noob needs help with kit

[shogun]

hi everyone as you may no i am new here..well i need some advise with kit..i am wanting too do some wild camping in all weather i need some help on what sleeping bag too get
i have just bought a vango vapor 100 tent..as its light.but now i have found out they are rubbish..since joinging this excellent site i spotted the dd tarp & travel hammock which i have just ordered they look excellent..also thinking about karrimor sabre 75 rucksak so any advise on a sleeping bag would be superb thanx shogun..i also have a north face ve 25
but its too heavy for backpacking..also thinking of buying the jet boil stove

 

[MartinK9]

Hi Shogun,

I have the DD Tarp and Travel Hammock, and have found them very comfortable, you need some sort of protection from cold air underneath either a kip Mat (I have a Thermarest) or an underblanket.

Read these threads for Mods to the DD set up:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36762&highlight=Hammock+Mod

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/648-dd-hammock-karabiner-mod.html

And these Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHFupZjmZo&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miz1gtzIIWw&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIV-4tK-fHE&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo2BjrqIzaY&feature=channel_page

I also have a jetboil for fast brews - Indoctronated Military "get it down your neck quick" is hard to shake, but I have now started to slow down and go the route of a hobo stove, taking my time to enjoy the process of lighting, stoking and making a brew.

A great thread for that is:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33879&highlight=hobo+stoves

As for your sleeping bag, each to their own on this I am afraid - I own a Softie9 and a Military Desert/Jungle sleeping bag which I can combine or just take one depending on the weather. The most important factor for you is what do you intend to use it for and how much can you afford. If you go down the route of an underblanket for your hammock this can also determine what type of sleeping bag you buy also.

Hope this has helped and not confused matters more.

Martin

 

[shogun]

hi martin thats excellent info thanx i am going too read it now cheers shogun

 

[rik_uk3]

How much do you have to spend,?

 

[shogun]

hi rik uk3 i have about 250 left to spend..thanx shogun

 

[MartinK9]

hi martin thats excellent info thanx i am going too read it now cheers shogun

You're welcome Shogun

 

[SimonM]

£250 left...

I would go for the Sabre 75 - but try one on first to make sure it fits you, and a Snugpak sleeping bag.

Choice of sleeping bag is very personal though - you need to ask yourself several questions:
Do I NEED a 5 season expedition bag or will a 3 season do? (Depends on how often you go out in winter? Do you sleep warm or cold?)
How big are you...some folk find Snugpak bags a bit tight (I'm 6ft and 15.5st and love mine).

Alternatively - if you are going down the hammock route, why not get an underblanket and hammock quilt? Very good combo and much easy to get into! Lurch, a member on here stocks them both.

HTH

Simon

 

[Cobweb]

A word of wisdom, buy the best knife you can afford from a local maker. I skimped on my knife after losing my old one (which I had had for years a prezzie from granddad) and I've regretted it ever since - the new one dosen't keep it's edge, even tho it's a carbon steel and I have to strop it almost constantly... I'm currently saving up to buy a new one from a maker on here.

 

[rik_uk3]

In this section there is a thread called non expensive kit, I would look there first before buying.

Remember, this is only a type of 'back to basics' camping; thats all it is for the vast majority of us here who only get out for 2-10 trips a year; no need to blow your budget in one go, buy simple and less expensive then expand as experence and money grows. If your new to four season camping I would strongly suggest you team up with more experienced campers and learn from them.

I would buy a tent before a hammock simply because you can use it outside of a wooded area, get your hammock later. Same with a tarp, if you are new to all this sleep in your tent and use your tarp as a cooking shelter etc, play with your tarp, learn how to pitch it before you use it as your main shelter,

The 'Bushcraft' bit comes in with the tracking, wood work, and other things etc the rest relies on solid camping skills, get them right and you'll be fine.

PM me about stoves, the Jetboil,,,,, up to you.

 

[shogun]

hi simonM i am 5ft 8ins 14stone what do you mean by do i sleep warm or cold?...lol..sorry noob...i thought a 3 season would do with a silk liner..dont have knife yet just bought multi tool..thanx shogun

 

[shogun]

anyone recomend a good 2 man tent as my stafford will be with me on my wild camps..i bought a vango vapor 100 but was told they are no good as they are single skin tent and would get condinsation inside tent..shame as its realy light weight..shogun

 

[Sniper]

If the picture you put up is the Vango vapor then by the looks of it there is a vent at the top so that should dissipate any condensation build up I would reckon. Whereabouts on the West coast are you?

 

[shogun]

i am near greenock..sniper..shogun..i think i would be better off trying out the vaporlol & see for my self if its any good

 

[SimonM]

hi simonM i am 5ft 8ins 14stone what do you mean by do i sleep warm or cold?...lol..sorry noob...i thought a 3 season would do with a silk liner..dont have knife yet just bought multi tool..thanx shogun

Sleep warm or cold... it's a personal thing. Some folk find a sleeping bag too hot whilst others find the same one too cold.

Try the 3 season bag, as to me it the most suited to our climate. If you are cold, use the liner. If you are really cold use the liner and a bivvy bag!

As to the tent - give it a try. Don't be put off by what others say. It's your tent, so use it and then judge it - but let us know what you think after a few outings!

Simon

 

[shogun]

hi simonM i am thinking of getting the snugpak softie elite 3 ..shogun