With the end of the camping season upon us it is very important that you clean all of your camping gear and equipment before putting it away. Some of the things that you need to pay the most attention to is your tent and sleeping gear, your coolers and any food preparation gear.

Lets start with your tent:

One of the most common problems that I see with tents is that some people will not properly dry their tent out after a camping trip where it has rained. Even when it doesn’t rain, moisture can seep up through the ground leaving the bottom of your tent damp. Storing a tent that is damp or wet will cause mold to set in and eat away at your tents fabric.

This is specially true for canvas tents where large sections can rot away in as little as one week. So make sure that you dry your tent out very good before packing it away for the winter.

While mold won’t eat away at you cooler it is always a good idea to clean them out and dry them before putting them away. This will keep you from having scrub them out at the last minute when you go to use them next time.

The same goes for all of your food preparation gear including your camp stove. It only takes a few minutes to clean out the bottom of the stove and this will help prevent rust from setting in and ruining your stove after just a few years.

So take a little extra time this year and make sure that your camping gear is clean and dry before putting it away. You will be glad you did.

Buy from a Hiking or Camping Store

Buying hiking boots is one of those times when it’s best to buy from an expert on the subject. If you’ve never purchased boots before, a professional fitter will help determine which pair is best for your feet. If you have wide feet, fallen arches or any other condition that requires special shoes, you’ll need to find hiking boots that accommodate these needs. A professional salesperson who has an extensive knowledge about the different styles of hiking boots available will be able to find the best fit for your needs.

Think Support

When you try on a pair of hiking boots, the first thing you should look for is good support in both the arch and the ankle. The arch of the boot should feel comfortable, but not too high. While you can expect the arch to settle slightly with use, an insole that feels uncomfortably high is unlikely to give enough to fit correctly. In addition, the upper portion of the boot should feel snug around the ankle, but not so tight that it will chafe with regular use. The upper boot will help to protect the ankle from rolling or twisting while hiking, but again, don’t expect it to give too much if it feels uncomfortable on your first fitting.

Examine the Construction

As with regular shoes, the way hiking boots are constructed will vary. Some boots are attached to their soles with glue only, while others are supplemented with stitching. Once you’ve narrowed down your selection of hiking boots, closely examine the construction of each of your finalists. Is the sole made out of a durable material? Is the boot made out of high quality leather, or does it feel cheap to the touch? Does the tongue appear to be connected firmly to the boot? If you have any concerns about the construction of the hiking boot, see if there’s another pair that feels better – the last thing you want is for your boot to come apart on your trip!

Consider Cost

Of course, cost shouldn’t be your first consideration – cheap boots are just that, and put your whole vacation in jeopardy. However, expensive hiking boots can easily run as much as $300 or more, so it’s important to find the right fit for both your feet and your budget. The price of the boots is often an indication of the quality of the materials used in their construction, so you’ll need to find a balance between cost and value. Spend as much as you can afford to, without taking out a second mortgage to do so.