Gearing up for our next camping trip

I love camping, in fact I'm kind of addicted. Unfortunately, in the last few years, I could not camp as often as I wanted due to: (1) My 15 year old tent desperately needing repairs, (2) limited time that because of my studies and (3) we enjoy sleeping in our 4WD camper too much. However, last month, David and I decided that it is time to go camping again, but first of all we need some new gears. So, I went to Bivouac Silvia Park and had the most exciting shopping experience ever.

Choosing our new tent
It was really sad to say good bye to my old tent as it had a really good design, it was light but reasonably strong. This made it really difficult to choose a replacement tent that meet our high standards and small budget. I searched on the internet for a two to three person tent that was under 3.5 Kg, since my old tent weighed only 3Kg, and found various results. Unfortunately only a few were within our budget. Here is a comparison of the top four.

Polaris Tent by Macpac​ ($699.99 Sale price $419.99)

• UV75™ fly sheet for durability and excellent waterproofness
• Factory seam taped
• Torrentwear™ XP floor fabric, with tub floor design

• 3 pole design creates good internal volume and additional vestibule space
• Double entry with double doors creates easy access and great airflow
• Swift Pitch design and colour-coded poles make for easy pitching

Positives:
+ Good size for two people.
+ Has two great vestibules
+ Two doors
+ Fully closed fly for wet weather
+ Free standing.

Negatives:
- The fly colour is not suitable for freedom camping in the wild.
- Uses long sleeves to attach poles to tent.
- Needs two people to erect it.
- Not enough ventilation when doors are closed
​- Weighs 3.5 Kg

Black Diamond Mirage Tent ($499.90 Sale price $349.93)

Positives:
+ Light weight - 2Kg max
+ Strong
+ Easy to erect

Negatives:
- A little bit too small

Outer Limits Vertex Dome Tent ($479.99 Sale price $359.99)

• Cross pole design with an extra bracing pole
• Twin side vestibules for plenty of additional storage for your gear
• Roof vent increases ventilation 
• Durallium™ 7001 Gold alloy poles with T-6 temper and 7075 tensile strength to provide increased strength for less weight
• Lightweight puncture-resistant Polyester Taffeta Duraweave™ floor with 5000mm water head and Polyurethane coating for extra durability and strength 
• Ultra-fine 50 x 50 No-See-Um insect proof mesh 
• Four easy to locate wall managers and an overhead loft for gear storage

• 68 Denier ripstop polyester fly with a 3000mm hydrostatic water head with added water repellent treatment provides great defense against rain and wind and has factory heat taped seams preventing seam leakage. Posi-Brace™ securely fastens the fly to the tent with Velcro™ attachment points.
• Breathable 68 Denier polyester inner tent keeps cool and dry in hot or humid conditions 
• Weatherproof DryGuard™ Plus double flap to protect zips from driving rain 
• ​Centrally located light attachment hook
• Super compact Drysack style rip-stop polyester carry bag 
• 2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty against defects of material or manufacture

Positives:
+ 4 season tent, strong and very durable
+ Little and light tent with so many extra features

Negatives:
- a little bit too small, floor area 2.86m2 (220 x 130cm)

THE NORTH FACE Talus 3 Tent ($460 sale price $368)

• Fabric:fly: 75D polyester, 1200 PU coating / canopy: 68D ripstop polyester / floor: 70D nylon, 3000 mm PU coating Trail
• Floor Area: 38.94 ft2 (3.62 m²), Capacity: 3
• Total Weight: 2.75kg, Fastpack Weight: 1.72kg
• Vestibule Area: 9.27 ft2 (0.86 m²) / 9.27 ft2 (0.86 m²)
• Gear Loft and ground tarp included
• Double door and double vestibule

Positives:
+ Can be erected by 1  person easily
+ High-low ventilation for better breathability
+ Guylines included
+ Guarantee: Lifetime Warranty

Negatives:
​- None

So finally we decided to go with Talus 3 due to more room and good ventilation.

Choosing our sleeping mats
Because we are planning to build the tent on sand, we need sleeping mats to be able to sleep comfortably. There are several different kinds of sleeping mats. Choose the one that is suitable for your needs. As for me comfort and warmth are my main concerns, next would be the packing size and weight.

So last weekend, I went to Bivouac Sylvia Park and tried some of the Exped Sleeping Mats before I finally bought an Exped SIM light 3.8 medium size for myself.

• ​Length:183cm (Medium), 197cm (Long Wide)
• Width50cm (Medium), 65cm (Long Wide)
• Thickness 3.8cm 
• Rolled Size
  • 27 x 16cm (Medium)
  • 33 x 17cm (Long Wide)
• Fill12kg/m3 PU foamAverage
• Weightmat/packsack and mat combined:
  • 740g / 761g (Medium)
  • 1015g / 1040g (Long Wide)
• Temperature Rating minus 5° C 
• Made FromBrushed honeycomb embossed polyester

With proper planning, and gear, camping can be very enjoyable and a great holiday escape. I look forward to our next camping trip.