Help make our primitive set up more comfortable

[WillyWinka]

To start, we‘re pretty skint atm. And it’s not going to improve the next 2 years at least (DH is studying and a lot of money is going on fees etc etc).

This summer we camped a few times. DC (8 and 5) absolutely LOVED it. For us oldies it could have been a bit more comfortable.

Our current set up:

• 3 man tent
• Bed is 3 yoga mats, open sleeping bag and blankets to lie on, and more blankets and another open sleeping bag to cover us.
• car parked next to us to store anything we need.
• gas stove to cook
• camping chairs
• picnic blanket, torch, solar fairy lights etc
• that‘s about it 😳

Our funds cannot stretch to a bigger tent. We can however buy 2 more sleeping bags so we have one each. And a proper mattress would be good too.

Has anyone got a mattress recommendation? Something that wouldn’t take up too much room, as we have a small car.

And are there cotton sleeping bags? Are they any good? I absolutely hate the shiny, sweaty material ones.

I’m a camping fan and have similar struggles with a tiny car. My sleeping mat is an Alpkit Dumo which I find really comfortable and packs up very small. I don’t take a cool box as the decent ones are huge, I buy food on a daily basis or eat out at lunchtime and have snacks later. A couple of expanding car boot organisers are great for keeping things easily accessible and take up very little space when folded. I have a decent 3 season down sleeping bag and take a couple of wool blankets if it’s going to be cold.

For cooking, I have a single burner stove and a jetboil. I take a folding metal table to put them on and keep food in a zippered bag which folds down into practically nothing when not in use.

As long as you have something comfortable to sleep and sit on, and a method of cooking then you can slowly add to your gear when you see things at an affordable price. Now is a good time for second hand bargains as there’s probably only a few decent weeks left for this year’s camping season.,

I read that you really need a tent 2berth more than the people going. The berth figures are based on cramming those bodies in. For comfort, we threw money at the problem: 12cm thick SIMs, spacious non shiny inside sleeping bags and comfortable reclining chairs. Saved on generic stuff that we bought from Temu: tent clips, washing up bowl, rechargeable lights.

I read that you really need a tent 2berth more than the people going. The berth figures are based on cramming those bodies in. For comfort, we threw money at the problem: 12cm thick SIMs, spacious non shiny inside sleeping bags and comfortable reclining chairs. Saved on generic stuff that we bought from Temu: tent clips, washing up bowl, rechargeable lights.

Car boot sales and FB marketplace for a bigger tent.

Inflatable mattress with enough duvets to stop the air in them getting cold

1 big lidded crate with all your necessary kitchen stuff in so you can easily grab it.

If you get an electric pitch, look for a cheap second hand small fridge ( if you have room). Loved it .

Use vacuum pack bags to reduce the space needed for duvets and pillows. Get a battery powered pump
so the air can be sucked out for the trip home. Pump will also be a game changer for a blow up mattress

Oops duplicate post

SIMs (self inflating matresses) are space efficient, comfortable and warm. After 30 years of camping, we're well equipped and like comfort and past multiple nights on floor level out of choice, but we still use them on our camp beds and they're better than many hotel matresses.

I love my "camp blanket" (guide/ scout badges optional). It's two decent fleece blankets sewn together with a neckhole so it can be worn as a poncho and keep me warm through the evening. It also layers well on the bed as a blanket or matress.

Being warm will always be the first priority for enjoying it.

Now is a great time to keep an eye on ebay/ market place for nearly new bargains.

I like the sound of this! Can you direct me to which one you bought?

Thanks

Have a look at your local trekking/hiking/biking/backpacking websites with a chat forum. They often have a selling section. You may get some decent mattresses there that will be suitable for a small tent. And for cooking equipment that packs away small.

I would look for some bargain SIMs (self inflating mats) for the adults. Much thinner than blow up air beds so better in a small tent, and also because they have a layer of foam inside they give much better insulation the ground. Kids are lighter so usually ok on yoga mats / roll out mats.

