The camping essentials - I've found a bargain which you all need to know about thread...

[frostypaw]

Reckon Lidl or Aldi would let me lie on one instore

if not go to a camping store and try a few. Cheeky but...

[celticvillan]

Aldi have got their cheap camping stuff on offer from tomorrow......

Not long now. :-)

[FirsG]

Anybody got any recommendations on cheap camping chairs?

[mikeb]

Reckon Lidl or Aldi would let me lie on one instore

Probably not a good idea unless you want a 'chat' with the nearest store security guy Not a particularly practical idea anyway as they take a while to sort themselves out when you first open them up. It wouldn't be that easy to roll up again either without risk of getting it grubby on the floor or whatever so you probably wouldn't be too popular.

I can defo recommend the Aldi ones though First one I bought at <£10 coped with 10 years of very regular use/abuse before finally giving up the ghost. In contrast, the airbed I bought a few years back just to try one out didn't even make it through it's first outing ! Good job old faithful self-inflating jobbie came along for the ride Second Aldi mat now enjoying it's second year of having official sleeping-on thingy status for all festivals and various other camping trips every year. Latest design isn't quite as good as the original one but there's absolutely no reason to suspect it'll be giving up anytime soon. The only significant difference is the straps are now just elastic rather than webbing clips that can be tightened to get minimum packed size. A problem easily resolved though. The only drawback is they tend to be VERY slippy so add a nice shiny sleeping bag on top and anything more than a gentle slope underneath ... and be prepared to end up in a heap at the bottom of the tent in the morning ! If it's cold you sometimes need to give them a bit of a blow job as they can be a little reluctant to get it up fully on their own

They're infinitely better than a standard Karrimat but virtually the same amount of space/volume to hump, although somewhat heavier. They're obviously not as comfortable as an airbed of course. A very good happy medium so to speak though. I tend to use a thin standard roll or folding mat as well mind you if I've got space for one because it gives better ground insulation in colder times. I'm sure the likes of Thermarest et al are considered 'better' for no end of technical reasons various but for not much more than a tenner at Aldi, well worth every penny and I never leave home without one !

Edited May 21, 2014 by mikeb

[cornish hick]

Cheers Mikeb

It was tongue in cheek about trying in store as frostypaw said try before you buy

after reading your comments I think I'll be getting one. Although may take airbed and leave it in car just incase

[sufc]

Anyone got any good ideas of keeping cans cold, when you don't have access to a fridge? Cool bags? Iceblocks?

[Titters2]

Cool bags and frozen water bottles / Capri sun - top tip from earlier in the thread.

[cornish hick]

Anyone got any good ideas of keeping cans cold, when you don't have access to a fridge? Cool bags? Iceblocks?

Freeze them ?

[maninkilt]

Freeze them ?

They may split or push the tab off.

[frostypaw]

It's complicated - there are whole threads on keeping cans cold with ideas from coolboxes stuffed with frozen juice boxes to keeping them under your groundsheet - have a search.

[Keva]

Bought the self inflating mat and a sleeping bag from Aldi this morning. Both look very good! I'll test them out later.

They had some tents, but I wouldn't trust them

[cornish hick]

They may split or push the tab off.

True due to expansion. But theres 5 weeks left so may try freezing a can this weekend as a test

[bush]

True due to expansion. But theres 5 weeks left so may try freezing a can this weekend as a test

Lager doesn't freeze well. It loses all it's fizz. Ales may work better.

[TheJackson]

Bought the self inflating mat and a sleeping bag from Aldi this morning. Both look very good! I'll test them out later.

How much are they in Aldi?

As Lidl is across the road from my work but if they're cheaper at Aldi I'll have to pop there!

[captain reido]

I froze my cans of strongbow last time, worked a treat.

[Keva]

How much are they in Aldi?

As Lidl is across the road from my work but if they're cheaper at Aldi I'll have to pop there!

Prices are on the site https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-22nd-may/

[GeoHall]

Prices are on the site https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-22nd-may/

I wonder what those rucksag bags are like? do people think they'd be okay?

[Keva]

They looked ok for a day pack/bag. But For anything substantial might be a bit touch and go.

[al_coholic]

That igloo tent for £30 in Aldi looks ok

[Janaka]

Anyone got any good ideas of keeping cans cold, when you don't have access to a fridge? Cool bags? Iceblocks?

My cooling plan for this year is to bring a folding bucket and fill with water and as many cans as possible at a time. I got mine from Robert Dyas for only £3 http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/summit-9-litre-folding-bucket. They won't be ice-cold but certainly better than tent-warm.

Cool bags and ice blocks are fine for 24 hours of camping, but pretty useless for any longer than that in my experience. I'll have a cool bag with ice blocks but just for sausages/bacon, some of which will be pre-frozen to allow them to thaw out slowly.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Janaka

[The Other Steve]

My cooling plan for this year is to bring a folding bucket and fill with water and as many cans as possible at a time. I got mine from Robert Dyas for only £3 http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/summit-9-litre-folding-bucket. They won't be ice-cold but certainly better than tent-warm.

Cool bags and ice blocks are fine for 24 hours of camping, but pretty useless for any longer than that in my experience. I'll have a cool bag with ice blocks but just for sausages/bacon, some of which will be pre-frozen to allow them to thaw out slowly.

Couple of cheaper options on eBay if you need to take postage into account: -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-Litre-Folding-Bucket-Camping-Caravan-Portable-Collapsible-Storage-Green-/231152233907?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_Accessories&hash=item35d1bf2db3

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/673456-ca1149-Paroh-Yellowstone-Foldable-Camping-Bucket-9-Litre-wb2a-/181390777595?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_Accessories&hash=item2a3bbb9cfb

[incident]

For those going to Aldi -

The one thing on the page that stuck out for me is Bamboo Socks.

Seriously, at 4 quid for a 3 pack, just try it. At Glastonbury it makes a huge difference on your feet. Wear them as an Inner layer with a lightweight hiking sock outside, and you're guaranteed no blisters.

[Brave Sir Robin]

For those going to Aldi -

The one thing on the page that stuck out for me is Bamboo Socks.

Seriously, at 4 quid for a 3 pack, just try it. At Glastonbury it makes a huge difference on your feet. Wear them as an Inner layer with a lightweight hiking sock outside, and you're guaranteed no blisters.

That's an amazing deal. I have one pair of bamboo socks, they are awesome, sooo comfortable. Even if these are thin (which let's face it they're going to be), they'll be a step up on most socks.

If only I had an Aldi near me

[the beadle]

cheap drugs from Mucky Dave

[coma girl]

For those going to Aldi -

The one thing on the page that stuck out for me is Bamboo Socks.

Seriously, at 4 quid for a 3 pack, just try it. At Glastonbury it makes a huge difference on your feet. Wear them as an Inner layer with a lightweight hiking sock outside, and you're guaranteed no blisters.

Bargain, I bought a single pair that cost me more than that.