Snowys unplugged: our gear gurus go off-grid and off-script! Here's what the team really packs for a camping trip...

Ben and Lauren pull back the curtain on their personal camping preferences, revealing favourite gear, hilarious camp fails, and the luxury items they can't leave behind. Our hosts share insights from across the Snowys team about what equipment really earns its place, explore campsite selection wisdom, and decode which gear trends are rising (and which are on their way out). 

The conversation covers weird and wonderful camping hacks that actually work, lightbulb moments that changed their outdoor approach, and the honest difference between true essentials and nice-to-haves. Yep, even the experts have failures, favourites, and unexpected indulgence!

00:00 - Intro
03:26 - What is Ben and Lauren's Favourite Piece of Camping Equipment?
12:19 - Snowys Staff's Favourite Camping or Outdoor Item
18:40 - What to Look for When Choosing a Campsite
22:37 - What Camping Gear is Trending Vs Phasing Out?
27:39 - Ben and Lauren's Funniest Camp Fails and Best Lightbulb Moments
33:03 - Weird and Wonderful Camping Hacks, Gadgets, or Solutions
38:40 - Ben and Lauren's Luxury, Non-Essential Camping Items
41:05 - Ben and Lauren's Personal Essential Camping Items
49:06 - Summary

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

In the spirit of this week's episode, our copywriter resentfully asked ChatGPT to write the overview below:

"Buckle up, campers. In this episode, Ben and Lauren put the bot to work tackling Nicole’s curly questions about staying dry in wild weather and keeping your back happy on solo trips. From wind-proof setups to back-friendly sleep rigs, ChatGPT cops a grilling on accuracy, context, and its suspiciously American taste in gear. 

There are shopping lists, packing plans, pump chats, and a budget smackdown with Ben. It’s all the camp chaos you love, wrapped in Aussie banter. It's AI meets the great outdoors — what could go wrong?"

00:00 - Intro
02:10 - Ben and Lauren's Take on AI
06:40 - Your Questions: Answered by ChatGPT
06:45 - Easy Camping Options for Wind and Rain
10:55 - ChatGPT's Interpretation: Accuracy Vs Context and Creativity
11:55 - Lauren's Interpretation
13:55 - Best Solo Camping Sleeping Options for Back Support
22:29 - ChatGPT's Shopping List and Single Car Packing Layout
26:44 - ChatGPT Vs Ben: Budget Friendly Options with Back Support
27:35 - Better Stretcher Suggestions
28:42 - ChatGPT's US Influence 
29:52 - Pumps and Inflation
30:35 - ChatGPT's Technical Packing Plan
33:11 - Summary

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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
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From sand invasion to stake placement: your campsite setup questions answered...

In this compilation episode, Ben and Lauren tap back into previous episodes to tackle a collection of listener queries about the practical side of campsite living. Our gear gurus share strategies for DIY windbreaks, reveal their at-home gear maintenance rituals, and decode effective food protection from persistent pests. 

The conversation covers surprising gear that proved unexpectedly useful (and even the mistakes that weren't), Ben's definition of "luxury" camping items that earn their weight, and the emergency kit essentials that could save your trip. A practical Q&A session that proves successful camping isn't about having every gadget - it's about knowing which problems to solve and which rituals to respect!

00:00 - Intro
02:17 - Limiting Sand and Dirt in Our Swags
03:44 - The Right Way to Stake a Tent
07:52 - Making Your Own Wind Break
12:55 - Unpacking At-Home Rituals, Gear Checks, and Maintenance
16:40 - How to Secure Food From Pests
24:24 - Two Items You Thought Would be Useless But Turned Out to be Useful, and Visa-Versa?
27:44 - Ben's "Luxury" Camping Items
30:07 - Items to Keep in the Emergency Kit
34:19 - Summary

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Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
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Stumped for stocking stuffers? Banking on something brilliant? The ultimate outdoor gift guide just dropped...

Ben and Lauren unwrap Snowys' 2025 Christmas lineup, from compact coffee makers to game-changing gadgets that'll have outdoor enthusiasts buzzing. Our gear gurus explore everything lightweight and practical from BioLite lighting solutions, Tiegear essentials, and JetBoil speed to luxury picks like portable air conditioners and Quest Air Sofas that redefine camping comfort. 

