Camping is meant to reset your inner clock, connect with nature, restore balance, and refresh your soul. How successful you are at this depends on how well you prepare. Taking too many things can over complicate the experience and rob you of the beautiful simplicity that exists in nature. Not taking enough things can cause you to cut the trip short because you aren't comfortable or safe. Having the right gear, and right amount of gear, along with the correct camping clothes, makes all the difference.

The right pair of warm camping socks can drastically improve your experience. Whether you are hiking or simply enduring a cold temperature drop at night, having a few pair of lush socks is brilliant. They prevent blisters, keep your feet dry and your toes warm, and add that extra level of comfort and enjoyment to your journey. If you are family camping, cold toes on little kids can rapidly ruin your trip. Be smart and have good socks for everyone.

You don't want to have to sleep in your jeans and jacket to keep warm at night. Thermal underwear shouldn't be overlooked. The extra layer of comfort isn't just for temperature drops. They also wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and reduce chafing during hikes. Rather than flip flop between being too hot in a coat and too cold in a shirt, balance out your experience with thermal underwear or a highly affordable pair of long johns. Besides, who hasn't wanted to go camping in an old school pair of cotton long johns? They're awesome!

Your outer layer should be a functional and comfortable camping jacket or parka. The best jackets for camping are ones that can be layered. What that means is you have a warm inner jacket and a waterproof outer shell that can be added or removed compatibly depending on your needs. Too hot? Take off a layer. Too cold? Put one on. Raining outside? Put on the waterproof shell.

Having flexible options with your socks, thermal underwear, and jackets will keep you relaxed and comfortable on your camping trip. Camping should be a refreshing experience that rejuvenates you, not one that leaves you dragging yourself home exhausted. Wearing the right camping clothes makes all the difference.

We at Outersports have scoured through the internet and tried several ideas to find which awesome camping hacks work the best. We've gathered together 8 awesome camping hacks into one place for you to try out.

Burning dry bundles of sage in your campfire, or even spreading some smoke around your tent, will keep mosquito swarms away. Apparently it is one smell that reminds them of a desert fire and they will flee for their lives. This is one of those times you will be happy to let the campfire smoke drift over you to keep yourself from being eaten alive by bugs. Besides, the smell of burning sage is very pleasant. Native American tribes often used soft sage bundles for toilet paper. Our staff have tried both and can vouch for the benefits of sage as a camping hack. Once you have a nearly mosquito free campsite you'll always keep a bundle of sage in your gear.

Scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon is one of the best tasting breakfast meals when you are in the outdoors. Keeping your eggs from cracking inside your cooler can be problematic. Some companies offer fancy plastic carrying cases for eggs to keep them safe, but we've found that simply cracking them down a funnel into an empty plastic water bottle before you leave home is the best option. If you are careful you can still have sunny side up too. The mouth of the bottle works well with the texture of raw eggs, allowing you to squeeze out one egg at a time if you take your time to do it right. Simply crack your eggs into the bottle before you leave home and set the bottle in your cooler for worry free egg transportation.

Anybody who has gone camping for the weekend eventually faces the inevitable squat in the woods. Having toilet paper is great, but it always gets smashed or falls in the dirt and twigs. If that happens at an inconvenient time then it can make a situation more awkward than it has to be. Simply use an empty plastic coffee container for a portable toilet paper carrier. Use your knife and cut a small vertical slit in the side of the tub and it becomes a handy toilet paper dispenser. You can even get fancy with paracord rope to allow you to hang it from limbs if you'd like.

Learning how to roll your clothing into an easily accessible skivvy roll will change the way you pack your clothes forever. You can fit an entire change of clothing into one neatly tucked roll for easy storage and packing if you follow these simple steps. First, place your shirt flat on the floor. Second, place your underwear in the center of the shirt where the neck is. Third, fold the arms of the shirt over the underwear. Fourth, lay your merino wool socks in an overlapping manner so the opening of the socks extends out where the sleeves of the shirt used to be. Fifth, roll the shirt down over the socks from top to bottom into a tight skivvy roll. Now you take one sock at a time and fold it back over the shirt. There you have it! You now have a perfectly rolled change of clothes that will fit in your backpack for quick access.

This awesome camping hack is one that has been used by survivalists and hikers for decades. Even if you have a watch on it can be difficult to guess how much daylight you have before you are left in the dark. Standing and looking at the sun to see how fast it might be moving is a horrible idea. What you should do is simply hold out your hand, palm facing toward you, at arms length. Keep your fingers together and horizontal to the horizon. The width of each finger is roughly 15 minutes. Place your hand so the sun is just above your index finger and count how many finger widths are left before the horizon. If the sun is three fingers above the horizon then you have 45 minutes of daylight left. It's really that simple and it works.

