(ARA) - This is the time of year when outdoor lovers begin preparing for the camping season, only to find that last years excursions have taken a toll on their equipment. For some, it has become a yearly ritual to purchase new equipment.
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 dont 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 dont 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
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Courtesy of ARA Content
Written By: ARA