The conversation covers 12V appliances, cooler options for every adventure style, reversing cameras, headlamp heroes from Petzl to Hardkorr, and the entire KickAss gadget arsenal. Whether you're shopping for coffee connoisseurs, tech enthusiasts, or families ready to hit the trail, tune in for gift inspiration that goes beyond the camping clichés!

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Christmas Inspiration in 2025
04:10 - Christmas Gift Ideas
04:34 - BioLite Luci Lanterns, String Lights, and Site Lights
06:45 - Tiegear Guy Ropes and Pegs
09:19 - 12V Appliances
13:34 - Coleman Pro Can Soft Coolers, Glacier Icebox, and Hard Cooler
16:12 - Cybertake Pro Portable Air Conditioner
18:23 - Oricom Reversing Camera 
19:52 - Caribee Kokoda Gear Bag
21:07 - JetBoil Stoves
21:59 - FlexTail Pumps
23:09 - Gasmate Orbiter Portable BBQ
25:11 - Petz, KickAss, OZtrail, Black Diamond, Ledlenser and Hardkorr Headlamps
26:19 - All KickAss Gadgets
28:53 - Quest Air Sofas
30:05 - Companion Roam Series
34:04 - Petrol Usage When Charging 12V Devices
35:07 - Summary

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

From scorchers to soakers…

Ben and Lauren tackle a compilation of listener questions about camping through Australia’s wildly unpredictable conditions, from torrential downpours to sweltering heat waves. Our gear gurus share battle-tested tips for camping in the rain, decode mozzie and wildlife management strategies, and reveal the clothing and equipment choices that actually make a difference across different weather scenarios.

The conversation covers preparing gear for humid conditions, staying comfortable, and the practical wisdom that promises manageable adventures. Tune in for how to embrace the forecast on every outdoor adventure – because camping in less-than-perfect conditions is only half the Australian experience.

00:00 – Intro
01:19 – Shout Out to Larry
02:42 – Join the Snowys Club!
04:46 – All-Weather Camping: A Compilation of Q&A’s
5:36 – Tips for Camping in the Rain
07:02 – Managing Mozzies, Pests, & Wildlife
14:53 – Clothing & Equipment for Different Weather
19:58 – Preparing Gear for Muggy Conditions
26:39 – Staying Comfortable in Extreme Heat or Wind
36:33 – Summary

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

From lung-busting manual effort to push-button perfection, Ben and Lauren talk inflation innovation!

In this episode, our gear gurus blow through Snowys’ comprehensive pump range from basic manual options to advanced 12V, 240V, and rechargeable powerhouses that handle both inflation and deflation. Be it PSI considerations, comparing compact solutions against mega pump monsters, and decoding the versatility differences that separate budget picks from premium performers – this conversation covers it all. 

Tune in to this comprehensive guide, designed for anyone who’s had enough of the puff!

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Overview of the Snowys Pump Range
02:23 - Basic Pump Options (Inflation Only)
09:43 - Advanced Pump Options (Inflation and Deflation): 12V and 240V
15:04 - Rechargeable Pump Options
16:53 - Considering PSI
21:24 - Versatility of Rechargeable Pumps
21:48 - Compact Pump Options
29:05 - Mega Pump Options
32:24 - So... What Pumps for What?
34:14 - Zempire Supercell Vs Dometic Gale
37:23 - Valve Types
44:43 - Lauren and Ben's Pumped Up Set-Up
48:56 - Summary

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

Building campsite communities that actually work together…

In this episode of the Snowys Camping Show, Ben and Lauren tackle the art of communal camping, from Zempire’s clever Shape Shifter range built for group gatherings to Lauren’s recent multi-family camping lessons. Our gear gurus cover everything from coordinated trips to creating shared living zones with tarps, gazebos, and heavy-duty shelter solutions.

Listen up for the lowdown on how to set up the communal spaces that keep the crew connected, and Ben and Lauren’s take on how to maintain togetherness without the tension.