Rather than throw away your empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls you can use them as a fire starting log. When you clean out your dryer lint after doing a load of laundry just stuff the lint into the cardboard tube and keep them for your next camping trip. Set it in the bottom of your kindling and light the lint with a spark or lighter and watch it easily catch fire. It is a great way to reuse something you normally send to the landfill and it works perfectly. Keeping the tubes in a plastic bag will keep the lint off the other items in your pack.

In the snow or raining weather it can be difficult to find dry kindling or grass to start a campfire. Find some dead twigs and small branches and use a simple pencil sharpener to create the perfect fire starting shavings. You might think you can do this with your pocket knife, but it will take you a lot longer than you think to create the perfectly dry shaving that a pencil sharpener can. Simply trim off the tiny limbs and keep them for larger kindling, then shave the twig with the pencil sharpener for perfectly dry and paper thin fire starter shavings. Try it once next time you're camping in the snow and you'll keep one handy from them on.

Save empty prescription bottles, and peel off the label, to reuse them for camping storage containers. Depending on the size of the bottle you can place a variety of helpful items inside to keep them safe and dry in the outdoors. They make great portable first aid kits, fire starting kits, or even spice containers for cooking. The child safety locking lid can come in handy if you have children you want to keep out of the items inside as well.

This rock climbing baby is too cute.

How early should you start letting kids explore their rock climbing skills? Most parents, at some point, will have a child that loves to climb everything in the house. The truth is, children are born to climb and it is a natural way for them to stay active and begin to develop strength and dexterity - so long as it's not the cookie jar they are climbing to!

Toddlers naturally know how to rock climb

In home rock climbing walls can be a fun addition to any home. Crash pads can be placed at on the floor in case your rock climbing kids happen to take a fall, but ideally you should only place hand holds at a height that your child can safely climb without getting hurt. Supervision is not only a must it is a great way to bond with your children and develop relationships of trust. Plus, diaper climbing toddlers are just too cute!

This rock climbing little girl has a bright healthy future

If you safely let your children climb you will be shocked and inspired at how fearless and skilled they can be. You can give them a new hobby and positively impact their life, health, and love of the outdoors. Whether it is a climbing wall in the garage, or a local rock climbing hot spot, always put safety first and keep a smile on your face.

Whether you are a survivalist, hiker, or camper you need to plan for hydration. It's not always convenient to pack in your own water in with you. Sometimes your water supply might run out or get contaminated. If that happens, you should know how to filter your water and purify it for drinking.

There are micro bacteria, fungi, and all sorts of nasty things that might be in the water which you cannot see. Even if it looks clear, smells fine, and tastes good, it could make you very sick if not done properly.

The basic concept of water filtration is to pass the water through layers of filtration, not just one simple screen. The most reliable and safest way to filter your water is to bring a proven water filtration tool with you. Depending on your specific excursion you may have room for a pump system or you might need to cut weight and simply bring a filtration straw.

The Katadyn Dual Microfiltration Vario water filter is the top of the line when it comes to pump style filtration systems. It is designed for fast use and high flow filtering and each cartridge can filter up to 530 gallons before you need to replace it. If you are going out in a group, or not taking any water at all, this is our recommendation. It weighs only 15 ounces, which to some may seem heavy, but compared to packing in gallons of water it is a big advantage. You can pack in a gallon of water from home, or carry a 15 ounce filtration pump that provides 530 gallons along the way.

If you simply need a backup, or emergency, water filtration method for yourself then an Aquamira Frontier Straw is the way to go. I weighs less than 1 ounce and can filter up to 30 gallons of water. They can be purchased in a Two Pack for the same price as other straw type filters on the market. You are practically getting two for the price of one - and they remove 99.9 of Cryptosporidium and Giardia just like the other brands.

But what if you are in a real pinch and didn't bring your own filtration system?

Although they aren't as trusted and safe, you can make your own water filtration system out of things you typically have with you. Creating a Do it yourself Water Filtration system is easier than you might think. Here is what you will need:

*Empty bottle, jug, or bucket

*Charcoal (campfire coals work fine)

*Sand

*Small gravel

*Piece of cloth (bandana, shirt sleeve, etc)

*Knife or sharp cutting tool

All of the items on the list should be with you, close by, or easy to find in the wilderness. For this example we will use an empty bottle as our filtration container, but any sort of container that you can put a hole in will work.

1) Make sure your container is completely clean. Any oil or chemical residue can make you sick.

2) Turn the bottle with the lid facing down and cut the bottom (now facing up) off near the base.

3) Put a piece of cloth down on the lid like a screen, or you can cut the top of the lid off - leaving the threads in tact - and thread the cloth onto the bottle so there is a screen where the top of the lid used to be.

