200 Episodes, 5 Secret Sounds, and a Whole Lot of Gear to Give Away!

It's our 200th episode -- and we're celebrating the milestone with something a little different... A Secret Sound! Ben and Lauren reflect on five years, four studios, and nearly a million YouTube views, before diving into the stats (you've listened to us for 150,000 hours!), the standout episodes, and the moments that have made the Snowys Camping Show what it is today.

From the ghost camping crackdown that sparked 300+ comments, to the interviews that stuck with them most -- it's a look back at the people, the gear, and the banter that's kept the conversation going for 200 episodes strong. Be it a JetBoil Trail Cook 2.0, a Sea To Summit sleeping mat or the Cybertake Air Conditioner grand prize up for grabs -- listen in, guess the sounds, and you could be walking away with some seriously good gear!

More details here - https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/podcast-200-episodes-giveaway-special/

0:00 – Welcome to Episode 200!
2:01 – Introducing the Secret Sound competition and how to enter
5:01 – Show stats – nearly 1 million YouTube views and 150,000 hours watched
7:07 – Most viewed episode of all time (Ep. 78 — Australian Camp Oven Festival)
7:40 – Most commented episode – the ghost camping crackdown
8:28 – Ben and Lauren’s favourite episodes and guests
13:50 – Our cameraman Larry (doesn’t) show his face on camera
14:25 – How the giveaway is going to work
19:38 – Prize 1: Cybertech S2 Portable Air Conditioner & Heater
21:19 – 🔊 Secret Sound #1 – guess to win!
23:08 – Prize 2: Sea to Summit Circuit Down Sleeping Bag (-9°)
24:35 – 🔊 Secret Sound #2 – guess to win!
26:22 – Prize 3: Gerber Complete Cook Set
30:35 – 🔊 Secret Sound #3 – guess to win!
32:48 – Prize 4: Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Double Sleeping Mat
36:52 – 🔊 Secret Sound #4 – guess to win!
37:49 – Prize 5: JetBoil Trail Cook 2.0
41:30 – 🔊 Secret Sound #5 – guess to win!
42:33 – All 5 sounds played back-to-back
44:20 – How to enter – comment by April 30, 2026, winners announced on Star Wars Day!

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

From van life solo to a Troopy built for two... meet Kira and Mitch of Suretosea

Ben and Lauren welcome Snowys' ambassadors Kira and Mitch, into the studio, a Tassie-based couple currently doing a full lap of Australia in their 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser troop carrier, affectionately known as Troopski. Fresh off 10 months on the east coast and down the centre, they've barely had time to wash the red dirt out before hitting the road again - this time heading west.

From the rooftop tent decision that changed everything, to budgeting $1,000 a week on the road, bulk-buying meat and the very real burnout that comes with trying to see it all — be it the highs of Babinda Boulders and Kakadu or the flies, the heat, and the moment you just want carpet under your feet -- tune in for an honest, unfiltered chat about life on the road with two people living it.

Shortcuts:

0:30 – Ben introduces Kira and Mitch of Suretosea

1:59 – Kira shares her background growing up in southern Tasmania

3:04 – Mitch talks about his upbringing on a farm on the Yorke Peninsula

6:39 – Kira and Mitch reveal they’re heading west for a full lap of Australia

10:24 – The story of Troopski — a 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser troop carrier

11:50 – Why they chose a rooftop tent over a roof conversion

25:00 – The origin of their brand name, Suretosea

29:31 – How they afford full-time travel (savings, budgeting, and UGC work)

37:50 – Fridge, freezer, and food prep tips for life on the road

50:20 – Favourite locations in Australia so far

1:06:24 – The items Kira and Mitch never leave home without

1:10:50 – The craziest thing they’ve seen on the road

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snowys

Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

From the campfire to the cooktop — every camp cooking question you’ve ever had, answered

Whether you’re chasing the perfect camp coffee, cooking through a total fire ban, or wondering if freeze-dried meals are actually worth it — Ben and Lauren have served up a feast of answers. In this Q&A compilation episode, our video guy, Larry, has raided four years’ worth of content to collate your most common camp cooking and food questions into one well-seasoned episode.

From camp oven lamb shanks and the great damper debate, to induction cooker realities, 12V oven limitations, and the AeroPress fan club — our gear gurus dish out practical advice on planning your camp menu, prepping smarter at home, and making the most of whatever cooking setup you’ve got.

Tune in for a blast from the past — and a whole lot of food for thought!

