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A canoe camping trip that combines tent-camping overnights with a canoe as vehicle-of-choice by day is a sure way to pack extra fun, exercise, adventure, relaxation and scenic beauty into any camping vacation.

Why Canoe?

If your dream excursion is a face-to-face, high-sensation encounter with all that nature has to offer, a canoe camping trip is for you. There’s not much better than guiding a 16-foot aluminum canoe down a rushing - or even quietly flowing - stream through a wooded wilderness as the morning sun breaks through the trees.

Canoe camping is beginner-friendly, and astonishingly inexpensive. It requires very few skills and little gear beyond what’s prudent for typical camping trips and equipment. Riverfront or shoreline campsites can be as cheap as nothing at all to $5 or $10 a night. Canoe camping with friends or family makes the adventure livelier and even less expensive.

Transporting your camping gear on a canoe camping trip is so easy, you may never backpack again! The typical two-person aluminum canoe can easily carry close to 500 pounds of “stuff” - although, remember, the more you bring, the more you must haul off-board, pack up and haul back on-board when you break camp in the morning. Just because you can haul more on a canoe camping trip, doesn’t mean you should.

Because you’re traveling relatively slowly, you’ll see much more of the countryside’s scenery and wildlife in a canoe camping trip than you’ll see when using a car, truck, RV or other motor vehicle to transport you from campsite to campsite.

How To Plan Your Canoe Camping Trip

As with any new venture, planning ahead is the key to your enjoyment.

1. If someone in your party (including you!) is new to canoeing, by all means, take a short test run on a nearby stream or small river. Practice paddle-handling, especially turning and banking. Get in and out of the canoe, and load and unload it. If possible, spend at least one night camping on your dry run, to get an idea of what gear and supplies you can leave behind on a longer trip, and what items you absolutely can’t live without.

2. Choose your waterway. Word-of-mouth from other canoeists and campers is the best way to decide on your destination, because they’ll have first-hand experience with all aspects of the waterway, everything from good campsites en route to bad mosquito populations along the way. Camp-gear outfitters, canoe rental sites and local, state and national park Web sites are also great information sources. They can help you match up your prospective canoe route with your detailed vacation plans. Consider: What else are you hoping to do on your trip besides paddle your canoe and set up and strike camp? What’s available on any given waterway varies dramatically from site to site, so check each option carefully.

3. Map your route. Once you’ve decided which watery superhighway you’ll be traveling, treat canoe camping planning as you would any other kind of vacation trip. Will you bring your own canoe or are long-term rentals available, and where are they located? How long will you travel each day and where will you rest each night? Where are the portages and how long will you spend portaging? What’s the off-water terrain like? What side trips do you want to take? Will you stop to fish, swim or eat along the way? Are there locations to stop and seek shelter in case of dangerous weather?

Put it all down on paper. That paper, of course, will find its way to a waterproof dry bag as you’re putting your canoe camping gear together!

What To Take Canoe Camping

It’s helpful to prepare your packing list in two columns: what you need for canoeing, and what you’ll need for camping. Since canoe campers are typically experienced car, RV or backpack campers first, the focus here is on what you’ll need specific to canoeing.

1. First and foremost you’ll need a canoe! A 16-foot canoe about 34 inches across and 12 inches deep is the ideal vehicle for a two-person canoe camp trip.

2. Equip your canoe with one paddle for each occupant, plus an extra paddle for caution. Lifejackets for each occupant are also a must and really should be worn when the canoe is in the water.

3. A cooler to keep each day’s prepared foods and drinks cold in the hot sun.

4. Water jugs filled with fresh water. Paddling can be thirsty work. Drink water while you canoe. Bring at least 2.5 liters per person per day. A few packets of water purification tablets can’t hurt (packed in a waterproof bag.)

5. A bright heavy-duty flashlight for the canoe. If for some reason, you’re stuck paddling in twilight or darkness, you’ll want to see as much as you can of the waterway, and you’ll want others to see you as well!

6. Rope or towline. Invaluable for tying up at night, but also necessary in the event the canoe overturns and paddles are lost.

