I went out to North Yorks at thr weekend. So many people in the pub had rab mid layers, scarpa boots and expensive carbon walking poles. I had my millets fleece, hi-tec boots, Chinese walking poles and cheap back pack. The most expensive piece of gear was the pedigree terrier by far!
Some people have all the gear and no idea. Or you’ll get the people who talk to you like they’ve been hiking for decades when in reality, they watched a tiktok and decided it looked nice and decided to take it up a few months back. I have £60 boots, mid layer was a tenner and any old T shirt under that…..and I’ve been hiking 20 years..up in the mountains in heatwaves, up in 3ft of snow, sideways rain and wind that would hold you up if you fell. 😂 Because it’s my passion, I could buy those more expensive things if the notion took me….but my ethos is…if I’m feeling the Cold then I’m not going fast enough. Lol. Nothing wrong with good gear, but some of the people who have it can be very snobby about it, that’s what grinds my gears. We all start somewhere. Great vid Paul.
@@iknowyoureright8564 To be fair, some people have none of the (cool, expensive) gear and no idea! (; Equally, I have been lectured plenty of times by snobby folks who looked down their nose at my summer UL set-up and have told me I should have boots, a heavy 3-layer set of GTX rain gear, a massive 700g first aid kit, 2 changes of clothes, a bigger backpack and a "proper' tent etc etc
Absolutely! Love Decathlon, their kit is so well made and really affordable. I’ve ditched a lot of ‘ high end ‘ branded stuff for the Decathlon equivalent, cheaper, more durable and usually has more versatility too.
At the age of 61 with osteoarthritis and sciatica a good mat is paramount. I tried the Amazon budget mat everyone was raving about but it failed on the first night. I now use an expensive comfortable mat.
@rarknivesandleatherwork8045 so far I've bought 3 mats, the thermorest I bought 25 years ago that seemed fine at the time, a cheap inflatable mat, which is okay but loses heat and a zlite rip off. The last two used together work well. If I could just persuade the terrier to stay in her bag and stop snuggling up to master for warmth I could maybe get a decent night's sleep.
An interesting video would be totting up the cost of this kit, and then using that as a limit to buy second hand and seeing what you can get and how much better it would be (or not) using second hand kit.
The bobcat is a superb tent. If the conditions are challenging throw the OEX Expidition tarp over the top which reinforces the set up amazingly well. I spent several days on an exposed field near Newquay being battered by a south easterly and it didnt budge an inch. I recently did the same thing just last week in Northunberland but using the Rakoon 2. Hammered down with rain and blew a gale all weekend but me and the dog were snug as a bug and the overhanging tarp created such a cosy vestibule I was able to cook up on a trangia despite the wind. Also used exact same sleepmat underneath an OEX Traverse 3/4 held together with masking tape and I slept like a rock.
I had my first wildcamp a couple of weeks ago during storm Lillian. I was on pretty much the same gear you had. ( I had the Phoxx 2). It was the best day i have had in years. Admittedly Oxwich beach is a hell of a place to wake up and smell the coffee. The sleeping pad thing is not such a problem on sand. Cheap can be enough. Respecto dude😁
I've been looking round Gower for places to wild camp. I hadn't thought of Oxwich. But I'll be on my bike and they don't really like sand, but I think I'll have a little scout around anyway. I'm glad you had a good time, hopefully I will too😁
@@PaulSmith-pi4om Oooh, I'll check that out for sure. And Pwll Du too👍👍👍 Mucho appreciation. Has anyone camped around Llanmadoc or Penclawdd way? Woop, it's still sunny ☀☀☀☀
I started my wildcamping journey with middle of the road second hand and new gear but i now get most of my clobber from vinted and i save a fortune on top of the range gear. There is bargains to be had. Good video by the way
Back in the 60's when I went camping with the scouts, we slept in sleeping bags on top of the groundsheet, no mats etc. Today, at the age of 66, my choice of mat is a Karrimor Karrimat (7mm thick) for summer camping. When the temperature drops I put a Thermarest Neo Air on top of the Karrimat.
Yeah. We had canvas tents, no pads or mattresses. We went every few weeks year round. Wet? Build a fire. Cold? Build a fire. 30lbs was "ultra lite". Ha. Things are better now with the lite-weight stuff, but the only place I need pad is gravelly "prepared" sites.
Buy cheap, buy twice is so true but you easily get diminishing returns as costs get higher and higher. There is definitely a sweet spot for gear prices, I just think you need to be savvy when it come to buying to get a good compromise on weight, quality and comfort.
Great video! If not for the stormy conditions, I would have camped exactly there on my 2nd camp out. Such a great spot. Great review of some budget kit. I recommend anyone new to wild-camping to buy what they can afford and get out there - you can always upgrade after if you're deeply unhappy with something but the experience of being out there is priceless.
At 5'5", the Bobcat is nice and roomy for me. It's easy to erect and stands up to all weather (I did swap the pegs). I use an Exped flex pad, so there is no risk of puncture and an easy day seat.
Love my Bobcat and I’m 6’2”!! OEX gear is a bit mixed but Flux 5.0 mat with a Highlander reflective mat under and I’m cosy as anything. Just picked up an OEX Chimera EV500. Not seen any reviews of that yet but thought I’d take a punt. Certainly looks the part.
Sensible advice. Good boots/shoes, socks and a mattress indeed are requirements. Other stuff can be decent to so-so. It's taken me some years, getting the more premium hiking gear I've got now. I started camping with military dump store gear, durable but ridiculously heavy stuff. Best of times though. It's about getting outside first.
I can still get by with a foam pad but I'd rather not. Break out the hammock and get completely off the ground. It works in my forested region. I mostly do day hikes now anyway. Walk somewhere nice, have a snooze, pour the good home coffee from the thermos flask. Use a trangia because I like having pots and it's easier to see how much fuel you got. Quiet too.
I'm with you on buying the best/most comfortable mat you can afford. It can make or break the trip. They do make a much bigger version of that cup, by the way. I have a large version by Wildo and rate it highly. It's a very sturdy and stable design.
I haven't got to you put up the tent or hearing what you have to say... However the bobcat is a great bit of kit! Loads of room for kit in the winter, nice and warm and super nice for condensation. I'm six foot and it's just a little on the short side for me lying down.
I'm just getting started in camping, so I've not wanted to spend out, in case I don't continue with it. I've got a Vango Nevis 200- Bags of room, but a tad low for comfort. My sleep system consists of a Trekology UL80 mat and OEX Fathom 300 sleeping bag. Comfortable enough and warm, but I find the mummy-style bag confining. Finally, I use an OEX Tacarma stove, which is brilliant, and the 1L pot is perfect for boil-in-the-bag meals. The downside to all of this cheaper kit is size and weight. By the time you add clothes and food, my 80L backpack is getting uncomfortably full. It's OK for an overnight camp, but I certainly wouldn't want to go to hiking over multiple days with it.
