A Guide to Buying Camping Gear Online
Aussie families love camping. It’s like we have an invisible alarm clock that goes off as soon as the weather starts to warm up, telling us it’s time to set up our tents. Whether by the ocean, at a caravan icy poles park, or in a remote area by the river, we love spending time in nature with our friends and families. Why is camping so popular in Australia? There are many reasons for that; the fact that we’re created to connect with the natural world in that way, forging more meaningful social interaction is the most important one. Or, we do it because it’s familiar–after all, we do it every year.
Whatever the reason, being prepared is paramount for a successful outdoor adventure. The right gear ensures comfort, safety, and an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Whether you’re camping for the first time without your parents, as a couple, or simply need to complete your camping gear arsenal, here’s what you need to do if you plan to shop for it online.
How to Shop Online for Camping Gear?
Today, we shop online for pretty much everything. In a world where people decide to buy home appliances and personal items just by checking a few specs, buying camping gear is a no-brainer. While shopping online differs greatly from shopping in-store, where you can see and feel the products, it’s convenient and provides a wider product selection, which can be an advantage for products that aren’t common. Here are some of our top suggestions to make it right.
Opt for High-quality Brands
Settling for brands that have innovative and high-quality products in their selection, such as the collection of Sea to Summit gear, is the first step you set up for success. There are many reasons for that, but here are the three most important ones.
- Inspirational background story. If you take time for a quick glimpse into the story of how Set to Summit started, you’ll see that its founder’s desire to create, the best, most lightweight and durable equipment was what inspired him to get into the industry. Shortly after starting the company in 1991, Roland Tyson’s passion and talent for creating cutting-edge outdoor equipment made him venture deep into the isolated Australian outback and the Himalayas, only to test his creations to the limit. Joined by Penny Sanderson in 1993, Roland spent several months each year climbing, sailing, trekking, and biking to test the products and their iterated design. When you buy from a brand that started with a determination driven by directness, candour and integrity, you’ll surely end up with quality gear.
- Wide product selection. When you start exploring the Sea to Summit products, you’ll come upon items you didn’t even know you needed. Every product combines innovative and practical design elements to improve your backcountry experience. If you decide to get all you need from this brand, you won’t need to explore other brands, which can make your shopping journey much easier.
- Great access to reviews. Sea to Summit camping gear is available worldwide and many people have been using it for years. That means there are many honest reviews online, which can help you choose the right products.
Buy from Reputable Online Stores
Even if you decide on the best brand in the world, choosing to shop for it in an unverified online store can get you into trouble. Why, you may ask. Good customer service, delivery, and return and warranty policies are essential for getting the right gear. If there are any problems with your purchase, whether product or service-wise, a reputable and trustworthy supplier will ensure to solve them, leaving you satisfied and well-equipped for your next camping adventure.
Purchase Only What You Need
Your camping gear wishlist may be long, especially if it’s your first time camping alone. Don’t feel obligated to get every item on that list. Instead, stay within your budget and buy only the must-haves. You can make a plan, and add a piece from the rest of your gear list every month after some time you set up. That’ll not only benefit your budget but will also help you stay organised. The more stuff you buy, the more you add weight to your pack, eventually making it impossible to carry around at some point.
To ensure you know precisely how much you can fit into your pack without adding bulk or unnecessary extra weight, check out camping gear before purchasing it when possible. This will allow you to see how much space each item takes up in your bag.
Last, but not least, focus on the importance of certain camping gear pieces because you can’t compromise on comfort and safety. Take a sleeping bag for example. While you can buy lower-quality mugs or cutlery, getting a not-warm-enough sleeping bag can be detrimental to your comfort, and ultimately–to your health. Choose your essentials wisely and invest in them.