7. Emergency supplies: Compass, Swiss Army Knife, waterproof matches, first aid kit, whistle, aloe, lip balm, sun block, aspirin, disinfectant. Some canoeists won’t leave home without a weather radio. Many pack a hand-held mirror to enable them to signal shore or other canoes in a pinch.

8. Canoeing clothes. Check the gear outfitters for super-comfortable quick-dry shorts that can be worn over a bathing suit if you’re planning to swim along the way. Tee-tops are fine most of the time, but you’ll want a shirt with sleeves and possibly quick-dry long pants for morning and evening paddling when the mosquitoes are out and about. Also, don’t forget rain ponchos. Wear skid-resistant boat shoes at all times and never canoe without protection for your head. A wide-brimmed sun hat is ideal and works to keep rain off, too.

9. Supply of trash bags and dry bags. Your dry bags will be watertight and will contain items such as your map, wallets and personal identification, cell phones, cameras, extra batteries and flashlight lamps, and anything you need to protect from the inevitable spray and wet-tracking that comes with canoeing. Plastic trash bags work fine for extra clothing, extra food, camping needs, and, of course, trash. Don’t dispose of anything in the waterways. Always place your trash in proper receptacles.

Some items that you normally would pack away for camping, you may want to leave out in the canoe, such as your camp chair or plastic-covered cushion. Hours of sitting on a plain un-cushioned canoe seat can be tough on the bottom. Keep your fishing gear handy if you’re planning to fish along the way. Binoculars, camera, notepad and extra pens should also be kept within reach.

After you’ve got your canoeing gear lined up, simply pack your camping gear, complete your other typical trip preparations, leave your trip plan with a friend or family member, and you are ready to hit the trail. All that’s left to do is enjoy yourself!

Article by Kate Sheridan from AssociatedContent.com

Did you know that ski bags exist that have a boot bag attachment? New to skiing, I had no idea, and spent a good twenty minutes trying to figure out the best way to cram my ski boots into my suitcase without taking up half of the room inside before my first trip out. I suppose many experienced skiers may find it funny, but when starting out this is one of those things that many of us learn the hard way.

This was not my only packing headache however. Over the years I have learned many lessons: some painful, some messy and others that could have been avoided with a little advice. While you probably have travel tips of your own for packing a bag, I’d like to share mine with you here:

• Sunscreen and shampoo leak. Store any lotions or liquids in a clear, sealed bag for the trip.
• Bags are always more full when you leave to go home due to souvenirs and such. Ship things to yourself at home to avoid luggage that won’t close right before a flight.
• Protect expensive sunglasses. Invest in a hard case for your beloved shades; they can get smashed easily in a carry-on bag.
• Roll your clothes. This helps keep them from being a wrinkled mess on arrival. They won’t look pressed, but you won’t look shabby either.
• Stuff socks inside shoes to save space. Simple, but effective when you need just a pinch more room.

Do you crave the latest styles from the hottest designers? Do you want a celebrity-worthy look even at the gym? Then Ed Hardy bags are for you. Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier is one of the hottest brands worn by celebrities today, and now you can take it with you to the gym or wherever you work out. Check out some of their bags below:

There are several sports that use a racquet; badminton, tennis and racquetball are a few notable ones. Keeping all the gear for these sports together is key, and racquet bags and other smart storage can help make things easier and keep items from getting damaged.

Badminton sets have several components: the lightweight racquets, the shuttlecocks and the net. Most often played in the summer season, this gear is typically set up outdoors in a backyard, or brought to a park for a fun afternoon of play. Bagging the gear and storing it where the racquets won’t have heavy items placed on top of them is important to remember if you would like to extend their life. Rolling the net for storage can help keep it from getting tangled.

Tennis gear varies depending on your dedication to the sport. Some serious players have bags that can store several racquets and hold tons of additional gear and clothing. More casual players might just use only a cover for the racquet itself to protect it during transport. One thing is for sure; there are plenty of options to choose from.

Racquetball players are similar to tennis players in that the amount of gear varies with the individual. Additional items such as gloves and sweatbands or towels are common “extras” that players bring with them to the health club for a good game. A bag that can remain packed for a last minute call can be a good idea too.

