So me & my partner have been talking about going camping for a while. We've started looking into it a bit more & finding it overwhelming.
We're not wanting to spend loads of money on gear only to find out we didn't enjoy it as much as we thought we might. We've been looking for rentals and such but haven't really found any local. Started looking at buying a second hand tent, but then we'd need sleeping bags, ground mats, god knows what else. Which brings us back to not wanting to spend too much on an uncertainty.
We're based in Hertfordshire.
I think ideally we just want to find a cheap setup or rental so that we can get a taste for it. If its something we do enjoy then we'd be happy to sink more money into it.
Do a campsite search on here I am sure there are sites that have tents set up whatever you do don't buy cheap kit if the weather is bad you won't enjoy it
Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) do 'Ready Camp' already pitched tents, which sound a bit more like 'Glamping' ('Glamorous' Camping with ALL the comforts of home!) rather than ordinary camping, but perhaps better to start with the luxury end and think about what you can live without if you wish to continue camping, rather than do it cheap with 2nd hand bare essentials and decide you hate it because it was cold, wet, miserable experience that you NEVER want to repeat!
You can camp in a bin bag in a bog if you want to be all butch and Bear Grylls like, but most of us like a bit more comfort, and there is no reason not to enjoy the experience, as millions do, as camping can be perfectly comfortable once you know the right tricks and pick the right equipment.
Some things just come with camping and are pretty much unavoidable, the flapping of canvas in the wind, the pitter patter of rain all around you, wildlife going about it's normal business just the other side of a piece of cloth, for some of us we crave it, others hate even the notion. Everything else is up for grabs as gadgets and gizmos up the comfort and convenience in almost any way you choose, but at a price.
You really need to know what you are looking for/at with second hand tents, they do have a finite life after which fabric and seams start to deteriorate and can become leaky, even just sheer age without any wear and tear can see fabrics loose their waterproof qualities. You need to be able to identify these things by sight yourself, rather than rely on seller being honest, so a s/h purchase is a bit of a gamble for anyone, especially so for a novice, there are decent s/h tents out there, but not all are.
I've looked at a few tents, not as pricey as I was expecting. Rang a few sites as well, we'd need to supply our own bedding which means buying some sleeping bags... if were buying them may as well buy a tent too.
Seen a decent looking one on Halfords. They seem to be much lower priced than other places. Are they any good?
I bought a tent from Halfords on a Sunday morning half an hour before my ferry left Dover, I grabbed a tent bag of about the right size, paid the money and ran.
It turned out to be quite a nice 3 man dome tent I discovered when I put it up in France that night.
I don't recommend this as a method of buying tents.
Don’t need to buy bedding when you’re just trying camping - just take the duvet & pillows from home & put a sheet over the air bed or SIM (self inflating mat). If you choose a site carefully, you can get a coffee & breakfast locally & buy a takeaway in the evening, so you don’t need to risk the expense of a gas cooker & plates & pots in case you don’t enjoy it.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 02/6/2022
which tent where you looking at? halfords wouldnt be many on heres first port of call to buy from for a tent
There are 23 Halfords tents reviewed by members on this site, 2 of them with 12 and 13 reviews. In addition to their own brand Halfords are stockists of Olpro and Coleman camping equipment. They have some good special offers, particularly at the end of season.
------------- Never argue with fools........They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Newbie campers seeking advice
via mobile 02/6/2022 at 3:20pm
