Calling OMDB, and any other minimalsit, single paret campers :-D

[aSilverlining]

You have been helpful before when I started a thread for single parent campers... I am hoping to go with DS soon just me and him, and am planning on not taking air beds (a first for us). Please reassure me we will be fine? Do you just take sleeping bags only, no foam mats or anything???

What do you take for a weekend when you and your DS go camping, getting there by public transport? eg clothes, etc.

depends on how much you feel the cold I think. I have been camping with DD since she was a baby and 8 years down the line I think I have tried alot of differant things - without doubt the quickest way to feel the cold is nothing between the floor and your sleeping bag. I have found the best thing for us - and in fact testing it tonight in the back garden is inflatable mats with cheap foam mats under (and as we are at home we have a duvert under us and duvet on top - no sleeping bagds roight

Not sure that matches with lightweight camping though sorry

god sorry for typos, am being called to the garden by DD

Have you looked at self inflating mats? I'm not a single parent but often go with just my kids, granted in the car! but I do pack very light. I also hike and camp solo. I get cold at night and couldn't do without something under me, but when you're carrying everything all day you need something compact and lightweight.

I use a Thermarest Womens Prolite for my solo treks. www.multimat.uk.com/ are a respected brand and do similar mats to Thermarest but at a much cheaper rate! Many of them don't weigh more, or much more, than a can of beans. If you're not too worried about the comfort then go for one that's not full length.

Hmm that's not good, I really do feel the cold, did wonder if it would be worse with no mat/mattress!!

Will have to look into the lightweight mats I think... more expense though isn't it.

Just wanting to keep the 'stuff' we take as lightweight as possible.

I know, it all adds up, then it's usually the lightweight compact stuff that costs the most.

www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Trek_Self_Inflating_Mat_Compact.html
Coul d these be an option? I don't know if you have a budget in mind, or a little as possible situation.

www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Trek_Self_Inflating_Mat_Compact.html

Hopefully this link will work.

Oh thanks for that link soups, that looks ideal. I am definately in a spend as little as possible situation.

Do you think that one would be ok then?

I am in a waiting period at the mo as I am learning to drive (just started lessons) so next few camping trips will be via public transport so need light, compact stuff. Once have a car not so much of an issue.

Am very tempted by those you linked to...

I know the ukcampsite lot often recommend some thick cardboard under mats too as an extra layer of insultation - you could pick that up nearby to site if travelling light

I was warm as toast last night

dobby I am not surprised!!

In an ideal world the more warmproofing the better for me whilst camping.

We went cycle-touring in the past (ie carrying all camping stuff on back of bicycle) and used thermarest mats, which were good but pricey. You can get away with 3/4 length, as main heat loss is from body core so feet don't need it so much. Wearing a hat & socks will help keep you warm, but you really do need insulation from the ground. I'm wondering whether emergency blankets would also help? See American Amazon review here, 2nd review says they've used them inside sleeping bags (though I guess that could be a bit rustly/noisy/sweaty!). Perhaps they could be wrapped around a mat/between mat and sleeping bag?

and having had a quick look around, before you go to bed warm up some water, put it in your water bottle, and use that to warm up the bed (or use those chemical hand warmers, one at foot of sleeping bag and one higher up).

I can't see why they wouldn't do the job. At a later date you can always upgrade for yourself. Agree with NumptyMum, the most important thing is your core.

When keeping warm at night the other thing to look at is keeping the warmth in. Those hoods and drawsrtings on sleeping bags, pull them in. Your body is generating heat, keep it! When mine have been tiny, I've put a small fleece buggy blanket near their head. Just lightly over neck and back of head area. Now they can adjust for themselves.

This weekend I slept in leggings, with pj bottoms over the top. Socks over leggings. My 8 and 5 year olds did the same! Very light jumpers over the top. All seals and keeps the heat in. Warmth doesn't have to take up loads of space