What did your packing list look like the last time you headed out to “get away from it all”? Did you need an 18 foot moving truck, or could the entire lot qualify for carry on status? I know, it’s hard to imagine leaving the countertop Cuisinart stand mixer behind for even a couple of hours, let alone a week. We’ve all had that uneasy feeling pulling out of the driveway that something essential was left behind. Or the iron plugged in.
Fortunately there are some easy ways to pare down your adventure travel kit. If you’re flying, consider taking the TSA’s suggestions seriously. It’s a simple & effective way to avoid the urge to carry on the small axe or can of mace you thought you’d need at camp. As we’ve found out not once, but three times, even a pocketknife can’t fly in the cabin. They will mail it back to you for a small fee. At least security is consistent.
If getting publicly hassled by government agents isn’t enough, maybe saving a few bucks is a good incentive to lighten your load. Most of those clever airlines have figured out ways to extract additional revenue from their customers. For instance, charging extra for the privilege of entrusting our prized possessions to bar codes and baggage handlers. No offense other guys, but it’s one of the reasons the Boyles fly Southwest when our plans call for schlepping camping gear halfway across the country by air.
Or maybe you just want to see out the window of your vehicle as you hurtle down the highway. We’ve done plenty of 18 hour drives in a fully loaded minivan with four kids to remember what that’s like. There’s a fine line between using those suitcases on the seats to separate the little angels, and cramming them in like precious pottery in packing peanuts. Believe it or not, a foldable playpen for the cabin/tent/hotel was one of those essentials when the kiddos were little that actually made the cut. And while you might want to stow a passenger on the roof, even temporarily, that’s against the law. Don’t do it.
Lastly, some outdoor stuff is simply lighter and packs down smaller than others. I know, you just got done reading Episode #3 warning of the dangers of succumbing to the recreational equipment arms race. But let’s face it, that enormous quilt that you can barely roll up smaller than a Mini Cooper could be replaced by a modern high performance sleeping bag that packs down to the size of a pregnant grapefruit. Now you can shove multiple things into one big bag and still stay under the baggage limit!
We’re not talking about that movie from the 80’s about the Mercury astronauts. Or the insulating spray foam in a can. That’s Great Stuff, though it could come in handy the next time your kayak springs a leak. No, I’m not actually recommending taking household repair products on your next outdoor adventure. Though duct tape has its many uses. This article is about acquiring the gear that will help you stay safe & somewhat comfortable in the outdoors.
While my writing tends to take a snarky tone, let me get real for a minute. Safety in the outdoors, especially with your family, is no joke. Having the right gear and knowing how to use it means you and your loved ones can be reasonably protected from the conditions that you could experience when you leave the manmade bubble of your home/car/office/hotel. Repeat after me: “I will not take any shortcuts with being prepared for the weather that could put me or my family’s health (or worse) at risk.” More people die from exposure to cold & wet than from lightning strikes. Seriously, be smart out there.
Fortunately there are many excellent outdoor equipment retailers who have vast amounts of experience and costly stuff to offer you. However, you don’t need to personally keep them in business to have fun & be safe. Here are a few tips:
1. Do you have friends? Do they like to venture outdoors for a night or two? Maybe you could work out a trade: They take your whiny toddler for the weekend and you borrow their tent. Um, on second thought, how about your in-laws take the precious tot while your buddy loans you his Coleman? Before you drop your hard earned clams on the latest equipment that might just end up rotting away in your attic when you find out how much your significant other hates bugs, might be best to take a test run with someone else’s stuff. Just bring it back without any obvious burn holes, or blame it on an errant meteorite instead of the marshmallow sticks your kids were fighting with after dinner.
2. Stalk outdoor blogs / youtube channels. This could lead to spending some real money, so be forewarned. Enter something like “the perfect pair of hiking boots” in the search bar and see what comes up (for example: https://bootbomb.com). Some of the advice out there is commercial promotion or simply crap, but you’ll also find plenty of outdoor enthusiasts who simply want to share their expertise. And even throw in a humorous anecdote or two.
3. So you’re ready to commit to your own outdoor gear, but maybe you’re on a budget, a frugal Yankee, love bargain hunting, or all of the above. Pretty much describes your author to a T. Do you realize there are actual humans out there who bought new stuff, then decided they didn’t like it / need it / want it? Don’t let yourself be one of those people! Take advantage of the depreciation they have already purchased! Sites like eBay and geartrade.com are terrific resources as long as you know what you want and are OK with the slightly less generous than LL Bean return policy.
4. Visit your local outdoor equipment retailer or outfitter. Pick the brains of the staff. Many of them have actually ventured to the places you want to go, and have done the things you want to do. Just try not to be one of those jerks that ties up the brick & mortar salespeople for hours, then goes online and buys the same exact stuff from Amazon at a discount. That is not cool. You do that enough and these guys are going to close up shop and you’ll have nobody to talk with anymore. Remember Erehwon? Well, maybe it was REI that put them out of action…
The message is simply this. Other than the minimum clothing and equipment to keep you & your loved ones out of harms way, you can always stock your “adventure closet” over time like the Boyles have. While it’s tempting to spend thousands on the latest, lightest, flashiest stuff, that’s the mind-control power of marketing! If you’re just starting out, fight that urge with all your might and borrow or buy pre-owned gear while you’re figuring out what works for your family.
