I'm still fairly new to the site (been registered AGES though) and wondered if you experienced campers can offer some advice on our kit please?
A bit of background info, basically my partner and I have camped on and off a little bit for a few years but we are now starting go get much more into it and would like to start going more frequently due to the fact that we are saving for our wedding and can't afford to go on big holidays so the weekends away camping are a great option for us.
We have brought a new tent, a Quechua Base Seconds 4.2 with the added Base Seconds as we like lots of space and sometimes take my partners parents dog with us so its good to have more room.
Basically, what I am wanting to know is what should our kit consist of, what will make camping easy and fun?
Chairs are prooving a huge issue at the mo, we currently have a couple of cheapy umbrella type fold chairs but they are so uncomfortable as I'm a big girl and they dig in my thighs. Any recommendations? I'm happy to just sit on a simple stool for eating and then have a more loungey style chair for reading and relaxing if this widens my options?
We have an airbed and are looking into insulating this with picnic rugs and blankets as I've read about on here.
We've got a cheap cool bag that is suiting us fine with the use of lots of ice blocks.
Lighting is a bit of an issue, we have a couple of lamps like these:
And a maglite for midnight loo trips but I'm not sure this is the best solution?
Sorry, for all the questions, basically I'm just a bit confused and could do with an experienced camper taking me under their wing and teaching me all they know. Any volunteers? LOL!
In regards to chairs, go and try some at a local camping centre or even garden centre. Find one you like and then look around for a good deal either on line or get a price match.
Some good UFO lights for lighing will suit. Wilkisons are doing some great ones for about £4.
If not, what about garden type reclining chairs. Might be low for sitting at a table but there's always a tray on your lap.
Lanterns aren't my strong point (had a string of bad buys) so I'll pass, but a headtorch is incredibly useful. Look for lightweight AAA battery ones like Petzl (Go Outdoors often have good prices) or Alpkit so they don't need to be so tight that they cut off the blood supply your your brain.
Im a big girl and yesterday i sat in this chair http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-orlando-camping-chair-p142485 and i loved it, hubby moaned at me so im gunna go back without him to buy one!! Im sure i saw a offer aswell that was buy one get one half price, loads of room and felt real sturdy.
I'll have a look in wilko's for those lights, that sounds like a bargain- we love bargains! I'll also have a look for a headtorch, I said to my partner that I wanted one for reading but he dismissed it but if you all think they're good ideas too then he can't argue!
Space isn't really an issue no, we have a Vauxhall Meriva so have lots of room, although if the dog is coming that does reduce it a little bit. I'll have a look at garden chairs.
Kim, I've looked at those types of chairs but I wasm't sure if they'd be any good for my size but its reassuring that you've tried one out. Are they suitable for sitting at the table and eating or are they just for relaxing in and then I'd perhaps need to hang on to the cheapy chairs for eating in or get a couple of cheap stools too. What do you think? I'll maybe have to go to gooutdoors, we've never been as our nearest one is about 20miles aways but I keep hearing good things so I think we need to make the trip!
Thanks again everybody, really appreciate the advice and suggestions. x
Yeah i think i could sit at a table and eat in them, i never feel very "safe in the fishing/garden chairs" but i felt real safe and didnt think it was gunna collapse either i am defo gunna get one!!!
I love go outdoors well worth getting a discount card aswell!
Hey Tracey86, I'm fairly new to this site but a long time camper. My key points would be:
: Get a head torch, it makes things so much easier, whatever you look at is illuminated and both hands are still free. There are many on the market with different light settngs but a mid range one will be fine and probably be more economical than a dirt cheap one that will eat batteries.
: the light you are using is fine for low level illumination of a tent but the new LED lights are cheap and efficient, shedding lots of light. Just one example would be http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7250626/Trail/searchtext%3ELED+LIGHT.htm
: If you use a groundsheet / footprint, sweet. If you dont, start. ( http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tent+footprint ) Make sure its smaller than your tent outline so that water doesnt run under your tent.
: Don't rely on an inflatable bed, if it bursts you will get little protection from the cold ground. Picnic rugs and blankets will help insulate you from the ground but i guess that if your using an airbed you're car camping, so just throw a couple of foam sleeping mats in as well. It's a good idea to put these under your airbed anyway to avoid stones bursting the bed. Also these foam mats still offer protection from the ground when they are wet.
: As for chairs, if your car camping you should be able to fit a decent chair in, google 'towsure' or 'go outdoors' or 'camping chairs'or 'fishing chairs'. You will find them in all shapes and sizes.
: The little luxuries are what makes a camp: tea, coffee, sugar, pepper, salt, cooking oil, string, knife / multi-tool, wet wipes, music (lots of mp3 speakers out there cheap), water (=water carriers), snacks (small and light like nuts, cereal bars etc
The little luxuries are what makes a camp: ...... music (lots of mp3 speakers out there cheap), .....
Even better there are lots of mp3 earphones out there cheap too, there is only a piece of polyester between you and your neighbour and its not sound prof.
------------- July 1-9 Nantcol Waterfalls meet Sept naturist week Sept SVR w/e Oct Secret meet Nov hopleys meet
A decent first aid kit just in case and crocs, they are ideal for camping, especially when you wake up at 2.40 needing the loo, it doesn't matter how uneven, stoney or wet the ground is, they're even great for wearing into the shower, they're even maade for hiking now, what more could you want?
------------- Steve
Look into my eyes, not around my eyes but into my eyes
Do you have a Range anywhere near you? I was in last Saturday and they had some decent chairs in. There was an armless chair being sold as a fishing chair for around £25, nice and padded, with adjustable legs though I'm not sure how high it went, but it was very comfy and didn't "dig" into your legs. They also had a really comfy recliner chair that came with a nice padded full length cushion for £29.99 that felt really safe and sturdy, made of metal not plastic. His Nibs picked up a folding chair in the end, again about £25, no cushion but very comfy as it didn't have that annoying metal bar behind the knees and was wide enough even for my thunderthighs *lol*. I don't like chairs built on a folding X frame as the bars tend to dig in at the sides, all these were lovely though.
If you're taking the dog with you, you will definitely need a head torch. Ever tried juggling a torch, poo bag and dog on a lead in the dark? Also useful for your own night time forays to the toilets as you dont have to put a torch down anywhere. If you know what I mean.
As for chairs, we travel light(ish) and have the Outwell camper deluxe ones and a square alu folding table. I also wanted chairs that would double up as dining/relaxing chairs. Im a larger lady and find these to be comfy. However, when they need replacing I will go for the Royal Commander chairs, they are very comfy and sturdy and built for the larger person (claim they will hold 130 kgs, about 20.5 stone) so will do both jobs I think. Prices start about £26 if you have a google. (Cant do links - sorry).
The chairs in your link are very comfy but will take up alot of room.
Thank you so much for all the helpful replies everyone, I didn't expect so many and I appreciate everybody's help and suggestions.
We will go through all the links and ideas suggested tonight after dinner and try to make some sort of plan and we have decided that we'll go for a trip to Go Outdoors at the weekend to try out some of the different chairs that you have all suggested.
Fire Blanket is a good idea, we hadn't even thought about that. I agree with the person who said crocs- we love ours when camping and they are most definately already a very important part of our kit.
Thanks again for all the advice guys, much appreciated!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Can you help us sort out our kit?