00:00 – Intro
01:29 – Talking Zempire’s Shape Shifter Range
08:33 – Communal Camping: a ‘Joined’ System
09:58 – Lauren’s Recent Experience with Communal Camping
13:53 – How to Organise a Communal Camping Trip
16:24 – Setting Up for Communal Camping: Shelters and Tarps
19:04 – Gazebos
24:40 – Heavy-Duty Set-Up Options
26:29 – Summary

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

They're our hot weather heroes - fighting the flames and forewarning the community of dangerous conditions. 

While every state and territory have a rural fire service of their own, Ben and Lauren chat with Phil from the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) and extinguish any confusion around Fire Ban Seasons.

From considerations in campfire cooking, to seeking the right refuge – in this heated throwback episode of the Snowys Camping Show, Phil cools the coals and clarifies all regulations that are relevant to travellers and tourers during the Fire Danger periods.

00:00 – Intro
00:50 – Introducing Phil from the CFS
01:43 – Gas Stove Regulations
04:16 – Travelling During the High Season
08:17 – Radios
09:14 – Protection in Bushfire-Risk Zones
13:08 – Bushfire Refuges
18:04 – Travelling on Foot
20:36 – Identifying a Fire
22:59 – The Fire Ban Season: Unpacked
28:03 – Braziers and Above-Ground Fires
29:20 – Comfort Fires
29:57 – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Legislation
32:15 – “Gas” Stove Terminology
33:33 – Use of Gas Appliances
35:30 – Generators
37:45 – Induction Cooktops
40:00 – Extinguishing a Fire
45:08 – Find Out More or Get Involved!

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

When morning dew hits new heights...

Ben and Lauren tackle the challenges of heat and condensation in rooftop tents, touching on how materials, insulation, and ventilation affect your overnight microclimate. Our gear gurus unpack the Inspired Overland Stargazer to illustrate smart design solutions, as well as cover the differences between standard and rooftop tents and the real causes of moisture buildup. 

Tune in for your guide to staying dry while camping high!

Shortcuts:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Condensation While Camping
01:42 - The Inspired Overland Stargazer
03:38 - Addressing Condensation and Heat with Rooftop Tents
04:19 - Insulation
07:05 - Considering Materials for Heat Absorption
07:44 - Choosing When to Camp
08:45 - Standard Tents Vs Rooftop Tents
09:14 - Considering Condensation
12:38 - Causes of and Solutions to Condensation
18:10 - Ventilation
18:50 - Summary

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

The minimalist movement: rooftop tents cutting weight without compromise

Ben and Lauren climb the ladder of the latest lightweight rooftop tent innovations, from 23ZERO's Super Lite range to Inspired Overland's carbon fibre brilliance and Darche's detachable designs. Our gear gurus examine the critical trade-offs between shedding kilos and sacrificing features, explore how new materials and technology are pushing boundaries, and reveal what's coming down the pipeline like Inspired Overland's Trailpeak. 

From removable features allowing customisable weight versus functionality, to integrated lighting and power points for convenience without bulk - this episode is essential listening for anyone chasing that sweet spot between roof rack-friendly weight and ultimate camping comfort – because sometimes less is more if you're not losing what matters.

Shortcuts:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - The Latest in Lightweight Rooftop Tents
02:06 - Reflecting on Ep178
03:22 - 23ZERO Dakota Super Lite Rooftop Tent
04:35 - 23ZERO Saber Super Lite Rooftop Tent
05:44 - 23ZERO Saber Vert-X1450 Hard Shell and Super Fly Lightweight Rooftop Tent
07:12 - Lightweight Vs Features: Determining the Trade-Off
08:54 - Inspired Overland XL Lightweight and Carbonlite Rooftop Tent
09:55 - Inspired Overland Stargazer Duo Rooftop Tent
10:49 - Coming Soon: Inspired Overland Trailpeak Rooftop Tent
12:44 - Darche Detachable Rooftop Tent
13:13 - Front Runner Roof Top Tent
13:52 - Inspired Overland Standard and Carbonlite: Removable Features
16:35 - Technology, Materials, and Sacrifices in Lightweight Rooftop Tents
24:00 - Sleeping Gear and Bedding
25:36 - Integrated Lighting, Power Points, and Other Features
26:27 - Final Thoughts
28:08 - Summary

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