with car camping and very short distance backpacking, gear selection (and weight) isn't really all that important. especially if its cheap enough you can usually buy two (like with your air matresses) just in case one fails. however, when you really want to put in some miles and get out into the backcountry (with no re-supply like on the appalachian trail) then the right gear becomes very important. especially if you want to carry as little as possible. trust me, the more miles you hike the more stuff you regret taking. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> but thats only if you're going out in the backcountry. it takes the most planning and figuring out what gear you'll take, but it well worth the effort when you know you're miles away from the nearest road. then again, sometimes when you just wanna be in the woods without all the planning, car/truck camping is just the way to go. so its really not a necesseity to have the greatest gear unless you really need it.