You can definitely get sleeping bags with a cotton lining.

The Camping Sales are in full swing atm, have a google .

In terms of finding things cheaper I got some bargains on vinted! I got us all merino wool base layers to use as pyjamas and they were great in the cold and the heat, people sell
things on so cheap if you keep an eye on it everyday.

Also we got loads of cheap things in the go outdoors sale. Our 8 man tent was £150. I believe full price it was £900.

Definitely recommend making sure underneath you is well insulated when you sleep. I got some insulated thermal type mats off Amazon, they are brilliant at keeping the cold from rising and cheap too.

If on a budget I wouldn’t waste money on buying sleeping bags you aren’t keen on, just take what you have at home and if they take up too much space you could try vacuum packing them. Electric blow up pumps have the deflate option too which would maybe work to vacuum when you are packing up to leave.

I can't find the exact one, but it's similar to this

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHJ57LN8/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=5B0lVzXNnX&sp_cr=DUB

Swags tents are the bomb - you each get your own space and they come with an inbuilt mattress. Never knew they existed until we moved to Australia. The best night sleep ever and no need with blow up mattresses and all that bollocks.

https://drifta.eu/products/double-dome-swag?srsltid=AfmBOorvL8mC0P7Uq0-3LdwwSvdpCOU7l8wrmk-iyXhGb77ImSryCo7A

Our kids decorated them with solar fairy lights and had their cushions and duvets - so cosy and comfy. We use a a pergola for relaxing / eating and take a fabric hammock / camp chairs in case the weather is crap.

https://www.poptents.eu/

Sorry I know budget is tight but there are heaps of cheaper options similar to these. Personally I would rather stay home than camp with substandard gear or the dreaded blow up mattress.

We got actual camp beds that fold flat from Go Outdoors, only £15 each, they were heavily reduced and also one multi buy offer.
Best purchase ever.
We are off the ground and were so much warmer. It came to £60 for the 4 of us but we will use them for years to come.

Also little carabiner clips to hang your lights up. Makes life loads easier.

Not kit, but I always take a pack of cleaning wipes for the bathrooms, maybe me being weird, but I like a fresh toilet seat.
Defo get on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of bargains to he had on there.

Swags might be the bomb but they take up a huge amounts of space when rolled and shoved into your boot. OP hasn’t the space. She has a small car (she said so in her original post).

Space wise, swags are not economical.

@WillyWinka re the shiny sleeping bags, in the ‘70’s, DM sewed single flannelette sheets into sleeping bags and we put them inside the shiny ones.

Sooo cosy and comfortable and warming.

Actually the newer ones fold up quite small. Very easy to transport in the boot of a normal sedan.

Tents will be in the sale this time of year and there’s a few bargains to be had.

What’s your budget?

Airbeds are always a must for me.
take fitted sheets and own sleeping bag.

We take onesies to sleep in for warmth.

fold up table and chairs.

If your children love it and you’ll be doing it for the foreseeable can you/family gift them items for birthdays / Christmas? Own sleeping, airbed etc.

You quoted Drifta. Drifta are never cheap (yes, I know they are excellent quality) and you quoted a landed price of €399. OP in her first line said “we are skint”.

And a normal sedan does not equal “a small car”.

You have ignored OP’s parameters.

I live in Australia so my suggestions were not intended to be specific price wise but a suggestion on types of kit - I don't know your local brands - wanted to show the pictures as options. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives.

I live in Australia, too. I didn’t suggest one of the most expensive brands on the market, though. And I read the parameters.

You are never going to be comfortable
in a tent that’s too small. I know you said small budget etc but the next few weeks at the end of the season you might pick up a bargain either in the shops or on eBay.

something like this will make a world of difference
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15980932/eurohike-rydal-500-5-person-tent-15980932

Holy Moly, I was just chatting away. Do you take everything everybody else says on the internet so seriously. You made your point. Sorry for not doing a full price analysis. Get a grip woman.