KugaWestie Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dommo Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Get a big tent that'll fit you and the Westfield! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dommo Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolf Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quicksilver Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Another vote for Decathlon Quechua tents, good kit for the money excellent customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrie Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanPlace Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KugaWestie Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks for the input guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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