Reddit mentions of Coleman Sleeping Bag | Cold-Weather 20°F Brazos Sleeping Bag, Navy

You mention air-mattresses so I assume you're just car camping, not hiking? Probably a good choice for first-time camping.

REI has a good checklist here. You obviously won't need all of it (like navigation stuff), but it's a good starting place.

Tents are a bit tough without more detail. Are all six of you planning on going in on purchasing a six person tent? Do a select few people want to buy 2-3 person tents to just keep? Are you planning on hiking in the future, in which case you'll want lighter tents - at more upfront cost? How many sites have you reserved? If only one site, there will probably be a limit on number of tents you can have.

Either way, some good starting places:

• ALPS Mountaineering offers a 6-person tent for $140, and is a well regarded brand on here. That's about $24 each.
  
  
• REI also has a good 6-person tent for $150, and this subreddit loves REI (and deservedly so). Can't go wrong with their gear. About $25 each.
  
  A tarp for the tent might not be necessary, but is something worth considering if you're worried about wet conditions.
  
  Air mattresses are an unnecessary expense if you're on a budget. Pretty much any sleeping bag that's not designed specifically to be lightweight will have enough fluff in it to provide some padding. Something like one of these big fat ones for $25. You're camping anyway, not staying at a hotel. A few nights on the ground won't kill you. Bring a few thick blankets if you're worried though. A good inflatable pad will probably be more than you want to spend money on.
  
  You can forget backpacks for now if you're just using your cars at a state park or something. A good pack is expensive anyway. But a duffel bag or small backpack or something is a good idea to carry clothes, food, and supplies. Doesn't need to be anything special.
  
  One important thing to keep in mind is firewood. Don't bring it. You should always buy locally (most parks will supply/sell it) since this prevents the spread of dangerous pests like Emerald Ash Borers and such.
  
  A few more basics you'll want:
  
  
• A first aid kit, probably. Even at a well developed state park, it's still a good idea to have one nearby for smaller injuries.
  
• Some sort of firestarter. Doesn't need to be fancy. Just, if you bring a lighter, make sure you have fluid for it. Something like these guys might be useful though if you're not used to starting fires.
  
• Flashlights/Lanterns are useful. Something like this or this
  
• A cooler.
  
• A pillow. For car-camping a normal pillow will do. Just make sure you don't forget. I always forget a fucking pillow when car-camping.
  
  Food. Personally, I think planning and packing food for a camping trip is one of the best parts. There are more camping food "hacks" and ideas out there than you can imagine. Plan it right and you'll eat better when camping than your average day in the college dorm. A little bit of tin foil, pie pans, and prep the night before and you can eat stuff like this or this or this. Just browse and look around until you see something that makes your mouth water. Most of it is no more difficult than throwing ingredients in some tin foil, and then throwing them on the fire later (in some cases you'll want to pre-cook chicken or fish or beef though).

Yes, a sleeping pad is pretty much mandatory for temps below 50F. At 35F you definitely need something between you and the ground.

You could go for a 'cheap' sleeping pad - closed cell foam. Like the Therm-a-Rest ZLite for $40 (often on sale, and also knockoffs available from China).

• https://www.thermarest.com/z-lite
  
  Or get a warmer / more comfortable inflatable pad, for more money. Something like the NeoAir XTherm would be a super top shelf option for cold weather backpacking. It would keep you warm at 35F with it's 5.7 R-Value. $200 is expensive though.
  
  
• https://www.thermarest.com/mattresses/fast-light/neoair-xtherm-max
  
  Klymit is a budget brand for sleeping pads. Look into their warmer options for you 35F needs.
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/AC17519C-8E11-453B-80CB-BA477EA112CB
  
  ​
  
  Backpacking vs. Car is a big decision. You can get much cheaper non-backpacking equipment. When camping next to a car you can even bring the comforter off your home bed. When backpacking you must invest more in gear that fits into a backpack (bulk and weight). Quality and Light equipment is often not cheap. You are asking for a very cheap sleeping bag at $60-$90. Quality backpacking sleeping bags start at $200 generally.
  
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  I'd go with a classic Coleman knit bag for cheap car camping. It's big and bulky, but only $27. It says it's rated fo 20F but I think that's a lie. It's closer to 35F, but that should work for your needs. You may even want to add a blanket and some clothing to it to boost the warmth on the extra cold nights near freezing. It's way too bulky for backpacking, but maybe by the time you do that you can invest in a lighter / better sleeping bag.
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Sleeping-Brazos-Cold-Weather-Camping/dp/B00363V3OK

I've done a lot of camping in the Catskills and harriman, and backpacking on the Appalachian trail. The lean-to's i know of in that area can only be reached by backpacking. Be wary of "car-camping" advice. Honestly you might be better off "car-camping" at Stephens State Park or Mills Norrie State Park, which are both close to harriman, and have "tent" campsites available this weekend. (reserveamerica.com)

But, if your still interested in "backpacking" to a lean-to, here's what i recommend.


Might be better off on Amazon, unless there's a storewide discount at your local REI.

https://www.rei.com/c/sleeping-bags?r=category%3Acamping-and-hiking%7Csleeping-bags-and-accessories%7Csleeping-bags&ir=category%3Asleeping-bags-and-accessories&sort=min-price

I recommend getting two of one of these bags:

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Brazos-Cold-Weather-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B00363V3OK

https://www.amazon.com/Semoo-Lightweight-Portable-Compress-Compression/dp/B016I9SXL4

and a 4-person dome tent:

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Sundome-4-Person-Dome-Tent/dp/B019N9W7WC

Also, an alcohol stove kit:

https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Maple-Alcohol-Backpacking-Portable-Ultra-light/dp/B01DA53MP6

https://www.amazon.com/Klean-Strip-QKGA75003-Denatured-Alcohol-1-Quart/dp/B001FOSX9U

https://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Starter-Flint-Stone-Lighter/dp/B00K5I058Y

Also, grab some Mountain House meals, they are expensive, but worth it on a first time backpacking trip. https://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=mountain+house

Check out Davis Sports Shop in Sloatsburg, ny. They've got a lot of camping gear, as well as hunting and fishing.

http://davissport.com/files/2015/03/10646840_373164796209673_7535081532103820525_n.jpg

I have become a huge fan of Coghlans gear over the years.

Good luck and have fun! :) bring star charts too :)

edit: if you want to practice making fire, this is a very safe way to do it and it is large enough to house the alcohol stove as an alternative https://www.amazon.com/WoodFlame-Lightweight-Burning-Backpacking-Stainless/dp/B01BPUEGNK

Tent $45 (4.5 star rating)

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Sundome-2-Person-7-Feet-5-Feet/dp/B004J2KDH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783262&sr=1-2


Sleeping pad $50

http://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Camping-Mattress-Green-Grey/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783385&sr=1-6&keywords=sleeping+pad

Sleeping bag $25 (4 star, rated to 20F)

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Brazos-Cold-Weather-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B00363V3OK/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783308&sr=1-2&keywords=sleeping+bag

Free shipping on all of it.

You numbers are so full of crap it's embarrassing.

total weight: 12lbs (THAT's where your hammock IS cheaper; weight NOT cost).

EDIT: dyslexiaed a number