|
 Topic: Budget cold camping test
|
Page: 1 2 3 4
  |
30/1/2011 at 8:31pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 24/7/2010 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 314
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 2 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Brrrrrrr!
|
30/1/2011 at 8:33pm
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
Outfit: Various tents
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 16/7/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1735
Tent Reviews: 2
| Site Reviews Total: | 39 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
... Continued
So here's the set-up for my 'low budget cold camp' test tonight.
I've pitched my elderly lightweight 'cheap-as-chips' three-berth dome tent in my back garden. It isn't a particularly warm tent; double skinned but relatively thin polyester, especially the inner. The main thing is it was a very cheap end-of-season bargain from Sainsbury.
The SIG is directly on the grass (no footprint under) and has no carpet on top. The first insulation under the bedding is a single layer of corrugated card (an opened-out cardbox box). On top of this card layer are two inexpensive SIMs, one atop the other. They are wrapped up together inside a (one-season) cheap sleeping bag (cost me £2 I think).
One SIM is an Outwell full length, the other is a Eurohike three-quarter length 'shortie'. Both are 45mm thick (expanded) and both cost under £25 at full price (though I got them a good deal cheaper, one shop-soiled, one in a sale).
The bedding itself is simply two summer-weight envelope sleeping bags, one inside the other. These are not as insubstantial as some budget summer bags - in fact, they are of quite decent weight - but they were dead cheap in a 'tent-pack' deal from Sainsbury. There is also a blanket if needed. I also have two flock-filled small cushions as pillows.
A third sleeping bag is on standby in the tent - this one is a somewhat more expensive three-season mummy so I will only use it if really necessary to avoid undermining the 'affordable' element of the test.
For sleeping attire I intend to experiment with layers - I shall see how little I can wear without feeling cold. To keep warm, I pay attention to the extremities so I shall keep my (very warm) walking socks on all night and, if my head feels chilly, wear my light 'Thinsulate' hat.
For my base layer, I'll wear a long-sleeved thermal top and companion leggings ('long johns') - this 'suit' is my normal base layer when camping or walking in colder weather. If that is insufficient to keep me warm, I'll put my fleece back on and, possibly, put my trousers back on too. My shirt, fleece and trousers will be kept inside my sleeping bag anyway so that they are warm in the morning.
Obviously if I start to get too warm in bed, I can shed layers progressively to avoid sweating because that leads to damp clothes - and damp clothes chill you very quickly.
I have to be up by 7am so I'll be getting out of bed at the coldest time of the night according to the forecast. That should prove the practicality of the experiment.
I'll add to this thread tomorrow morning to let you know how it went.
Scep
|
30/1/2011 at 8:33pm
Location: Salford Knutsford (what a contrast)
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 520 4
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 26/6/2008 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 1188
Tent Reviews: 6
| Site Reviews Total: | 7 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We had a great weekend and would happily camp in jan. The only element that scares me is wind! And I don't mean my own! Lol Have an enjoyable night
|
30/1/2011 at 8:41pm
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
Outfit: Various tents
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 16/7/2010 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 1735
Tent Reviews: 2
| Site Reviews Total: | 39 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Quote: Originally posted by mrneillees on 30/1/2011
We had a great weekend and would happily camp in jan. The only element that scares me is wind! And I don't mean my own! Lol Have an enjoyable night
Thanks Mrneillees. I enjoyed seeing your photos - looks like you had a good time.
Scep
|
30/1/2011 at 8:41pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 02/8/2008 
Forum Posts: 5289
Tent Reviews: 4
| Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
you can't camp in the back garden scep!
go and get in a field somewhere!
|
30/1/2011 at 8:47pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: gelert lakesbury 5 Gelert Bliss 6
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/7/2010 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 198
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
In the words of captain Robert Scott,
"I am just going outside and may be some time."
Stay safe and enjoy
-------------
To camp and camp again!
|
30/1/2011 at 8:50pm
Location: derby
Outfit: Outwell Hartford XXL 12 man Tent
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/9/2004 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 135
| Site Reviews Total: | 2 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! Going to turn the heating up.lol
Enjoy your night, What time do you want me to ring for the paramedics.lol
|
30/1/2011 at 9:09pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/1/2010 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 3318
Tent Reviews: 4
| Site Reviews Total: | 8 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I'm a fan of opened out cardboard boxes Skep. I let my parents use some of my camping gear and a spare tent last summer. Seeing as they were on two double height airbeds I didn't think they'd need a roll mat underneath, and anyway my kids were using them so the mats weren't available. After they had a chilly first night I headed to the local shop and asked for two large cardboard boxes. Opened up they were perfect for under the airbeds. My Dad was raving about it for months afterwards!
|
30/1/2011 at 9:22pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 28/9/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 5798
Tent Reviews: 8
| Site Reviews Total: | 13 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Rather you than me - I'm too much of a wimp to camp out just yet!
I feel quite cold and I'm sitting in front of my lovely log burning stove and my thermometer is reading 20'C!!
Happy camping and stay safe.
-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum
|
30/1/2011 at 9:38pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/6/2010 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 478
Tent Reviews: 2
| Site Reviews Total: | 2 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Good on you SC! Keep warm and can't wait for your next instalment. We too camp without EHU but not brave enough this time of year but seriously itching to go off somewhere very soon.
Enjoy!
-------------
Sarah
|
30/1/2011 at 9:41pm
Location: Aberdeenshire
Outfit: Several tents and a hammock
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/4/2010 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2877
Tent Reviews: 3
| Site Reviews Total: | 22 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
All the best . . . 
I look forward to hearing about the results of your experiment as keeping warm is my greatest camping concern (and that's in summer!)
Yesterday I was trying to do some research into base layers and thermals as I knew someone had mentioned them not so long ago, but couldn't find posts. This was while sitting in a centrally heated house shivering in my coat, simply because I'd been out for a fairly gently walk in the afternoon and had chilled down when I got back. (Hopeless, I am!!)
Good luck!
-------------
Sarah
|
30/1/2011 at 9:50pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: Cabanons - 5 of them!
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 24/8/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2369
Tent Reviews: 13
| Site Reviews Total: | 10 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Great experiment Scep! Looking forward to tomorrow's installment.
Yes, layering is the way to go - I reckon with that lot you'll be roasting!! I always have a thin fleece blanket next to me when I camp in colder weather - if it gets really cold I pull it over my head - It's amazing how quickly you then warm up.
Enjoy! I envy you!
-------------
Anne - mad mum to one - foster mum to many - adoptatent to you guys!
|
30/1/2011 at 10:06pm
Location: Buckinghamshire
Outfit: Vangos Raclet Relum Izzy Cabanon
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/8/2010 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 341
| Site Reviews Total: | 11 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 7 |
|
Hope you have a good warm night's sleep
snug as a bug
sweet dreams of lots of camping
-------------
Smoky + Ella
|
30/1/2011 at 10:17pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/7/2007 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2681
Tent Reviews: 3
| Site Reviews Total: | 16 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Look forward to reading your findings. Have a comfortable night.
-------------
Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
|
|
enjoy your night under canvas (well.... Polyester)
