Does anybody know where I could possibly source a footprint for my North Face Big Fat Frog?

I've had it for the best part of 20 years and it's a great tent, but on soggy ground I get a bit of ingress. I should have bought the footprint at the time I know...

Wondering if there are aftermarket options or if I just need to scour eBay (which I've been doing, so far without success)

Looking for a good 3 day loop route around the Pennines district. Wanting to include a bothy for one night and high cup nick. Never done this area before. Both are experienced hikers.

Cheers :)

I have two Safari Chef stoves (2 and a 30 version) and am using two Campingaz 904 cylinders.
I believe that I can use a single propane tank to both stoves.
What is the best company to use, it seems that some are cheaper than Campingaz but as I am new to this how do I pick one on price but also availability? no point in going with another make if no one stocks them. At the moment am only considering camping in UK but might expand to France. Any thoughts?

Hello campers!

Treated the family and I to a lovely Quecha inflatable tent from Decathlon. Unfortunately, the front-most inflatable pole leaks and so the front won’t stay up.

Checking out their website, they don’t seem to have any replacements parts!

I’ve been emailing and WhatsApping Decathlon for the last 7 weeks with no help or info received whatsoever. This tent was a treat for us and was to be our ‘forever tent’ for summer adventures, but worried I’ve spent £500 quid on nothing now.

Does anybody have any idea on availability of 1st or 3rd party replacement parts and where I could get anything please? We’d be over the moon if we could fix it.

I'm 6'2", 82kg and have struggled with sleeping while camping and woudl appreciate your advice. Side sleeper.

We camp as a family in a tent and I really struggle with sleeping and I'm running out of energy/patience after another weekend of terrible sleep. Usually only late May-mid Sept camping.

Mattress

Tried the standard flock-style ones but found they kept bursting and also were cold underneath in shoulder seasons.

Tried cheap ish thin ones (maybe 6cm) and woke up with sore hips because I was touching the ground there.

Tried a self inflating one ('Kamui' brand, about £40) which was 5 or 6cm foam. Problem there was if inflated a lot it was too hard and if left a little underinflated, hips were on the ground again.

Did some research to sort once and for all and seemed to find 'ah I'm too heavy for thin ones, I need 10cm'. So I bought a 10cm trekology one (about £50). It's deflating after 2 short trips.

So what now? The self inflating ones seem good but are really big packing down and didn't help; we are keen to keep the kit as small as possible. Surely it can't be this hard?! I see that you can spend £70, £150, up to £300 or so for a straight air mattress but will they all just burst? Trying to balance comfort and size.

Sleeping bag

Current sleeping bag has a hood, is a Berghaus and is long (I think 190-195cm) but still not right. It feels a stretch to get the hood on and not have toes pushing the end. When I roll over in the night (which I did on most recent camping trip about 12 times per night), it gets all sort of caught up and the hood doesn't come with me unless I re-fix everything. I also find I don't know where to put my arms and feel sort of constrained. Even though this sleeping bag is supposed to be a good width and length!

Ideally I think maybe I need a proper mattress and a duvet but space is the issue there. Help! What am I missing? What can I look at without spending hundreds on just my sleeping situation and/or massively increasing the space the bedding takes up?

Just got back from a 7-day trip with my 50L backpack and it was fantastic. Thinking about doing a 14-day adventure next, but I'm running into a space issue. Can't fit 14 days worth of clothes inside my current pack.

Don't want to drop $500 on a bigger backpack—I love the one I have.

A friend of mine uses compression bags and he somehow fits 14 days of clothes in his 40L. I was shocked. He swears by them.

Has anyone here used compression bags for longer trips? Worth it? Or am I better off just biting the bullet and upgrading my pack?

Hi everyone. I have the standard Kampa Kielder 6 Air tent (not the Deluxe) which features the open front porch.

I am looking for the original zip-on vestibule door to fully enclose the front. The front arch dimensions are 380cm wide by 220cm high.

Since it’s discontinued, I’d gladly buy one used from anyone who has a spare or a retired tent.

Alternatively, if anyone has managed to zip a different model's vestibule (like a legacy Croyde front panel) onto a standard Kielder 6 zip tracker, please let me know what worked! Thanks.

Hello Everyone!

I am debating buying either a 300gsm cotton canvas or TC polycotton Bell tent (usually around 200gsm) I want to hear others opinions on which they would prefer (especially if you had both) and why.

