Camping with Costco

Gather the goods and head to the woods (or mountains or lake or …)

After refreshing my backyard, I thought an outdoor structure would be a great addition to create a room-like environment outside while adding protection from the sun and rain. Visiting Costco.ca, I was impressed by the selection of high-quality gazebos, pergolas and pavilions. These structures are made in various shapes and sizes from long-lasting, weather-resisting materials, such as beautiful cedar, sturdy steel, rust-free aluminum and easy-to-clean vinyl. And, as usual, Costco buyers go many steps further.

Fortunately, you can leave the gear research to Costco buyers, who vet hundreds of pieces of camping equipment each year in order to select the very best ones to bring to market. The warehouse floor has only so much space, so only the best will do.

Tents. Last year the Coleman® Skydome eight-person tent (Item 1464927) was so popular in just a few select warehouses that buyers are bringing it to all Canadian locations this spring. This tent boasts a gear loft, multiple mesh storage pockets, a wide door and an almost vertical frame that can withstand strong winds. If that doesn’t impress you, surely the five-minute set-up time will seal the deal.

Sleeping bags. “We’ve really elevated our game on the sleeping bag,” says Gabriel Poirier, sporting goods buyer for Costco Canada. “The new bag we have this year [by Coleman, Item 1562259] is cold-weather rated to 5 C (41 F), machine-washable, has a breathable cotton lining and comes in a standard ‘big and tall’ size, so one size truly fits all.”

Great sleeping bags are instrumental in a restful camping experience, but before you roll out your bag you’ll want to spread out a Lightspeed® air pad with pillow (Item 1593172) to cushion you against the hard ground. “These air pads are very lightweight and portable—great for the backpacker as well as the glamper,” Poirier says.

Around the campfire. Nothing beats hanging out by the campfire—in comfort, that is. Back by popular demand is the tried-and-true Timber Ridge® director’s chair in navy blue (Item 2622054). Costco has sold these chairs for the past 10 years, Poirier says.

“As buyers we continuously try to improve that ‘perfect’ product,” he adds, listing the chair’s smart features, like a water-resistant coating, a flip-down side table with a cup and phone holder, and its comfortable and convenient size, with a 136-kilogram (300-pound) weight limit. “This year the chair comes in a quilted fabric and has leather patching— to elevate its look and feel.”

The backpack-style Tommy Bahama® beach chair (Item 1425460) returns as another comfortable seating option for your beach or camping adventures. This year it comes in a kids’ size (Item 2622072), too, Poirier says.

Depending on where you’re planning to camp, the Outland Cypress® portable fire bowl (Item 2622131) could be an ideal solution—just be sure to check local regulations. From your backyard to the beach, and of course your campsite, this 53-centimetre (21-inch) fire bowl is easy to tote for both car and RV camping. “Bonus: You go home not smelling like a campfire,” Poirier says.

Lighting. Lanterns have advanced quite a bit in the past decade. The water-resistant and rechargeable Enbrighten® LED lantern with battery bank (Item 1560914) is a great choice for your camping trip. It provides up to 240 hours of illumination (on low setting and with three D batteries, not included) per charge.

Food storage. Regardless of the length of your adventure, you’ll want to be sure to invest in smart food storage while in the great outdoors. Costco Canada has three different cooler options this year: the Titan® soft-sided cooler in a backpack style, an Igloo® hard-sided cooler and (of course) a bear-proof cooler from Lifetime®.

Once you have the basics packed and you’re ready to head out, remember nature enthusiast John Muir’s famous words: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”

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