Gear Review: Slow Camping

When I toured automobile manufacturing plants in Japan with my dad, I was impressed by the companies’ attention to every detail — from a spotless floor to its production line — so I wasn’t surprised to discover that DOD is a Japanese outdoor camping gear company. DOD takes a slow, luxurious, and quality approach to camping with a variety of adaptable, integrative, and thoughtful equipment to make the most of your time with your loved ones — as does Warmbond, a newer U.S. company.

Kamaboko Super Tent

There’s no misnomer in the word “super” within this tunnel-shaped tent. The multi-room setup comes in small, medium, and large, which range from 132 square feet and 16.44 feet long to 312 square feet and 25 feet long. I’ve used my small version both in the mountains, where it held up spectacularly to five significantly rainy afternoons, as well as a backyard camping party to watch home movies (see theatre screen review below).

The inner tent, which fits into half of the tunnel, comfortably fits four adults and two 25-pound dogs while watching movies, while the other half of the tent offers a screened-in patio-like experience; you can add a tarp to the patio or simply keep it bare ground, the latter of which we do. I love the sun protection the patio offers, along with its airy, outdoor feeling when the sides and door are open (with or without insect-protecting mesh).

If you buy the medium or large version, you can literally set up two bedrooms — one on each side of the patio. When you want to zip up doors and sides, mesh windows still offer plenty of ventilation. With an inner height of 5.9 feet — and 6.1 feet at its peak — there’s plenty of room for us to walk around or change. And, it comes with plenty of pockets to hold gear, inside and outside of the sleeping chamber. This is camping at its most luxurious; it’s a tent that’s fun for backyard staycations and car-camping adventures. Though it does take two people to easily set up, once you secure the three main poles and anchors, the inner chamber quickly snaps on and off.

Small: $899, medium, $1,249, large, $1,499, dodoutdoors.com

Kamaboko Theatre Screen

They had me at “theatre screen.” I’ve always loved drive-ins and have been wanting a protected setup that allows me to comfortably watch movies outside. For me, this absolutely completes the slow, luxury camping lifestyle. It’s easy to clip on and off and provides an ample screen (ranging from small, 86″ x 61″ to large, 138″ x 51″) to watch movies — my favorite being home movies to recall fond memories, all while making new ones. Rather than roll up, this screen folds, so you might see some residual lines on the screen, but that honestly did not get in the way of our viewing pleasure. Depending on where you place the projector (not included), you can watch movies in the sleeping tent, on the covered “patio,” or even under the stars. And, as I mentioned with Japanese engineering thinking of every detail, there’s even a floor slot to run an extension cord into the sleeping chamber, to fully protect the projector.

$69-$99, depending on tent size, dodoutdoors.com

Mat Set for Kamaboko Super Tent

Though the super tent is built to last without a tarp, this 210D woven polyester tarp protects the inner tent floor and makes it even more waterproof during said rain. The inner mat is a definite necessity for all-around comfort, with its super-cushy, ¼-inch rubber pad encased with two layers of 210D polyester with PU coating. I use both for the sleeping chambers, but they’re also great for the patio area.

$149-$249 depending on size, dodoutdoors.com

Uma Folding Wagon and Uma Folding Table Top

Because the small super tent weighs 32 pounds in the carrying case (without the mats), it’s nice to have a sturdy wagon to throw all of this luxurious, slow-camping gear into. And we’re talking sturdy, with high-gauge steel, powder-coated paint and a load capacity of 350 pounds. Granted, it’s weighty itself, at 30.8 pounds, but it easily folds and packs into a case just over 31″ x 11″. We’ve carried firewood, groceries, and gear from the car to the site with one quick trip. Again, the wagon is aptly named, as “uma” means “horse” in Japanese. The durable rubber tires roll across dirt and sand, and the hearty fabric with enhanced flooring resists punctures and tears. Plus, you can remove the fabric to wash it. The optional uma folding table top, made of beautiful, solid oak, allows your wagon to double as a 29″ x 22′ table, with a load capacity of about 50 pounds. Just lock the wagon tires, fold the handle down, and serve dinner on it, or play games. When you’re done, it folds up like a fan into its own case.

Table top, regularly $149; wagon, $249; wagon and table bundle, $398 (check out current sale prices), dodoutdoors.com

Warmbond BondStove Mini

Like DOD, Warmbond strives to slow people down and build bonds in nature. This cute little 6.3-inch-diameter and 6.6-inch-high stainless steel and ceramic stove is a great addition to the relaxed camping lifestyle. It’s also fun to pull out during a barbecue or evening gathering. We had a blast roasting s’mores with my parents on our deck. It began with foraging dead sticks and pinecones (you can also use pellets or liquid alcohol fuel) and placing s’mores fixings on a fancy plate. Though it smoked upon ignition, the smoke quickly dissipated, due to its recently redesigned dual airflow system, which includes rounded corners to accelerate airflow and generate over 18% more heat than round stoves of the same diameter. The lightweight, 3 ½-pound gem is easy to set up and holds 2.2 pounds of pellets. Even once the flames die down, the warmth it generates results in perfectly roasted marshmallows. But what’s also cool is the fact that you can make coffee, pop popcorn, or grill a burger on it (griddle sold separately — see below). The mini comes with a combustion plate/ash pan, grill rack, metal burner cap, snuffer lid, and stove shield.

Regularly $99.99 (check out the sale), $10 for carrying pouch, warmbond.com

Mini Tool Pack for Warmbond BondStove Mini

The mini tool pack reminds me of playing dollhouse or tea party, but even men seem to get a kick out of the stainless steel forks, pellet scoop, cooking tongs, mini poker (and hook), and griddle lifter tong, to reposition the included, 7-inch cast iron cooking griddle. The forks sturdily hold your marshmallow, while the griddle is great for cooking scrambled eggs or a couple small sliders. And, it all comes in a durable case, which holds everything in place.

$54.99 (check sale), warmbond.com