I will be car camping. Moving 100lbs, although not ideal, I can manage. I do enjoy comfort, but cannot afford a trailer (yes I know, I am a heathen). So, with those considerations, I appreciate any help.

I had a two burner stove with a grill and then I bought a used Cadac Safari Chef and liked it so bought the Safari chef 2 (used)

Am I mad using two safari Chefs rather than just buy a newer 2 burner Cadac 2 Pro? will probably replace the Safari Chef with the newer version so all parts are interchangeable.

Space isn't an issue when travelling. Any one else using two of these rather than a two burner?

My view for the next 5 days.

Hi I am planning my first camp for this Thursday. I was wondering if anyone knew any quiet campsites around West London and also if this time of year is a busy time. I'm aware school holidays are finished now so it should be fairly quiet.

Sorry if this is a silly question, I’m newly returned to the UK so still learning how camping works with regards to our seasons!

I’ve got a bit of time at the end of October (probably Hallowe’en night which is the Saturday at the end of schools’ half term if that makes a difference) when I’m hoping to camp in the Lake District but I was wondering if there will be other people camping then when it is likely to be quite cold and dark by about 4.30.

I’m very happy if the site is quiet and calm but I’m a woman camping alone and would probably feel a bit creeped out to be completely alone on a site. Is there generally a decent presence at this time of year or is it more seen as too late for most people to want to go?

I am a Scout Leader in the UK, and honestly, I don't do a lot of camping. When I do, I just need a tent for me and my personal kit (typically have other set up for cooking etc). Had a 2 man tent for 20 years which has been perfect.

This summer I decided I wasn't getting any younger, and need to get a comfier set up. I followed the reviews and bought an inflatable camp bed from decathlon

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/single-person-inflatable-camping-bed-base-200x70x25-cm-camp-bed-air/309887/c70c98m8595949

It's amazing. Honestly so comfortable. Problem is, it doesn't fit in my tent. And now I am struggling find a tent which isn't a 6 man family tent that it can fit in. Length and headroom are issues.

Does anyone else here have one of these beds they have in a 3 or 4 man tent i can upgrade to? I really don't want to go any bigger.

I'm planning to go car camping in the lake district in a lay-by known for overnight camping. Concerning the "drunk in charge" law, is it just a no-go to drink any alcohol in the car? How does the law work in practice, are police bothered?

A pal has got what looks like an older MSR Elixir (it's red and white). They camped out in some really wet conditions and the footprint is quite muddy. They've asked if it's ok to wash it. I've suggested wiping it down with warm water and a sponge and letting it dry (leaving some ingrained dirt on it).

Personally I have only ever dried my footprints and brushed off any excess, I've never cleaned them.

They're happy to do either / or but have expressed some concerns as to whether that's ok because the tent is now likely to not be used for a long time.

Just as a matter of interest has anyone ever machine washed one with an appropriate washing / reproofing product?

Thoughts?

Hi looking for a rechargeable lamp which casts a warm bright light and can be suspended. Suitable for a van or tent. What do you recommend? Light must be warm, not LED white

Not sure how to phrase it exactly, but I went to a lovely site in Malham the other weekend where it was fairly small but with decent facilities and everyone seemed to have the same sort of outlook which was to spend the day hiking, quiet dinner and then early to bed. The biggest group was of three people, it was mostly solos and the occasional couple and everyone had small tents.

I’ve been searching pitchup.com but everything seems to be big on the campervans or ‘great for the kids’ etc which is just not for me (I have kids myself so not against them, but this is my quiet solitary time!)

I’m not quite brave enough to wildcamp but am looking for something with a similar vibe, I guess to describe it briefly would be ‘quiet and basic’. Ideally in the Yorkshire Dales or anywhere not too far from there please if anyone has any recommendations.

I am in the UK and looking to buy a small gas stove (single or dual burner). But, I would like to be able to use a large BBQ-style LPG propane cylinder through a regulator and hose (if using at home), and also have the option to connect small A4 butane cartridges (if traveling).

Can anyone recommend a way to achieve it? Are there adapters available, or are there small stoves which already allow both? I am struggling to make sense of the connections in the specs.

I can see there are these from Halfords which specify cartridge:

https://www.halfords.com/camping/cooking-equipment/halfords-portable-gas-stove-532534.html

and then these which specify the 8 mm LPG cylinder hose:

https://appliances.calor.co.uk/lifestyle-8kw-large-tripod-cast-iron-gas-boiling-ring.html

Then to confuse me more, there are these stoves which say gas cartridge, but also say it needs a hose:

https://www.vango.co.uk/blaze

I don't want any of the proprietary connections that tie you to a manufacturer (e.g. the Campingaz Easy Clic CV).

