Absolute beginner camping list needed

[cunoyerjudowel]

Dh and I would like to go camping but have never done it as adults, therefore have no kit.

i would rather get a good set up and be comfortable than save a bit of money, so happy to invest in quality for the long run.

it would be just the 2 of us, and I get cold really easily and he runs very hot.

would be looking to go to the lakes as it’s not too far and we know it well.

so please can you advise on a complete set up - with recommendations of quality equipment.

a tent box on top of the car is not feasible so it would be an actual tent.

thanks

Go basic glamping and see if you like that experience first

baby steps when it comes to camping!

Same as above, find a site that rents a more basic tent set up, not too high end eg camping pods, usually you need to supply sleeping bags and pillows, they supply a waterproof structure, and sometimes cooking facilities (or better still a cafe!) see if you like it before you spend £500 on kit! I recommend the vango galaxy 300 for a couple (says sleeps 3-4) as easy to put up, compact for storage, large bedroom section and enough space to sit inside if weather is foul, I can stand up too in the “living” section. Vango make larger tents of course but I like to be able to easily carry for festivals etc

Ooh good advice - I have asked for glamping as a bday present coming up so hopefully we will get to go.

are the blow up sofas any good and what’s the best way to chill in the evening- I’ve seen movie screens to hang etc

We have bought loads of stuff, but the following is my bare minimum list:

Tent- inflatable is easy.
Warmest sleeping bags available.
Torch/ head torches.
Small camping stove.
Washing up bowl, sponge and liquid.
Basic cooking equipment and plates, cutlery etc.
Camping chairs.
Dryrobes.

Watching a movie (unless you use in ear buds for the sound) would be a brilliant way to annoy your campsite neighbours. For us, the entertainment is cooking and eating the evening meal in the great outdoors, accompanied by some tasty drinks. Take a walk, read a book, have a nice chat. If it’s raining, have dinner in a local pub or restaurant. You tend to get up earlier when camping so end up going to bed earlier too.

I forgot about the noise- thanks- see I am an absolute beginner- Definatley ear pods

I’ve not had a blow up sofa but I suspect it would soon deflate. Better to get decent, sturdy chairs I think.

No kit recommendations as I’m sure there are far more knowledgeable people than me coming along but advice for you if you run cold…
It is much easier to stay warm than get warm so don’t allow yourself to get cold.

Late afternoon/early evening when the sun goes down and it starts to get a bit chilly. That’s when to get changed into your PJ’s. I then put a big oodie and wide leg trackies over them with socks tucked into PJ bottoms. You can remove and put on layers on throughout the evening but you won’t have to get undressed and into cold pajamas and then into a cold sleeping bag this way.

My only piece of advice .... have the number of a local hotel on speed dial 🤣

I don't find sleeping bags comfortable. We take a duvet. It's worth having to put the roof box on for! Good lights if you're not using electric pitches. And stodgy food to keep warm and full.

3 man Tent, (double skinned, the single skinned ones leak if you touch the inside when it is raining Vango are good) sleeping bag (single ones the double ones are crap and get a 3 season one, if you get too hot you can stick your leg out of sleep on top). Self inflating mat (10cm). Single induction hob from IKEA, (if you are getting an electric hook up). Those are the essentials.

Decent chairs are worth the investment. Blow up sofas are a bit shit unfortunately. In the evenings we read, play cards, chat, have a few drinks and a campfire usually.

We have a massive 13.5 tog feather duvet which I prefer to a sleeping bag, plus a blanket for me. You definitely want layers and not to get cold as PP says as it’s hard to warm up again. Hot water bottle in your bed is pure luxury! We have Berghaus SIMs which are brilliant.

Do you know anyone who would lend you some kit for a long weekend to try it? We’ve done it for a few friends now who weren’t sure if they would like it.

I agree with all the other advice on this thread, definitely make sure you enjoy it first before spending lots of money! It really isn't for everyone so worth just doing a glamping trip first.

When you do buy a tent definitely go for one much bigger than you think as you need somewhere to keep all your stuff as well as sleep, a 4 man is the minimum size I'd say for two to sleep in. Go for one with a porch area as well you have somewhere to remove muddy boots and damp coats before going in to your clean/dry sleeping area.

The other thing I'd say is really, really important is being warm enough and having somewhere comfortable to sleep. We have self-inflating air mattresses and arctic-level down sleeping bags and are toasty even in the UK winter.

Cooking wise our set up is a a small/cheap gas burner, a camping kettle, a cast iron Dutch oven and tripod and a large grid to barbeque on over the camp fire. We could manage with just the burner if we needed to, particularly if there was an on-site or nearby pub or restaurant but a lot of the joy for us is cooking over the fire.

For entertainment again we deliberately do nothing electronic (otherwise for us we might as well be more comfortable at home), so we switch all screens off, no TV/music and just enjoy sitting by the fire, reading, listening to the nature noises, sometimes a card game if it isn't too windy. As someone else said the combination of the light, being in the fresh air and lots of walking and outdoor activity lots of wine gets you up early and sends you to sleep early so less need to worry about filling long evening hours...

