What's your favorite improvement to camping?

[gwilks98]

I went on a float trip this weekend and got to camp out for the first time since I was 10. I had no idea how much it's evolved since then: LED lanterns and flashlights, propane starters instead of lighter fluid and matches, air mattresses with car adapter pumps, fiberglass tent poles instead of those bulky alluminum ones, fold out chairs (instead of folding chairs). I'm sure some of these have been around for a while, but we never used them when I was little.

It makes me wonder how many other improvements I missed. So what's your favorite improvement to the camping experience?

[cheapie]

waterproof tents. our tent does NOT leak. when i was a kid, it seemed like we got get every freakin' time we went camping.

[kimchicowboy]

improvements in the backpacks. grew up with an external frame and the internal frame ones these days are so much more comfy!

[Kim]

Sleeping bags big enough to share. Now if someone would just take me camping...;)

[Cheesypuff]

oh...can't forget computers...oh how those imporved camping over the years...j/k/j/k

lol...anywho...you gotta love waterproof matches!!!

[attgig]

the sleeping pads are a lifesaver when you're going for over a few days.

GPS is awesome to look at if you're doing any significant hiking and essential if you're going offtrails.

the family radios are nice if you're with more than a couple buddies.

but, just improvements in sleeping bags are key, imo. the fact that they're so light, keeps you warm in sub zero temps, and under a 100 bucks.

[Grimm]

My favorite imporvement is 4 and 5 star hotels.

[LegendKiller]

RVs

[zenbooty]

:bandit:

[ufcrusher]

What the heck are you people talking about?

Fiberglass tent poles have been around since the early 80s. Inflatable air beds are not camping...although those new mats which fill with just a bit of air are nicer than my old foam pads. I had both internal and external frame packs.....they have been around forever as well.

Sleeping bag technology has changed but its mostly about lighter synthetics and water proofing....I still prefer my down bag...super light weight and warm enough for winter camping in the Grand Canyon.

Waterproof (green) matches have been around forever, used to have to light 1 match wet wood fires with them....loads of fun.

I guess better flashlight technology would be nice, but I always use my propane lanterns in the camp site.

Never bothered with camp chairs, etc. To each their own.

[Showtime]

:bandit:

I could be wrong, but that was around long before any of us starting camping. Now if you're talking about a particular type..... ;)

Btw, I appreciate Cell phones/more cell towers and better signal. That and the inclosed with sleeper, direct tv, xbox, kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc.

[flipper]

RVs

I'm with you!! The only way to go to the desert or travel is by RV

[gwilks98]

What the heck are you people talking about?

Fiberglass tent poles have been around since the early 80s. Inflatable air beds are not camping...although those new mats which fill with just a bit of air are nicer than my old foam pads. I had both internal and external frame packs.....they have been around forever as well.

Sleeping bag technology has changed but its mostly about lighter synthetics and water proofing....I still prefer my down bag...super light weight and warm enough for winter camping in the Grand Canyon.

Waterproof (green) matches have been around forever, used to have to light 1 match wet wood fires with them....loads of fun.

I guess better flashlight technology would be nice, but I always use my propane lanterns in the camp site.

Never bothered with camp chairs, etc. To each their own.

I guess it all depends on your definition of camping/roughin it. I've done almost all sorts of continental US camping, save camping in blizzards and on the side of rock walls. I actually found sleeping on an air mattress to be less comfy than sleeping on the ground.

However, I know fiberglass poles have been around for a while, I never saw an 8 man version of one until recently. The only ones I knew of were the tiny 2 man tents.

[cheapie]

I guess it all depends on your definition of camping/roughin it. I've done almost all sorts of continental US camping, save camping in blizzards and on the side of rock walls. I actually found sleeping on an air mattress to be less comfy than sleeping on the ground.

However, I know fiberglass poles have been around for a while, I never saw an 8 man version of one until recently. The only ones I knew of were the tiny 2 man tents.


:spock: that was either a seriously crappy mattress or very smooth ground.

[zenbooty]

I could be wrong, but that was around long before any of us starting camping. Now if you're talking about a particular type..... I first camped with the parents as a child, and such amenities were unavailable and verboten. So for me personally, it was a new development.

[Grimm]

What the heck are you people talking about?

Fiberglass tent poles have been around since the early 80s.
Some of us were camping back in the early 70's. For us, things like fiberglass tent poles and the like are improvements. (not as good an improvement as a nice hotel though)

[Markel]

My favorite imporvement is 4 and 5 star hotels.
:stupid:

Yep, nothing wrong with camping as long as you've got air conditioning (in the summer), a nice bed to sleep in, a good shower and bathroom, and room service. :hihi:

[Nija]

The best thing about camping is not going.

I completely agree!

[eSDee]

MRE heaters.

[Gothic Girl]

portable showers.

[ialsohaveadream]

MRE heaters.
Those things are pretty cool. But MREs can also do a number (and the number I'm thinking of is "two") on your body.

[BigJon]

Those things are pretty cool. But MREs can also do a number (and the number I'm thinking of is "two") on your body.
And they only come with three sheets of TP. I'd have to eat about 12 MRE's to get enough TP to wipe my ass.

[brainsmile]

communing with less nature

[ShawnLee]

MRE heaters.Ever pee into one, tie it up, and make a bomb with it? It's one of those things we always talked about, but never did. Or the one guy who did would just look at you funny and say, "Dude, trust me. You don't want to do that."

[Burzhui]

Those things are pretty cool. But MREs can also do a number (and the number I'm thinking of is "two") on your body.


http://www.xpehbam.org/pictures/Smileys/lol3.gif

It looks like you guys already mentioned everything.

ALthough i don't know why you need portable showers, you are going camping, you're supposed to get dirty :spock:

Ziplock bags are a great innovation to camping

[blueindian]

fiberglass poles suck. what you want are aircraft grade aluminum.

the greatest innovation of all is the headlamp.

[brainsmile]

I clearly think the mirrored celilings on tents is a great new twist :P

[JaQnAbOx]

I think the best improvement was the cell phone... its alot easier than smoke signals back and forth...its alot easier on the arms

[Airencracken]

I'd have to say fire. Cooked food is way better than raw food.