Snowys Camping Show

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 mater...

From chaos to cargo control, without feeling tied-down... Ben and Lauren expand on their previous episode, Ep171 - Roof Rack Storage, with a deep dive into the abundance of tubs, bags, containers, and strapping systems that keep your gear tight and together. In that, they discuss cam buckle reliability, and the pros and cons of ratchet straps, bungee cords, and occy straps for different securing s...

The shape-shifting camp shelters in the outdoor space as we know it! Ben and Lauren tackle the clever world of shelter systems that adapt to your outdoor adventures and expanding families. Our gear gurus examine setups from the Oztent RV5 to Zempire's tent cities, explore modular brilliance of multi-structure setups, and discuss how investing in foundational tents with smart add-ons beats con...

From slick family sedans to more rugged rigs, Ben and Lauren discuss how to choose your camping chariot… From Lauren’s efficient car setup to wicked 4WD configurations, our gear gurus explore how different vehicles suit different camping approaches. It’s the practical stuff that matters – payload limits, towing capacity, hidden costs, and listener feedback on everything from wagons to dual-cabs. T...

In the dark about Blockout technology? Ben and Lauren address the great debate dividing the tent world... In this episode, our outdoor experts tackle one of camping's most polarising fabric technologies - blockout coatings that promise pitch-black mornings but deliver heated tent controversies.  A camping luxury, or an expensive "solution" to an inevitable aspect of outdoor living?...

Our rooftop tent options that elevate every campsite setup… Ben and Lauren scale the heights of rooftop tent excellence, breaking down their picks from powerhouse brands like 23ZERO, Darche, and Inspired Overland. Our gear gurus compare equivalent models across manufacturers, and explore everything from detachable designs to solar-integrated solutions. The conversation covers lightweight alternati...

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

The age-old tent tussle: canvas champions versus synthetic titans... This episode unpacks Ben and Lauren's pitch on a deceptively simple yet loaded question: which out of canvas or synthetic tents are the most superior for various types of outdoor adventuring? Our gear gurus start by laying down the foundation; addressing primary differences in weight, durability, and water resistance, while...

The sleeping bag rebels going rogue on ratings! Ben and Lauren dive into non-EN-rated sleeping bags, explaining why these rating renegades might actually be onto something! Our gear gurus decode what EN standards really tell you (and what they don't), and introduce their very own Snowys rating - focusing on real-world warmth over laboratory perfection.  The conversation covers Lauren's f...

Your camping comeback: when the great outdoors feels a little too great... Ben and Lauren tackle the daunting prospect of returning to camping, addressing everything from solo adventure anxiety to navigating gear choices with physical limitations and tight budgets. Our gear gurus break down the sleep system essentials that actually matter, decode camp cooking without the complexity, pull up a seat...

From forehead tattoos to foolproof roof rack setups... Our podcast playlist is officially racking up with this week's packed-in episode of content that stacks up!  First, Lauren asks the million-dollar question that tests Ben's brand loyalty - before our gear gurus tackle the art of roof rack storage without losing your gear to the elements. The conversation covers waterproofing strategi...

From shearing sheep and dishing pizza to doorsteps, to shepherding outdoor adventurers with the right gear, get-up, and guidance… Ben unlocks the rich, robust, entrepreneurial past of Snowys Outdoors founder Richard Wescombe, from his humble beginnings to today’s outdoor retail royalty. Richard’s early ventures with Dial-A-Dino’s pizza delivery service, Stanford Mowers, and Ring-A-Ling Brothers Ch...

The gear that's got everyone going! In this episode, Ben and Lauren bust open the bag and let cat go rogue - revealing the top 10 best sellers that are flying off the Snowys' shelves!  From the ever-proving-popular Hard Korr lanterns to Darche's Cold Mountain sleeping bags that boast superior warmth for a bargain - our gear gurus decode what's driving these camping cravings, an...

