Camping Equipment

[simplysie]

hi guys

a little help needed here, first off i have never ever camped out in my life but now want to do a lot more on the bike and as everyone else seems to be doing it, thought i might try some camping.

so, i need the lot from a tent (two man or is it one man one woman!!!!) sleeping bags and cooking equipment and everything else i might need.

i have seen tents starting from £20, i presume that these are not really going to be up to the job, what brands should i be looking at and what would you say would be a reasonable price range, also any tips on what to buy and what not to buy will be very helpful

What is essential and what could be considered a luxury??? is there any difference in gear required for summer or autumn camping?? is there any difference between a british summer or autumn???

thanks in advance

sie

[YEN_POWELL]

I'm a humungous fan of the Khyam one touch tents. You can put them up in about a minute and pack them away in about two. And I've been camped in all weathers and never got wet or had to chase after it. I've had the same 3 man Igloo model for about 8 years and it's still going strong. The downside is that they are a bit heavier and bulkier than fancy ultra lightweights, but then, I'm at the bar with my second drink whilst the camping purists are still threading long dangerous looking poles through their tents.

[Rolo]

I'll second that, I've had a Khyam since 1986 and it had its first failure last year, a snapped joint. The newest ones are even better than my old one. Up in one min and dry too.

[paultheold]

Just stopped using my Khyam as it is getting old, I have gone for the three long ally pole jobs, as I preferred the layout. As like the khyam it pitches with the inner tent attached. My Advice is not to waste money on a cheap tent. As for cooking, I have two stoves one multi fuel and the other Butane Propane mix, must admit they were not cheap but they are compact and powerful. Sleeping bag a minimum of 3 season, also use a sleeping mat.

Top tip, buy the lightest equipment you can, then you can carry more Beer. I have taken thirty plus cans to a Rally [must admit I left some of the food at home to make more room]

[YEN_POWELL]

http://www.khyam.co.uk/

[xrv_jim]

Get down to your local Millets or Blacks outdoors store - they'll sort you out. Practically, the minimum gear you need is:

A tent - I've never had a Kyham as recommended here, but have heard only good things about them. But, whether expensive or modestly priced get a tent that sleeps one more person than will actually use it (i.e. a 3-person tent to sleep 2 people) - it's far more comfortable and there should always be somewhere dry to store your gear. I have a couple of tents one by Vango (a good make and you can get some modestly priced (sub £100), good tents by them) and another by Sierra (expensive/very light - but essential when I'm hiking). Both have generous porches for gear storage, cooking in when it's wet or giving shade from the heat of the sun (I've heard tell!).

Sleeping bag/s - buy a 3 season bag with a zip all the way down so you can open it out if you get too warm. I use a Blacks bag with hollow-fill rather than down filling (crap if it gets wet)

Insulation mat - Cheap (£5 odd) closed-cell foam mats are OK. Thermarest self inflating mats are better but cost about 10 times as much. An inflatable mattress from Argos (£10 odd) is the most comfortable.

Stove - A Butane/Propane canister burner is quite sufficient unless it's very cold or you're at high altitude. Less messy and tempremental than dual fuel or MSR type stoves.

Cooking pots - Get a nested set that doubles as plates, etc.

Mug - Unless your just drinking beer or spirits from the bottle.

Happy camping!

[YEN_POWELL]

When I'm really going for the minimum camping experience, i.e. only one night at a rally, my trusty US army issue aluminium mug doubles as a tea cup and a cooking pot. Just remember to bring a scourer or lumps of stew etc keep surfacing in your tea. The best thing about it apart from it's multiple use is that with the handle unfolded you can put it down on uneven grass without it falling over.

[paultheold]

Therm-a-rest mats are the best. I have used Lilos sleeping mats in comparison there is none. Stainless pots are better than ally, you don't eat ally when scraping stew off the bottom of the pan, Cotswold Outdoor sell some very good gear.

Sound like a good time to arrange a camping weekend next year, [a dry one]

[iswoolley]

My camping setup seems to be a little more basic than most here, but here's my 2p worth;

Tents - A cheapo tent from a high street 'outdoors' shop will generally see a season through before leaking like the Titanic. £30 a year isn't an outrageous expense, and you can then have this year's colours each year! Plus, when you're pi$$ed as a newt you don't really notice slight seapage from the canvas.

Sleeping mat - Avoid the closed cell foam mats like the plague! You have to be incredibly drunk to find them comfortable, unless you've lined the ground with swan's feathers in advance (and generally that really annoys the swans). If you've got the missus along then do the right thing and pack a cheapo lilo. You may have to ditch a few pairs of shoes, but it'll be worth the grief. (If you want to go the whole hog, insulate it from the ground with a silvered foam mat as well.)

Sleeping bag - This is the sweet spot to spend money. It really doesn't matter how dry and comfortable you are if you're freezing your nads off. I've been down the 'dressing like the Michelin man' route in order to save a few quid on the sleeping bag, and it's not worth it. Given the option of dry and cold against wet and warm, most folk would choose warm and wet (or given my views on muffs, maybe that's just me?).

Cooking stuff - That's what cafes and pubs are for, with proper cooks. Yeh it's manly to cook up a tasty rehydrated pasta meal from a packet in a chipped enamel mug at a rally, but I'd perfer to wander over to the kebab van myself. And really it's not good etiquette to eat anything but unidentifiable meat after a skinfull.

Iain

(Why isn't there a tongue in cheek smilie?)

[simplysie]

thanks to all who replied,

seems that khyam is the way to go, i have looked at their site and the freelander is the model that has caught my eye, is this too big or too heavy for bike use???

all i need to now is convince the other half SHE will enjoy life under the stars

sie