Camping gear that you'd like to have, but that no one seems to make?

[stm1957]

Have you ever wanted a particular piece or type of camping equipment, and after exhaustive searching realized that no one makes it, or else they stopped making it and it's no longer available?

For me, the first thing on my list is a purpose built cook-tent.

Currently we use a Cabela's Alaskan Guide Gazebo (now called a "shelter") and while it has served us well, it is starting to show definite signs that it won't last much longer.

Now I know that many have canvas wall tents that they use for this purpose, but after years of hunt camp experience with them, I feel they have issues: Bulkiness(especially with a pole kit), weight, lack of true waterproof-ness (especially over time), lack of true wind shedding ability ( leading to lack of stability, fabric noise, and seams being over-stressed), usually lack of windows and lack of bug screens, tenancy to retain odors, and prone to mildew, even when put away "dry".

Others use some form of "easy-up" (not commercial party tents) often with side walls, but again not ideal:
The truly portable ones are not very durable fabric-wise, too many "movable parts" to break, or malfunction. and major stability issues in high winds.

I want some kind of double wall tent similar to a large "Artic Oven", without a floor, not made of canvas, with more adjustable ventilation... hopefully with at least a few good sized windows... Oh, and of course a stove jack. (And not costing ~$2.5K )

So what would be on your list?

 

[Grandpa]

Backpacking is a family tradition with us. We start our young early, during the summer of their first year. We would like to find a lightweight, collapsible play pen for the babes to shelter up in while moms and dads get camp set up. We have contacted a couple of manufacturers but haven't even received a reply.

 

[dinosaur]

I'd like a battery powered air conditioner about the size of a motorcycle battery I could use on hot summer nights in a two man tent. I'd like to be able to slip it into my backpack and lay a solar panel outside the pack during the day as I hike that would recharge it as I meander through the day.

Hey, you asked.

 

[Hikenhunter]

A battery operated water filter that is still small enough and light enough for backpacking. Sometimes these old arms start to cramp up when I have a lot of bottles to fill.

 

[wvbreamfisherman]

Not exactly camping gear, but how about a medium sized cordura tackle box with straps like a rucksack?

 

[stm1957]

Not exactly camping gear, but how about a medium sized cordura tackle box with straps like a rucksack?

I think you are in luck, if I understand your description.

Cabela's lists numerous tackle packs on their web site.... I think the closest to what you are describing is this:

Wild River Recon Lighted Pack

 

[Cappy]

Being an ole country boy and a simple camper I am amazed at whats out there and have not or will ever even stratched the surface of available gimics. Guess its good for me in a way. I am as bout as far from a camping geek as ya can get and have never dreamed up something I need with out being able to buy it or do it my self. When I am down here in the heat wanting to go camping and cant stand the heat I head for the smokeys. Rule fo thumb is what ever the temp is at the Atlanta airport head to Helen and walk off down a creek bank into the national forest its 20 to 25 degrees cooler. Das my AC. When we usta go campign with my young God sons, we would zip em in the tent with pillows and rolled up sleeping bags. We would safty pin the zipper closed just to be sure. As far as fishing tackle I am a fly fisherman. My first ever canvas pack had a full length pocket on one side for my rod all all my tackle fit in 2 band aid boxes one for flys and one for hook cork and weights for cork fishing. Also I aint ever been out with a group big enough to need a chuck wagon and even now that I got a camper with a well equipped galley I still find my self doing all my cooking out side.

 

[ppine]

I wish for nothing. In fact "camping equipment" is getting too fancy, complicated, and battery operated. I would like to see some of the old stuff made again.

Batteries have no place in the outdoors except for long-term living conditions like geologists or other scientific pursuits.

 

[wvbreamfisherman]

I think you are in luck, if I understand your description.

Cabela's lists numerous tackle packs on their web site.... I think the closest to what you are describing is this:

Wild River Recon Lighted Pack

That's pretty much it! Well, there goes my million dollar idea..... LOL.

 

[Theosus]

A twenty year old nudist aerobics instructor named staci, who would follow me anywhere.

Do they have those at REI outlet? I have a gift card...

 

[AHChappell]

I agree. Too many parts, too many things to go wrong

 

[AHChappell]

A portable solution for washing laundry.

 

[ppine]

A canvas or plastic collapsible bucket works fine for laundry. Just keep the soap out of lakes and streams.

One of the joys of backpacking when I was young, was hiking with cute girls that like to take their clothes off when it rained. We have discussed before the fun of hiking without clothes.

 

[AHChappell]

A canvas or plastic collapsible bucket works fine for laundry. Just keep the soap out of lakes and streams.

Will that fit in a suitcase?

 

[stm1957]

Sometimes you just have to make your own

About 4 yrs. ago I looked everywhere for propose built camping "grub boxes".... The ones I could find online really didn't hold the types of things that are in our kitchen kit and most had little or no provision for carrying food stuffs.

So I designed and built the "ultimate grub boxes".... Did I go overboard? Well of course, but they are far better than anything I could buy.

 

[HighOutdoors]

I wish for nothing. In fact "camping equipment" is getting too fancy, complicated, and battery operated. I would like to see some of the old stuff made again.

Batteries have no place in the outdoors except for long-term living conditions like geologists or other scientific pursuits.

Your saying you don't use flashlights/headlamps when camping or hiking? Other than that I almost agree. Only other things I can think of are maybe a weather band radio , GPS, watch, and camera. All are luxuries to a cerian extent but in some cases almost essential and all very usefull. I never go to the bush without my headlamp, its just such an great thing to have when you need it.

 

[ppine]

High,
Battery powered lights are great, especially LED headlamps. They add to the experience by making tasks at night much easier. I rarely if ever bring a radio, GPS or a watch. A camera is fine as long as it is small and fast. I used to be into photography, and realized that I was looking at the world a lot of the time thru a lense. These are just my personal views. Adding all of that technology disconnects people from the outdoor re-creation that have travelled so long and far to experience.

A word about lights. It is very rude to walk up to a person at night with your headlamp on. Use them for task lighting and them turn them off. Unless there is no moon in the deep woods, there is little need for a lantern. Some people now seem to think that one coleman lantern is not enough. Their kids have laser beams in the trees. They like to turn on their vehicle lights for task lighting. Yikes.

 

[HighOutdoors]

Totally agree about the looking through the lense, we have built in camera's and hard drives.;-) Its a balancing act between needs and luxuries, a lot like everyday life and the ways we choose to use our resources. Thanks for the input, much appreciated. Take care ppine!

 

[ppine]

AHC and HighOutdoors are the kind of new people we need more of. You are welcome at my campfire anytime.

 

[dinosaur]

Oh, I just had another idea. How about a portable teleportation device that would take me to the nearest pizza parlor so I could get a pizza or a calzone and shoot back to the campsite?