Camping

Do you enjoy being active outdoors? Then you know how quickly the weather can change. Whether you're hiking, cycling, camping, or on the go in the city, the right waterproof clothing is essential to keep you dry and comfortable, especially in the fall and winter. If you have no idea where to start, this guide is for you. Below, we dive into the key properties of waterproofing, factors that affect waterproofness, and a guide to help you choose your ideal outfit.

The properties of waterproofing

When looking for clothing that keeps you dry, it's important to understand what "waterproof" really means. Often, "waterproof" is seen as the ability to keep you completely dry, but in reality, it is a range from water-resistant to fully waterproof. This is measured with the water column in millimeters (mm).

The water column indicates how much pressure water can exert on the fabric before it begins to leak. This is measured by placing a tube on the fabric and filling it with water. If the fabric starts

You’ve invested in a good tent, and of course, you want to enjoy it for as long as possible. A tent is designed for outdoor use and can withstand rough conditions. But did you know that most wear and tear doesn’t occur when the tent is in use, but rather when it’s stored away? Prevent premature wear by taking care when packing up and storing your tent until your next adventure!

Taking Down Your Tent

The end of your stay is near, and your bags are packed. The only thing left to do is take down your tent. While it’s not difficult, it does require some attention.

• Empty the tent completely and use a dustpan and brush to clean it thoroughly.
• Close all zippers and compartments, but leave the entrance zipper slightly open. This prevents air from getting trapped inside when rolling up the tent.
• Remove the pegs from the ground, rinse off any dirt, and dry them to prevent rust.
• Take out the tent poles and fold them from the middle. Tent poles have an elastic cord that keeps the segments together.

The term is almost self-explanatory; a self-inflating mat inflates itself, something that can come in quite handy when you want to get to sleep quickly. However, there is more to know when it comes to inflating and deflating such a mat. If you are using a self-inflating sleeping mat for the first time or if you haven't used it for a long while, it may take some time before it is fully ready to use by itself. Below we share a handy step-by-step plan for inflating and deflating your self-inflating sleeping mat.

Inflation

• Roll out the sleeping mat and open the valve. Some mats have one-way valves, but they may also have separate adapters. The following rule applies to both versions: make sure that the opening is as large as possible when inflating the mat and that any adapters have been removed.
• Once the valve is open, the sleeping mat will suck in air until it is full. If your mat is new, or has not been used for a long time, this process may be slower. If that is the case, you can blow in

Are you in the market for a tent but don’t know where to start? With a variety of types, materials, and options available, the choice can be overwhelming. No worries! In this guide, we’ll help you step by step to find the perfect tent for your adventure.

1. What type of traveler are you?

Before looking at specifications, first consider how and where you plan to use your tent:

• Hiker or cyclist? Choose a lightweight and compact tent (e.g., nylon or polyester), such as the NOMAD Bedouin 2 Pro Tent.
• Family camper? Go for space and comfort (e.g., a tunnel tent or bungalow tent), such as the NOMAD Dogon 4 (+2) Family Tent for 4-6 people.
• Festival-goer? A quick-setup tent (like a pop-up tent) is ideal, such as the NOMAD Jade 2 Premium Tent.
• Backpacker or minimalist? Consider an ultralight trekking tent or tarp, such as the NOMAD Jade 2 Pro Tent at just 1.6 kg.

With this in mind, you can search more efficiently for the right tent type for you.

2. Tent type

There are many types of tents, each

As a camper you have probably experienced it before: you have just pitched your tent and it starts raining cats and dogs. At such a time, it is of course important that your tent is waterproof. But how waterproof is your tent and how is waterproofness measured and declared? And what can you do if your tent starts to leak?

What is water column?

If you look for the waterproofness of polyester or nylon NOMAD tents on our website, you will see that it is indicated by the term "water column". What does it mean? Water column is the term used to indicate the degree of waterproofness of a certain material. The higher the water column number, the higher the waterproofness of your tent fabric material.

Tents are tested for waterproofness by placing a tube (also called a column) with a diameter of about 2.5 cm against the canvas and then filling the tube with water. As soon as the fabric starts to leak, the test is to see how watertight the tent is. A water column of 4,000 mm, for example, means that

Tent poles are one of the most important parts of a tent. In good weather and proper use, most poles will hold up well.
However, in adverse conditions the poles are put to the test. The poles have to endure a lot, for example when stretching the canvas or in strong winds.

In this article, we'll tell you about the different types of tent poles and share some tips on how to take care of and prolong the life of your tent poles.

