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CAMPING TENTS

Candid Campera - Getaway Week

07.21.2009

Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:00pm.
Camping
The Bite:
Want family-oriented programming that doesn't require a TV? Smile, you're on…to some great camping tents, made from materials such as recycled plastic. No fooling.
The Benefits: 
  • Secretly green materials. These tents perform just like non-eco versions, all while incorporating materials such as solar panels and reclaimed fabric from irregular tents (instead of typical PVC).
  • Better focus. Psychologists believe that connecting with the outdoors improves mental health; one study found that kids who engaged with nature were less apt to have ADHD symptoms.
  • It's cheaper than syndication. While good tents are expensive out of the gate, you can get a lifetime of use for the cost of a night's stay in a hotel room.
Personally Speaking: 
As a kid, Toshio went on summer "camping trips" in his backyard. He pitched a tent…but made frequent journeys to the house for Tang and snacks and bathroom breaks.
Wanna Try: 
  • Nemo Nano Oz - superlightweight (just 4.5 pounds - great for serious backpacking) two-person tent made from recycled plastic ($449).
  • Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 - water-resistant tent made with recycled polyester; comes with an awning and sleeps two to three people ($350).
  • Eureka Solar Intent - lights up and even charges your batteries using the sun; sleeps up to six ($240).
  • Lowergear - rent what you need instead of buying to keep your consumption (and budget) in check.

Look for more camping gear tips later this summer.

Cocktail Fact

Woody Allen got his start writing for Candid Camera in the 1960s and even appeared in some of the scenes.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Biters opt for a tent made from recycled plastic, we'll help avert 607,000 2-liter bottles from ending up in landfills.

6 comments
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haverwench  on July 21, 2009 at 03:32 AM 1
If you want to keep stuff out of the landfill, how about buying secondhand? Should cost a lot less than $400, too.
Tess  on July 21, 2009 at 04:32 AM 2
This is a great tip and those seem like they would be a very eco-friendly purchase...for a new camper. If cared for properly your current tent can last a long time. Don't leave it out in bad weather for days and days. Take it down when you are done, let it air out properly, and store it rolled up in it's original bag instead of just shoving it into a bag or a tupperware container. They even make patches for repairing tears and leaks. Don't dump what you already own just to purchase a new eco-friendlier version. That just wouldn't be very eco-friendly, now would it?
Jess D  on July 21, 2009 at 06:50 AM 3
If you're looking to upgrade gear, numerous outdoor youth organizations will take your old stuff. Also, many homeless shelters will take old camping gear - a good way to 'pay it forward' if you just need that new recycled tent (which I'm definitely considering as in the market for a 2-person backpacking tent).
waxghost  on July 22, 2009 at 06:51 AM 4
If you're not hiking in (and I'm willing to bet that most people don't) but driving in to where you want to camp, a canvas tent treated with a biodegradable waterproof oil works very well too. I can't stand the smell (I swear they smell like barf!) and feel of the plastic tents myself; I've always camped under the shelter of waterproofed canvas. It will keep the rain out, smells better, looks better, will last a long time if you care for it properly as Tess says above, and won't take forever to biodegrade if you want/need a new one.
Gale  on July 22, 2009 at 01:56 PM 5
Sure be nice to see some pictures of these tents, especially with the price seeming to be quite high compared to the regular tents I can buy in the retail stores here. Be nice to be able to buy/use recycled products. But especially when your on a limited income such as myself and being disabled. Every penny counts and I can't afford to spend any more then I absolutely have to. But it would be nice to see if these tents have something of value that make them worth spending the extra cost besides just being made out of recycled materials?
sama  on November 13, 2009 at 05:08 AM 6
If you want to keep stuff out of the landfill, how about buying secondhand? Should cost a lot less than $400, too.games adventure games

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