Camping/Walking Clothing

[Romily]

We are heading off camping for the first time in May and I am having a wardrobe crisis Currently I have a wardrobe filled with dresses and skirts so nothing suitable for walking or camping and as such I need to get a few bits before we go away.

It is important to me to be warm, dry, comfy and able to get mucky and have fun with the children. The weather is likely to be cold and wet so I want to be prepared.

I have a waterproof jacket but other than that nothing I could wear that is warm or suitable for outdoor adventures, not even jeans, so I need to plan from scratch.

Thank you!

I like cargo trousers, the ones you can zip off at the knees (in the rare event of some sun lol) and borrow DPs under armour stuff...get things that you can layer.

Waterproof, breathable over-trousers, wellies, walking boots (waterproof & leather if you are planning some real treks) and when you buy them get suitable socks at the same time to try them together.

Layers of light clothing in case it's cold. Waterproof gloves (even in May), fleece hat. Agree that zip-off at the knee trousers would be good.

Mountain Warehouse is online and has reductions at the mo (buy boots in a shop, though, to try them on,

Thanks for the suggestions, are there fleece brands that you would recommend?

The craghopper kiwi winter lined trousers are lovely. Really warm. I wear thermal long johns underneath and then can sit outside all evening without legs getting cold.

Layers on top is the way to go. Cotton best avoided. Go outdoors stocks a large selection of outdoorsy wear.

Thermal underwear is great for sleeping in as an alternative to regular pjs. I love Craghoppers and North Face for fleeces - more expensive but good quality. Decent walking socks are also a must.

Check out patra silk online too. silk long johns and long sleeve t-shirts are the best! incredibly warm, the military use them for arctic expeditions.

You don't need to spend big to be warm. Fleece is fleece and will keep you warm whether it is from North Face or Aldi. Primark often do Sprayway breathable waterproof golf trousers (I found black but there were other colours too). The hideous all in one fleece animal suits are really good for sleeping in when it's cold. Uniqlo Heat Tech is wonderful stuff for keeping warm too.

Just to add, our standards of cleanliness slip somewhat while camping, useful in terms of being to pack fewer clothes :)

I bought a fleece from Mountain Warehouse and got a lightweight branded waterproof from TKMax.