The Camping Club

eGear's 10 Day Lantern

Use eGear’s 10-day Lantern for safe indoor or outdoor use. The lantern is fully equipped with a lifetime LED bulb and emergency back up lighting and is weather resistant. It’s perfect for a rugged outdoor activity. Submitted By: Ron Persall Q: Are you familiar with eGear products? If so, which products? A: No, I wasn’t familiar with their products prior to testing. Q: Do you normally use a lantern or flashlight while outdoors? A: I have several flashlights I use; two are the rechargeable variety. Q: Was the 10-day Lantern easy to store and carry? A: Yes it was. It was very easy to store and took up little room. Q: Did you find the adjustable brightness control feature to be helpful? A: Very nice feature; it helps conserve battery life. That’s very important, especially while your outdoors! Q: Did the LED bulb provide enough light? A: Yes. It was perfect. I could see quite a few feet ahead of me while lit. Q: Where did you use the lantern? A: I have used it around the house since receiving it; I also was able to use it on a recent RV trip. Q: How dark was the area that you needed lit up? A: The RV trip was moonlight only. So the lantern really came in handy when we needed to get from one side to the other. Q: Did you use the lantern during hard torrential weather? A: No. I didn’t get a chance to, but it looks like it wouldn’t give out during a thunder storm or some rain. Q: Did you hang the lantern or handheld? A: Both. It gives out enough light, that you don’t need to hold it close to you as you would other flashlights or lanterns. Q: What was the lantern’s best feature? A: This is a nice lightweight lantern. It really comes in handy when you take long hiking trips, and need to carry it in your pack. It takes up little room and doesn’t weigh much! Q: Would you recommend this lantern to other campers? A: Yes I would. Its far better than a typical flashlight. And its great for outdoor use and even if you’re electricity goes out at home. Q: What suggestions would you make to improve the lantern? A: I don’t think I can see any need to improve on what seems simple, effective and works. Q: Were the batteries easy to install? A: Yes, no problem at all. Q: Would you pay $40.00MSRP for this lantern? Why or why not? A: I think $40.00 is a good price; as with everything in these times, ones money must be used on necessary items; this is a nice lantern for its brightness, so if you really need one, this is great bang for your buck. Q: Do you feel confident using the lantern since it has a lifetime warranty? A: Yes I do. A lifetime warranty just reiterates what a great product this is. The manufacturer is obviously confident in their product.

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Mountainsmith Tailgator Cube

The Tailgater Cube offers dual cube configuration which incorporates both a Cooler Cube and Picnic Cube and expands to create a central mesh compartment. This cube is sure to fit any lifestyle. Submitted By: Shelly Meyer of Zeeland, MI Q: Were you familiar with MountainSmith products prior to using the Tailgator Cube? A: I had heard the brand name, but wasn’t entirely sure of their product line. Q: How many times have you used your Tailgator Cube during the test period? A: I used the Cube about 3 times Q: Did the Haul handle provide an easy carrying option? A: It makes it easy. Users should be wary that the Cooler Cube side can usually be heavier, so they may need to hold it at the bottom as well. Q: Do you believe this would be a useful item to have on a camping trip or any other outdoor trip? A: I think it’s great for a day trip, when you’re able to leave it in your vehicle and access it when you like. Q: What did you pack in the Cooler Cube? A: Drinks and ice, plus I packed a variety of cheeses. Everything remained cool and fresh. Q: Did the Cooler Cube keep all your food and beverage items fresh? A: Yes, no problems at all. Q: Was it easy to store contents in the cooler cube? A: Yes. There is a lot of room, so it’s easy to neatly pile things in there. Q: What did you pack in the Picnic Cube? A: I packed picnic supplies, as well as extra clothing and a camera. Q: Was it easy to store contents in the Picnic Cube? A: Absolutely. Everything fit perfectly and I had plenty of room left. Q: Did you use the central mesh compartment to store other items? A: I didn’t have to since I had plenty of room in the cubes. If I used it for a longer trip then I likely would have used the mesh compartment Q: Would you recommend the Tailgator to other outdoor enthusiasts? A: For day tripping, yes, it’s such a useful pack to have. Just be sure to balance out the weight from cooler to the dry items. Read more

Mountainsmith Modular Hauler 3 Travel Storage System

The Modular Hauler 3 System Deluxe is the ultimate set for packing efficiency and style. The hauler sports a rubber bottom to protect contents from mud and snow, collapsible side reinforcements, quilted foam padding side panels and deluxe cubes with longer handles to carry over the shoulder and quilted, foam padded sides.

