Snowys Camping Show

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:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snowys

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:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snowys

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:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snowys

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