I’m with you on the comfort afforded by a good quality sleep mat. Gone are the days where I used to be able to sleep on an Army issued ‘roll mat’ which was cut down to provide just enough cover from the ground!!
I've always used a closed cell foam pad when required and did it for warmth not comfort I'm fortunate I can sleep anywhere while others complain about difficult nights sleep, however last weekend I finally used an insulated inflatable pad and holy sh*t what a difference in comfort and warmth flextail zero 5.0 I think it was amazing
I don't know about all the other Osprey rucksacks, but the 46l and 66l Kyte I have both came with a pocket with a raincover in. The only Osprey rucksack I needed to buy a separate raincover for was my Tempest 20l. I agree, it would have been nice to have a raincover come with it, but people use them for all sorts of things, not just outdoor activities, so maybe not everyone would need one. The 46l and 66l Kyte are outdoorsy, backpacking bags, so you'd expect people would be using them in rain.
Most of my original gear was used army surplus, bought off Snetterton Sunday market, I still have most of it and although I don't use it now it never let me down, the mattress I had was an ex US Marine rubberised inflatable job and that was really comfy, heavy mind but I always slept well on it. When that coating on the inside of tents especially the ground sheet starts to break down you can mix up some clear mastic with white spirit and recoat them, works a treat. Good film thanks.
I love my budget gear (Although the majority of my camping kit is budget anyway😀) I think I have most of the kit you used on this trip, in one incarnation or another lol Another tip for keeping costs down too is to look for older or discontinued items. One of my best buys was the Flextail Tiny Pump X. Not long after the Tiny Pump X2 was released at over £30, the older but still perfectly good Tiny Pump X was available online for as little as £10
That's all I ever use for a cookset, though I make fires cause we're permitted to. Folding up some tin foil into a circular guard for the cook set works well - super cheap and customizable ! Thanks for the videos.
I like having a sleeping mattress + foam pad, put one over the other and you probably can sleep very well with a cheap mattress no problem. Foam pad doesn't weigh much but it's a bit cumbersome and you need to add it on top or under the bag
Back to your awesome reviews. Excellent video today Paul. Great filming, stunning sunset. I was Brecon Beacons for an equally amazing sunset and moonrise. Now.... more of this please.
I started wild camping 4 years ago I am now 59 , I tried a few cheaper pads jyst no good so on plenty of reviews the game changer for me Paul is the sea to summit either lite extreme I got the large rectangular one with me being 6 ft 3 inch it’s 4 inch thick I am a side sleeper it’s been great I think I paid around £200 I think it’s around £250 now like you say cannot compromise on comfort but no point uncomfortable
Got the oex jackal 2 and wouldn’t swap it , tried and tested, bomb proof , never had a fault with it , myself don’t mind a extra couple of kg weight , not a lightweight camper, and neither are most of you , I like to take a cast iron skillet to cook on and proper food when camping not packets that boil in a bag ,👍🏴
Hi Paul just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration, I’ve been watching for a while now and my son and I just did our 3rd wild camp and first one on kinder. What a wonderful location, although Saturday night was a bit hairy with the thunder and rain! (But great fun) keep up the good work and maybe we’ll see you up there one night 😂🥶🫡
Lovely sunset and sunrise 😍 I'm one that doesn't cook with aluminium, it's definitely worth paying a little extra for some stuff but not everything. I hope you had a more comfortable night afterwards 👍
I completely agree with you on the sleeping mat. I adore my Outdoor Revolution Skyfall self inflating mattress. I say mattress because it is 12cm thick fully inflated. It was a game changer that got me back into camping. Although there is no way I could hike with it. I am a car & camp kinda girl
Nice one. Interesting idea for a video. I find it’s a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Bobcat. Works really well on flat ground but if it’s bumpy the back can sometimes sag in on the inner. Enjoyed the video. Cheers Paul.
I have the Nevis but I prefer the Cairngorm. Pretty much the same tent just nicer colour and double zips on doors etc And a white interior. Have used this tons of times now.
Nice to see you back out camping nice Paul looks nice and sunny little bit windy but nice don't know where this year gone been awet one am just getting started and it's nearly over clocks go back next month can't believe it back to Christmas stay safe one life enjoy blessed be
Titanium is light to carry but has about 1/4 the heat conductivity of iron (guess around the same for steel). So, perhaps you spend more on the pot and also waste more fuel.
To us older backpackers, (semi)-self-inflating, i.e., Thermarest - the original - mats were a miracle, we just couldn't believe we had put up with Karrimats for so long. But I am old enough to remember what life was like before we had even that! Army surplus feather sleeping bags - bulky as hell, cold - pre-hollofill even, straight on the cold vinyl tent floors of the day, and we were still in love with backpacking (I can't use 'wild camping', as there is nothing wild in the UK, except perhaps Scottish Highlands in winter conditions, and it's only the weather that can be a bit crazy, but wild, nah). There were about two, maybe three, companies to emerge in the '70s making backpacking-specific tents, each with maybe two models. They were as light as anything these days, but materials lacked strength, U/V killed them, and space was not that great. But everything was changing all the time. The first not-quite-fleece jackets started to arrive, pile jackets that were warm but not windproof at all, and bulky as hell. Then Polartech, like thick felt and also bulky to pack (Helly Hansen's double pile Field Jacket was the first viable pre-fleece jacket, I still have one, and it still does the job!). So I have lived and suffered through it all, from the '70s to now (if you think that 'modern' w/p breathable stuff doesn't work, try straight P/U coated gear from my era - no sealed seams, n/a then - better/worse still neoprene coated fabrics. Bombproof w/p, but produced your own body weight in condensation just going for a quick stroll). So with the latest dirt cheap gear you can have a considerably more comfortable night out than in the '70s and early '80s and for much less money, and with careful choices, some of it might last more than a few trips. Thing is, when you are as green as hell, there is no research that will allow you to make all the right choices, but at least you won't have spent much experimenting. The days of 'A month's wages for a decent pair of boots' are gone, so that even the best boots probably equates to more like a week's pay. So remember - some things aren't worth skimping on, eg, a solid tent which is big enough, midge-proof and livable under siege, even if that is only once in a while, and which is well made, and of the best fabrics which will last well. The rest is down to budget. A budget tent CAN be great, but can you trust it when it is 5 years old and after it has been well battered a few times, ie, when is the cut off point after which you shouldn't rely on it? Only time and experience and a few mistakes can teach you what to buy, which is all part of the greater journey. Nuff said (-;)~
Beautiful camp site reminds me of Dolly Sods in West Virginia, especially that sunset. Enjoyed listening to all your insights on the gear debate and I was compelled to look up what a midge was.
I'd be interested to see what your cheapest but still comfortable kit would be. Totally agree on the pad being the first thing to get right. On a budget, the Trekklogy UL80 is great - £40 and 10cm/4in. Not insulated but for 3-season it's fine. Bought one for my daughter and use it myself (6'2" side sleeper) happily.