Submitted By: Sherri Luker of Calhoun, GA

Q: Were you familiar with MountainSmith products prior to using the Hauler?
A: No, I was not familiar with this product.

Q: How many times have you used your Modular Hauler 3 Storage System during the test period?
A: I used the Hauler once during the test period.

Q: Did the Hauler help keep everything organized? Did the color coded cubes help?
A: Yes, everything was easy to organize within the hauler and I labeled each cube with its contents.

Q: Do you believe this would be a useful item to have on a camping trip?
A: Yes. It is a great organizer and moderately spacious.

Q: Did you use the tie-down loops to help keep the hauler secure in your vehicle?
A: Yes, it helped keep everything secure and nothing moved around.

Q: Was the Hauler easy to store?
A: Yes, very easy to store.

Q: Did all the cubes fit in the Hauler, once they were all full?
A: Not at first. But I overfilled them and that made it hard to get them into the hauler bag. However, with some proper maneuvering, even overfilled cubes can fit!

Q: What did you store in the cubes?
A: Wood blocks for the camper, sports gear (football, Frisbee, etc.), camping supplies

Q: What was the Hauler’s best feature?
A: Definitely the cubes.

Q: Did you use the clear label sleeve to label the contents of each cube? Did you think this is a useful feature?
A: Yes. The labels are useful if you were going to take this bag on a tent camping trip.

Q: Would you recommend it to fellow campers?
A: Yes. It’s a very useful bag. I think this bag would be great to use for traveling when not camping.

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Instant Shade Awning

Instant Shade Awning offers a portable retractable awning that provides shade right where you need it. Attaches to any permanent structure. Grab and Go convenience makes it a Must Have for campers, tailgaters and sports fans.

Submitted By: Pearl Wehrman

Q: Q: What type of camper would use it?
A: Tent campers, car campers and RVer's will all love it! Nearly every campsite can benefit from extra shade.

Q: Is it durable against weather elements?
A: Like any awning, this one should be retracted in high winds and needs to be dry before retracting.

Q: Why did you purchase it?
A: I'm 60 years old and tired of struggling with tarps.

Q: Is it easy to store?
A: Gee, what's to store? It's just 6 feet long and about 4 inches in diameter.

Q: Is it heavy or lightweight?
A: It weighs less than 10 lbs. and easily maneuvered, even by a wimp like me.

Q: What's the best feature?
A: I would say the fact that it's self-contained. The guy wires, stakes and poles are all included. Even the drop down banner doubles and a carrying case. It is an engineering marvel!

Q: If you could make any changes to the product, what would it be?
A: I wish it were bigger, but if it were, it would loose it's portability and ease of handling. So I guess it's right just the way it is.

Q: And anything else that campers should know about this item.
A: The Instant Shade Awning is good to have on hand. You might need it, you might not, but throw it in the van anyway. Be prepared, like a good Boy Scout.

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Cabela's Ripcord Duffel Bag

The popular Ripcord™ Duffel Bag is rugged and roomy enough to take anywhere. It has a durable, heavy 1000-denier nylon bottom that's both wear and water-resistant. The tops are constructed of a durable 600-denier poly ripstop fabric. Plus, each bag has heavy-duty No. 10 main zippers and No. 8 zippers on the front pockets for rugged dependability. The beefed-up carrying straps are fortified with 3" webbing with matching wrap hand grips to make them comfortable to carry when fully loaded. Zippered front pocket keeps items handy and secure. A padded shoulder strap with metal hardware is included. Imported. Sizes: • Small: 18"L x 9"W x 9"H • Medium: 24"L x 11"W x 11"H • Large: 30"L x 13"W x 13"H • X-Large: 36"L x 16"W x 16"H • Magnum: 42"L x 18"W x 18"H -Submitted By: Richard Crowe of Alabama Q: What type of camper would use it? A: I think people that like tent camping would enjoy owning this bag, it does not require a lot of room to store but has a lot of room for various items. Q: Is it durable against weather elements? A: I have not had a chance to use in rainy weather. Living in the south, rain is our weather concern. Q: Is it easy to store? A: Yes. Folds flat. Q: Is it heavy or lightweight? A: It’s lightweight but durable. It has heavy duty zippers, double stitch seams. Q: What’s the best feature? A: Quality in material and workmanship. Other Comments: This bag is not only for camping. It can be used for a overnight stay, would make a great clothes bag for children spending the night with a friend.

