Camping Gear!

[Al the CAT]

Don't bother with expensive airbeds - get a cheap lilo for a few quid (ebay for 'lilo swimming' if you're struggling to find one out of season) and a cheap matress cover to put it in to cover over the nasty plasticness / squeekyness of the lilo. No more than a £5/£6 all together and you're sorted. Get a lilo with a 'pillow' end and that's that taken care of too.

Pros - they fold up much smaller and lighter than airbeds, and are easier to blow up by mouth too (so saves having to take a pump). Lilos can usually be found in pound shops too.

Downside - not as thick / quality as an airbed, so more prone to leaks, but as with all camping expeditions, duct tape is your friend

[ukslim]

Tents:

• Go for the smallest one you think is practical. If you get to the site late, it'll make it easier to find a space. Even if you get there early, it's polite not to hog more space than you need. Having said that, tents are not generously sized, so I think a "two man tent" is appropriate for one person, a "three man tent" is good for two people, etc.

• Find a shop that has erected tents on display, so you know what you're getting

• A porch is really worth having, for muddy boots etc.

• You wouldn't catch me in a popup tent or a single-skinned tent.

The cold ground sucks heat from your body, unless you stop it somehow. For sleeping on:

• Rollmats are cheap and adequate

• Proper airbeds are heavy and bulky but very, very comfy

• Last year I took an army-style camp bed. Not all that bulky, but quite heavy. Best I've ever slept at a festival though.

You need a sleeping bag, obviously. A duvet is too much hassle. I use a rolled up jumper as a pillow.

You don't really *need* anything else.

It's nice to decorate your tent, or have a flag (I'm sure the flag threads will start soon), so you can find your tent in the sea of identikit Eurohikes, and because it's fun.

[OneLittleFish]

I'd personally say that the next couple of months will be good for picking up camping gear for Glasto 2010 - a lot of camping stores have done badly over the summer and will be looking to ditch summer stock for some much needed cashflow to see them through the winter.

Just got myself a £75 tent for just under £30 - some absolute bargains out there right now.

[Storm_NL]

The cold ground sucks heat from your body, unless you stop it somehow. For sleeping on:

• Rollmats are cheap and adequate

• Proper airbeds are heavy and bulky but very, very comfy

• Last year I took an army-style camp bed. Not all that bulky, but quite heavy. Best I've ever slept at a festival though.

[catsta]

I swear by my self-inflating mat thingummy, having used it for 3 or 4 festivals now.

Lighter to carry than an airbed, and surprisingly comfortable. In fact, despite being only a few centimetres thick, much more comfortable than my inflatable mattress ever was.

I think internal distribution of the air is the key.... highly recommended.

[toooldtoknowbetter]

Don't waste your money on all that gear, follow my mate's example:

He took a Tesco Value tent. £7.99. It was absolutely waterpoof, except when it rained, when he had to cover it with a sheet of polythene. There wasn't a drop of condensation though - ventilation was superb, because he had to keep the door open to stick his feet out. It was easy to dismantle - well, it did it by itself. And ever so light, so carrying it to the bins wasn't a problem.

It also saved me the hassle of walking all the way to the cabaret tent - I just pissed myself with laughter watching him.

[tubs]

I've a cheeper alternative - Drink 15 pints of pears cider and sleep where you fall. Advantages:-

1, you don't have remember where you pitched your tent.

2, you never notice the rain / mud

3, Nothing to put up / leave behind

4, you'll make loads of new friends (or at least you think you have)

5, Every band is the best you've ever seen.

[lea7784]

i learned my lesson after going to cramfields to travel light i will be talking me camping stuff n a back pack with waterproofs n clothes lol

[Mrs*E*]

Don't waste your money on all that gear, follow my mate's example:

He took a Tesco Value tent. £7.99. It was absolutely waterpoof, except when it rained, when he had to cover it with a sheet of polythene. There wasn't a drop of condensation though - ventilation was superb, because he had to keep the door open to stick his feet out. It was easy to dismantle - well, it did it by itself. And ever so light, so carrying it to the bins wasn't a problem.

It also saved me the hassle of walking all the way to the cabaret tent - I just pissed myself with laughter watching him.

[maninkilt]

Self inflating mats are the dog's danglies

[rachbon]

We have a Go Outdoors near to us in Coatbridge. Fantastic place and every time I go in I could easily spend a grand if I had it! Well worth getting one of the discount cards for £4, I've made loads of savings buying camping and outdoor gear from there.

[ArcticMonkeysUK]

Avon Eurohike FTW - brilliant tent!

Bought on the recommendation of other efestival members and survived some tough conditions at 3 festivals last year.

[smudger]

If your going for a cooker get a Primus Etapower stove.....boils a litre of water in 90 seconds...I kid you not.

http://www.actionoutdoors.co.uk/primus_eta_power_stove.htm

Edited October 7, 2009 by smudger

[smudger]

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Edited October 7, 2009 by smudger

[Bobs]

If you wanna splash the cash, and try giving some stuff to people to make your money back

Argos - £95 - 4 Man tent

* Includes 2 bedroom 4 person tent, double airbed, double sleeping bag, 2 single airbeds, 2 single sleeping bags and 2 lanterns.

Pro action 4 person, 2 room tent:

* 1 main entrance and 2 inner tent doors with mesh.

* 4 windows.

* Separate groundsheet.

* 1200mm hydrostatic head.

* Taped seams.

* Size of tent overall (H)140, (W)210, (L)400cm.

* Size of each room 140 x 210cm.

* Height at highest point 140cm.

* Weight 10.2kg.

1 double and 2 single 200gsm sleeping bags.

1 double and 2 single airbeds.

My Dads said he'd Split it with me anyway, so Leave half there and for £45 quid im getting, 2 sleeping Blankets, and Airbed, a 2 roomed Tent and some lights so i can see.

To Me that sounds swish.

Looks big enough for 4 too.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Bobs

[grumpyhack]

One of these Gelert fold flat toasters for under a fiver was one of the best camping gear investments I ever made. Weighs virtually nothing and folds flat to the size of a plate.

Toast and pate, toast and marmalade, toast and marmite etc..... Great to start and end the day

Edited October 7, 2009 by grumpyhack

[drewsstrat]

What about Those who might as well 'take the kitchen sink' to glasto....

One of these beauties come in handy Portable Kitchen sink!

[emmacollege]

Self inflating mats are the dog's danglies