Very practical advice here! Agree on that self inflating mat. Even the Thermarest ones of a similar design no longer work with my old bones. I don't think it's the price. I'm just older, heavier and more achy in general. Mats are the one thing I don't compromise on. However, if it's a car trip I'll even consider one of those super cheap £9 Bestway mattresses over my Big Agnes. They don't last and I consider them as practically disposable but they're more comfortable than any hiking matress, even the most expensive I've tried. I don't hike enough to justify 'good' gear elsewhere but generally, I pay twice as much as the cheapest and I'll get something that'll be okay and will last more than a couple of trips.
Well, thank you, paul, for the people out there who are on a budget to know if it's worth getting something more expensive for comfortably or if cheap gear is worth its price. And that you can camp with cheap gear, but like you said on the matt id rather have a good night sleep and spend on that than being awake all night. Great video 😊
In the 1970s when i was doing my D of E we had the force ten hike tent and an individual ground sheet no other pad, if the ground was hard you did not get a lot of sleep and no fancy sleeping bags LOL much better today i think
I know you've done a video on your cheap, medium and expensive gear you have, but could you do a video on for example - full backpack camping setup for £200, £500 and £1000? Would be interesting to see your picks on gear
Good video. Definitely agree with second hand gear, if you shop clever you can get great gear to suit your budget especially when inexperienced folk buy expensive gear then discover they don't like camping!!
Best backpacking tent I ever had was the Pro-Action Tigerpaws which I got from a charity shop for £3. I used it with a tarp mostly to give me more space to sit under. There are two main reasons why I retired it, firstly like yourself age catching up on me and no room in it for a camp bed which is a must for me now and secondly because the zip on the porch failed, not that it would not be possible to repair it as it stood up to some of the worst weather that Wales could throw at it, being quick to pitch and low and stable when it was pitched. It was also extremely light and packed really small.
I enjoyed that video Paul. Some stunning weather as well for ya. I was over Stanage yesterday and I didn't wanna leave. I could have easily have slept a night on the hills there last night but I had work this morning.
I brought the flextail R5 I think it that. Yes that sleeping mate is brilliant the only thing I could criticise is the bag it goes in could be be a bit bigger. Has a bit of depth nice and wide and it’s warm. You can feel your body heat radiating back. And it’s over half the price of some of these others.
Great discussion, Paul. Kills me, though, how much those Primus cartridges bleed when screwing them up or unscrewing them - the Optimus cartridges don't do that at all. Small gripe, but doesn't it bother you, too?
I fully agree with the importance of sleep. Sleep deprivation is actually used as a form of torture. And age does matter. In 2008 I crossed Europe on a motorcycle and toured Greece, using campsites all the way. I slept on a Thermarest Trail Pro self inflating mattress and never had a problem with it. 16 years later I wouldn't dream of using it. After a lot of homework, I reluctantly coughed up for a wide insulated Big Agnes Rapide SL. It made all the difference.
Really good video as usual Paul and whilst I absolutely agree that a decent sleep system is paramount to enjoying a wild camp (or any kind of camp). I dont believe paying North of 200 quid is necessarry. I use a Trekology UL80 pad £35, (Superbly comfortble) with a £10 foil mat underneath, that weighs next to nothing. A good sleeping bag liner (OEX Furnace +8) turns a cheaipsh sleeping bag (£40) into a 4 season bag. As for the tent. My Spring, Summer, early Autumn, tent is The Naturehike Cloud Peak 2, marvelous value tent, and I use my Bobcat 1, for the winter months. Incredibly small as you said, but robust and I find, incredibly warm. A Eurohike Solo cook set (The one in your video) and a Trangia Alcohol stove is all I need. Also, without intending to sound like an advert for OEX, I Have the Kintra Down jacket, that I believe is as good quality as the Wife's mega bucks Rab down jacket for half the price. Comfy camping is most definately achieavalble without paying ridiculous amounts for "branded" equipment, but with enough sense not to attempt it with poundland products. This of course, is only My opinion. I'm sure others may see it differently.
great wee video Paul i use a mixture on budget and more expensive gear i just buy what i like and what suits me tbh, keep up the good work mate. Atb Wullie
Would love to see a wild camp where you use a complete setup ( including clothes) from the Decathlon. That shop should be knighted for its services to the public
Great video. You take risks and keep on being creative, well done . Respect. You Keep getting better. I would personally love to see you do something crazy like a long distance hike in Norway or something. I realise projects like that don't get the clicks and are seriously onerous and it might be something you're not interested in, I'm just into your journey and it would be entertaining and engaging to see you doing something like that. Thanks for the content, I've watched many hours. Always getting better.
I think there's a balance with gear some gear can be cheap like a tent depending on weather but things like sleeping bag needs to be decent , ground insulation even if it's a foil mat with a cheap sleeping pad on it, food , cook set all can be cheap but if your cold , uncomfortable and shattered there's no point it just makes for a poor experience. Cheers paul all the best 👍 🏕⛰️
Many activities apply these rules/limitations/price comparisons. I went down this rabbit hole with mountain bikes from the 90's to 2010 and the issues were very similar. Very cheap stuff will (often) give you a less pleasant experience requiring more effort or discomfort but as the price increases the gains get smaller and smaller. It's a case of horses for courses and my £17 amazon Hi peak sleep pad (up to now has served me well). All my gear is budget and that is simply where I must dwell due to circumstance. This is a great topic to address Paul and thank you for doing it in an honest and down to earth manner without bigging up super expensive gear just because it's available to you.
I had a similar Vango camping mat as an upgrade to the rolling foam one with foil on one side. It kept deflating and my hips would end up on the floor. I'm slim, so no natural padding lead to pretty much no sleep. I upgraded to one just under the £100 mark. It may not be budget, but it's also not multiple hundreds. No more hips on the floor, I can sleep now. A sleeping mat is definitely not the place to be trying to save in my opinion. If you're comfortable enough to sleep on a cheap mat, great, but sadly, I'm not comfortable without a good mat.
Awesome vid ! Can’t believe how bad the midges were. But that sky was mega. I have the euro hike cook pot it’s fine and does the job. The bobcat has a bit of a cult following but not for me. Your face when u wake up 😂 don’t go away we’ve got a lot to talk about 😂 I think a decent rucksack 🎒 is a must. Makes a big difference if carrying weight
I've been surprised at how comfortable my Aliexpress bought Westtune air bed with built in pump has been. I add some insulation underneath (from the car windscreen), and its proven to be fine, especially with me being on the large side of large.
Beautiful location! As for the tent, I would rather use my 3x4 tarp with a walking stick and a pole. The pole is a bit of a pain to carry, but it's worth it. With that and a dozen good pegs and guy lines, I can make up a HUGE tent. A few months ago, I got pulled in by all the TEMU ads and got myself a sleeping pad from there. It was rubbish! I have bought another one now, from Amazon, which wasn't that much more expensive, but turned out to be so much better. I couldn't sleep on a pad like the one you featured! 😮
I've still have the gear i have used for more years than i care too admit.( still have my 1st. generation Therma'rest pad ~ your pad in this video is properly better ) I've always purchased high end gear. Another excellent video.