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GCI Trail Sling Chair

The Trail-Sling™ Ultralight's patented collapsible frame makes it a portable genius! When packed down in its handy sack, the Trail-Sling™ Ultralight is as small as a water bottle! In addition to its amazing compactability, the Trail-Sling™ Ultralight unfolds to create a remarkably comfortable off-the-ground seat with back support, ideal after a long day of outdoor activities. The Trail-Sling™ Ultralight's small size is ideal for backpacking but it's so comfortable you'll use it for all your outdoor activities!

Submitted By: Sam Tiblow of Tulsa, OK

Q: How often do you go backpacking or camping per year?
A: We usually go about 5-6 times per year

Q: How many times have you used your Trail-Sling Ultralight during the test period?
A: We used the chair 3 times during this period.

Q: Did you find the chair easy to assemble?
A: The first time it took a little longer than the rest. But once we got the hang of it, it was so easy!

Q: Did you read the instructions to assemble the chair and did you find it helped with the assembling?
A: The first time we assembled it, we had to refer to the instructions. They were very helpful and easy to read. The pictures were helpful as well.

Q: Was the chair comfortable after set-up?
A: The chair was fairly comfortable. It would be great on the shoreline.

Q: Was the handy sack useful for carrying the item?
A: The handy sack was perfect for the chair. It’s easy to pack away and very convenient for carrying.

Q: Was your back supported properly?
A: Yes, it reclined enough to be comfortable.

Q: Did you find the padded headrest useful?
A: I didn’t really use the headrest that much. But when I did, it provided comfort.

Q: Was the Trail-Sling Chair easy to store away?
A: it’s small enough to store just about anywhere. It’s pretty impressive that theirs a chair in that little sack that it comes in.

Q: What was the Trail-Sling’s best feature?
A: The size when it’s assembled and the size when it’s packed up. It’s great for hiking and it isn’t heavy!

Q: Do you think this is an essential piece of equipment to take with you while backpacking or during an outdoor trip?
A: Yes, this is a must have for the great outdoors!

Q: Would you recommend this product to fellow backpackers? Why?
A: Yes, it’s small enough to fit in a backpack or throw over your shoulder. Plus, it’s comfortable! You don’t see too many chairs like this around.

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GCI Wildreness Recliner

Ideal for camping, tailgating and watching sports. A fully padded back and seat wooden arm rests and pivoting cup holders set this seat apart. When folded it can be worn on your back for hands-free transport. Light sturdy aluminum frame switches between upright and reclining positions with just one adjustment. Water-resistant 600-denier polyester for durability. Underseat pocket.

Submitted By: Tom Guenter of Byron, NY

Q: How many times do you go camping per year?
A: I normally go about twice a year.

Q: How many times have you used your Wilderness Recliner during the test period?
A: So far I’ve only used it once. But I plan on using it a lot more once it gets a little warmer outside.

Q: Where did you use the Recliner?
A: I used it in my backyard for a neighborhood bonfire

Q: Was the chair comfortable after set-up?
A: Yes, it was really comfortable.

Q: Did you like the height of the chair?
A: Yes, I thought it was the perfect height. It wasn’t to tall which was really good.

Q: Was your back supported properly with the fully padded back?
A: Yes, my back didn’t hurt while sitting on the chair. There is a good back support to the chair.

Q: Did you like the reclining feature?
A: Yes. A lot of chairs that are similar to this one, don’t have that feature. I liked this feature quite a bit.

