It is important to properly care and store your sleeping bag if you want your investment to last longer than one season! Whether you camp out in the beach three times a year or your backyard with the kids, we all have to come to terms with the reality of owning a quality sleeping bag for the long haul. There will come a point where it will become, yes – stinky and sweaty. There will be dirt stuck inside.

Proper care and storage of your sleeping bag may not be fun, but if you want your sleeping bag to last for years to come, follow these simple steps and you are sure to have a friend the forseeable future. The last thing you want is to pull out your goose down bag out of its compression stuff sack next winter and see it flatter than a tortilla!

Storage
Stuff sacks, or bags you use to store you sleeping bag during your camping trips, are not meant to store your bags for long periods of time because of how compressed your sleeping bag remains inside the stuff sack. It will lose its loft in a heartbeat!

Cleaning
We recommend taking your bag to a professional cleaner if you want the best results. Check the yellow pages under cleaning and also in the camping section and call around. NEVER DRY CLEAN YOUR SLEEPING BAG!

To read this article in full, and to read how to hand wash and dry your sleeping bag, read it at http://www.sleepingbagcentral.com/articles/sleepingbag-care-storage.

Choosing a sleeping bag can be confusing but it may be the most important camping gear decision you make, especially if you plan on taking camping and backpacking up as a serious hobby.

How to Choose the Right One for You

The average camper might opt for a rectangular sleeping bag as it is more roomy. If you take two rectangular sleeping bags, you can zip them together to make one big bag. There is more comfort in the rectangular sleeping bag. It is designed primarily for warmer climate.

A mummy sleeping bag is designed for the colder climates. If you are planning on some mountaineering in the winter, the mummy sleeping bag provides ideal warmth. Since the mummy sleeping bags form better to one’s body, it is able to contain the warmth better within the bag. Because the rectangular bag is wider, it also has a nice wide opening for the heat to escape.

Read the rest of this article at http://www.sleepingbagcentral.com.

About the Author Joel Yager is with our very own here at SleepingBagCentral.com, a central source for quality, low priced sleeping bags.

Europe is undoubtedly a top destination for many travelers that like to back around regions. You do not need to mark Europe off your list just because it is winter.

Backpacking Europe in the Winter

Europe is a truly amazing place. The smallest “continent” on the planet, it manages to pack in a ton of history and so many different cultures it is simply amazing. Jump on a train in Paris and you can be in an entirely different culture in a few hours. For backpackers that like to get out and see different places, this makes Europe a golden destination.

Traditionally, most people head off to Europe during the summer months to take advantage of the beaches of Spain, France and Greece. That does not mean that winter is off limits. There are plenty of opportunities to have a great time during the winter and there are less people to deal with. This, of course, means prices are significantly cheaper for those on a budget. Although there is plenty to see, here are a few highlights.

An immediate event that comes to mind is the winter carnival in Venice, Italy. The affair is like something out of the movie Amadeus. The people of Venice gather in the various town squares dressed to the hilt in operatic dress complete with masks. Think of the lead character in V for Vendetta and you have the idea. In truth, the event has become very tourist-oriented, so you might want to consider other opportunities.

Since it is winter, skiing should probably be on your menu. France and the Nordic countries all have much to offer. Still, you really can’t pass up Switzerland. There are plenty of places to go, but the town of Interlaken is a highlight. The name of the town refers to its location on a double lake system that is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The skiing is simply tremendous and the people are very friendly. This is one of those things you have to do once in your life.

Perhaps the best thing about Europe in the winter is the lack of tourist. The local people are in less of a sell, sell, sell mode. The pace of life is much more relaxing. The best thing to do in my opinion is just hang out in little shops and talk with people. Since it is off season, they are more than happy to chat away the day and night. If you get the tourist urge to visit something, you can get into museums and other cultural sights without having to wait in lines.

Is it going to be cold? In a word – yes. You should pack accordingly. That being said, you have never really experienced Europe until you have seen it blanketed in snow. This is particularly true for the northern countries. If you need a quick warm up, you can head to the south of Spain and Portugal where things tend to stay pretty warm.

About The Author John Grimes is with http://www.allterrainco.com – makers of natural products for the outdoors including insect repellant, soap, sun protection and more.

If you are going to take your dog camping or hiking with you then it is better to do some simple checks before you embark on your outing. There are many dog owners who will spend hours considering what type of new outfit to purchase for their dog when looking at dog clothes, and the same amount of time and consideration has to be applied before going camping with your animal.

The first step to take is to make sure your dog has all his/her vaccinations up to date, and it can also be a good idea to take along a copy or proof of its rabies vaccination. The next step is to check that you have taken a flea or tick precaution; this can either be with the animal wearing a flea collar or using the drops on the coat that can be acquired from the veterinarian.

If you have not already, then it is a good idea to have an ID tag on the dog, this could have for instance the name of the camping area where you are based or park. On the other side of the tag you could also put both your phone details, you’re home and mobile. All dogs should have a microchip with all the details but a tag on the dog is also beneficial to the owner in case of any mishaps.

There are many people who have taken their dog hiking or camping from when it was a tiny puppy and now enjoys. However for those of you who are going to take your dog for the first time then some light exercise needs to be done, after all you would not run a marathon without proper training and the same is necessary for your dog.

If your dog is obedient and does not run around barking and chasing people constantly then it should be alright to take them camping. If though you have a dog that is rather mischievous then a camping outing is not a good idea. It is always best to contact any campsites and parks before making the trip to make sure that a dog is allowed.

When packing for the trip as well as a first aid kit for yourself you will also need one for your dog, and if the weather is going to be hot put in a sun block for your dog, dogs can get sunburn just like humans. It is wise to take an extra lead in case the normal one gets damaged or wet, but take a normal one not the retractable lead as they can be quite dangerous when climbing steep hills. Then there is the usual like dog bowl, water, toy and a blanket in case the nights turn colder.

One of the most important things to remember is to take plenty of water, both you and your dog will drink more than usual. Whether you are going hiking or camping always keep a check every now and then on your dogs paws. As much as they love you they cannot turn around and tell you if they have a thistle or raw paw pad or small stone on their pad. If you venture through any long grass the same applies to the nose, eye and ears for any small blades of grass and also for any sign of ticks. As long as thought and proper preparation has been thought about there is know reason why you and your dog cannot have an enjoyable time.

About the Author Kelly Marshall is with http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com, check for current specials on small dog clothes online.

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