On a 10 mile hike I take my oex cot bed. Love this thing in winter especially if I'm under the tarp. I'm part donkey so when I'm out with the grandson I take the jackel 3 a bit on the heavy side for some but it's ideal in bad weather.. all fits in the osprey 65ag lgt I got new from chain reaction for £40 delivered 👌 as you may have guessed I'm an oex fan. Love the gear they produce and it gets me out all year round. But I have an advantage in winter as I work in cold store distribution 😂
I’ve a Vango Blade 1. Which is similar in design but… The entrance is on the front instead of the side. Being 6’2” my head is always in the vestibule. Needless to say doesn’t get used much. I’ve an old Karimor karimat which is amazingly comfortable and has outlived all my camping kit. 😂
Hi Paul, I bought a anti midge long sleeve craghoppers thin top from go outdoors. It's impregnated with a chemical and last for about 120 washes if I remember. I was skeptical at first but it really seemed to work. Any that landed on me just instantly fell off 👍
You can get Titanium pot for £25. I was cooking in titanium for around 6 years now, both on gas stoves and campfires with no issues whatsoever, from soups to rice. The main benefit of the titanium cookware is that it is safe to use, and you don't need to think about damaging the non-stick coating. I agree that spending x2 to save 10% of weight is an overkill, though.
Midgy's are attracted to white light because white light has blue/ultra violet light within it. Use a red light instead or put a red filter over the top of the white light.
I swear by the trekology mat, pretty chunky but a great price point. Spent more on my tent (terra nova helm 2) to start so it lasts, I’ll upgrade the other kit as i go along 😅
Midges. I am from Buxton and where the local reservoir is I named it midge valley. But did find that they are attracted to the led lights. So if you can have the white led located a little way away from the tent then a good lot of them will be attracted to that. Also it is worth noting that insects are not attracted to green light so I have opted for a headtorch with the multiple colour leds . There are also insect attracters that are chemical , i believe they are used by the US military. Another tip that i have not fully tested is to eat a truck load of garlic the day before . Butt of course you will not want an upset tummy whilst camping so personal preference on that one. I have heard a story about a bigfoot knocking on someones door asking for garlic and they rub it over their skin or fur lol .
Camping Moon makes a cheap(ish) stove comparable to the Soto Windmaster for about half the price, worth checking out if you're looking to upgrade. Thanks for the video!
Most of my kit for the last 5 days on Dartmoor was inexpensive but I will be upgrading one or two items before I go there again. There's only one way to find that out though.
A few weeks ago my mate and I were camping up in Fort William. He was nice and cosy in his Bobcat 1 with a cheap sleeping mat from Amazon, whilst I was freezing in the Nemo Dagger with an Exped 5r sleeping mat. Just shows you expensive isn't always the best. Wish I'd taken my Lan Shan instead.
Lol Paul that Eurohike Sleeping Pad was my first ever camping bed! I soon upgraded to Thermarest neo and xtherm 😂😂 the Eurohike now acts as a crash mat for weights in my home gym 😂😂
Multimat Adventure Air was great as my first budget mat. £25 and lasted me about 3 years. Probably about 7cm thick but a little narrow. British company aswell. Would love for a Messner review as you've trialled so many other mats.
So that is the portable budget set up what about the budget base camping set up where you go to 1 site for 3-5 days and do walks from there? You can get some cheap live like a sultan tents big enough to sit in a chair if it rains all day. Given most people don't have a lot of spare time to camp should one spend £500 on camping gear or go for 10 nights in a premier with shower, wifi and tv?
Still a super in demand tent, i just sold mine though because I found a decathlon 2 person tent for not too silly money that is the exact same weight, and the bobcat really is too small. Food wise, cheapest camping food - instant noodles! I’d definitely spend my money on a good pad, but my first one was a cheap inflatable one from Amazon for about £20 and it’s super comfy. Just bad for anything other than the summer.
There’s always the exception to the rule. I’ve got a very smart, low mileage Volvo but spend the vast majority of my time driving a 25yr old, maroon Vauxhall Corsa B. It’s very liberating 😂
I first started camping, although rarely about 40 years ago. Back then I don't think sleeping pads even existed. Maybe my memory is failing but I don't recall a bad nights sleep when sleeping directly on the ground - you got used to it.
Which Vango Hydrogen have you got Paul, the ultralight or the inflatable? I have the slightly larger inflatable one for bike packing. I like it for that myself but wouldn't mind hearing your opinions on it in general. I always compare the price of a tent to the cost of a hotel room. Then compare how many nights it would take to break even. Usually not many.
Hi paul not possible with midges but i typically dont take the inner when using my bobcat i use a small tarp / ground sheet and find it to be a much better experience
Great vid . Love it mate and a fab sunset ! I spent a cold winter night on High Cup Nick recently without my sleeping bag which I’d left in the blooming car ! Idiot ! I would have been grateful for any quality bag that night !
I have a 4 Season Tent up for grabs? raffall.com/paulmessner
I'll have it 😁
Put my name down please
What am I talking about. I've just got a tent. I no longer want it 😁
That would be an upgrade from nowt. My mate took his tent back. I will play the pity vote. I don't care. 😃
Swing it over😎
I went out to North Yorks at thr weekend. So many people in the pub had rab mid layers, scarpa boots and expensive carbon walking poles. I had my millets fleece, hi-tec boots, Chinese walking poles and cheap back pack. The most expensive piece of gear was the pedigree terrier by far!
I love my Peter Storm rain jacket and my JRT❤
Some people have all the gear and no idea.
Or you’ll get the people who talk to you like they’ve been hiking for decades when in reality, they watched a tiktok and decided it looked nice and decided to take it up a few months back.
I have £60 boots, mid layer was a tenner and any old T shirt under that…..and I’ve been hiking 20 years..up in the mountains in heatwaves, up in 3ft of snow, sideways rain and wind that would hold you up if you fell. 😂
Because it’s my passion, I could buy those more expensive things if the notion took me….but my ethos is…if I’m feeling the Cold then I’m not going fast enough. Lol.
Nothing wrong with good gear, but some of the people who have it can be very snobby about it, that’s what grinds my gears. We all start somewhere.
Great vid Paul.
Fashion innit, like Land Rovers in Chelsea.
Nobody needs a dog that expensive! Other budget dogs are available and give a better bang for the bark! (;
@@iknowyoureright8564 To be fair, some people have none of the (cool, expensive) gear and no idea! (;
Equally, I have been lectured plenty of times by snobby folks who looked down their nose at my summer UL set-up and have told me I should have boots, a heavy 3-layer set of GTX rain gear, a massive 700g first aid kit, 2 changes of clothes, a bigger backpack and a "proper' tent etc etc
£6.30 is £6.30 spoken like a true Yorkshireman, proud of you Paul.
