Author: River Country Products

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2 new ultralight backpacking poles

trekking poles

We are excited to announce two new, ultralight, carbon fiber backpacking poles. We designed these trekking poles to be comfortable to use, lightweight and versatile. They are a great choice for backpacking, camping and hiking. When used with our Trekker Tents, they decrease your pack weight and offer a convenient alternative to conventional pole tents.

Additionally, trekking poles can help you maintain your balance and stability on uneven or slippery terrain, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Because of this, you may also be able to increase your speed and endurance while hiking, among other advantages.

For a limited time, we will be offering these two high-end trekking poles at half price!

Check out our two new trekking poles today:

rcp folded carbon trekking poles

RCP Carbon Fold

Convenient, lightweight, folding trekking poles.

  • 7.4 oz per pole
  • 43″-51″ (110 – 130 cm)
  • 15″ folded length (38 cm)
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rcp carbon fiber ultralight trekking poles

RCP Ultralight Carbon Trekking Poles

Durable, ultralight, comfortable.

  • 6 oz per pole
  • 43″-53″ (110 – 135 cm)
  • 26″ collapsed length (66 cm)
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Top 4 reasons to use a hammock

camping hammock with tree straps

While Hammocks aren’t for everyone, here are Our Top Four Reasons to use a River Country Products Hammock on your next backpacking trip:

Hammocks can make it easier to fall asleep

Researchers have found that the rocking motion of hammocks allows people to fall asleep much faster, which can be nice after a long day on the trail.  It can even help people with insomnia and other sleeping disorders.

Hammocks provide deeper sleep

A sleep study found rocking while sleeping allows people to sleep better in a noisy environment.   A benefit whether you’re camping with loud friends or can hear the constant sounds of nature.  

Hammocks are more comfortable

Many people report hammocks to be more comfortable and better for their backs and hips.   Comfort while sleeping is the number one reason people give for avoiding camping or backpacking, so switching to a hammock might just provide that much-needed comfort.  

Hammocks allow you to set up camp faster and in places less accessible to tents

Sometimes you just don’t want to hunt for a nice, flat spot to pitch a tent, if in a wooded area Hammock spots can be easy to locate and Hammocks are often much faster to set up then pitching a tent.   

Bonus: RCP’s Hammocks include a rain fly and cost only $38.95, one of the cheapest and lightest sleeping options available.  

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Trekker Tent 2.2 Update

trekker tent 2.2 backpacking tent

We are excited to release the newest iteration of our Trekker Tent 2.2! The updated tent is now for sale on our website. We have worked hard to improve this tent to meet your, and our own, expectations for quality. While we have maintained the design and size of the tent, with internal mesh walls and side vents, we have improved the quality of the seams and overall weather-proofing of the tent. We redesigned almost every seam on the tent. Thank you for your patience as we have worked to improve this tent and bring it in line with our vision to provide high quality and budget friendly backpacking gear.

We are also working hard on new tent designs building on the changes that we have made to the Trekker Tent 2.2 and combining them with new features such as a detachable rain fly and the frequently requested 2 person tent with a vestibule. Keep an eye out as we hope to release new tent designs later this year.

Happy hiking,

River Country Products

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Hammock + Tree Straps = The Perfect Pair

hammock tree straps backpacking

Although a seemingly small change, the addition of two 10 foot tree straps to our backpacking hammock makes a huge difference in set up time and convenience. These hammock tree straps are simple to use and are now included with every hammock.

The tree straps are rated at 400lbs (though the hammock holds just 320lbs), and are made from a durable stretch resistant polyester. The stitching is also reinforced making the straps stronger. Another great feature are the 15 connection points for your hammock. These small loops make it easy to adjust the tightness of your hammock setup without retying a knot or removing the straps.

Finally they weigh just 5.2oz each and pack down to a small size, perfect for taking backpacking, camping, or in your backyard. The orange stitching also makes them more visible in the evening and at night.

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Trekker Tent 1V – A Fully Featured One Person Tent

one man trekking pole tent

The Trekker Tent 1V is a great one person backpacking tent. We took some of our favorite features of our other Trekker Tents and combined them into one fully featured backpacking tent.

The Trekker Tent 1V features a vestibule, a must have for storing bags and other items, side vents similar to our Trekker Tent 2.2, and a large interior, almost big enough for two people. We also worked hard to keep the tent affordable and lightweight, and we think we succeeded. At only 2lb 8oz with stakes The Trekker Tent 1V comes at an affordable price when you consider the features, size and weight.

We are excited about the vestibule and side vents as they allow for more air flow and reduce condensation inside the tent, a problem most tents suffer from. Inside, the tent the side walls are 2-layer, meaning most condensation will run down the wall and outside the tent. The vestibule can be left open for increased ventilation, or closed to protect you and your bags from rain.

