If you and your family are planning a vacation outdoors, you will want to find the right camping gear to make sure that everyone is protected and comfortable. There are lots of places to search for affordable camping gear; here are some sites and stores you may be interested in.

Depending on what time of year you are planning your trip for, coats and protective gear for your tent will be necessary. Outdoor coats from companies like First Down and Eddie Bauer will help you and your family to stay warm during the winter months, and the windbreakers and hiking boots from these companies will give you just what you need to make your spring outdoor vacation a memorable one. You can check for special deals and promotions at www.eddiebauer.com, or you can visit wholesale online stores that feature these brands, such as www.pricegrabber.com or www.nextag.com.

You’ll also need smaller camping gear, like sunglasses and watches during your trip, and you can shop from brands like Swiss Army and Nike on sites like www.rei.com, www.nextag.com and www.overstock.com. These watches are waterproof, and can handle a few bumps and bruises while you’re rock climbing or going on the hiking trail. You’ll also need quality sunglasses when you’re boating or operating machinery while camping, and you can count on brands like Oakley and Native Eyewear to give you UVA and UVB protection; the companies also offer sunglasses for children.

Whether you’re spending a night under the stars in the warm spring or summer weather, or are taking a trip to a campsite in the fall and winter months, there’s nothing like a great sleeping bag to give you a comfortable and cozy night’s sleep. You can purchase this camping gear from REI recreational store, or you can shop online at www.rei.com. Sleeping bag varieties like the Kilo Plus has excellent padding for the cushioning you’ll need outdoors, and the Expedition sleeping bag is filled with goose down to give you extra warmth and comfort.

If you know that you’re going to be participating in lots of outdoor sports activities, you’ll definitely want to purchase camping gear like canoes and kayaks to take along on your trip. You can also rent these items at certain campsites, so you may want to check out www.koa.com to find out how you and your family can participate in various water sports at campgrounds all over the country. Paddle clothing and dry bags can also be found at www.pricegrabber.com.

For more great camping gear ideas, visit www.ebay.com.

Visit Camping Equipment Online for information and shopping on essential camping gear.