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 dual axle trailers: Top picks
Stackable blocks work best for most dual-axle trailers, with the Tri-Lynx Lynx Levelers standing out for fit, stack limit, and load rating.
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How does stainless steel camp cookware perform for camping meals?
Stainless steel camp cookware works best for boiling, simmering, braising, and pan sauces, while sticking more with eggs and rice.
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Best portable camp stoves for families with kids
Stable two-burner camp stoves with side shields, low centers of gravity, and fast output are the best fit for family meals with kids.
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How are sleeping bag temperature ratings tested and standardized?
Lab tests under EN/ISO 23537 use a heated mannequin and standard layers to assign comfort, lower-limit, and extreme ratings.
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How to deep clean a very dirty camp stove
Strip removable parts, wash grease and carbon, clear burner ports, and dry everything fully. Covers propane and liquid-fuel camp stoves plus a fault checklist.
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Do you need a separate RV water filter for drinking water?
Usually no: a whole-RV filter is enough for plumbing protection, but add a separate drinking-water filter for better taste, odor, or finer contaminant reduction.
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.
Compare and check price
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.