Finally the internal dimensions are 7′ long, 48” wide, and 42” tall in the front and 32” in the back. Seven feet of leg room and 48 inches of side to side space give you plenty of room to roll over in your sleep.

Take a closer look at the Trekker Tent 1V here.

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RCP Backpacking Pack

65 liter backpacking backpack

We recently added a backpacking pack to our ever growing collection of backpacking gear, and we are very happy with it. The backpack is large, 65 liters, and quite comfortable with lots of features.

The River Country Products backpack has an easily adjustable torso height so it fits a large variety of body shapes and sizes. We also really like the comfortable split waist strap and removable rain fly, which is super convenient if you ever get trapped in an unexpected rainstorm.

Take a look at our backpack for yourself. And let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Trekker Tent 3, Our Best 4-Man Backpacking Tent Yet

4 person trekking pole tent

After designing and testing this tent out ourselves we are excited to introduce you to our new favorite 4 man backpacking tent, the Trekker Tent 3.

Despite being a 4 person tent, the Trekker Tent 3 has one of the easiest set ups of all of our other backpacking tents, simply stake down the four corners, attach our trekking poles together (an extension is included if the tent is bought with poles) and then extend the single resulting trekking pole in the center of the tent.

We are also excited about this tent because of its weight. At 4lb 10oz, with stakes, it is one of the lightest per person 4 man tents out there. Only 1lb 2.5oz per person.

Lastly we love the vestibule, large mesh door and 6′ 8” peak height. We think you’ll love this 4 person trekking pole tent too.

Check out the Trekker Tent 3 here.

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$50 tent vs $600 tent

Trekker Tent 2 review

A couple of weeks ago, backpacking expert and outdoor adventurer Jessica “Dixie” Mills spotlighted the Trekker Tent 2 and compared it to the ZPacks Duplex, a similar ultralight trekking pole tent at more than 10 times the price. She started her YouTube video saying that she was curious how well an inexpensive, light-weight tent (under 3 lbs) would compare with a top-of-the-line model. After a brief introduction of the ZPacks, she followed with a more thorough review of the Trekker Tent 2. Although the Trekker Tent 2 doesn’t have the vestibule that Dixie liked on the Duplex, it passed her test for ease of setup, overall weight, interior roominess and compact size. After sleeping through a night of light rain, she was happy with how the Trekker Tent performed but didn’t stop there: she just had to give it the hose test! Of course, it passed that test, too, and we’re happy with how well our tent compares with the Duplex. But, don’t take our word for it, check out her video and subscribe to her Homemade Wanderlust page for more high-quality videos about backpacking, thru-hiking, and just plain enjoying life!

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Trekker Tent 1A, our lightest one person trekking pole tent.

ultra-light one man tent

We are excited to announce our lightest tent yet. 2 lbs and 7.5 feet long so you can fit with your gear, includes an awning. On sale for the next 3 days, just $19.95. For this reduced price we would really like your feedback on this new tent.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GY22398

 

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Tips and Tricks for reducing tent condensation.

backpacking tent condensation

How to Reduce Tent Condensation:

While most tents are waterproof, all tents can have condensation.  In the worst conditions condensation can be so bad that you may think your tent is leaking even when it is not raining outside.  Here are some important tips to reduce or eliminate condensation on your backpacking trip.

#1: DON’T Quit Breathing.  The average person breathes out an entire pint of water each night while sleeping, while quitting breathing would do more than all the remaining tips combined to reduce tent condensation we don’t recommend it. Keep breathing!

The following tips are in no particular order, and you may find one works better than the others. If you have your own tips please share them in the comments below.  

Location, Location, Location

Yes picking the right tent location can greatly reduce condensation! Here are some locations that are better and some that are worse.

  • Pick a location that is at least 50 feet from standing water, lake or river.
  • Don’t set up your tent on living matter (Green grass is green because it is wet).
  • Set up under trees, not in an open field (condensation is considerably less in the trees and the ground is often dryer, also branches overhead can act as a protective layer and an alternate surface for moisture in the air to condense onto).

Ventilation

  • Set your tent up so that any breeze is blowing at the door or the vents, this will increase ventilation.
  • Leave the outer door open; only close it if it starts raining.
  • Make sure vents are open.

Don’t Add Water

  • Many people will keep their wet gear inside their tent with them at night, Don’t do this!
  • Get all wet gear, socks, shoes, and packs out of the tent. You should consider bringing a small tarp or another place to leave wet gear and items, drying them in you tent at night will add to condensation, and will not likely dry any of your gear.

Try a Waterproofing Spray

  • Many Waterproofing sprays will repel water. Lightly spray both the outside and inside of the tent with a waterproofing spray and you may notice a difference in how the water collects on the inside tent wall. You can get a can of waterproofing spray at Walmart for around $5.

Share your own tips below for reducing tent condensation below.