Camping basics
Clear answers for camping gear and trip care
Find plain guides on tents, stoves, cookware, sleep gear, RV add-ons, and packs. Learn how to choose, use, and care for each item.
Clear wording
We keep each guide short, plain, and easy to follow.
Helpful sources
We use product details, care notes, and maker info when we write.
Kept current
We review guides as gear and product details change.
Clear disclosure
Affiliate links are labelled. See how we earn on our disclosure page.
What we cover
Guides by topic
Pick a topic and get straight answers for your next trip.
Camp Stoves
Camp stoves compared and explained: stove types, which to buy for family or backpacking trips, and how to use and clean one safely.
Tent Care & Fixes
How to waterproof, clean, store and repair a tent, plus the common reasons tents leak, get mouldy or condense.
Camp Cookware
Camp cookware sets compared by material, what a family trip really needs, and how to clean burnt pots and pans.
Sleeping Bags & Pads
Sleeping bag temperature ratings explained, choosing a bag or pad for your sleeping style, and how to wash and store them.
RV & Camper Accessories
Useful RV and camper accessories: leveling blocks, kitchen and storage ideas, and must-have items for new owners.
Backpacks & Hiking
Choosing a hiking backpack size and fit, daypack vs overnight pack, hiking gear basics and how to clean your pack.
From the blog
Latest guides
See the newest guides on camping and hiking gear.
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Best RV leveling blocks for Class C motorhome: Key features
Choose stackable interlocking blocks rated for your axle load, and use wedge ramps only for small corrections on firm ground.
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Common problems side sleepers have with regular sleeping bags
Regular sleeping bags can pinch the shoulders and hips of side sleepers, creating pressure points, cold spots, and cramped sleep. This piece maps the…
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What is the difference between comfort and limit ratings?
Comfort is the temperature most adults should use as the sleep target; limit is the colder threshold where a warm sleeper may endure, not…
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How to clean camp cookware bottoms after cooking over fire
Clean soot from pot and pan bottoms with soap, baking soda paste, and a soft pad, then rinse, dry, and re-oil cast iron.
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Who should choose a camp stove vs a backpacking stove?
Choose a camp stove for car camping and group meals; choose a backpacking stove for solo or two-person trips where weight and pack size…
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Best tent waterproofing spray: How to choose and use it
Use KIWI Camp Dry for a tent fly that has lost beading; use seam sealer for stitch leaks and coating repair for peeling. Includes…
Start here
How to use this site
Pick a topic
Choose the area you need help with from the topics above.
Read the guide
Each guide answers one question in plain English.
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Follow the product links to compare options and check the current price on Amazon.
About
About CampingtheCamp
CampingtheCamp publishes plain guides on camping and hiking gear. It covers tents, stoves, cookware, sleep gear, RV parts, packs, and care tips.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this site. Read our affiliate disclosure.
How we write our guides
- Research-basedGuides start from real search questions and product details.
- Plain EnglishShort answers first, with no jargon.
- Updated when products changeWe revisit guides as products and advice change.