At Decathlon you can get all the gear you need for a good price and really good quality too never let me down
Absolutely! Love Decathlon, their kit is so well made and really affordable. I’ve ditched a lot of ‘ high end ‘ branded stuff for the Decathlon equivalent, cheaper, more durable and usually has more versatility too.
Some would consider the £400 rab jacket cheating 😂😂
At the age of 61 with osteoarthritis and sciatica a good mat is paramount. I tried the Amazon budget mat everyone was raving about but it failed on the first night. I now use an expensive comfortable mat.
@rarknivesandleatherwork8045 so far I've bought 3 mats, the thermorest I bought 25 years ago that seemed fine at the time, a cheap inflatable mat, which is okay but loses heat and a zlite rip off. The last two used together work well. If I could just persuade the terrier to stay in her bag and stop snuggling up to master for warmth I could maybe get a decent night's sleep.
@@nevetsre7001 I share a hammock with a whippet no issues
An interesting video would be totting up the cost of this kit, and then using that as a limit to buy second hand and seeing what you can get and how much better it would be (or not) using second hand kit.
The bobcat is a superb tent. If the conditions are challenging throw the OEX Expidition tarp over the top which reinforces the set up amazingly well. I spent several days on an exposed field near Newquay being battered by a south easterly and it didnt budge an inch. I recently did the same thing just last week in Northunberland but using the Rakoon 2. Hammered down with rain and blew a gale all weekend but me and the dog were snug as a bug and the overhanging tarp created such a cosy vestibule I was able to cook up on a trangia despite the wind. Also used exact same sleepmat underneath an OEX Traverse 3/4 held together with masking tape and I slept like a rock.
I had my first wildcamp a couple of weeks ago during storm Lillian. I was on pretty much the same gear you had. ( I had the Phoxx 2). It was the best day i have had in years. Admittedly Oxwich beach is a hell of a place to wake up and smell the coffee. The sleeping pad thing is not such a problem on sand. Cheap can be enough. Respecto dude😁
The first of many.. Hopefully...
I've been looking round Gower for places to wild camp. I hadn't thought of Oxwich. But I'll be on my bike and they don't really like sand, but I think I'll have a little scout around anyway. I'm glad you had a good time, hopefully I will too😁
@@kennycube5126 I've camped near Pwll-Du Bay and in the woods at Oxwich in a cheap Yellowstone Matterhorn tent. Cost £25!
@@kennycube5126 I was on my bike, if you go to the Crawley woods entrance you can get to the back of the dunes no worries 🌞.
@@PaulSmith-pi4om Oooh, I'll check that out for sure. And Pwll Du too👍👍👍 Mucho appreciation.
Has anyone camped around Llanmadoc or Penclawdd way?
Woop, it's still sunny ☀☀☀☀
I started my wildcamping journey with middle of the road second hand and new gear but i now get most of my clobber from vinted and i save a fortune on top of the range gear. There is bargains to be had.
Good video by the way
Back in the 60's when I went camping with the scouts, we slept in sleeping bags on top of the groundsheet, no mats etc. Today, at the age of 66, my choice of mat is a Karrimor Karrimat (7mm thick) for summer camping. When the temperature drops I put a Thermarest Neo Air on top of the Karrimat.
I have the same set. But I really liked the old yellow Karrimats. Still use them also on day hikes to sit on.
Yeah. We had canvas tents, no pads or mattresses. We went every few weeks year round. Wet? Build a fire. Cold? Build a fire. 30lbs was "ultra lite". Ha. Things are better now with the lite-weight stuff, but the only place I need pad is gravelly "prepared" sites.
My Dad had a 1984 Austin Maestro. It was a nice upgrade from the Austin Maxi we had before.
maestros were brilliant vehicles..i had 3 vans and did a million miles in total..best one did 391k miles although new engine at 180k ..all petrol/lpg
Buy cheap, buy twice is so true but you easily get diminishing returns as costs get higher and higher. There is definitely a sweet spot for gear prices, I just think you need to be savvy when it come to buying to get a good compromise on weight, quality and comfort.
I agree. Buy Once, Cry Once!
Great video!
If not for the stormy conditions, I would have camped exactly there on my 2nd camp out. Such a great spot.
Great review of some budget kit. I recommend anyone new to wild-camping to buy what they can afford and get out there - you can always upgrade after if you're deeply unhappy with something but the experience of being out there is priceless.
Where exactly did he camp at would love to go I just can’t find the location to save my life 😂😂
At 5'5", the Bobcat is nice and roomy for me. It's easy to erect and stands up to all weather (I did swap the pegs). I use an Exped flex pad, so there is no risk of puncture and an easy day seat.
Love my Bobcat and I’m 6’2”!! OEX gear is a bit mixed but Flux 5.0 mat with a Highlander reflective mat under and I’m cosy as anything. Just picked up an OEX Chimera EV500. Not seen any reviews of that yet but thought I’d take a punt. Certainly looks the part.
Sensible advice. Good boots/shoes, socks and a mattress indeed are requirements. Other stuff can be decent to so-so.
It's taken me some years, getting the more premium hiking gear I've got now.
I started camping with military dump store gear, durable but ridiculously heavy stuff. Best of times though.
It's about getting outside first.
Bobcat great tent i love mine stands up to all weather
I can still get by with a foam pad but I'd rather not. Break out the hammock and get completely off the ground. It works in my forested region. I mostly do day hikes now anyway. Walk somewhere nice, have a snooze, pour the good home coffee from the thermos flask. Use a trangia because I like having pots and it's easier to see how much fuel you got. Quiet too.
I'm with you on buying the best/most comfortable mat you can afford. It can make or break the trip.
They do make a much bigger version of that cup, by the way. I have a large version by Wildo and rate it highly. It's a very sturdy and stable design.
I haven't got to you put up the tent or hearing what you have to say... However the bobcat is a great bit of kit! Loads of room for kit in the winter, nice and warm and super nice for condensation. I'm six foot and it's just a little on the short side for me lying down.
I'm just getting started in camping, so I've not wanted to spend out, in case I don't continue with it. I've got a Vango Nevis 200- Bags of room, but a tad low for comfort. My sleep system consists of a Trekology UL80 mat and OEX Fathom 300 sleeping bag. Comfortable enough and warm, but I find the mummy-style bag confining. Finally, I use an OEX Tacarma stove, which is brilliant, and the 1L pot is perfect for boil-in-the-bag meals. The downside to all of this cheaper kit is size and weight. By the time you add clothes and food, my 80L backpack is getting uncomfortably full. It's OK for an overnight camp, but I certainly wouldn't want to go to hiking over multiple days with it.
I’m with you on the comfort afforded by a good quality sleep mat. Gone are the days where I used to be able to sleep on an Army issued ‘roll mat’ which was cut down to provide just enough cover from the ground!!