4) Pour charcoal into the bottle first, filling the bottom 1/3 of the bottle.

5) Pour sand on top of the charcoal filling the next 1/3 of the bottle.

6) Pour gravel on top of the sand until the bottle is almost full.

Now that you have the filtration bottle put together, be careful not to tip it over. Don't shake the bottle and mix up the layers. You want the water to pass through the layers in the proper order to remove the debris.

Hold you newly made water filter over the bucket, or bottle you wish to catch the filtered water in, and carefully pour your unfiltered water into your water filter system. Be very careful not to drip or spill the dirty water down into the clean water container below!

The first time you pour water through the filter it will come out with some sediment and discoloration - usually a milky or dirty color. Simply pour it back through the filter as many times as needed until it comes through clear and clean.

Just because water is filtered doesn't mean it is purified! If it is spring water or glacial water you are probably okay, but if it came from a pond, creek, or river you should absolutely boil the water first. After boiling the water, if you have any iodine or bleach, you should drop in 5-8 drops per gallon and mix it thoroughly before drinking to kill any remaining micro bacteria that might have got through.

This do it yourself water filtration method can be applied to any container. It i also scalable - meaning you can create a large scale system out of a fifty gallon barrel if you planned on staying put for a while. Large scale filtration systems can be built as a rain catch at your home or cabin in the woods, providing filtered drinking water when you need it.

Now your water should be much cleaner and safe to drink!

Around the year 3300 BC, a primitive man now known as Otzi, or the "Iceman", lived among the mountains near Italy. In 1991 the preserved body of Otzi was discovered mostly frozen in a high ice form. What was most exciting was that most of his clothing and survival gear were still intact.

Otzi wore a fur hat made of bear hide, a cloak of woven grass reeds, a belt of calf leather, bear skin shoes, and most importantly - long underwear made of goat skin wool. Long before recorded history, early humans lived and thrived based upon their ability to endure the environment. The tools they created and and materials they formed into their clothing were a serious matter.

One of the most enlightening parts of Otzi's attire was his long underwear. Made from goat skin, the woolen hide provided him insulation from the snow and wind. In modern times we have the advantage of high performance synthetic thermals and time tested merino wool long underwear. We can learn from the ancient wisdom of primitive man and combine it with modern technical advancements.

Premium Performance long underwear has been crafted from a blend of 85% polyester and 15% spandex. Designed to cut through the cold and wind, Premium Performance long underwear provides maximum comfort and mobility. It also benefits from antimicrobial odor control; a benefit that probably would have been greatly appreciated by Otzi's friends.

If you are more keen on natural and renewable materials, then premium merino wool long underwear is for you. If Otzi had premium grade merino wool thermals he would have been able to stay dry, keep warm, move faster, and smell better. Ancient wisdom still applies when you are venturing into the outdoors. Learn from the lessons of the past and clothe yourselves to thrive.

Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies!

Have child and have not slowed down! This blog seeks to chronicle the joys and challenges of taking kids hiking, camping, backpacking, skiing, biking, paddling and all-out exploring in the Canadian Rockies.

This week's outdoor blogger is from the rocky mountains near Calgary Canada. Tanya has created a unique resource for locals who are looking to recreate with their children. While discovering her love for sharing their family camping through blogging, she also discovered that many local families needed a place to find information on family outings in the area.
Tanya's love for the outdoors and sharing her adventures with others spills out of the screen, as you read her blog.
She is the founder of "Calgary Outdoor Playgroup" where their motto is "children running their crazy into the world," where she leads the group ages 2-6. Tnya goes out and explores new places with her children and shares their adventure both online and in her local community.

Connecting families in the outdoors drives Tanya's passion for community and sharing.
"Connecting families, bringing people together, and building an outdoor village here in Calgary of families who want to play outside together."

While inspiring readers online, Tanya and her family hope to connect with other locals and those visiting the area.

For more visit: http://www.rockiesfamilyadventures.com/

Don't let the cold months leave you feeling chilly! While the bison may have a nice layer of fur on the outside, that doesn't mean you can't stay just as warm. By adding a layer under your regular outerwear you will provide yourself with an extra layer that will keep you warm.

Like fur, the 100% Merino Wool Expedition Thermal Underwear is designed to keep you warm even if you get wet, and it will guard you from the frigid cold. The Minus33 Expedition weight Merino Wool Thermal Underwear is the perfect option for anyone wanting to stay warm during winter activities. The thermals are designed for both men and women in style and fit.