Shortcuts:

00:00 — Intro & episode format explained

03:54 — Q: What’s your favourite recipe for camp stove and open fire? (John)

07:00 — Q: Camp meal ideas, preparation & tips for stove-only cooking (Karen)

09:14 — Q: What cooking options do you recommend for total fire ban days? (Curtis)

14:43 — Q: Induction cooking is on trend — what’s available for camping?

21:26 — Q: What are the best coffee makers for camping?

24:43 — Q: Best ultralight crockery and cutlery for hiking at the lowest price (Everyday Alchemist)

27:13 — Q: What’s your favourite meal to cook when camping?

29:12 — Q: Have you reviewed BackCountry/Outdoor Gourmet freeze-dried meals? (Mel)

36:18 — Wrap up

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

From bad backs to bad sleeps, the humble camp stretcher has a lot riding on it.

Whether you're looking to get up off the ground, create some storage under the bed, or simply bring a touch of home comfort to the campsite - Ben and Lauren stretch the topic thin and lay it all out flat. From easy-fold favourites and flat-fold classics to compact Helinox-style options and swag-specific setups, our gear gurus cover the lot: single vs. double, pole vs. no pole, saggy middles, tent fit, mat pairings, and the age-old question of whether your tent floor needs protecting.

Tune in for a no-nonsense guide to navigating the camp stretcher range -- and finally get a good night's sleep sorted!

0:26 – Intro: Why get a camp stretcher? Benefits covered (bad backs, storage, swag use, flood protection)

2:48 – Negatives of stretchers: bulk, weight, insulation limitations, and tent fit challenges

5:01 – Sturdy stretcher options: OZtrail Easy Fold, Zempire Z-Leg, and Quest Fast Bed reviewed

7:36 – Flat-fold stretchers: Big Sky and OZtrail Rhino Bed discussed, plus comfort vs. portability trade-offs

9:25 – Cross-leg stretchers: Oztent RS1, Coleman Swagger, 23Zero and others compared for stability

10:59 – Compact stretchers: Helinox options reviewed, value vs. cost debate, and budget alternatives

13:39 – Double stretcher deep-dive: pole vs. no pole, the sagging middle problem, and Quest's platform solution

16:28 – Swag-specific stretchers: matching dimensions, overhang tips, and whether tie points are really necessary

18:31 – Stretcher tents: Oztent Bunker, OZtrail, and Quest options explored as an all-in-one alternative

24:18 – Common questions answered: mattress pairing, tent floor protection, uneven ground, and putting two stretchers together

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snowys

Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

From the drawing board to the sleeping bag, great gear doesn’t just happen…

…it takes 13 years, a children’s IKEA desk, and a whole lot of passion.

In this episode, Ben and Lauren sit down with Sea To Summit’s senior product designer Tim Miller — the mind behind some of the brand’s most iconic gear — for an inside look at what it really takes to design outdoor equipment that lasts. From the Xpot’s award-winning origins to the engineering upgrades behind the new Ultralite XR air mat, Tim pulls back the curtain on the design decisions, trade-offs, and material innovations that keep Sea To Summit at the pointy end of the market.

Be it the bombproof weld construction of the updated air mat range, the clever Memory Lux pillow solving the ‘home pillow hogging the boot’ problem, or the tantalising tease of an airbeam mozzy net on the horizon — tune in for an hour and a half of product insights straight from the source!

Shortcuts:

0:00 — Intro & welcome: Ben and Lauren introduce Tim Miller, senior product designer at Sea to Summit

1:45 — Tim’s background: How he stumbled into Sea to Summit after university, starting unpaid at a children’s IKEA desk

5:00 — The design team: How the long-tenured team of six designers collaborates and avoids working in silos

8:40 — Sea to Summit’s design philosophy: Ground-up original design vs the “me-too” factory approach common in the industry

11:00 — Manufacturing process: Factory visits, quick prototyping, and the story of designing a machine when no existing equipment could make what they wanted

13:10 — Field testing & expeditions: Design team Kimberley packraft trips, testing prototypes in the wild, and the brutal feedback culture

17:15 — Working 2 years ahead: The challenge of designing for 2028 while reacting to what competitors launch today

19:20 — The ultralight balance: Why Sea to Summit won’t sacrifice durability for weight claims, and the lightest-isn’t-always-best debate

25:15 — Sustainability: Sea to Summit’s approach — durability as the best environmental policy, solution-dyed fabrics, and replaceable buckles