Q: Did you find the pivoting cup holder to be useful?
A: Yes, I used it to hold all my drinks and I never had a spill.

Q: Were the wooden arm rests comfortable and wide enough?
A: Yes, they were comfortable and wide enough for my arms. This is another feature you don’t see too often on chairs like this.

Q: Was the carrying strap useful for carrying the recliner?
A: Yes, I wore it like a back-pack. It was easy to carry from storage to my backyard where I used the chair. Because of this feature I was able to carry a few more items at a time, since both my hands were free.

Q: Was the Recliner easy to store away?
A: Yes it was very easy. I just folded it up and stored it. It doesn’t take up too much room.

Q: What was the Wilderness Recliner’s best feature?
A: I would have to say the combo straps for adjusting the recline and carrying the chair.

Q: Did you like the overall look of the recliner?
A: Yes, the overall design of the chair is very nice. The style and color are very nice. Also, the fabric that is used seems to be very durable.

Q: Do you think this is an essential piece of equipment to take with you for an outdoor trip?
A: Yes, it’s the perfect chair to bring with you and sit around the campfire with. We spend endless amounts of time around the campfire when we go camping and this is the perfect chair to have because it is so comfortable. You won’t have a sore back or feel uncomfortable after an hour.

Q: Would you recommend this product to fellow campers? Why?
A: Yes because it can be used at camp or at the beach. It’s so easy to carry, you can take it anywhere!

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Adventure Medical Kit

Alcohol-free so it won’t dry out your skin, the Spritzer kills the same amount of germs as other hand sanitizers and is easy to stow in a pocket or purse.
www.adventuremedicalkits.com

After a day of hoofin’ on the trail, the Wipes are the next best thing to a shower. Biodegradable and alcohol-free so they’re gentle on sensitive skin. The neutrally scented wipes help keep yourself and your kids clean while outdoors or travelling. www.adventuremedicalkits.com

Providing 8 hours of insect bite protection, Natrapel 8 hour is the first non-oily, non-repellant smelling insect repellant. Best of all, Natrapel 8 hour won’t destroy your fishing line, sunglasses, camera lens or other pricey plastics. www.tendercorp.com

Submitted By: Melanie Trivett of Rogers, AR

Q: What types of outdoor activities do you normally participate in?
A: I go camping and hiking quite often

Q: When do you find you use hand sanitizers the most?
A: When I can't wash my hands. In my car, at the park, at a fast food restaurant, and of course while camping.

Q: How many times have you used the Spritzer during the test period?
A: Several times

Q: Did you find that it dried out your hands or kept them hydrated?
A: It kept my hands very hydrated and smooth. I would assume this is because this is a liquid spray, and not a gel like most sanitizers.

Q: Would you recommend the Spritzer Sanitizer product to others? Why?
A: Yes. This product is different from other hand sanitizers. I didn’t leave a residue like most sanitizers, and it had a very pleasant smell. The kids loved it too!

Q: Did you like the Fresh Bath Travel Wipes?
A: Yes they were. Almost like a wash cloth. The scent was great too. They almost felt like a wash cloth, and my skin felt very soft after using them.

Q: Do you like that the wipes are biodegradable?
A: This is important with the state of our planet. I'm very conscience about recycling and cutting down my waste. I would hope anyone into the environment would like these also.

Q: Would you take these on any of your outdoor adventures?
A: Yes, these are like a mini wash cloth. You can scrub fairly hard and they will get the job done. Leaves you fresh and smelling great. They are small, but they do a very big job.

Q: How many times did you use Natrapel 8 Hour during the test period?
A: I used it only once during the test period.

Q: Did you apply Natrapel 8 Hour on your children?
A: Yes. And it didn’t find it to be oily and didn’t have to reapply it on them. It provided protection for the entire day.

Q: After applying Natrapel 8 Hour, did you touch or wear any plastic items? (ie. sunglasses, camera lens, etc?)
A: Yes, and it didn’t damage any of my items!