Yes I don't like the blow up sofas particularly, they're a faff to inflate then you spend the whole evening slowly sinking, I'd go for the most comfy camping chairs you can, with a nice big cup holder!

I’m a LARPER so tents might be different to what you’re after. We have a 6m canvas emperor bell tent that I absolutely love, but smaller bell tents are just as good. In terms of space (and being able to stand up) you can’t beat them, but they’re more difficult for care (storing dry to avoid mould).

Self Inflating Mats are worth every penny. We don’t have electrical hook ups but have a camping battery and work type lights. Folding wooden benches and tables are great.

Depending on how ‘glamping’ you want to be, you can get canvas bell tents with flues for wood burning stoves. I don’t have one but I’m jealous of the people who do!

Get yourself an easy to put up tent, one that's tall enough to stand up in.

Camp beds (fishing beds are very comfy) or a good quality inflatable. Duvets rather than sleeping bags, pillows

2 chairs, a table, gas stove, cool box and freezer blocks.

Torch, a lamp, plus all the things you'll need for eating and drinking. A water container.

Definitely go for glamping first, find somewhere that has pods or bell tents with actual beds with bedding first time before investing in airbeds and sleeping bags.
Torches and a lantern are pretty essential.
Camping stove - we have a gas 2 ring one which is good.
Pots and pans - we just have an assortment of old pans, plastic mugs and plates etc and a cheap plastic washing up bowl. No point buying new if you have stuff that will do. Plastic wine glasses.
Folding camping chairs are a must, don’t get the super cheap ones because they don’t last, get the type with a bit of padding.
Take plenty of layers as it does get cold once the sun sets even in summer, I usually take a hat if I want to sit outside. Long socks to wear in bed if it’s cold and to protect your ankles from bugs.
Plastic sliders or crocs that you can easily slip on and off and wear in the shower.
Bug spray and a citronella candle!!

Get yourself a decent tent, Outwell or Vango. Then an electric hook up cable (EHU) and an electric kettle and toaster. Don't forget to fully unravel the cable so it doesn't set on fire. After that, lots of fleece blankets from Ikea to use on your bed and floor. Ice packs will do to start to see if you like camping then you can upgrade your cool box later.
Buy a bigger tent than number of people staying in it so you have lots of room.
Buy comfy chairs and a double burner stove or a couple of suitcase stoves for cooking.
Definitely buy better pegs than the ones the tent come with, first gust of wind and they will pull out.
Have a look on Facebook marketplace and remember showed and wash up area etiquette, always clean up after youself.
Have fun, camping is fab, nd relaxing and that first coffee of the morning sat in your chair in pj's......utter bliss

Phone number of the nearest hotel with vacancies. Speaking as someone who has camped many times.

But if you are determined to go, the most comfortable mattress you can get.

Start off with a 4 man tent that you can stand in. 10cm self inflating mats. I like the square bottom sleeping bags (can’t stand the mummy shape ones with narrow bottoms). 2 good quality chairs. A table. Double burner cooker. Kettle. Saucepans x 2, wooden spoon, chopping board, sharp knife. Fold up bbq plus tongs. Enamel plates, bowls, mugs. Big lantern plus fairy lights. that will get you started. Keep everything in a plastic box ready to go (so you don’t have to pack/repack the stuff every time).

When you’ve sorted that, upgrade the cooking. We don’t do electric hook up, but we always go where you can have a real fire and we use a dutch oven on a tripod to cook most meals. Nothing better than sitting round a real fire, reading, watching the bats/stars/hearing the owls. Pick your campsite wisely!

Blankets to go under mattresses as well as on top. Bobble hat to sleep in. Blankets to go on top of sleeping bag.

torch, books, wine, snacks

I use an air bed with insulation underneath eg a sleep mat or yoga mat. Then as much underneath you as on top, a fleece blanket then duvet then sheet. On top, high tog feather duvet, fleece blanket. I wear Thermals plus socks. Is alot but it keeps me toasty warm. All developed over many years. I have a wind up torch/lantern, folding table, suitcase cooker, camping kettle. Plus mug bowl etc. You can keep a carton of milk cool in a bucket/ bowl with some water and a wet t cloth over, in the shade.

The very first time we camped we bought a decent second hand tent, and splurged on a super comfy self-inflating mat (far superior to a traditional airbed). We brought loads of fleecey blankets to put under the mat & our own bedding for the top - duvets, pillows etc. We also went with electric hook up and brought our toaster, kettle and microwave. We had a great time!

Eye masks, Nytol, woolly hat & buff are also essentials.

Our next purchase was a pop up gazebo (after a decent sleep set up, this is top of my list), camp chairs and interlocking mats for the floor of the tent.

We’re now camping pros and have been on week long holidays where we’ve been self-sufficient with no electric hook up, but I’d definitely take baby steps to start. You want to come home desperate to go again. It’s not supposed to be a survival test!

There have been LOADS of threads about camping on MN & I’ve picked up so many tips from them.

Have fun!

We have a blow up sofa, chair & footstool by Outwell. It doesn’t deflate. It was quite pricey though, so I wouldn’t recommend buying it unless you know for sure you’ll get the good of it.