From sleeping rough to sleeping right, we hear from the mat masters! Ben and Lauren roll out the welcome mat for their all-time favourite guest, Ross from Sea to Summit, to discuss the ins, outs, and updates to their sleeping mat range. Our gear gurus explore the impact of global legislation on manufacturing, unpack updates to the Ether Light series, and discover the science behind the Delta Core...

Reshaping outdoor access, one private paddock at a time… In this episode, Ben and Lauren pull up a chair at the campsite with HipCamp’s Global Social Media Strategist, Brooke, to discuss how this clever concept is solving the camping shortage by unlocking access to private properties. Our gear gurus explore the journey from ‘YouCamp’ beginnings to navigating state regulations, booking systems, and...

That sinking feeling of a flooded tent: are they an unfortunate reality or a gear failure red flag? Ben and Lauren drain the delusion from this soggy subject by diving into condensation versus leakage, separating the drips from deluges, and revealing which tent floor materials keep you high and dry. Plus, our gear gurus explain what happens when the weather stress-tests every stitch and seam. Tune...

From heavyweight tradition to featherweight innovation: we meet the tent techs who have taken over! Ben and Lauren sit down with Ferdinand and Ronnie from Inspired Overland to unpack how they're reshaping the rooftop tent game with cutting-edge carbon fibre technology. Our gear gurus explore the journey from hobby project to global distribution, the sacrifices made to keep weight down without...

In this episode, Ben and Lauren have several lightbulb moments… Our gear gurus navigate the headlamp highway, shedding light on choosing the perfect hands-free lighting solution for your outdoor adventures. This 25-minute breakdown is as bright as it is tight, exploring the technical details from lumens versus lux ratings to flood versus spotlight beam patterns. The conversation covers power optio...

Water meets its match: fabric technologies demystified!  When it rains, it pours - but it doesn't have to bore! In this episode, Ben is presented with another opportunity to geek out, and this time our gear gurus unfold the complex world of waterproof fabrics. From the fundamental differences between waterproof, water-resistant, and water-repellent, to hydrostatic head ratings and coatings -...

A deep-freeze dive into myCOOLMAN with the guy who keeps his cool for a living... Staying cool under pressure is both an art and a science. In this episode, Ben and Lauren sit down with myCOOLMAN's Technical Sales and Product Specialist, Charlie Graham, to unpack what makes this Aussie fridge manufacturer tick. Our gear gurus explore the brand's ground-up origins, tap into the Blue-Gen c...

No-shows, know-hows, and new fees: the camping reservation revolution... In an episode as haunting as it is helpful, Ben and Lauren unpack the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's proposed camping fee reforms, from new facility-based pricing tiers to the crackdown on 'ghost camping' – the frustrating practice of booking sites that go unused. Our outdoor experts examine the resu...

Fueling your flames: the gas-tronomy of camp cooking… Our gear gurus demystify LP gas and camping stoves, breaking down the crucial differences between high-pressure sizzlers and low-pressure simmers. In a fired-up discussion, Ben and Lauren go from propane, n-butane, and isobutane science, to practical connections, canister considerations, and selecting stoves that best suit your style of camp cu...

Bedrolls for bushcraft: when simplicity beats sophistication… Ben and Lauren unfold the timeless charm of bedroll camping for those seeking simplicity under the stars. From envelope-style swags to canvas-covered mats and sturdy stretcher beds, our gear gurus roll through both commercial options and clever DIY solutions for every budget and backroad. Covering practical aspects of different designs,...

From boots to beanies, Ben and Lauren unpack the camping gear on the cusp of convenient and comfy... Our outdoor experts wade into the footwear debate, untangle cotton versus synthetic, and reveal why merino wool is Best On (Camp)Ground for all-round, all-weather performance.  From mozzie-deterrent strategies to the unexpected uses of dishwashing gloves, the focus remains on adaptable and practica...

Putting it all out in the open(cell): the mat storage methods that matter! In this episode, Ben and Lauren unpack the proper storage techniques for self-inflating sleeping mats, addressing the critical balance between compression damage and storage space. Our gear gurus explain the science behind foam cell recovery, differences between bonded and single-layer mats, and practical solutions for pres...