What Tent?!

[burger93]

http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sleeping-equipment/camp-beds/product/096368/vango-camp-bed.html?attribute=3741555

Get this. £13... it's a little bit heavy on the way back but it's a bloody metal framed bed. at a festival. I was a king at Glastonbury and didn't have to pump it up every morning. Loved it.

Plus I haggled at my local millets when buying some other bits and they gave it to me for £9.99.

[Mega Ross]

If you go into store you can try it out mate, you'll be pleasantly surprised I think.

I couldn't take a camping bed, 6'6" chunky blokes and flimsy metal doesn't mix. Went through 4 green tent co chairs last year after my chunky ass recliner was robbed. Inflatable mattress would be cheaper and lighter anyway, camp beds are outdated technology.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Mega Ross

[burger93]

If you go into store you can try it out mate, you'll be pleasantly surprised I think.

I couldn't take a camping bed, 6'6" chunky blokes and flimsy metal doesn't mix. Went through 4 green tent co chairs last year after my chunky ass recliner was robbed. Inflatable mattress would be cheaper and lighter anyway, camp beds are outdated technology.

Edited June 29, 2011 by burger93

[Gary]

The bag comes up to my knee and is not as wide as my leg, and it weights like 6lbs. Genuinely worth looking at. I strapped mine to the back of my camping bag, worked a charm, didn't even realise it was there

[Gary]

...also it's not a folding one. It's got 12 metal frames which slot together. 8 poles 4 legs..! it's not as big as you'd think to carry!

[Bisque]

Anyone use a double sleeping bag & just fold it over? Been doing it for years (missus won't come to Reading) & had some lovely afternoon naps.

[hazzamid11]

http://www.blacks.co.uk/camping/furniture/camp-beds-and-accessories/product/095957/deluxe-comfort-airbed---single.html?attribute=169017

i have used the double one at festys for the last 3 years, works brilliantly, and personally i find it really comfy, especially after a few drinks. Cheap and easy to carry.

Edited June 29, 2011 by hazzamid11

[Mega Ross]

Oh definitely get a camping chair. Do you seriously plan on going to bed right after the bands and getting up just before they start?

When you're getting pissed round the fire back at camp you'll want a chair to sit on. Being on your feet all day and then sitting on the floor isn't pleasant.

6lb's? Thats like 6 more cans of beer!

Edited June 30, 2011 by Mega Ross

[Gary]

Thing is, anyone that buys beer/food before arriving at Reading is a bit silly. Obviously the plan should be set up camp then go and get supplies in town. It's the ritual. Carrying beer on the initial set-up run is just a pain in the arse. I mean obviously take a six pack to tide you over, but carrying bag+tent+crates = gash.

Or, get a set of wheels

[Mega Ross]

My point is, why carry heavy and outdated technology when you could have room for more important things, like beer.

I prefer to take all my stuff in straight from the car (especially if we're dropped outside the gate) everything apart from my beer and gazebo goes on my back, 4 crates in my arms, someone else can carry the gazebo, almost died coming back from tescos last year with crates etc. Because it's such a massive trek from our camp, especially in the rain.

We had a set of wheels but we had to reduce weight as we broke it.

[burger93]

My point is, why carry heavy and outdated technology when you could have room for more important things, like beer.

I prefer to take all my stuff in straight from the car (especially if we're dropped outside the gate) everything apart from my beer and gazebo goes on my back, 4 crates in my arms, someone else can carry the gazebo, almost died coming back from tescos last year with crates etc. Because it's such a massive trek from our camp, especially in the rain.

We had a set of wheels but we had to reduce weight as we broke it.

Edited June 30, 2011 by burger93

[Mega Ross]

Definitely go to tescos wednesday instead of thursday, it won't be packed, there will be more stock and the toilets won't be filthy. Nor will the cashpoints be jammed.

Well, me and a few others got the coach last year because it was the only thing on sale by the time I had funds. And I didn't bring and food and minimal beer (just for while we were queuing/ on the coach/ setting up/ on the way to tescos). We basically went in, set up and went to get food and beer, I didn't enjoy carrying it all back myself. I was cold and wet and just wanted to get the fire on and get drunk, not sweat my arse off carrying crates.

Theres a boat but it's always queued up so far it's quicker to walk.

I thought the coach would be more limited but I think I could have fitted my 100l rucksack, gazebo and another 120l holdall full of beer in the coach without anyone caring, theres a surprising amount and space and the coach driver really didn't give a shit.

Edited June 30, 2011 by Mega Ross

[Bisque]

I always take a camping chair. There is nothing worse (imo) than everyone sat around socialising in chairs, especially the ones with can holders, & you are sat on the floor.

Plus the grass at Reading is quite long & due to the bonfire smoke covering the sun it takes a while to dry out if it has rained.

