Message Forums

Can I ask for advice please on whcih type of small pillow is best - inflatable one or the microfibre/squishy ones? 

My daughter is moving up from Cubs to Scouts soon and we have just bought her a rucksack and spent ages in the shop trying to decide on a pillow. Her Cub camps have been rather pampered affairs as they've either been in the Scout Hut or in a field near home where us softee parents can park almost alongside the tents and therefore she's been able to take a blow-up airbed and full size pillow from her bed at home and we've been on hand to carry them the short distance for her. But as a Scout it'll be a different matter hence the rucksack and our desire to get her a small lightweight pillow that's a comfortable as a pillow the size of a postage stamp can be! She hated the look of both types (as compared to her big fluffy home pillows) so wasn't much help but she'll appreciate having a little one when she has to lugg it all across fields next year I'm sure. 

Can you suggest any other lightweight, small items that might be useful for her - she's a birthday coming up soon so a few little things now and more in her Xmas stocking would be ideal to help kit her out. The guy in the shop tried to sell me a micro towell that was the size of a bathtowel when opened up but folded down really small. I was well impressed - until I turned over the packaging and saw the price tag - especially as one of the things she likes about camps is the complete freedom from washing! Her towel and toothbrush were about the only things that came home dry last time out.  

Having spent 2 very uncomfortable nights trying to sleep with a Blacks camping pillow, I'd say go for a pillow she'll be happy with and able to sleep on, never mind the size! Even my 8 yr old woke up complaining that he kept falling off the pillow! We're taking proper pillows next time even if we have to leave the food behind!

I have found that the inflatable pillows hurt my ears, no matter how firm or softy I inflate them.  I have been using the soft ones from Decathlon which can be bulked up by stuffing a T-shirt or two into a sleeve on its back once it's out of its stuff sack.  However, a month ago I got an Outwell one from Go Outdoors which is a touch larger and better.

(Hey, AKB - any success with the front of the Lakeside?)

Ikea have half-sized camping style pillows in stock now...lime green, pink etc, and pack into their own funky little nylon stuffsack. Might persuade her!

Actually, the thing that persuades most folk to lighten their kit is the thought of having to carry it all for several miles. My niece pulled a face the first time I loaned her our lightest things to take on her first D of E camping expedition, , but she came back raving about how much easier a time she`d had carrying her kit than any of the other girls.

Best pressie? Woman`s length (thus shorter and lighter) Thermorest....one arm and one leg territory, but will last for years. Smaller things would include a pile of travel size essentials from Boots, smallest size Maglight torch (in pink!) or LED headtorch, really good hiking socks, one of these snood/neckwrap things that you can turn into a hat and such.

As to microfibre towels? My son takes a bar towel. It`s quite big enough for any washing he does. ,

Hi FS,

No luck - in fact have posted thread on Tent advice forum about making tent modifications - I'd be obliged if you'd check it out and see what is feasible! On a positive note the tent withstood buckets and buckets of rain on the weeknd in Derbyshire and no noticeable leaks at all - just water ingres from the blasted short groundsheet. One of the red pole connecting strings has broken but BestBuys were grand about it - bring it back and we'll swap it straightaway they said. Might ask them to show me how the g/s should fit but speaking to a chap at Yeomans on the weekend, he said the g/s was never designed to fit - and the purpose of this is????

Also discovered air beds are a never to be used again puchase (just like the camp beds)! Ended up with an Outwell self inflating mattress - tried to get a Robens but to no avail - which was a distinct improvement and would have been great if I'd actually put it the right way up and not over inflated it to the point of wooden rigidity - one day I WILL learn and get a good night's sleep - but with a REAL pillow too!

Did you manage to get away again or got anything planned? I'm hoping to go from end of August for 4 nights but only if weather good. Have toyed with idea of nipping across to France but it's a bit too pricey for me right now - shame! Probably go to Scarborough/Northumberland if weather good here tho.

Cheers,

A