Camping

[Uther]

Probably start with cheaper gear just to see if you like camping. Problem is depending on the weather cheap gear can be miserable so you have to get over that. If you do like it buy deccent gear as quickly as possible, because being warm and dry makes such a difference.
And take your phone at least. It might sound romantic to leave all tech behind but not when you break your leg in the middle of nowhere.The people who go proper remote take emergency beacons.

 

[ttaskmaster]

The allure of wild camping is not having all the typical campsite amenities - having to ‘rough’ it and make your self comfortable/fend for yourself (to a certain degree) and more importantly not having dozens of people around are part of the pull.
There’s something almost primal about going ‘off grid’ and being able to disconnect from normal society if even just for a couple of days - I’d even go so far as to say it can be quite cathartic.

You can do all this with Survival or Bushcrafting courses, and later organised events, without the worry of upsetting landowners.

 

[Thekwango]

You can do all this with Survival or Bushcrafting courses, and later organised events, without the worry of upsetting landowners.

I’d still prefer my lonesome. I always imagine those types of courses to be filled with Bear Grylls wannabes or corporate stiffs on a bonding exercise

 

[413x]

Been camping quite a lot recently.
Only 1-2 nights as longer than that is tricky.

I've got a low/mid tier setup.

Its great to get a night or 2 away from everything. Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful. It costs nothing (after buying kit and petrol).

Planning a multi day kayak and camp soon down Brecon canal. Just need to sort out how to manage the transport situation

 

[ttaskmaster]

I’d still prefer my lonesome. I always imagine those types of courses to be filled with Bear Grylls wannabes or corporate stiffs on a bonding exercise

The introductory ones can be sometimes, but the wannabes tend to spend money on Bear-branded kit rather than training, and the corporates don't last long especially if they've paid for it themselves.
Thereafter the classes get smaller as attendees are the ones who take it more seriously and are just stereotypical outdoorsy type people.

 

[Haggisman]

Probably start with cheaper gear just to see if you like camping. Problem is depending on the weather cheap gear can be miserable so you have to get over that. If you do like it buy deccent gear as quickly as possible, because being warm and dry makes such a difference.

I'd say don't skimp on tent, sleeping bag, boots, socks and backpack. Everything else you can cheap out on and make do. You don't need to spend thousands, but having a dry stable tent, warm sleeping bag, and finishing off the day without back pain and blisters is the difference between an enjoyable experience and disaster.

And take your phone at least. It might sound romantic to leave all tech behind but not when you break your leg in the middle of nowhere.The people who go proper remote take emergency beacons.

This. Turn it off and stick it at the bottom of you backpack if you want be "off-grid", but it could literally save your life in an emergency.

Also take (and learn to use!) a map and compass

 

[Cromulent]

I'm curious what people think a decent budget is for a beginner? It won't be in the middle of nowhere as I'm in the south east so I don't think I'll need any really hardcore gear.

 

[413x]

This is my major kit

Backpack: £150. Osprey eja 58L
Tent: £125. Naturehike cloud up 2
Sleeping bag: £175. Mammut performance down -10c limit woman's
Sleeping mat: £140 exped 5R MW (inflatable)
Pump/light: £30. Flextail

After that I have
Alcohol stove
Camping spatula
Stove wind shield
And some other minor bits and bobs.

Sleeping bags get more expensive as need colder ratings. Backpacks are personal choice.
Sleeping mat is important but can get cheaper I think.
Tent is probably best you'll get for that price point.

 

[Cromulent]

This is my major kit

Backpack: £150. Osprey eja 58L
Tent: £125. Naturehike cloud up 2
Sleeping bag: £175. Mammut performance down -10c limit woman's
Sleeping mat: £140 exped 5R MW (inflatable)
Pump/light: £30. Flextail

After that I have
Alcohol stove
Camping spatula
Stove wind shield
And some other minor bits and bobs.

Sleeping bags get more expensive as need colder ratings. Backpacks are personal choice.
Sleeping mat is important but can get cheaper I think.
Tent is probably best you'll get for that price point.

Thank you! That is a very useful list.

 

[413x]

Thank you! That is a very useful list.

Can give you reasons for purchases too.

I'm quite badly affected by weight of gear so I would sometimes spend more for less weight. But it gets extreme at high end. Mine is not high end. But mid or Beginner.

For my sleeping bag I needed a - 10 one.
I've been out down to -5 and 30+mph winds on a mountain top. Be careful, some cheap ones are really heavy. You can get super expensive (600 pounds and more) that are under a kg. Mines 1.3kg.

My Tent is very popular and I don't think there's much better for that price. It's so easy to put up. That's my favourite bit about it. It's 2 person. But it's really for 1 person.