Racquet sports each have their own needs in terms of bags, gear and storage. Customize yours to fit your lifestyle and needs.

It seems like airlines are adding to their already growing list of fees and restrictions on a daily basis. Not only will you now be charged for things we all took for granted in travel (checking bags, free soda), but there have been news stories published recently that announce airlines’ stricter enforcement of the carry-on size rules. Rather than taking your chances with these new luggage police or potentially paying exorbitant fees for checking bags, why not pack your belongings in a rolling duffle bag that meets carry-on requirements. Not only are they the right size for overhead compartments, but these bags are also convenient for walking through the airport. Plus, some of these wheeled duffels are quite stylish. Check out some examples below:

eBags Mother Lode

Tommy Bahama Wheeled Duffel

Bric’s Rolling Duffel

Briggs & Riley Travel Duffel

Happy Independence Day! Celebrate the red, white, and blue with this True Wind Duffel. This bag is perfect for toting your blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, and snacks to the 4th of July barbecue or fireworks show. Plus, it is made from Dacron® sailcloth which makes it not only great looking, but also durable.

When you belong to a sports team you know that everyone has to pitch in and carry the gear. Basketball bags are one great way to stay organized and make sure that the balls used for practice won’t get dirty or dinged up on the trip. Most ball bags are very simple, with a zip pouch container for the ball itself and a sling strap to carry, but some even have features like a handy mesh side pocket to hold a water bottle or two as well.

Traveling isn’t the only time you can use a basketball bag. If you play a lot of games on a local, neighborhood court, it is convenient as well. Hang it by the door and it is ready to go when the call comes that a game is on. The bag is also an excellent pick for children and teens, allowing them two free hands and helping to insure that the ball doesn’t get lost or mixed up with someone else’s at the end of practice.

These bags don’t have to be totally reserved for basketballs either; they have multi-purpose function. They can double as a simple carrier for a bag lunch if you are going on a picnic or as an away bag for your child if they are staying overnight at someone’s house.

Gym bags are not all about function. They can also be about style. There are tons of fashionable duffle bags and cute sports tote bags out there that can help you express yourself while you work out. Just check out a few examples below:

	The Puma Angel Shopper can be used as a sporty gym tote and comes in a cute pastel pink color. The bag also features a glitter printed Puma logo, an embroidered cat logo on the side, and zip compartments.
	The California Leash Company Butterfly Duffel comes in several patterns including pink floral, California bohemian, and watercolor delight. Although this duffle bag is labeled as a travel duffel, it is an ideal gym bag with its high-grade material, zip closure, and good amount of storage.
	The Sherpani Meta is a truly functional sports bag that comes in beautiful pastel colors like orchid and cornsilk. The bag features interior water bottle pockets, security pockets, and a removable shoe/cosmetic bag.
	For a lightweight gym bag, consider the Under Armour Medium Locker Gym Sack. This sack works well for carrying light loads to the field or gym and features a drawstring closure.

Whether you are a die-hard hiker, a skier or a snowboard baby, investing in a carrier for your footwear can help make your life a whole lot easier. Boot bags provide storage for outdoor gear in the off-season and make it easy to carry your boots when you are heading out for your sport or taking a trip and bringing them with you. Here are some tips for selecting the right one for you:

• Be sure and check out the size of the bag. If you wear size 13 boots, you’ll want to be sure they will fit inside before you buy. If you have tiny feet, you won’t want a gigantic bag if you can avoid it. If big bags are all that is available, get one that has two compartments and store other items in the second one.
• Go for water-resistant bags. If you’ll be tracking around in the snow, you will want to be sure your other stuff stays dry. This is also a good move if you are a hiker who goes out in all weather. Just because it is cold outside it doesn’t mean there won’t be mud. Water-resistant bags make wiping up easy.
• If you are a mountain climber and want to invest in a bag, consider getting one with a reinforced bottom for better durability. They hold up well when placed on snow.
• Look for easy grab handles or a sensible strap for convenient carrying.
• Go for bags with additional pockets. The more you can fit in one bag, the less you will have to carry overall.
• Search for reinforced materials at places such as the seams and handles. This type of bag will likely hold up better.