Our warmest 100% Merino Wool was designed with the avid outdoor enthusiast in mind! It's impressive qualities of comfort, breathability, and warmth  makes it the first choice. The Minus33 brand thermals feature a flat lock seam so you won't have the irritation while walking or moving. Merino wool thermal underwear is much finer and thinner than traditional wool, making Merino wool super soft and non-itchy. This heavy-weight merino wool thermal underwear is sure to keep you warm in even the coldest temperatures.

With a great variety in styles and sizes you can easily find the right merino wool thermal underwear to meet your needs. Also, don't forget that Christmas is right around the corner. Expedition weight thermal merino wool will make any hunter, fisherman, skier, or outdoor enthusiast grin ear to ear.

Every camping family needs an adventure medical kit and the Steelhead Sportsman Quick Access First Aid Kit is perfect to carry along on any outing. Inside the DryFlex waterproof bag you will find a supply of treatment that is perfect to carry along in your day pack. The kit has treatment for wounds, bleeding, blister and burns, fracture and sprains, medication, and much more. This is the perfect gift price of $25 for any friend or family member!

This adorable little kettle is perfect for the backpacking family, or those who like to pack light! The Optimus Ultra-Light Terra Kettle holds about three cups of liquid, it's made of anodized aluminum making it very light at 5.4 ounces. Gift price of $19.99! Check it out!

Light My Fire Army Grade FireSteel 2.0® Fire Starter is a really unique gift! It is an improved striker which makes it easier to build fires in any weather! The built in emergency whistle makes this a really sweet gift for $22.99! Stuff this little guy in their stocking...they will love it!

Optimus Ultra-Light Terra Solo Cookset is a handy gift this year. It is made from ultralight hard anodized aluminum, and it comes with a stewing pot with a pour spout, and measuring marks. The frying pan can also double as a lid.
$24.95

 
This Black Diamond 35 Lumen Dual LED Headlamp is a fun stocking stuffer! These headlamps come in five different colors, so everyone in the family can have their own!
$18.95

Remember that Outersports.com will price match! Happy shopping!

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Here are some awesome gifts ideas! Everyone who enjoys the outdoors will love any of these gifts, so take a look!

 The Black Diamond Headlamp is a great idea for anyone who spends time in the outdoor after the sun goes down. These durable lamps are handy when you arrive back at your car after a long hike, or when you need to start a fire in the dark!

The Hennessy Hammock Classic is a great choice for anyone who loves overnight trips! Many people report that the Hennessy Hammock is great to sleep in if you have a bad back, and they rarely feel pain after a great night of sleep - hanging from a tree. The Hennessy Hammock is easy to take on all of your adventures, and it keeps you off the ground and dry, which makes it a perfect gift for the hunter, camper, hiker, or anyone who loves to spend time outside.

Goal Zero Ultra Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit Solar Charger is an awesome holiday gift idea! Almost everyone who enjoys the outdoors these days, loves to take their electronic devices! This solar charger will charge your smart phone in one hour. Give your larger items such as Ipad, tablet, or laptop a power boost in a hurry. The Guide 10 is ultra-light weight and can fit in your pocket. The solar panel allows you to fully charge removable AA/AAA batteries or charge your devices directly from the USB and 12 Volt DC charging Port.

Now you can turn your Smartphone into a Satellite Communication Device with Spot Connect and send text messages and emails, update your Facebook or Twitter, or call for help with the SOS function. Just download the Spot app and connect your smartphone with spot and you will always have service from almost anywhere. You can send text messages and emails up to 41 characters or send a predetermined message up to 120 characters, or just update your followers and friends on Twitter or Facebook.
The SOS function will send your location along with your location to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center which will contact your local responders giving you and your family peace of mind while you explore the world around you.

Check out other awesome gift ideas for the holiday season at www.outersports.com!

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Everyone knows that staying hydrated is important for personal health and safety. Whether you are playing sports, hiking, camping, hunting, or any physical activity – it is essential that you maintain proper hydration.

But how much water are you supposed to drink? Well that depends on the amount of physical exercise, your environment, and specific health conditions. The Institute of Medicine has determined that the adequate intake for men is roughly 13 cups – and for women 9 cups – of fluid per day. You should always account for the type of activities you’ll be doing as well as variable such as temperature.

Staying safely hydrated is more than simply drinking enough water. Make sure to supplement your water with electrolytes if it is especially hot or your activities are strenuous. Also, if you are in the outdoors, it is important to properly filter and sometimes boil any water from natural streams or rivers. This prevents parasites and illness that can lead to serious health complications and even death.

Many athletes and outdoors enthusiasts choose not to carry water with them because the bottles are not ergonomic, or they don’t fit well inside or on their pack. This is unwise. There are multiple hydration options that have been specifically designed for athletes and outdoorsmen. At Outersports.com you can find many options for both water filtration and functional hydration bottles and packs to fit your specific needs.