same shirt will when dry. A good alternative is one of the new synthetic materials or blends. They don’t absorb water as readily as cotton, dry more quickly, are durable, and are generally woven into a dense fabric that offers at least some protection from biting insects.
In some parts of the country mosquitoes, deer flies and other noxious bugs may not be a consideration when selecting camp clothing. In other regions, including much of North Carolina, a camper better factor insects into his plans or be prepared for a memorable experience. In Grandpa’s day, mosquitoes were dealt with by slapping, cussing and spraying down with some greasy repellent that may have been nearly as dangerous to the wearer as it was to the skeeters. Today a number of companies offer mesh jackets, pants, head nets and gloves that will keep even the most vicious blood-suckers at bay. You can slip the bug-proof clothing over a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, and hit the trail in cool, mosquito-proof comfort.
Besides mosquitoes, nothing can ruin a camping trip any faster than rain. With old-style parkas and rain suits, it didn’t even have to be a lot of rain. In humid conditions, plastic or rubber clothing might keep the precipitation out, but it also kept body moisture in. A camper or hiker could literally become soaking wet trying to keep from getting soaked. The invention of Gore-Tex changed all that.
Gore-Tex fabric has pores that are larger than a molecule of water but smaller than a droplet. As a result water vapor, like that given off by your body, passes right through but rain drops can’t. Foul weather gear made of Gore-Tex isn’t cheap but, for a camper who might have to deal with a spell of rainy weather, it’s a bargain.
The space-age materials that have become popular in camp clothing have, to a certain extent, also been used in developing sleeping bags that will let you snooze in cozy comfort anywhere this side of the North Pole. Goose down, which has been used as the fill material in top quality sleeping bags forever, still offers the best insulation-to-weight qualities. That’s only in dry conditions, though. When a down-filled bag gets wet, it turns into a soggy clump that is worth than worthless. The only cure is a couple of days of hot, dry weather or an hour in a clothes dryer. Synthetic fibers, such as Quallofil, Hollofil or Polarguard, on the other hand, can be wrung out and will reassume much of their original loft. These materials are sometimes marketed by brand names such as Thermolite but they can be identified by check tags and bag specifications. Sleeping bags with synthetic fill are a little heavier than down bags but the difference is minimal when you consider the advantages in damp weather. Another plus is that the synthetics are usually a little cheaper.
Cost is relative thing in camping gear. Items that seem cheap in the beginning lose their allure after they fall apart and have to be replaced. Or, if they fail on you in the backwoods where a replacement isn’t readily available. A well-made sleeping bag or rain suit, however, will last a long time if it’s cared for, and will pay for itself many times over in comfortable hours spent on the trail. Gore-Tex might not have the rustic appeal of buckskin, but it wears a lot better in the woods. (It’s also a heck of lot easier on the deer.) I suspect that Daniel Boone might have worn Gore-Tex if it had been around when he was blazing the Wilderness Trail.
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