Choosing the right camping gear is an essential part of every camping trip. Without the right gear, you’re camping adventure is likely going to be a struggle. It won’t matter if the weather is good or bad, if you’re camping in your backyard or the back-country, the right gear is essential to having a good time. But right doesn’t have to mean expensive. It simply means right for the task at hand.

Camping is synonymous with the outdoors and that means you will be contending with Mother Nature. And every camper knows that Mother Nature is not to be trifled with. Besides your intended destination, planning for the weather you are likely to experience will be your biggest planning challenge. Here are a few planning tips to help jump-start your next trip:

1. If you plan and prepare for the worst possible weather you may run into, any other weather you encounter will be a walk in the park. If you’re planning a winter trip, then you’ll have to consider that you may be isolated or immobilized for an extended period of time if the weather really sets in;

2. Plan and prepare for your specific destination. If it’s a state park on a local lake, an isolated creek few miles down a fire-road or on top of a mountain, every location presents specific challenges. For example, you may or may not have to plan for bringing along something as basic as your own drinking water;

3. Once you’ve thoroughly thought about the above-mentioned points, then and only then consider what you’ll need for clothing. Pay particular attention if you’re going to be working hard. Controlling moisture loss and evaporative cooling (fancy words for sweating) can be a real challenge, especially in cold climates. Pay particular attention to layering your clothes. When working hard, you can stay comfortable by peeling off layers as you heat up and putting them back on as you cool down;

4. The mode of transport to and from your final destination will have a huge impact on what you can bring. If you’re driving right up to your camp-site, you can bring as much as gear as you can fit into your vehicle. If you have to walk, well that’s a totally different situation; and

5. Never ever forget to inform someone who is not on the trip with you of your plans and whereabouts. This is undoubtedly the most important safety precaution you can take. If something unexpected happens, someone will already be briefed and prepared to take action.

It’s not hard to argue that the most important piece of gear you’re going bring along is your shelter. We can go for weeks without food, and for days without water. Without adequate shelter, however, we can be done for in hours. When we think of shelter, most people automatically think of something that goes over their head. But adequate shelter begins with what you wear. So if you’re going camping, and you want to be comfortable and safe, pay particular attention to what you’ll be wearing.

And when buying clothing, don’t try to scrimp and save a few dollars. You could literally be gambling with your life. It will likely never never come to that but, for example, it’s easy to get a bad sun-burn and have a great trip ruined because of it.

Here are some to consider when purchasing outdoor clothing for camping:

1. Get to know the specific technical details of the garment you might be buying. Things like breathability, wind and water proofing, abrasion and UV A/B resistance are all important;

2. Know how quickly it will dry if it gets wet and, if wet, if it will retain any heat;

3. Look carefully at buttons, zippers and other closures. They are often cumbersome, unreliable and too hard to work; and

4. The more pockets, the better!

If you find something you like and it seems out of your price range, don’t despair. A little research will usually land a rock-bottom price. For example, you can wait for it to go on sale or you can ask that the store price-match a cheaper price from another store or from on online retailer. A favorite tactic among the hard-core campers is asking if there is a similar article that has a cosmetic flaw. Cosmetically flawed articles are usually sold at huge savings from full retail.

Camping is one of America’s most enduring past-times. With advances in materials and technology, you can find the right gear at the right price for any adventure. Spend a little extra time planning and you’ll have memories that will last you and your camping companions a life-time!