31:45 — 2026 sleep systems: Deep dive into the new Circuit sleeping bag — the spiritual successor to the original Trek

37:15 — Women’s fit sleeping bags: Lauren makes a passionate case for keeping women’s specific sizing in the range

39:00 — Air mat updates: The new Ultralite XR — thermally reflective film insulation, dramatically reduced bulk, and the improved weld construction

45:40 — The Comfort Deluxe mat: The 10cm car camping mat that actually folds up properly

51:45 — Pillows: The upgraded Premium Pillow, Down Pillow, and Tim’s passion project — the Memory Lux adjustable pillow

54:40 — Liners: Thermalite vs Coolmax fabrics explained, Tim’s controversial hot tip for the Breeze liner

1:05:30 — Other new products: Pack taps refresh, hydration bladders, and the X range and dinnerware updates

1:06:50 — Community questions: Mat longevity in humid climates, sleeping bag temperature ratings, what’s in the pipeline for 2027/28

1:09:10 — The big teaser: Tim drops the airbeam sealed mozzy net passion project — Sea to Summit entering the airbeam category

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

Rest assured — we’ve got your camp comfort questions covered.

From self-inflating mats versus air mattresses to the best sleeping bags for bigger people, a comfortable camp starts with the right sleep system — and in this episode, Ben and Lauren are answering your biggest questions about beds, bags, tents, and shelter to help you build a setup that actually works.

Whether you’re weighing up stretchers against air beds (bad back and all), wondering if that new down bag smell is normal, or trying to track down a light and easy-to-roll swag for solo adventures — our gear gurus cover it all. They also tackle the big shelter debates: pop-up tents for boat and island camping, compact 4-season family tents, the cheapie tents from Kmart and Big W, air tents from Outdoor Connection and Zempire, and how to stop your gazebo from becoming a kite in high winds.

Tune in for real-world advice, honest opinions, and practical tips to help you sleep sounder and camp smarter!

Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro
03:43 – Choosing a sleeping mat
08:27 – How to repair leaks on sleeping mats
11:15 – Bed options for mobility issues
15:17 – Sleeping bags for larger people
19:35 – ‘Wet dog’ new down bag odour
20:57 – Swags for solo female travellers and solo camping safety
27:34 – Mattress toppers for swags
29:30 – Pop-up tent alternatives and four-season tents for families
40:05 – Tents for beginners and bad backs
43:50 – Cheap vs quality tents
45:08 – Opinion on Outdoor Connection air tents
47:53 – Roof covers vs tarps
51:19 – Gazebos in high winds
56:57 – Outro

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

Watts cooking in the world of 12V?

From fridges and kettles to coffee machines and air fryers, 12V appliances are no longer just a novelty – they’re fast becoming essential kit for the modern camper. But with great power comes great responsibility (to your battery!), and not every gadget on the market is worth the amp draw.

In this episode, Ben and Lauren plug into the world of 12V appliances, breaking down which ones are genuinely worth running off-grid, what realistic power requirements look like, and how to integrate them into your camping or touring setup without flattening your battery before breakfast.

Tune in for the practical lowdown on what’s useful, what’s overkill, and what’s here to stay!

Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro
02:34 – Power requirements and setups
08:05 – Hardkorr 12V Coffee Machine review
13:30 – Sandwich presses and jaffle makers in the real world
16:55 – Induction cooktops pros and cons
19:08 – Air fryers, ovens, kettles and rechargables
33:00 – Managing air conditioning expectations
41:45 – Some specialised appliances
45:16 – Outro

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

From power banks to generator gripes, we’ve summarised all your camping electricity questions!

In this episode, we’ve gathered four years’ worth of conversations about camping power systems and collated them into one info-packed episode. Ben and Lauren synthesise their accumulated knowledge on AGM versus lithium batteries, solar controllers, and the maths behind keeping your campsite charged – from calculating amp hours for multi-day fridge setups to connecting mismatched solar panels in parallel.

Tune in for practical solutions ranging from the ideal pairing of a 100Ah battery with a 200-250W solar blanket, why 240V inverters can be efficiency vampires, and how to diplomatically handle the campsite neighbour whose generator has been humming for eight hours straight!

Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro
03:51 – Small options for recharging a phone
05:10 – Best battery packs for 70L Fridge
11:20 – Does Ben have AGM or lithium batteries in his car
12:02 – Best way to power 35L fridge & phone for 4-5 nights
17:10 – Do I need separate MPPT controllers for each solar panel?
20:35 – Best way to manage generator noise in a campsite
25:34 – Outro

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

The unsung heroes of camping: gear that quietly earns its keep…

Ben and Lauren pull back the curtain on their personal camping preferences, revealing favourite gear, hilarious camp fails, and Ben and Lauren celebrate the overlooked essentials that don’t get the glory but absolutely deserve it, drawing on insights from the entire Snowys crew and their passionate Facebook community. Our gear gurus explore humble heroes like paintbrushes for cleanup (thanks Bob West), pumps for deflating mats, collapsible buckets for hand washing, and the legendary “hot cross bun” lights that keep popping up in recommendations.

The conversation features contributions from team members like Cory, Jake, Hardy, and Brooke, plus community legends like Fiona, Muzzi, and countless others who’ve shared their low-key game-changers. From Sea to Summit pocket showers to collapsible Tupperware and portable fans that battle condensation, tune in for the practical picks that won’t break the bank but will absolutely improve your camping experience.

Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro
(contributors listed in order of mentions)
02:30 – Ben – Host
04:46 – Lauren – Host
05:28 – Corey – Snowys Continuous Improvement Manager
06:56 – Jono – Snowys Dispatch Manager
09:28 – Jake – Snowys Online product coordinator
11:55 – Bec – Snowys Brendale Store Team Member
13:09 – Jacob – Snowys Brendale Store Manager
14:02 – Hardy – Snowys Keswick Store Manager
15:03 – Nicole – Snowys Warranty Team
15:47 – Kaya – Snowys Customer Service Champion
16:45 – Ava – Snowys Keswick Store Team
19:48 – Brooke – Snowys Brendale Store Team & Warranty Coordinator
21:07 – Janet Moffett – Snowys Camping Banter Member
21:35 – Caelum Luke – Snowys Camping Banter Member
22:03 – Muzzy Karra – Snowys Camping Banter Member
22:34 – Alyshia Ford – Snowys Camping Banter Member
23:10 – Danielle Rogers – Snowys Camping Banter Member
23:40 – Aki Steinhorst – Snowys Camping Banter Member
24:02 – Andrew Dorney – Snowys Camping Banter Member
25:10 – Grant Schumacher – Snowys Keswick Store Team
25:57 – Rob Freeman – Snowys Camping Banter Member
26:26 – Wanda Daybell – Snowys Camping Banter Member
27:04 – Tawanda Zhungu – Snowys Camping Banter Member
28:02 – Alex James – Snowys Camping Banter Member
28:04 – Chris Walton – Snowys Camping Banter Member
28:13 – Sky Armstrong – Snowys Camping Banter Member
28:42 – Fiona Ludbrook – Snowys Camping Banter Member

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au

Summer’s sizzling sellers: what’s heating up the Snowys shelves right now…

Ben and Lauren kick off from their shiny new studio, reflecting on 2025’s highlights before diving into Snowys’ top summer sellers. Our gear gurus unveil the ten products dominating sales right now – from Coleman’s instant setup heroes and JetBoil’s cooking wizardry to Exped’s comfort champions and Hard Korr’s legendary lanterns (affectionately dubbed “Hot Cross Buns”).

The conversation covers everything from reversing cameras and director’s chairs to mega shelters and sleeping mats, plus an honourable mention for the 360° Degrees Furno combo that’s turning heads. With insights into the Snowys Club monthly giveaway and bold winter predictions, tune in to discover what gear has captured Australia’s camping obsession this season.

Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro & New Studio
03:05 – Reflecting on 2025.
06:53 – Snowys Club & Monthly Giveaway
09:15 – Product #1: Coleman Instant Up Screenhouse
11:03 – Product #2: Coleman Packaway Table and Bench Set
12:44 – Product 3: Exped Widget Pump
14:40 – Product 4: Jetboil Genesis 2-Burner Stove
19:05 – Product 5: Coleman Instant Up 10P Northstar Tent
23:55 – Product 6: Blackwolf Compact Director’s Chair
25:29 – Product 7: Coleman Event 15 Deluxe Shelter
27:22 – Product 8: Exped MegaMat
31:45 – Product 9: Oricom Wireless Reversing Camera
34:20 – Product Item #10: Hard Korr “Hot Cross Buns” (U-Lite Lanterns)
39:10 – Honourable Mention: 360° Degrees Furno Stove and Pot Set
42:00 – Winter Predictions

Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
https://www.snowys.com.au