Camping Gear

[KugaWestie]

I have had a right result today, the wife has given the all clear for me to camp at Stoneleigh on the Sunday night    

 

The last time I camped I was in the cubs

 

So I need to get myself some gear, I was thinking it would be easy to buy a "starter pack" as in tent, mat, sleeping bag, but I can only find a couple, that are two person. I only need gear for one....

 

So, what do you all recommend?

[Dommo]

Get a big tent that'll fit you and the Westfield!

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Just don't by a cheep one.

In 2010 i had the pleasure of being pitched next to Aidan and his BIL with the infamous bin-bag tent

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/100028-getting-in-and-out-with-a-roofhood-on/?p=1029306

[Dommo]

These guys aren't too far away and might be worth a wander around

http://www.attwoolls.co.uk

Or is there a Go Outdoors near you?

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

find a decathon store... very happy

 

how about http://www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-family-42-tent-id_8294503.html extra space (if you want a name then go for Vango)

something to sleep in http://www.decathlon.co.uk/15-light-hiking-sleeping-bag-id_8242831.html

and something to eat/drink http://www.vodkajelly.co.uk/

 

customer support from decathlon was bob on...the '2 second up tents'  are good but they are big circles to pack and too big to fit in a westy

 

 

did do the halfords pack a few years ago but wasn't happy with it similar but not the same http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_910569_langId_-1_categoryId_236903 .... sleeping bags crap quality

 

 

cheers

 

john

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Any mattress that isolates you from the ground will help to keep you warm, but don't be tempted to go too thick. The air within a thin mattress will be warmed by your body heat and help insulate you from the cold, but a thick mattress will just just become of void of cold air below you on a freezing night.

Personally I use the thermarest self inflating mattresses, but there's plenty of cheeper copies available such as this. http://www.blacks.co.uk/activities/104983-multi-mat-trekker-25-self-inflating-sleeping-mat.html#read_more

Tent

As with the mattress a small tent will warm up quicker with your body heat than a large one, and therefore will be more comfortable on a cold night. On the down side, when the sun comes up in the morning, you will be slowly roasted in it.

Look for something with a reasonable hydrostatic head on the flysheet and groundsheets to keep you dry from above but also to stop the damp rising from below. 1000mm is fine for a summer shower but my preference is to look for 2500mm or more for winter camping.

Ventilation openings shielded by a weatherproof flap on the flysheet are handy for achieving a balanced temperature and some fresh air.

http://www.blacks.co.uk/activities/104730-karrimor-ultralite-2-man-tent.html#read_more

Sleeping Bag

The nights at previous shows have been cold, check out the photo on page 6 of the summer 2012 Westfield world and our attire for just how cold a 2-season summer bag wont keep you warm in those temperatures, I'd recommend a 3 season as a minimum. When manufacturers quote temperature ratings they tend to be quite optimistic. Whist a -5degC bag will keep you alive, it will also keep you awake at that temperature. In reality from experience a -5degC bag will only be comfortable for a nights sleep to somewhere just above zero.

My recommendation for the budget conscious

http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/62011843-vango-nitestar-350-sleeping-bag-black.html

[tolf]

Hi Gary

I am a scout leader and can bring a tent up for you if you want?

If you are looking at buying then take a look at Vango 3 man dome or Go Outdoirs do a good range to suit most budgets

Cheers Ian

[Quicksilver]

Another vote for Decathlon Quechua tents, good kit  for the money excellent customer service.

[Lawrie]

_{Have a run down to Abingdon Road, near the Oxford South Park & Ride, and you'll find "Go Outdoors" and have a good poke around.  When it was the old camping shop it was very good, and they even have a campsite at the back, so you could test it all before you go}

[AidanPlace]

Another vote for the bin bag tent!!!!

 

It actually may still be in the wheelie bin behind the toilets. Seriously tho he bought a cheap tent which BIL claimed to "only slow down the rain"

 

First night he got wet with the rain...............second wet with the perspiration

[KugaWestie]

Thanks for the input guys