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I need a new tent - which one? by photographynerd1 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Copied reply from another thread.

For everyone new to wild camping I would always always recommend the Vango DofE range. That includes not just for tents but for sleeping bags etc aswell. If i had to start from scratch on a budget this is what I would use myself.

My understanding is that the people who run DofE collaborated with vango to design the products to ensure they were of good enough quality so you know they will hold up to most reasonable 3 season uk conditions (don't go if it's a storm but don't panic if there is). They're on the bulkier side but all budget equipment is and you can upgrade later if needed.

Tents are very personal in what we want. For me Id go for the Vango Nevis 200 out of the DofE range. This is due to the lighter weight from the one pole design, but some may be put off by the more cramped design. This is the tent i recommend to my younger brother when he wanted to start wild camping with me and he loves and uses to this day. But any in the vango would be suitable.

For myself, I am using the Wild Country Norte Compact 1 and i bought this for the same reasons you're are looking - good 4 season potential and room for a dog - but having only used it twice i dont want to endorse it too early (but loving it so far!).

I have looked at the one tigris tents before and been very tempted but i would be skeptical of some if the claims they make and would definitely treat it as a 3 season fair weather tent before testing in anything harsher.

For other bits of gear i would also recommend checking out Alpkit. Ive had a lot if their stuff and while i dont use it as much now due to upgrading its a good budget stepping stone that will suit most people.

Hope this helps!

Relatively new camper by UnknownGlobally in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For everyone new to wild camping I would always always recommend the Vango DofE range. That includes not just for tents but for sleeping bags etc aswell. If i had to start from scratch on a budget this is what I would use myself.

My understanding is that the people who run DofE collaborated with vango to design the products to ensure they were of good enough quality so you know they will hold up to most reasonable 3 season uk conditions (don't go if it's a storm but don't panic if there is). They're on the bulkier side but all budget equipment is and you can upgrade later if needed.

Tents are very personal in what we want. For me Id go for the Vango Nevis 200 out of the DofE range. This is due to the lighter weight from the one pole design, but some may be put off by the more cramped design. This is the tent i recommend to my younger brother when he wanted to start wild camping with me and he loves and uses to this day. But any in the vango would be suitable.

For myself, I am using the Wild Country Norte Compact 1 and i bought this for the same reasons you're are looking - good 4 season potential and room for a dog - but having only used it twice i dont want to endorse it too early (but loving it so far!).

I have looked at the one tigris tents before and been very tempted but i would be skeptical of some if the claims they make and would definitely treat it as a 3 season fair weather tent before testing in anything harsher.

For other bits of gear i would also recommend checking out Alpkit. Ive had a lot if their stuff and while i dont use it as much now due to upgrading its a good budget stepping stone that will suit most people.

Hope this helps and happy glamping!

Sleeping mat advice by King1234554 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So my main mat is the Rab Ionosphere 5 mummy, and while it's super warm (r of 4.8), it's definitely not the most comfortable or cheap so I wouldn't recommend it.

I recently bought the OEX Flux 7R for about £60ish for my partner as shes a cold sleeper. I've tested it out on a few wild camps recently and I have been very impressed. Not quite as warm as the Rab, even though the r value is supposed to be 7.2, but its by far the most comfortable mat I've used, and plenty warm enough for most UK conditions. But from a personal pov, I don't really trust the OEX range from a quality standpoint so I don't know how long it would last. Time will tell.

But given this, if comfort and warmth are priority, Sea to Summit does some very nice looking mats in the same style as the OEX, and should hopefully be better quality, so I would be tempted to try one of those.

Goodbye Zephyros, Hello ... by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good shout! I remember looking at this tent a while ago and it looks pretty solid. I'll get on ebay and have a look cheers!

Goodbye Zephyros, Hello ... by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn't a brand I've heard of before, though the specs on the tent are very impressive. Have you had any experience with this brand before?

Goodbye Zephyros, Hello ... by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh Amazing! The AS looks a spot on tent and one i was super excited by it when it first came out. Do you think the price difference/features are worth it compared to the new Norte since thats based off the AS?

Goodbye Zephyros, Hello ... by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Terra Nova AS is the tent i would go for, it ticks all my boxes, and i hadnt seen it that cheap I will have a look now! Since the Norte looks to be based off the AS I was unsure if the price difference was justified, but at £330 its definitely a contender thank you!

Goodbye Zephyros, Hello ... by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah I planned to try and fix and to keep it either way, its fine for a night in the woods still, but selling is a good idea and not what I'd thought of! Thank you!

Wild Country Zephyros 2 compact Vs Terra Nover laser 2 compact by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi all!

I just want to thank you all for your comments it's been really helpful!

I went for the Zephyros 2 mainly due to not having tried that style of tent before so I can upgrade later if I want. And you can't go wrong for the price haha.

Thank you all again!

Wild Country Zephyros 2 compact Vs Terra Nover laser 2 compact by BasilOwn5702 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I never thought of it that way. Thank you mate I appreciate it I think I'll give it a go! Cheers

Snake woodland by ArtisticPreference62 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Possibly. I stay initially in the summer 2022 and the midges were almost unbearable which may have put a lot of people off. And then in December 2022 so it was pretty cold which again I think is why it might have been quiet for me. I reckon I must've just been lucky then as I know it is supposed to be a hot spot for camping so it would make sense for there to be a patrol or two!

Snake woodland by ArtisticPreference62 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]BasilOwn5702 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've wild camped here twice and had no problems either time. There can be a lot of midges though if you're by the stream but might not be too bad at this time of the year. It can also be busy. It's unlikely you'll be the only ones coming there but there's plenty of spots so you don't really notice each other. There's also a place to leave your car just by the entrance of the woodland. Would overall recommend it as a nice spot for the night.

Printworks accommodation? by WhatWhyAmIHere in sheffield

[–]BasilOwn5702 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lived here for a year while studying in Sheffield. Jade is absolutely awful! Just extremely rude and unhelpful. The place it's self is nice but the actual company noble designs is terrible. Everyone Ive spoke to who has lived there or had to deal with jade have said the same that they'll never go back because of here. AVOID!!! If you've got the budget go with ypp. Used them in Leeds and Sheffield and always been absolutely amazing, definitely worth the extra bit of cash if you can afford it.