I've always used a closed cell foam pad when required and did it for warmth not comfort I'm fortunate I can sleep anywhere while others complain about difficult nights sleep, however last weekend I finally used an insulated inflatable pad and holy sh*t what a difference in comfort and warmth flextail zero 5.0 I think it was amazing
I don't know about all the other Osprey rucksacks, but the 46l and 66l Kyte I have both came with a pocket with a raincover in. The only Osprey rucksack I needed to buy a separate raincover for was my Tempest 20l. I agree, it would have been nice to have a raincover come with it, but people use them for all sorts of things, not just outdoor activities, so maybe not everyone would need one. The 46l and 66l Kyte are outdoorsy, backpacking bags, so you'd expect people would be using them in rain.
Most of my original gear was used army surplus, bought off Snetterton Sunday market, I still have most of it and although I don't use it now it never let me down, the mattress I had was an ex US Marine rubberised inflatable job and that was really comfy, heavy mind but I always slept well on it. When that coating on the inside of tents especially the ground sheet starts to break down you can mix up some clear mastic with white spirit and recoat them, works a treat. Good film thanks.
I love my budget gear (Although the majority of my camping kit is budget anyway😀)
I think I have most of the kit you used on this trip, in one incarnation or another lol
Another tip for keeping costs down too is to look for older or discontinued items.
One of my best buys was the Flextail Tiny Pump X. Not long after the Tiny Pump X2 was released at over £30, the older but still perfectly good Tiny Pump X was available online for as little as £10
That's all I ever use for a cookset, though I make fires cause we're permitted to. Folding up some tin foil into a circular guard for the cook set works well - super cheap and customizable ! Thanks for the videos.
I like having a sleeping mattress + foam pad, put one over the other and you probably can sleep very well with a cheap mattress no problem. Foam pad doesn't weigh much but it's a bit cumbersome and you need to add it on top or under the bag
Back to your awesome reviews. Excellent video today Paul. Great filming, stunning sunset. I was Brecon Beacons for an equally amazing sunset and moonrise.
Now.... more of this please.
I started wild camping 4 years ago I am now 59 , I tried a few cheaper pads jyst no good so on plenty of reviews the game changer for me Paul is the sea to summit either lite extreme I got the large rectangular one with me being 6 ft 3 inch it’s 4 inch thick I am a side sleeper it’s been great I think I paid around £200 I think it’s around £250 now like you say cannot compromise on comfort but no point uncomfortable
Got the oex jackal 2 and wouldn’t swap it , tried and tested, bomb proof , never had a fault with it , myself don’t mind a extra couple of kg weight , not a lightweight camper, and neither are most of you , I like to take a cast iron skillet to cook on and proper food when camping not packets that boil in a bag ,👍🏴
Hi Paul just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration, I’ve been watching for a while now and my son and I just did our 3rd wild camp and first one on kinder. What a wonderful location, although Saturday night was a bit hairy with the thunder and rain! (But great fun) keep up the good work and maybe we’ll see you up there one night 😂🥶🫡
I'm 6'2" and i sleep in that tent, quiet well. I also have the North Ridge version of the which is also by Go Outdoors.
Lovely sunset and sunrise 😍 I'm one that doesn't cook with aluminium, it's definitely worth paying a little extra for some stuff but not everything. I hope you had a more comfortable night afterwards 👍
I completely agree with you on the sleeping mat. I adore my Outdoor Revolution Skyfall self inflating mattress. I say mattress because it is 12cm thick fully inflated. It was a game changer that got me back into camping. Although there is no way I could hike with it. I am a car & camp kinda girl
Nice one. Interesting idea for a video. I find it’s a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Bobcat. Works really well on flat ground but if it’s bumpy the back can sometimes sag in on the inner. Enjoyed the video. Cheers Paul.
I have the more modern version of that sleeping bag. Down hybrid 500. Great sleeping bag.
I can confirm the vango Nevis is a great tent. Great spot once again Mr M 👌🏻
I have the one man Nevis. Love it.
I have the Nevis but I prefer the Cairngorm. Pretty much the same tent just nicer colour and double zips on doors etc And a white interior. Have used this tons of times now.
Nice to see you back out camping nice Paul looks nice and sunny little bit windy but nice don't know where this year gone been awet one am just getting started and it's nearly over clocks go back next month can't believe it back to Christmas stay safe one life enjoy blessed be
Titanium is light to carry but has about 1/4 the heat conductivity of iron (guess around the same for steel). So, perhaps you spend more on the pot and also waste more fuel.
Bobcat 1 is back down in price, £69 at the moment👍🏼
I agree a good nights sleep is the most important thing when camping, especially on longer trips.
Another top advice vid Paul, could you do one on the best kind of clothing especially for wet weather...
To us older backpackers, (semi)-self-inflating, i.e., Thermarest - the original - mats were a miracle, we just couldn't believe we had put up with Karrimats for so long. But I am old enough to remember what life was like before we had even that! Army surplus feather sleeping bags - bulky as hell, cold - pre-hollofill even, straight on the cold vinyl tent floors of the day, and we were still in love with backpacking (I can't use 'wild camping', as there is nothing wild in the UK, except perhaps Scottish Highlands in winter conditions, and it's only the weather that can be a bit crazy, but wild, nah). There were about two, maybe three, companies to emerge in the '70s making backpacking-specific tents, each with maybe two models. They were as light as anything these days, but materials lacked strength, U/V killed them, and space was not that great. But everything was changing all the time. The first not-quite-fleece jackets started to arrive, pile jackets that were warm but not windproof at all, and bulky as hell. Then Polartech, like thick felt and also bulky to pack (Helly Hansen's double pile Field Jacket was the first viable pre-fleece jacket, I still have one, and it still does the job!). So I have lived and suffered through it all, from the '70s to now (if you think that 'modern' w/p breathable stuff doesn't work, try straight P/U coated gear from my era - no sealed seams, n/a then - better/worse still neoprene coated fabrics. Bombproof w/p, but produced your own body weight in condensation just going for a quick stroll). So with the latest dirt cheap gear you can have a considerably more comfortable night out than in the '70s and early '80s and for much less money, and with careful choices, some of it might last more than a few trips. Thing is, when you are as green as hell, there is no research that will allow you to make all the right choices, but at least you won't have spent much experimenting. The days of 'A month's wages for a decent pair of boots' are gone, so that even the best boots probably equates to more like a week's pay. So remember - some things aren't worth skimping on, eg, a solid tent which is big enough, midge-proof and livable under siege, even if that is only once in a while, and which is well made, and of the best fabrics which will last well. The rest is down to budget. A budget tent CAN be great, but can you trust it when it is 5 years old and after it has been well battered a few times, ie, when is the cut off point after which you shouldn't rely on it? Only time and experience and a few mistakes can teach you what to buy, which is all part of the greater journey. Nuff said (-;)~
Beautiful camp site reminds me of Dolly Sods in West Virginia, especially that sunset. Enjoyed listening to all your insights on the gear debate and I was compelled to look up what a midge was.
