When is the best time to buy camping equipment?

[Anotheruser02]

Hello, I have no camping equipment yet, but I wan't to go camping in France next year with my DS. If I wait until winter for my camping things will I save anything significantly? Or should I just get it now and possibly get a bonus weekend somewhere this summer.

We already have a caravan booked at a Eurocamp for the end of summer, but if I already had my camping things I'd probably head off for a few days before that.

Wait until the end of the season. October or later. You could buy the basics now if you want to camp and then upgrade later in the year? This is what I did last year, we only camped twice last year and it gave me an idea what I would need this year for longer camping trips.

jan - march ish. just before the new latest colour/ style for the season ahead comes out, so for next summer 2020 winter 2019. have a mooch about go outdoors etc, look touch feel stuff. then sale time internet search !!

There are lots of sales and reductions about now though, so if you see a good deal you like the look of I would grab it and get your weekends in.

Thank you! I know what I want, I want a Coleman octagon 8 tent, as I will be also taking our dog and I know that tent is super ventilated, (to the point it has bad reviews for being too cold at night). Silly question, but things don't just run out do they? If like you say they bring out new versions in the next year. Atm there are offers on it for £190, but I don't know whether to expect it to reduce any more. I've never really looked around at camping equipment before, but I was thinking of it a bit like summer garden stuff which kind of disappears to be replaced but Santa junk in most shops by September.

Any recommendations for equipment you couldn't do without, or what not to bother with would be great! I really want to love camping because I think it could be the key for some affordable holidays during the school holidays!

I would keep an eye out for a good kitchen/stove table, Aldi had them last week at a great price and I stupidly didn’t buy one, they are twice the price everywhere else. I would also look at getting a carpet for your tent as it’s stops the cold coming through the floor as much and looks cosy (I bought one last week on eBay), apparently Tesco have air beds on offer but they are the basic ones, you might want something a bit better. For me the cooking equipment is the most important stuff, look at the ridgemonkey (you can get cheaper versions) and a good gas stove. Windbreakers are great too if you have a dog and you don’t want them barking at passers by.

End of season is best. We have a huge camping shop near us that sells a lot of stock off at the end of August/September time.

Things we couldn't do without

Cooker
Camp kitchen
Beanstalk for storing kitchen equipment
Ground sheets (even if tent has seen in groundsheets put separate ones under to protect tent
Tables and chairs
Wardrobe rather than living out of cases
Air beds rather than camping mats
Good sleeping bags

End of summer

August/September will have stuff in the sale - but do your research, cheap doesn't mean value for money.

Thank you! I have lots to look out for. Lovemusic they have that Aldi kitchen to buy online on their website.