Want to know which of your friends is into ultra-light camping? He's the one with the postal scale on his kitchen counter. These disciples of deprivation weigh their gear obsessively before every trip.

Ultra-light fans have overtaken camping and backpacking in recent years, resulting in an industrywide race to create light, lighter and lightest gear.

I know about these people because I was one. But one day, I put away the postal scale. I began planning a new kind of camping trip. One with espresso. A favorite wine to go with the cheese. A luxurious mattress. A tent roomy enough to stand in. Real pillows. A stove elaborate enough to make whole-wheat pancakes and eggs and bacon.

I know we've veered dangerously away from ultra-light backpacking here. But in the interest of research, we decided to give this approach - the antithesis of ultra-light camping - a try.

Call it ultra-heavy. Call it ultra-luxurious. Call it ultra-comfortable.

Now this is camping.

REI's Hobitat 6 tent

* Why we like it: The name got us interested, but the bulbous shape and promise of room to stretch out won us over. This tent has a rectangular floor plan, and allows a 6-foot-tall person to stand upright in the center. This is a car-camping tent and not really suited to extreme conditions.

* Available: $299; vestibule, $99; footprint (ground tarp), $45. rei.com

Kelty Basecamp Kitchen

* Why we like it: The Kelty features a zippered pantry area, aluminum frame, and a sturdy surface for food preparation. Want to throw in the kitchen sink? You can with this system that has an optional freestanding soft-side basin with retractable drying racks. And how about a cooler? Kelty's soft-sided variety holds up to 28 12-ounce cans.

* Available: $160, kelty.com

WearEver Aluminum Deluxe Backpacker Lounger/Beach Chair

*Why we like it: Wish you could put up your feet to watch your favorite show -- the campfire? Now you can, with this cool chair. It's a four-position recliner with a padded footrest and pillow headrest.

* Available: $49.99, dickssportinggoods.com, sportsauthority.com

Victorinox Swiss Champ

* Why we like it: This isn't the biggest Swiss Army knife around. That one, Wenger's Giant, has 85 implements, including a cupped cigar cutter, tire gauge and telescopic pointer (and costs $1,400). But the Victorinox Swiss Champ is sure to impress your camping friends and give you hours of entertainment around the campfire as you try to figure out its two dozen functions. Fish scaler, anyone?

* Available: $88, swissarmy.com, target.com, rei.com

Zodi Hot Tap On Demand

* Why we like it: Sure, it won't kill you to camp for a weekend without showering. But wouldn't it be nice to freshen up for the twilight happy hour? The Zodi hot shower is the ultimate luxury gear. Using propane and four D batteries, it heats water in a storage case that holds enough for a 10-minute shower.

* Available: $149.95. zodi.com

Handpresso Wild hand-pump espresso machine

* Why we like it: If you're an espresso fan, you need this. You really need this. The machine promises a strong cup with a perfect crema (foam). Pump it like a bicycle pump to build up pressure. Boil some water, add it to the machine, throw in a coffee pod and release the pressure. Ahhh.

* Available: $149.99, will be available at amazon.com

Rio Director's Chair

* Why we like it: Admit it - you miss your favorite chair when you're camping. If only you could relax and hold your drink and put your head back . . . in comfort. You can with this chair that features a padded seat, arms and a built-in table with drink holder.

* Available: $49.99, at Bass Pro Shops at Northfield in Stapleton; basspro.com

Coleman Bone Lounger dog cot

* Why we like it: You can't just sit there in your comfy camp chair and let your dog lie on the hard ground can you? Of course not. The cot features heavy-duty polyester draped over a steel frame.

* Available: $34.99, coleman.com, sportsauthority.com

Coleman Rugged Rechargeable Family Size Lantern

* Why we like it: This lantern doesn't need priming, or even fuel. Its adapters are stored inside its base, and you can recharge it from any 120-volt AC outlet or 12-volt DC port. It gives you a pleasant six hours on high or nine hours on low.

* Available: $34.99, Target (target.com), other sporting goods stores, coleman.com

Thermarest Dream Time mattress

* Why we like it: I realized years ago that camping trips weren't going to be the time to catch up on sleep. That might all change with this mattress. This is a premium mattress - 3 inches thick with open-cell thermal foam, a cover of four-way stretch fabric and a layer of memory foam. The large weighs in at 6 pounds 13 ounces.

* Available: Large, $179.96; extra large, $199.95. thermarest.com, rei.com

Kelsyus Outdoor Table

* Why we like it: Sitting on the ground or balancing a plate on your lap is so uncomfortable. Why not take a picnic table with you on your next camping trip? The Kelsyus Outdoor Table folds up when you aren't using it. At your campsite, just unfold. The table and seats are mesh (each bench can hold 400 pounds) which makes them quick-drying, though not resistant to high temperatures.

* Available: $119, rei.com

The Century matchless grill and stove

* Why we like it: The newest generation of camping stoves features a burner and a grill. This grill and stove features a 13-by-10 inch grill and a large burner. It has push-button lighting and a wind screen and operates on a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder.

* Available: $79.95. centurycamping.com, rei.com