What are some name brand camping equipment manufactures (10 pts)

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jack

Who are some of the top manufactures for camping equipment such as sleeping bags, tents, climbing gear, backpacks, stoves, etc...

I would like to browse their websites.
I need something a little more heavy duty for upper Canada/Alaska near the tundra and lower forests.

I also woudn't mind it being universal for the most extreme cold climates.

I get catalogs from Cabelas, Sierra Trading Post, and Gander Mountain.

Do you know any others?

Answer
Not really manufacturers but... As mentioned is REI and Adventure 16: http://www.adventure16.com/

The question for sleeping bags is whether you're going to be in wet areas. It's especially important at freezing temperatures to keep dry. I use synthetics in this type of weather. Another suggestion is a top of the line goretex bag with the best goose down available. Get the one with the best subzero rating that you can find, and when its warmer, leave it unzipped. Better a little cool on warmer nights than freezing your rear off during an unexpected storm. I've been snowed in for days during a freak blizzard and during that trip I took a light summer bag to save weight.... it was pretty miserable and a GREAT adventure, now I take the best and use it unzipped.

I believe that there are some good gortex covers that can be purchased.

EDIT: I just learned a little from this site: http://www.weasel.com/gear_bag.html

where can I find a backpack that is sturdy enough to carry enough groceries?

Bill

I walk a lot and use the bus to get groceries, where can I find a great backpack at a real reasonable price that will last.

Answer
Almost any large pack from a top class manufacturer like Vango Karrimor Berghaus Nomad Lowe Alpine and Osprey and several others will carry heavy groceries for you for many years and be none the worse for it.
My Vango and Karrimor rucksacks have been doing that for more than fifteen years as well as carrying my stuff on long backpacking holidays on five continents so far and they are many years away from needing replacing.
The Nomad is a little newer and very strong but is the wrong kind of pack for shopping with, It's a 50--lliter Nomad Safari pack, almost totally insect proof, and opens like a case.
Mission people use Nomad packs and tents a lot for long'-stay camps, eg for medical centers set up in an isolated village. It's expensive but top quality stuff and ideal for places like Africa. and India.

Whichever you get make sure it's the right fit for you. People vary and so do packs so get properly fitted in a decent outdoor shop and you'll have the benefit of it for life.
50lbs can be fairly easy to carry all day with a few breaks or very uncomfortable depending on how well your pack fits you and if it's properly adjusted.
Most of the weight is carried on the hips and some on the shoulders so the hip belt must be right for you when the rest of the pack is properly adjusted so it carries high enough and not drooping down your back..
When it's right you can run with it without it slipping sideways or rubbing your shoulders. It should be nicely balanced on you and stable.
Have fun looking for for one and Bon Appetit for when you get the groceries home.

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what are good contact lenses to wear while camping for a few days?

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Mike

i wear Acuvue Oasys Hydroclear, take them out every night. i'm looking for lenses you can keep in all night, cause i will be going into the backcountry, for a few days, and it will be difficult to keep changing them. so, the less i have to take them out, put some in the better.

Answer
I know several people who wear daily-wear contacts such as yours for weeks, even months at a time and say they have no problems. I guess my protein/fat levels in my tears are too high, because if I wear mine for more than a day or two they get all sticky and won't sit still on my eyes.

There are extended-wear contacts that are supposed to be designed to be worn for several days. But I recall that several years ago this was determined to be a scam for manufacturers to charge more for the same lenses.

Nevertheless, this is your eyes we're talking about, and if you mess them up you're in trouble. Go to your eye doctor and ask about extended wear lenses and see what he/she recommends. Or just call him/her on the phone.

When I backpack I just pop my contacts out when I get to camp and put on my spare set of eyeglasses. The only problem I've ever had is being out of water to wash my hands when I get back to camp. So I carry some Wet-Nap hand wipes to clean-up before taking out the contacts. Then I put on my glasses and go about collecting and filtering/boiling more water.

Where can I purchase straps for my backpack?

James Fisc

I recently purchased a day pack that has those small leather diamonds with the two slits. I would like to buy straps for them because I want to strap down an umbrella. I was hoping someone could give me a product or something like that.
Thank you in advance!

Answer
without knowing where you are its rather difficult to answer but try luggage outlets, camping stores, travel accessory shops, canvas manufacturing shops ( ie horse blanket manufacturers)
Or you could get a couple of double sided velcro straps - they work fine & available in sewing shops, hardware stores etc.

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