Wal-Mart Camping Gear

That’s fun stuff. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I was a Wal-Mart camper in my youth. Though I don’t use it anymore, my dad’s Coleman stove still works like a champ – no maintenance ever. That cheap stuff got me to where I am now.

I have a Walmart tent that is still going strong. After I seam-sealed it, it has been on countless backpacking trips has has survived a four-day deluge of rain from a tropical storm. The poles have never broken and the bottom of the tent is still without holes. At 2.5 lbs, it is a much better deal than more expensive tents.

I have, however, retired it to lending tent status, as I’ve moved on to “keeping up with the Jonses” gear.

Walmart also has fantastic dry bags worth checking out. They are the same as what you’d get at REI, but for a fraction of the cost.

interesting… i just did a two-week canoe trip w a mix of expensive brand-name stuff and some bargain-basement accessories similar to what is discussed here. I found that some of the cheap items were bomber, extremely useful and among my best choices.

Interestingly, in an upcoming issues of SKIER magazine, a guy goes on a major ski traverse across an ice-cap using only items purchased at Canadian Tire—the Wal-Mart of the north. They bought the crappiest skis and clothes and stuff that they could… It’s pretty funny…

I own 3 Wal-mart tents. They are great for car camping and I don’t have to worry about someone stealing them.

However, if a tent is critical equipment, then I use my expensive brand name tents costing $500+.

Very interesting reviews. I too own a Walmart tent and it does a pretty good job. It went through a heavy down pour while camping in the Smokies and let a little moisture in… overall though not too shabby.

Good Article! Gearhead snobs always dismiss anything from Walmart, but I’ve found useful equipment there at outstanding prices. Some camping environments just don’t require the highest end performance you get in (expensive) high end gear. Anything made by Coleman will be superbly reliable, rugged and re-buildable, but predictably heavy. Other Walmart brands are also very functional, IF you match their performance to your camping environment. I wouldn’t take most of it on a trip up some Colorado 14’er, but for low desert car camping, or Boundary Waters canoe camping, where weight is less a concern, some of their stuff works great, at a tiny price. And if you sew, their cheap $1-2 a yard fabrics are a steal—think ripstop nylon, cordura etc. I make my own hammocks, tarps & stuff sacks at a fraction of high end brand price, and guess what—they do exactly what I need. Camping, including ultra-light packing, doesn’t have to be budget busting if you shop carefully and are willing to make or modify cheaper stuff to your needs. That way you can save the big dollars for the high performance gear you REALLY need.

I bought two Walmart sleeping bags for $2/bag several years ago. They are my favorite sleeping bags when the temps are warm, and all I need is something to cover up with in the summer. They have held up well and washed nicely.

I have one of those Ozark Trail Mini LED Lanterns and it worked well – for one camping trip, then it broke.

Fun article. I saw the title and expected the worst, but this is actually an interesting review. Should do a head-to-head piece one time against more expensive gear.

I remember a couple of years ago when I was shopping for an ultralight tent, I found an Alpine Designs tent that weighed like 3.5 or 4 lbs. and packed down to a pretty small 22 inches or so. It was $20 at Sports Authority. Ended up going with a $220 Big Agnes instead because I didn’t want to get caught out in the backcountry with a runny tent and broken fiberglass poles. But I still wonder if it would have been that much worse.

(mostly) crappy gear at cheap prices. Now wal-mart has the ability to put your local gear shop out of business, as well as the local grocery or hardware store. I encourage you all to go watch ‘Wal-mart the high cost of low prices”

My girlfriend and I are traveling the US and have been using my old cheap-o walmart tent for all our camping so far. I’ve used it for years now and it’s still holding up fine. I’ve camped in wet, dry, windy, weather in just about every condition possible. Although it is an absolute PAIN to bring hiking, it’s done well for the price (I paid no more than 30 dollars for it three or four years ago).

We actually decided to switch out the tent for a more expensive lightweight hiking tent I got as a gift, and it was the biggest mistake EVER! This was about 2 weeks ago when we hiked Clingmans Dome in the Smokys… the second night on the trail it started raining at about 8:30 and by about 3 am i woke up in a 2 inch puddle of water… all of my warm (cotton!?) clothes were SOAKED and the hike back out and up to the summit was BRUTAL.

By the way, Josh and Ben, we’re still going to be in St. Louis around Halloween if you guys are still up for that interview! I will send you an e-mail now… it’s been hard staying in contact with people and keeping up on our blog, but I have time and internet now… I hope to get a few updates done today and hopefully can get to our experience in the Smoky Mtn NP tonight.

If anyone would like to check out our blog, the address is http://theelegantvagrant.blogspot.com

Wow. $19 for a 2 man tent! Thats great if it is good quality but as a regular camper I am suspicious. Certainly not to be used in winter or bad weather.

Kelty 2 Man Winter Tent
http://perfecttents.com/4-season-tents/2-1-pro/