According to the National Sporting Goods Association, consumers
spent over one billion dollars on camping equipment in 2002.
Such a large number can be attributed to the many campers
who need to replenish their equipment year after year --
or worse yet -- after a few camp outings.
When purchasing products for camp outings, many consumers
look for hip, colorful items and forget to consider the
rugged conditions the equipment will encounter when used
in the great outdoors. While novice campers often need to
replace their camping goods because they do not take appropriate
care of their equipment.
In 2002, over 421 million campers visited the vast array
of National Parks throughout the United States. Given the
tough economic times this number will most likely increase
as many Americans begin to plan camping trips as alternatives
to long, expensive family vacations.
Therefore, it is a great time for campers of all walks
of life to make a pledge: start making wise purchasing decisions
and learn how to properly treat camping equipment.
Here are some tips for buying durable products:
*Check warranties on products. Since camping is such a
rugged sport and the chance of equipment breaking is high,
all campers should check to see if the products they are
purchasing have a warranty. In some cases you will need
to mail in your warranty card before it takes effect.
* Select products that are made of durable material. Camping
trips are rugged outings that can be made even more hazardous
with inclement weather. Buying products made of durable
material is essential to investing in long-lasting equipment.
For instance, GE Plastics makes camping equipment out of
a material known as Lexan polycarbonate. Lexan resin is
a tough and versatile polymer used to add high quality and
high performance to many products. Some Lexan resin camping
products include clear Kayaks, waterproof utility boxes,
water bottles, outdoor tableware and a coffee press.
*Test products before using them outdoors. When purchasing
camping goods, every consumer should understand how the
product works. This is particularly important when buying
a tent. On many occasions, consumers buy a tent and don’t
open the box until they are at the campground. Consumers
should look at how the tent is set up in the store to get
a sense of how big it will be and how it will be constructed.
Once it is purchased, the consumer should try building the
tent in his/her backyard so they understand how to build
it and don’t break pieces while trying to build it for the
first time at the campsite.
*Look for product testimonial/recommendations/reviews.
As with buying any product, one should always read reviews
and seek out testimonials before making the purchase. Knowing
that a product performed well or poorly with other users
is important knowledge for any camper looking to maximize
the usage of their equipment.
Tips for taking care of your equipment
*Clean equipment regularly. It is important to clean your
gear after every camping trip. Unwanted dust, mud and mildew
can form on all your equipment if not cleaned and dried
properly. Additionally, food storage containers should be
properly cleaned to avoid any mold or germ build-up. Rubber
items exposed to the sun eventually crack. Rubber lube should
be applied to ponchos, blankets, and other rubber camping
equipment.
*Equipment should be stored properly. All camping equipment
needs to be stored properly; it will help maximize performance
for years to come. After thoroughly cleaning equipment,
it is imperative to let the equipment dry. Any moisture
left from cleaning will result in mildew the next time you
break out the equipment.
*Care for personal essentials. Boots, jackets, backpacks
and other personal items worn on camp outings are also essential
items that must be taken care of to ensure future use. For
example, wet boots should never be dried by placing them
near a fire or radiator. The material used in the boot could
shrink. Instead, slowly dry the boots by filling them with
newspaper or other soaking material.
For
more information about Lexan and durable products, please
feel free to visit www.gelexan.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