[burger93]

I always take a camping chair. There is nothing worse (imo) than everyone sat around socialising in chairs, especially the ones with can holders, & you are sat on the floor.

Plus the grass at Reading is quite long & due to the bonfire smoke covering the sun it takes a while to dry out if it has rained.

[jump]

I've seen a few people talking about fires? What do you mean by that ? is there an organised one or something because I thought it was against the rules to make a fire in the camp-sites? Yeah I have a camping chair here, just thought it be less hassle taking it, but might have to reconsider now.

[Bisque]

I've seen a few people talking about fires? What do you mean by that ? is there an organised one or something because I thought it was against the rules to make a fire in the camp-sites? Yeah I have a camping chair here, just thought it be less hassle taking it, but might have to reconsider now.

[burger93]

You can't make a fire on the last night but otherwise it's fine.

[Mega Ross]

Everyone will say it about any campsite (except white) but it's rubbish, yes occasionally a few 12 year olds will have a can of cider and do a bunch of idiotic things. But the policing levels on the sunday night were extremely high last year (I don't rate the fire ban at all, but we won't get into that) so nothing really went down except it being bloody freezing, sods law really.

Anyway, camp where you like, rule of thumb, closer to the arena is more lively. I camp in red, it's a good level of partying and chilling out, everyone is really social and in general a very accepting crowd. Met some right good lads last year just wandering past on my way to get a bacon roll in the morning "Hey mate can you roll" ended up having a few beers and smokes with them, it's good man.

Theres a firewood place on site in "the village" just the fires must be knee height and not too wide. We had 2 fires going in our group last year, one for each gazebo, lovely in the evenings and in the mornings especially. Warm yourself up and get drinking.

[burger93]

Everyone will say it about any campsite (except white) but it's rubbish, yes occasionally a few 12 year olds will have a can of cider and do a bunch of idiotic things. But the policing levels on the sunday night were extremely high last year (I don't rate the fire ban at all, but we won't get into that) so nothing really went down except it being bloody freezing, sods law really.

Anyway, camp where you like, rule of thumb, closer to the arena is more lively. I camp in red, it's a good level of partying and chilling out, everyone is really social and in general a very accepting crowd. Met some right good lads last year just wandering past on my way to get a bacon roll in the morning "Hey mate can you roll" ended up having a few beers and smokes with them, it's good man.

Theres a firewood place on site in "the village" just the fires must be knee height and not too wide. We had 2 fires going in our group last year, one for each gazebo, lovely in the evenings and in the mornings especially. Warm yourself up and get drinking.

Edited June 30, 2011 by burger93

[Bisque]

Just don't camp next to the main walkways, school boy error.

[Mega Ross]

Reading mate, gazebos are about £15 in argos, we just ditch ours because they're being held together by tape by the end anyway

Don't camp near the walkways, you'll get robbed.

By the walls and bushes you'll end up in a river of piss.

By the longdrops all you will just smell foulness of a whole new level, shit, piss, vomit, festering sanitary towels a thousand times over.

We tend to camp on the side of red facing rivermead centre, parallel to the water tower because it's slightly higher ground and easy to find camp, a good distance away from the walls and leaving enough room for randomers to pitch up next to the walkway (also known as operation human shield).

To me it's an ideal spot to make camp, in red though you do have to have a search round to meet people.

We seemed to be surrounded in our immediate vicinity by posh girls with boyfriends and generally antisocial people who stayed in their tents all the time, didn't take long walking to find some good lads.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Mega Ross

[burger93]

Reading mate, gazebos are about £15 in argos, we just ditch ours because they're being held together by tape by the end anyway

Don't camp near the walkways, you'll get robbed.

By the walls and bushes you'll end up in a river of piss.

By the longdrops all you will just smell foulness of a whole new level, shit, piss, vomit, festering sanitary towels a thousand times over.

We tend to camp on the side of red facing rivermead centre, parallel to the water tower because it's slightly higher ground and easy to find camp, a good distance away from the walls and leaving enough room for randomers to pitch up next to the walkway (also known as operation human shield).

To me it's an ideal spot to make camp, in red though you do have to have a search round to meet people.

We seemed to be surrounded in our immediate vicinity by posh girls with boyfriends and generally antisocial people who stayed in their tents all the time, didn't take long walking to find some good lads.

[eco]

does it matter what size tent you get at reading festival is there a size limit?

[m4tt]

no limit, but you have to find a space to fit 

[Benj]

Yup squeezing it in will be the problem

You probably don’t want to take a massive one unless you’re getting their on the Wednesday, or early on the Thursday and you’re happy to camp a fair way out from the arena.

otherwise full your boots but don’t be selfish, don’t take up the room of two tents if you can get away with a smaller one!