Camping in comfort

It’s coming up to camping season - meaning the weather is (hopefully) brightening up and allowing us to spend some time in the great outdoors! So while you either dig up your old tent or begin the search for a new one, it becomes easy to forget the little things. Without getting too technical, here are some of the usual purchases available to the casual camper.

Whether you’re on a simple camping holiday or an expedition, one essential is the sleeping bag. Here at Outdoor Kit we stock a wide variety, from the lightweight one season Mountain Equipment Starlight Micro to the snug, down-filled Vango Viper 750. When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to gauge exactly what weather you'll be facing - a one-season sleeping bag will not suffice, for example, halfway up Ben Nevis in the middle of August. If you're going to experience a slight variety of weathers, it may be worthwhile purchasing a sleeping bag liner - a thin cotton or silk layer that can be used inside or outside the sleeping bag and takes up little space when packed away. A good example is the Sea To Summit Silk Standard (Rectangular) Sleeping Bag Liner , which, although not inexpensive, is made from premium grade silk and is very lightweight at 130grams. Remember that sleeping bags come in two shapes - Rectangular and Mummy - so choosing the correctly shaped sleeping bag liner for your bag is advisable.

For further comfort when camping, Outdoor Kit also stock portable mattresses. The Therm-A-Rest Prolite is a recent update to the Prolite 3 - weighing in at almost 100grams lighter than its predecessor. Therm-A-Rest mattresses are self-inflatable and easy to condense after use, providing extra comfort when camping.

Access to kitchens and canteens can be few and far between for the adventurous to experienced camper, so having at least a basic stove for meals can be essential. A great starting point is the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove - a lightweight gas burner that is simple to use and, being but palm-sized in girth, easy to carry around. As with all gas stoves on our site, the specific gas canisters are not included but can be purchased from any good local outdoor retailer. Just make sure you're getting the right one, as not every gas canister will fit every stove.

If you're feeling a touch intrepid, ditch the heavy cans of beans and plump for a Wayfayrer food bag. Although already cooked and ready to eat, Wayfayrer foods only take 7-8 minutes to heat up in hot water - so you can enjoy your Lancashire Hotpot any way you choose!

We hope you enjoy your camping experience - more information on camping in comfort to follow!