I'd be interested to see what your cheapest but still comfortable kit would be.
Totally agree on the pad being the first thing to get right. On a budget, the Trekklogy UL80 is great - £40 and 10cm/4in. Not insulated but for 3-season it's fine. Bought one for my daughter and use it myself (6'2" side sleeper) happily.
Agree on the Bobcat 1. Nice looking sturdy tent, but too small.
Very practical advice here! Agree on that self inflating mat. Even the Thermarest ones of a similar design no longer work with my old bones. I don't think it's the price. I'm just older, heavier and more achy in general. Mats are the one thing I don't compromise on. However, if it's a car trip I'll even consider one of those super cheap £9 Bestway mattresses over my Big Agnes. They don't last and I consider them as practically disposable but they're more comfortable than any hiking matress, even the most expensive I've tried. I don't hike enough to justify 'good' gear elsewhere but generally, I pay twice as much as the cheapest and I'll get something that'll be okay and will last more than a couple of trips.
Well, thank you, paul, for the people out there who are on a budget to know if it's worth getting something more expensive for comfortably or if cheap gear is worth its price. And that you can camp with cheap gear, but like you said on the matt id rather have a good night sleep and spend on that than being awake all night. Great video 😊
In the 1970s when i was doing my D of E we had the force ten hike tent and an individual ground sheet no other pad, if the ground was hard you did not get a lot of sleep and no fancy sleeping bags LOL much better today i think
I know you've done a video on your cheap, medium and expensive gear you have, but could you do a video on for example - full backpack camping setup for £200, £500 and £1000? Would be interesting to see your picks on gear
Good video. Definitely agree with second hand gear, if you shop clever you can get great gear to suit your budget especially when inexperienced folk buy expensive gear then discover they don't like camping!!
Best backpacking tent I ever had was the Pro-Action Tigerpaws which I got from a charity shop for £3. I used it with a tarp mostly to give me more space to sit under. There are two main reasons why I retired it, firstly like yourself age catching up on me and no room in it for a camp bed which is a must for me now and secondly because the zip on the porch failed, not that it would not be possible to repair it as it stood up to some of the worst weather that Wales could throw at it, being quick to pitch and low and stable when it was pitched. It was also extremely light and packed really small.
I enjoyed that video Paul. Some stunning weather as well for ya. I was over Stanage yesterday and I didn't wanna leave. I could have easily have slept a night on the hills there last night but I had work this morning.
I brought the flextail R5 I think it that. Yes that sleeping mate is brilliant the only thing I could criticise is the bag it goes in could be be a bit bigger. Has a bit of depth nice and wide and it’s warm. You can feel your body heat radiating back. And it’s over half the price of some of these others.
I just love my bobcat tent its just brilliant and i use mine at least once a month
Try reflectix. Multi functional,ultralight warm as hell and cheap
I use this and it works great!
Great discussion, Paul. Kills me, though, how much those Primus cartridges bleed when screwing them up or unscrewing them - the Optimus cartridges don't do that at all. Small gripe, but doesn't it bother you, too?
I fully agree with the importance of sleep. Sleep deprivation is actually used as a form of torture. And age does matter. In 2008 I crossed Europe on a motorcycle and toured Greece, using campsites all the way. I slept on a Thermarest Trail Pro self inflating mattress and never had a problem with it. 16 years later I wouldn't dream of using it. After a lot of homework, I reluctantly coughed up for a wide insulated Big Agnes Rapide SL. It made all the difference.
Really good video as usual Paul and whilst I absolutely agree that a decent sleep system is paramount to enjoying a wild camp (or any kind of camp). I dont believe paying North of 200 quid is necessarry. I use a Trekology UL80 pad £35, (Superbly comfortble) with a £10 foil mat underneath, that weighs next to nothing. A good sleeping bag liner (OEX Furnace +8) turns a cheaipsh sleeping bag (£40) into a 4 season bag. As for the tent. My Spring, Summer, early Autumn, tent is The Naturehike Cloud Peak 2, marvelous value tent, and I use my Bobcat 1, for the winter months. Incredibly small as you said, but robust and I find, incredibly warm.
A Eurohike Solo cook set (The one in your video) and a Trangia Alcohol stove is all I need. Also, without intending to sound like an advert for OEX, I Have the Kintra Down jacket, that I believe is as good quality as the Wife's mega bucks Rab down jacket for half the price. Comfy camping is most definately achieavalble without paying ridiculous amounts for "branded" equipment, but with enough sense not to attempt it with poundland products. This of course, is only My opinion. I'm sure others may see it differently.
The cloud up isn't a bad tent it feels huge when you are inside it
I'm on the lookout for a second hand hilleberg unna Paul!
great wee video Paul i use a mixture on budget and more expensive gear i just buy what i like and what suits me tbh, keep up the good work mate. Atb Wullie
Would love to see a wild camp where you use a complete setup ( including clothes) from the Decathlon.
That shop should be knighted for its services to the public
Great video. You take risks and keep on being creative, well done . Respect. You Keep getting better. I would personally love to see you do something crazy like a long distance hike in Norway or something. I realise projects like that don't get the clicks and are seriously onerous and it might be something you're not interested in, I'm just into your journey and it would be entertaining and engaging to see you doing something like that. Thanks for the content, I've watched many hours. Always getting better.
Thanks mate. Glad you like the videos.
@@PaulMessner I'm a fan. Cheers.
GREAT video Paul! I'd love to see you out in the Forclaz tarp tent one day, i'm on the fence with buying one for bike packing.
Great video Paul, thanks.
I have the Berghaus XL self inflating mat 4cm thick not that big when packed away comfy can't fault it
I think there's a balance with gear some gear can be cheap like a tent depending on weather but things like sleeping bag needs to be decent , ground insulation even if it's a foil mat with a cheap sleeping pad on it, food , cook set all can be cheap but if your cold , uncomfortable and shattered there's no point it just makes for a poor experience. Cheers paul all the best 👍 🏕⛰️
Many activities apply these rules/limitations/price comparisons. I went down this rabbit hole with mountain bikes from the 90's to 2010 and the issues were very similar. Very cheap stuff will (often) give you a less pleasant experience requiring more effort or discomfort but as the price increases the gains get smaller and smaller. It's a case of horses for courses and my £17 amazon Hi peak sleep pad (up to now has served me well). All my gear is budget and that is simply where I must dwell due to circumstance. This is a great topic to address Paul and thank you for doing it in an honest and down to earth manner without bigging up super expensive gear just because it's available to you.