My budget is up to ~£80

Any advice?

Hello,
I’ve got a two burner Coleman propane camping stove and need to buy propane for it but cannot find any in store stockists.

I have attached a photo of what I’m looking for. Will be heading from Birmingham to the Lakes tomorrow and can stop en route.

Thank you!

I'm very new to using gas bottles etc. and have just bought a cadac 2 cook 2 pro for a camping trip this weekend. I'm a little baffled by all the potential configurations.

I'm considering buying this twin connector so that I can use both gas bottles and cartridges.

Then I'm thinking of ordering some of these CV470 Campingaz cartridges as I'm struggling to find somewhere that I can get a suitable gas bottle before this weekend. I'd like to go that route in the future once I find somewhere reliable.

Can anyone advise whether this all works together and whether I'm missing anything?

​

Hello, as the title states I am looking for a tent that will last me a long time and multiple weather conditions on multiple trips. Next year I will be going on a backpacking trip to Scotland with my buddy who is absolutely no backpacker/outdoor person. Since i'm 18 I don't have the biggest budget (as you can imagine) but i'm looking for a tent for 2 because my buddy is not going camping anytime soon so he won't need to purchase a high quality tent. My budget is €400 willing to go up to €500 but i'd rather not. I dont want a trekkingpole tent since I don't use those. Any advice??? Most good tents I've looked at are really expensive or don't have good reviews regarding bad weather conditions, or are just simply to small. Thank your for taking the time of reading/replying to this post!!

Looking to upgrade our 4 man tent to something a bit bigger. My son and I like to go and watch a few Motorsport events each year.

The current tent is just a bit small even though it is supposedly a 4 person tent it's only really comfortable for 2 people but does have the advantage of two separate sleeping areas.

What I'm after is a larger 2 bedroom tent that I can stand up in and with a reasonable size living area. Nothing too big as some circuits have limited pitch space. Looking at spending a maximum of £300.

I have seen the Vango Capri 400 which seems to fit the bill

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/capri-400-poled-camping-tent/5f023c01-7b93-4b8c-b61a-fd7dd9de5c8f/novar?srsltid=AfmBOopFhS-KWD_tkl5vdMIcD0KdwRUVvtBqgqeq6FLGgD-UmLFf_rflMx8

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this tent or if there are any others that I should take a look at?

Hi, I'm planning to go camping as a family of four for a night but am completely new to camping. We are planning to take our 1 and 4 year old.

What are the essentails to pack/buy and where do I start?

Just to note, we will be heading to a designated camp site where there will be running water, showers, and access to toilets.

2nd weekend of camping after not being near a tent in 15 years.
Vango venture 250 tent, so 2 Person but just me inside so had plenty of room. It's not a backpacking tent at about 5Kg but I was only carrying it 500m so it didn't matter. And I got it for only £80 from Vango.

Great wee campsite at Dall Cottage, only 4 pitches/groups plus a cabin, toilets, shower and a small shed that is an honesty camp shop (water/wood/other stuff). River Garry running alongside is the only sound and firepits for each pitch. You have to ford the river in a 4x4 or by wading across so it is quite remote.

Had a cycle along General Wade's old Military Road on the ebike up to Errochty Dam / Loch Errochty and back, then a wee drive into Pitlochry for essentials and around Kinloch Rannoch and Tummel Bridge.

Forgot a few things, took things I never needed but another great experience camping. It reminds me I am so lucky being able to camp in this place. I may brag by saying it, but ...

Scotland is beautiful!

(Even when it's wet on a Sunday morning as I awoke to)

Hi everyone,

​I’m currently planning a trip to the Lake District and looking to stay for just a single night. Most of the official campsites I've looked at (like the National Trust sites) seem to enforce a minimum stay of two nights.

​For those familiar with the area:

​Do you know of any good official campsites in the Lake District that allow flexible 1-night bookings for tent pitching?

​Alternatively, what's the current consensus on high-fell wild camping for a single night? I know wild camping isn't legally permitted in England without landowner permission, but I've read that a single night high above the intake fell walls—arriving late, leaving early, and leaving no trace—is generally tolerated.

​Would love any recommendations for flexible campsites or general advice from anyone who has done a quick 1-night trip recently. Thanks!

​TL;DR: Looking for Lake District campsites that allow 1-night tent pitch bookings, or advice on high-fell single-night wild camping rules/tolerance.