Types of poles

There are a lot of different tent poles available on the market. In general, we can distinguish 4 types of poles: steel, fiberglass, aluminum and inflatable poles:

Steel tent poles

These poles are very strong and are mainly used for large, heavy tunnel tents. And heavy they are.
With all the developments in the tent pole market regarding light weight, these types of poles are used less and less.

Fiberglass poles

Chances are your tent has fiberglass poles. These poles are very common and the advantage is that they are easy and cheap to repair.
However,

Sleeping in the open air, under the stars.... It's a romantic picture. However, there are some things you need to consider before you will spend the night without a roof over your head, especially with regard to warmth and comfort. Read on quickly for a few essential tips for a warm and comfortable sleep outdoors:

1. Build a 'sleep system'.

When we talk about a 'sleep system', we mean the combination of the right gear to make yourself as warm and comfortable as possible at night. When you use a sleeping bag, the filling is actually always compressed in the areas you lie on, which means that the insulation value at those contact points is reduced. Less insulation means less warmth, so what can you do to compensate?

This is where building a "sleep system" comes in. Cold doesn't just come from the air, it comes from the ground. The best thing you can do here is combine your sleeping bag with a warm sleeping pad. "Is there such a thing as a warm sleeping pad?" we hear you say. Sure there is!

Whether you're camping in a hot or cold climate, a good night's sleep depends on the right sleeping bag. That's why a sleeping bag is one of the most important items of your camping equipment. You know you need a sleeping bag when you go camping, now all that's left is to ask yourself: what kind of sleeping bag is right for me and my vacation? Below we explain the differences between a blanket and a mummy model and list some of the advantages and disadvantages you can take into account.

Blanket sleeping bag

With a blanket sleeping bag you choose comfort. The word says it all, a "blanket" sleeping bag is similar to a regular blanket. With a blanket model you have a lot of room to move around. The comfort is also in the materials used in blanket sleeping bags, which are usually down and cotton.

Suitable for: camping trips where you stay longer in one place and/or where you value comfort above all. You attach less value to weight or compactness, it should be comfortable and warm. If you sleep

Waste-free camping - is it possible? Yes it is! With the right preparation and a good dose of adaptability you can drastically reduce your waste rate during your camping trip. The easy and comfortable options will have to be put aside for a while, but once you get used to them and find the right alternatives you may never want to go back!

Below are tips, tricks and guidelines you can use to make your zero-waste camping trip a success:

1. Choose the right camping gear

It all starts with choosing quality camping gear. This alone contributes immensely to your goal of zero-waste camping (and to your camping experience!).

Although it may seem tempting to buy your outdoor gear as cheaply as possible, the well-known adage is unfortunately true: cheap is expensive. Make sure your camping gear can last a long time and is therefore durable. If your gear is damaged, have it repaired instead of buying new. Not only will you save money, but you will also save the planet from unnecessary waste. If you

You go on a trip and take with you.... As many sustainable, plastic-free and multiple-use products as possible! By swapping a few travel items with sustainable alternatives, you can make your trip a lot less polluting.

To make it easy we have a handy list of n easy list of 25 sustainable swaps for you that you can easily cross off before you go on your trip. We start easy and then go into more detail. Let's go!

Before you go...

1. (Travel) books, folders, paper boarding tickets → apps, e-books

Making a printout is less and less necessary with the advent of digital alternatives. Which is a good thing, because we all use a lot of paper. So instead of a hardcopy book, opt for an e-book, find your information online and save your tickets in an app or on your phone.

2. Flying, driving → walking, cycling, taking the train

Before you hit the road, think about how you want to travel. Flying is always the fastest way, but can't you reach the same place by train? Maybe you want to be much more adventurous

We've put together a packing list of the most lightweight items from our collection for you, because 'lightweight' is the key word when hiking and camping - especially at higher altitudes. Read along!

Tent: Jade 2 Pro

Every gram matters when you're hiking, so you'll be happy to hear that our Jade 2 Pro tent weighs just 1.59 kg! The Jade 2 Pro houses 2 people (or one, if you like a bit of space), is accessible from two sides, has a strong, water-resistant tent fabric and can be stored very compactly.

Read our tips for breaking down and storing your tent, for the longest lifespan of your tent.

Sleeping bag: Orion 290

Mummy sleeping bags are generally lighter, more compact and keep you warmer than blanket sleeping bags. The latter is especially important is you sleep at high altitudes. The weight of the Orion 290 sleeping bag is only 590 grams and will keep you warm in temperatures between 2-7 °C. For temperatures between 7-11 °C, the Orion 180 is a good alternative.

Curious which sleeping

Temperature