Q: Would you recommend Natrapel 8 Hour to other campers or outdoor enthusiasts? Why?
A: Yes. This product goes on easy, has a nice scent and doesn't interfere with handling anything. To pick up something and have it slip out of your hands is not one of my goals when looking for a repellent.

Additional Comments
I will most definitely look for this product this coming summer. Bugs are a problem where I live and especially mosquitoes.

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Easy Rider Chair

 

The same tough design and construction make it the smart choice for day-in-day-out relaxation.

Submitted By: Karen Will-Dunne of Lake Worth, FL

Q: What types of outdoor activities do you normally participate in?
A: I do a lot of camping, fishing, hiking/walking, outdoor concerts/parties, tailgating.

Q: How many times did you use the Easy Rider during the test period?
A: I used it 2 times during the test period.

Q: Where did you use the Easy Rider?
A: I used it at outdoor parties – my friends house and at my own house.

Q: Did you like the overall look of the Easy Rider?
A: Yes, the overall look of the chair is a lot nicer than the typical lawn chair.

Q: What other colors would you like to see the Easy Rider in?
A: I think it would look nice in blue/grey or green/gray.

Q: Was the Easy Rider easy to open for use?
A: Yes it was extremely easy to open and close.

Q: Were the padded arm rests comfortable?
A: Yes, they were really comfortable. You don’t see too many lawn chairs with this kind of feature. This was a definite bonus.

Q: Was the Teddy comfortable when sitting on it?
A: Yes, it was comfortable. It supported my back well and the material wasn’t rough.

Q: Did you find that the Easy Rider had a wider back than other travel chairs that you have used in the past?
A: The back was wide enough. More so than the typical folding chair.

Q: Was the Teddy high off the ground or low off the ground?
A: It’s about the same as any other standard folding chair.

Q: Did you feel secure while sitting in the Easy Rider?
A: Yes, it wasn’t shaky and I never felt like it was going to give out. This is a sturdy little chair.

Q: Would you recommend this product to fellow campers? Why?
A: This chair does the job, if you want to sit outside but don’t want to carry heavy chairs. This is a very portable chair. If you want something small, lightweight and easy to carry than this is the chair for you.

Additional Comments:
The storage bag is a nice bonus to this chair. It makes it easy to carry when you need to store it away. The chair is very lightweight as well, making it a very convenient item to have

Mountain Smith Dog Pack

 

Keep everything stowed for an all-day outing or extended trip to town in these streamlined packs.

Submitted By: Claudene Bloom

Q: What type of dog do you own?
A: I own a Black Lab. His name is Kyser.

Q: How large is your dog?
A: He is a large dog. He weighs 114 lbs and stands about 27 inches at the shoulders.

Q: How many times did your dog use the kit during the test period?
A: We used it twice. It will be very handy on all of our planned camping trips as well as the long walks we go on.

Q: Did you find this pack to be useful?
A: Yes, it was great! Kyser was able to carry his own stuff (and some of my belongings as well)

Q: Did you like the mesh pocket feature on the top of the pack to store away the leash?
A: Yes, I liked that feature a lot. It’s great for dogs that are trained to be leash-free. I also used that pocket for my cell phone, when Kyser was wearing his leash.

Q: Was the pack easy to put on your dog? Was it easy to adjust?
A: Yes it was very easy. The straps are large enough and handle with ease. I’ve never had a pack of any kind on my dog. But it must have been very comfortable for him because he didn’t fuss at all.

Q: Did you use the two zippered pockets with rain flaps? What did you store in the pockets?
A: Yes I did. I put water, dish, some of his toys and of course bags for clean up. But I had to make sure both pockets had the same amount of weight. At first I put too much on one side, and the pack slip a little bit. But as soon as you evenly distribute the weight, it’s fine.

Q: Did you find the internal valuable pockets a useful feature for to store your belongings?
A: Absolutely! I put my keys and some money in that pocket.

Q: What was the best feature on the kit? Why?
A: The large pockets. They have a lot of room in them and hold tons of stuff. (mine and Kyser)

Q: Would you recommend this product to fellow campers who own a dog? Why?
A: Yes, it’s very handy for walks and hikes. I use to have to carry water, his toys and bags. But now he can!

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