Sleeping Mat is essential for cold temps. Make sure it's suitable for temps you plan to use it in.
5R is the rating. Make sure it's a legit rating from a well reviewed brand.
Inflatable makes sleeping nice rather than those foam mats.

Backpack is personal. I like osprey so I got that. 58l is a lot. But 48l to 58l was so small. A weight difference I went 58. Food takes up a lot of space!

My cookware is mainly titanium, some like it some don't. It's feather light. But it conducts heat too well. So can easily burn food if you're not attentive. I like my alcohol stove. But many people use gas.


Finally.. Look at decathlon. Their stuff is amazing for the price. None of mine is but there's a lot of good stuff there.

Any questions. Please ask


This was my last camp last week.
Camped on edge of this ridge. Sunrise is amazing.

 

[Cromulent]

Those photos are stunning.

Thank you for taking the time to explain things. I really appreciate it.

 

[Uther]

Sleeping mat has been a gamechanger for me, after years of cheap ones I splashed out on a Big Agnes rapide (stupid name but...) and combined with a decent sleeping bag (I use a Raab Ascent 700) and my comfort has improved significantly!

 

[413x]

Sleeping mat has been a gamechanger for me, after years of cheap ones I splashed out on a Big Agnes rapide (stupid name but...) and combined with a decent sleeping bag (I use a Raab Ascent 700) and my comfort has improved significantly!

Yeah when I was researching the sleeping mat seemed more important than the bag.

I find mine really comfy.

Some people need a pillow. But I find I don't need one.

 

[Uther]

Yeah when I was researching the sleeping mat seemed more important than the bag.

I find mine really comfy.

Some people need a pillow. But I find I don't need one.

I use the inflatable pillows, not great but pack down to nothing.

 

[Semple]

He had a customised camper and a work van. Apparently he was a contractor working locally, likely earning a lot of money but living for basically nothing inside quite a wealthy and picturesque area. Could be the future with house prices going the way they are lol

Isn't that basically how the 'van life' craze has started out. Lots of young people who can't afford to get on the property ladder, and rather than ******* thousands up the wall in rent money, have converted a van to live in semi-comfortably.

A lot less appeal in the UK than the US or Europe though. Wouldn't want to be living in a van in the middle of winter whilst it's -5C out!

 

[Nasher]

Isn't that basically how the 'van life' craze has started out. Lots of young people who can't afford to get on the property ladder, and rather than ******* thousands up the wall in rent money, have converted a van to live in semi-comfortably.

A lot less appeal in the UK than the US or Europe though. Wouldn't want to be living in a van in the middle of winter whilst it's -5C out!

If you have some good insulation and heating in it, it might be ok. Next to a woods a wood burner would be perfect and free fuel

I have a friend who works for Apple, earns something like 120k a year. They are considering selling their flat and living in a luxury camper. If you don't care about owning property why not tbh. If you can earn that much and work remotely, just go and live on a campsite somewhere warm for peanuts.

 

[Kelt]

This is my major kit

Backpack: £150. Osprey eja 58L
Tent: £125. Naturehike cloud up 2
Sleeping bag: £175. Mammut performance down -10c limit woman's
Sleeping mat: £140 exped 5R MW (inflatable)
Pump/light: £30. Flextail

After that I have
Alcohol stove
Camping spatula
Stove wind shield
And some other minor bits and bobs.

Sleeping bags get more expensive as need colder ratings. Backpacks are personal choice.
Sleeping mat is important but can get cheaper I think.
Tent is probably best you'll get for that price point.

Just to mention (haven't looked anything else up yet), that tent is currently £57.50 Inc free delivery at Aliexpress.

 

[Rroff]

Yeah when I was researching the sleeping mat seemed more important than the bag.

Just need enough mat under me to provide some barrier then it is all about the sleeping bag for me. But then (in general not camping) I'm quite happy with a 3.5 tog duvet in the dead of winter (maybe throwing a blanket on if it is extra cold).

For a lot of people the layer between them and the ground is the game changer though and is especially necessary if the ground is frozen.

 

[413x]

Just to mention (haven't looked anything else up yet), that tent is currently £57.50 Inc free delivery at Aliexpress.

Yeah if you're happy to accept the tax+lack of warranty Aliexpress is more of a direct route.

All my cookware etc is from Aliexpress

Can't see it for that cheap. Also, make sure you get the right version. There are lots!

 

[413x]

Just need enough mat under me to provide some barrier then it is all about the sleeping bag for me. But then (in general not camping) I'm quite happy with a 3.5 tog duvet in the dead of winter (maybe throwing a blanket on if it is extra cold).

For a lot of people the layer between them and the ground is the game changer though and is especially necessary if the ground is frozen.

Its been really good for me. I'd need something to sleep on. And the mat isn't much heavier than a foam one. And definitely smaller.

In summer I will. Probably look for a lighter solution to both. But winter camps are amazing