How It All Began

Campfire Guy here.  I’ve returned an embarrassing amount of gear over the years. If there was a “please do not take returns from this guy because he abuses our lax return policy” list at the major outdoor retailers, I’m certain I’d be on it.  I have been reminded by Campfire Wife on more than one occasion that I might have a problem with gear.  She’s usually right.* If you intend to use your hard earned cash for gear make sure you are happy with it. 

I Am A Little Crazy About Gear

My insane gear journey began with the best of intentions.  We have four amazing kids, ages 11, 9, 7, and 4.  The eleven-year-old is a Boy Scout, the nine-year-old is a Girl Scout, the seven-year-old is a Cub Scout and the four-year-old is a Ninja.  I’ve struggled with how best to outfit the family for camping as my kids have gotten older.  The quest for the perfect tent began in the fall of 2011, back when we only had three kids, only one of which camped.

A Slow March To Insanity 

I began purchasing an assortment of eight-man tents.  I figured we have a big, growing family, why not have a giant place to sleep?  Down the road, I’ll post a few of the tents (or similar models that are currently made) that I tried out and ended up returning.  I had many issues.  

Eight-man tents are HUGE, hard to set up by yourself, door locations don’t always make sense, it’s sometimes hard to find space at the campsite or that the porridge was just too cold.  When you have to set one up to dry after a rainy trip, if its a freestanding model, it will take up most of your garage.  If your giant tent requires staking outside to dry, you will battle the elements and squirrels.  

How I’d Do It Differently

If you have to set one up solo or with one six-year-old, well-intentioned helper, it will take up all of your energy and patience.  So I tried and returned several tents.  We settled on a no longer manufactured Kelty Parthenon 8.  It has a ton of room, but the circus tent only comes out if all six of us are camping.  The majority of our camping is with Scouts, and that’s usually just with a kid or two.  Most four man tents are a snap for one adult to set up.   

Purchasing two four man tents in lieu of one gigantic eight-man might have been the smart play.  So far, no one has accused me of being smart.

What’s the point?

My friends often rib me with, “Why should I research camping gear?  You’ve already done the hard work.  I trust you, so I’ll just buy what you did.” That’s been the inspiration for this little project.  My hope for this blog is to inform, entertain and get a few cheap laughs.   Hopefully, you learn a little, laugh a lot and are inspired to get outside.

*Authors Note:  Since 1997, I’ve been right and Campfire Wife has been wrong exactly five times.  Not too shabby for me.