I had a similar Vango camping mat as an upgrade to the rolling foam one with foil on one side. It kept deflating and my hips would end up on the floor. I'm slim, so no natural padding lead to pretty much no sleep. I upgraded to one just under the £100 mark. It may not be budget, but it's also not multiple hundreds. No more hips on the floor, I can sleep now. A sleeping mat is definitely not the place to be trying to save in my opinion. If you're comfortable enough to sleep on a cheap mat, great, but sadly, I'm not comfortable without a good mat.
the 1984 maestro camp 🤣 love it
Awesome vid ! Can’t believe how bad the midges were. But that sky was mega. I have the euro hike cook pot it’s fine and does the job.
The bobcat has a bit of a cult following but not for me. Your face when u wake up 😂 don’t go away we’ve got a lot to talk about 😂 I think a decent rucksack 🎒 is a must. Makes a big difference if carrying weight
I got the Flux 5.0 Sleeping Mat from GoOutdoors. At £54 quid I reckon this is the cheapest insulated inflatable mat out there?
Just put the new flux 7r in my basket. With discount currently on got that for £58 and it is promising to be an R-Value of 7.2
I've been surprised at how comfortable my Aliexpress bought Westtune air bed with built in pump has been. I add some insulation underneath (from the car windscreen), and its proven to be fine, especially with me being on the large side of large.
Beautiful location!
As for the tent, I would rather use my 3x4 tarp with a walking stick and a pole. The pole is a bit of a pain to carry, but it's worth it. With that and a dozen good pegs and guy lines, I can make up a HUGE tent.
A few months ago, I got pulled in by all the TEMU ads and got myself a sleeping pad from there. It was rubbish! I have bought another one now, from Amazon, which wasn't that much more expensive, but turned out to be so much better.
I couldn't sleep on a pad like the one you featured! 😮
Love my aliexpress lightour mat large and wide size, 5.8r rated, love a bargain.
I've still have the gear i have used for more years than i care too admit.( still have my 1st. generation Therma'rest pad ~ your pad in this video is properly better ) I've always purchased high end gear. Another excellent video.
On a 10 mile hike I take my oex cot bed. Love this thing in winter especially if I'm under the tarp.
I'm part donkey so when I'm out with the grandson I take the jackel 3 a bit on the heavy side for some but it's ideal in bad weather.. all fits in the osprey 65ag lgt I got new from chain reaction for £40 delivered 👌 as you may have guessed I'm an oex fan.
Love the gear they produce and it gets me out all year round. But I have an advantage in winter as I work in cold store distribution 😂
I’ve a Vango Blade 1. Which is similar in design but…
The entrance is on the front instead of the side. Being 6’2” my head is always in the vestibule. Needless to say doesn’t get used much.
I’ve an old Karimor karimat which is amazingly comfortable and has outlived all my camping kit. 😂
Hi Paul, I bought a anti midge long sleeve craghoppers thin top from go outdoors. It's impregnated with a chemical and last for about 120 washes if I remember. I was skeptical at first but it really seemed to work. Any that landed on me just instantly fell off 👍
You can get Titanium pot for £25. I was cooking in titanium for around 6 years now, both on gas stoves and campfires with no issues whatsoever, from soups to rice. The main benefit of the titanium cookware is that it is safe to use, and you don't need to think about damaging the non-stick coating.
I agree that spending x2 to save 10% of weight is an overkill, though.
Midgy's are attracted to white light because white light has blue/ultra violet light within it. Use a red light instead or put a red filter over the top of the white light.
I swear by the trekology mat, pretty chunky but a great price point. Spent more on my tent (terra nova helm 2) to start so it lasts, I’ll upgrade the other kit as i go along 😅
Midges. I am from Buxton and where the local reservoir is I named it midge valley. But did find that they are attracted to the led lights. So if you can have the white led located a little way away from the tent then a good lot of them will be attracted to that. Also it is worth noting that insects are not attracted to green light so I have opted for a headtorch with the multiple colour leds . There are also insect attracters that are chemical , i believe they are used by the US military. Another tip that i have not fully tested is to eat a truck load of garlic the day before . Butt of course you will not want an upset tummy whilst camping so personal preference on that one. I have heard a story about a bigfoot knocking on someones door asking for garlic and they rub it over their skin or fur lol .
Camping Moon makes a cheap(ish) stove comparable to the Soto Windmaster for about half the price, worth checking out if you're looking to upgrade. Thanks for the video!
budget halfords pad with a mylar blanket under it was my first sleep pad lol
Most of my kit for the last 5 days on Dartmoor was inexpensive but I will be upgrading one or two items before I go there again. There's only one way to find that out though.
A few weeks ago my mate and I were camping up in Fort William. He was nice and cosy in his Bobcat 1 with a cheap sleeping mat from Amazon, whilst I was freezing in the Nemo Dagger with an Exped 5r sleeping mat. Just shows you expensive isn't always the best. Wish I'd taken my Lan Shan instead.
Lol Paul that Eurohike Sleeping Pad was my first ever camping bed! I soon upgraded to Thermarest neo and xtherm 😂😂 the Eurohike now acts as a crash mat for weights in my home gym 😂😂
It's probably better suited for the gym 😂
Multimat Adventure Air was great as my first budget mat. £25 and lasted me about 3 years. Probably about 7cm thick but a little narrow. British company aswell. Would love for a Messner review as you've trialled so many other mats.
A want to see you out in all your most expensive gear. Full on Messner bling.
So that is the portable budget set up what about the budget base camping set up where you go to 1 site for 3-5 days and do walks from there? You can get some cheap live like a sultan tents big enough to sit in a chair if it rains all day. Given most people don't have a lot of spare time to camp should one spend £500 on camping gear or go for 10 nights in a premier with shower, wifi and tv?
Finally biting the bullet and buying a decent sleeping pad for me was a game changer. 👍
Still a super in demand tent, i just sold mine though because I found a decathlon 2 person tent for not too silly money that is the exact same weight, and the bobcat really is too small. Food wise, cheapest camping food - instant noodles! I’d definitely spend my money on a good pad, but my first one was a cheap inflatable one from Amazon for about £20 and it’s super comfy. Just bad for anything other than the summer.
There’s always the exception to the rule. I’ve got a very smart, low mileage Volvo but spend the vast majority of my time driving a 25yr old, maroon Vauxhall Corsa B. It’s very liberating 😂
I first started camping, although rarely about 40 years ago. Back then I don't think sleeping pads even existed. Maybe my memory is failing but I don't recall a bad nights sleep when sleeping directly on the ground - you got used to it.
Which Vango Hydrogen have you got Paul, the ultralight or the inflatable?
I have the slightly larger inflatable one for bike packing. I like it for that myself but wouldn't mind hearing your opinions on it in general.
I always compare the price of a tent to the cost of a hotel room. Then compare how many nights it would take to break even. Usually not many.
Hi paul not possible with midges but i typically dont take the inner when using my bobcat i use a small tarp / ground sheet and find it to be a much better experience
Great vid . Love it mate and a fab sunset ! I spent a cold winter night on High Cup Nick recently without my sleeping bag which I’d left in the blooming car ! Idiot ! I would have been grateful for any quality bag that night !
Get some smidge to defend you from the biting midges