Campcraft questions

[THOaken]

I think I've got tarp and stove settled (Crosslandkelly has been kind enough to email me his/her stove and pot system for free.) I'm unsure about sleeping bags for now, although I know you've all given great reccomendations. Some of them are a tad expensive, though. Also, forgive the ignorance, but are you supposed to put a mat inside the sleeping bag as well or do you sleep on top of the mat in your sleeping bag? In my pop up tent I just used a sleeping bag, no mat, so I'm not sure.

Thanks!

Edit: This is the tarp I think I'll buy. Not to expensive, good colours and good reviews. http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGHLANDER-...1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395493042&sr=8-1&keywords=TARP

 

[crosslandkelly]

If you can stretch to the extra tenner I would really recommend the DD 3x3, so much more versatile, and can be used as a fully enclosed tent in bad weather.

Link http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/shelter-sleep/dd-tarp.htm?gclid=CNy6oJSspr0CFdShtAodiWoAkA

 

[dwardo]

If you can stretch to the extra tenner I would really recommend the DD 3x3, so much more versatile, and can be used as a fully enclosed tent in bad weather.

Link http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/shelter-sleep/dd-tarp.htm?gclid=CNy6oJSspr0CFdShtAodiWoAkA

Much better tarps and you will appreciate the extra space.

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

http://m.sportsdirect.com/mt/www.sp..._v_un_info=&un_jtt_v_un_pers=&un_jtt_redirect
I had one of these for years it's pretty good for a cheap bag.i spent a week on Isle of Skye in it in one January n was toasty warm.forsnt pack down too bad either for a cheap bag

 

[THOaken]

http://m.sportsdirect.com/mt/www.sp..._v_un_info=&un_jtt_v_un_pers=&un_jtt_redirect
I had one of these for years it's pretty good for a cheap bag.i spent a week on Isle of Skye in it in one January n was toasty warm.forsnt pack down too bad either for a cheap bag

Any thoughts on this sleeping bag aside from Alreetmiowdmuka? I'm a fan of choice, but not when there's too much!

I may just go with this in the end. I'm sure it's fine.

 

[THOaken]

Regarding sleeping gear, do I need to use a bivvy bag or is that just an extra? Can I use just a tarp and sleeping bag or is the bivvy essential?

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Here pal might mates still uses one of these only bag he's ever had http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-nitestar-350-sleeping-bag-p284665
If your gonna kip on the ground under a tarp a bivi bags worth its weight.itll stop the morning due getting into your sleeping bag plus if you roll off your mat in the night into some wet grass.in summer with a good forcast your good too just sleep in the bivi bag n not even bother with the tarp mate

 

[THOaken]

Are the vango bags you've recommended synthetic?

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Yeah mate the vango nite star 350 is a synthetic.its a really good bag for the price.30 quid yer can't beat that.top of the range bags come with massive price tags.this will get yer started mate no worries

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009T15MXG
Here it is on amazon but go out doors have it for 30 quid

 

[THOaken]

The last thing I need is a sleeping mat. Theremarests are far too expensive, but I'm not sure what else to get. The rest seem rather low quality. I need something in between.

 

[Clouston98]

The last thing I need is a sleeping mat. Theremarests are far too expensive, but I'm not sure what else to get. The rest seem rather low quality. I need something in between.

I have a mountain equipment Helios (3.5 I think), it's an £80 mat, but I picked mine up for about £50 in a Cotswold sale. Great mat, packs about 1kg of lour size, well made, very comfortable too. Hope this helps.

 

[Clouston98]

Just checked its a helium 3.8 .

 

[THOaken]

Maybe I'm expecting a super low price, but even £50 is way too much for a mat, surely? Is that what mats actually cost? I thought they'd be at least £20 max.

If your mat is £50, I may aswell get http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/822-Multimat-Superlite-25-Sleeping-Mat/ ??

Are you spoiled rotten?

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Maybe I'm expecting a super low price, but even £50 is way too much for a mat, surely? Is that what mats actually cost? I thought they'd be at least £20 max.

If your mat is £50, I may aswell get http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/822-Multimat-Superlite-25-Sleeping-Mat/ ??

Are you spoiled rotten?

Thats cheap for a good mat. My exped down UL mat was £175

Bottom line is a CCF mat will do you just fine and can be had for £5 delivered on amazon. Insulated air mats are very comfortable though

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yellowstone...46&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=sleep+mat+reflective

 

[THOaken]

I really didn't expect a simple mat to be one of the highest priced things on my list! That's quite shocking, really... However...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Hike...1395518411&sr=8-5&keywords=self+inflating+mat

I'm looking at this and it looks good. Self inflating, good price and good reviews.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

I really didn't expect a simple mat to be one of the highest priced things on my list! That's quite shocking, really... However...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Hike...1395518411&sr=8-5&keywords=self+inflating+mat

I'm looking at this and it looks good. Self inflating, good price and good reviews.

Well part of the issue is they are far from simple. Im sure they all have healthy profit margns though. You dont need the gucci ones. Get something simple to start with to make sure they are comfy and work for you. You will get surplus thermarests at your local surplus shop that can be good value too

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

These are good pal n you can curl up near the fire without fear of popping it.just prop your rucksack under you shoulders for a back
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004534D6K

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Your dead right though thoaken I've walked out of many a gear shop feeling like I must have dropped the soap