The camping essentials - I've found a bargain which you all need to know about thread...

[Titters]

1 hour ago, The Red Telephone said:

 

Thanks - so a 2-man fine for 1-man and his gear then? About £20 cheaper than a 3-man

 

Edit: And did it fare ok in the rain?

Yes and yes. 

2 man was perfect unless you're planning a full kitchenette. It was enough for two people with a limited amount of kit.

Mine did 7 or 8 festivals and not a hint of a leak. This included some deluges at Glasto 08 and Latitude 09. 

[Plumb111]

I would definitely suggest the 3 man! I have used both the 2 and 3 man on my own and the 3 man just gives you that extra little bit of comfort and room to get ready etc on top of the space for Booze! 

Great little tents but as suggested definitely have a little practice putting it away - youtube tutorials are handy!

With regards to carrying it, it comes in a big circle shape - I clipped mine on to the top of my rucksack and just shortened the cord a bit so it did not move to much as I walked! 

[The Red Telephone]

Thanks for the help - woman at work reckons the Quecha stuff is really good value and quality, better than the basic Mountain Warehouse equivalent.

[stuartbert two hats]

3 hours ago, The Red Telephone said:

Does anyone have any experience of Quecha pop-up tents? Like these : https://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-seconds-easy-iii-freshblack-pop-up-tent-3-man-id_8357353.html

Any good? I need to buy a tent, preferably  as cheap and as easy to assemble as possible. Only going to be me + booze + rucksacksin there, so doesn't need to be huge. Recommendations sought please!

 

I have one of these and was impressed.  From memory, I had the following main observations:

Pros

• It really is black! 2016 wasn't the hottest, but it was still midsummer.  The blackout lining was great at keeping out the early morning light, enabling me to sleep in the morning.  In fact, I did use my torch a few times during the day when getting changed (i.e. with the door shut)
• As mentioned above, 2016 wasn't a scorcher, but you could tell the anti-heat properties were working.  I went into my camp-mates' tents to compare and the difference in temperature was noticeable.
• Waterproof - almost goes without saying with a modern, brand new tent, but it stayed dry even during a downpour with my head against the wall (see "length" below)

Cons

• Length - this was the main concern for me.  Not exactly a beanpole at 5'10", my feet and head were both against the wall of the tent.  Going diagonal helped a little, but that's not going to fly if you're sharing the tent (which is fine for you).  If I was 6" or taller I wouldn't use this tent.
• Porch - didn't bother me too much actually.  There was a tiny porch, big enough for boots, but certainly not any kind of bag.  I just stuck everything else on the other side of the tent.  Muddy clothes went in a bin bag, I wasn't going to wear them again anyway.

Conclusion

Other than the length issues, it's a definite recommend! The previous time I went (2014) left me absolutely exhausted from sleep deprivation caused by the early morning sun+light.  This tent sorted me out good and proper, allowed me to enjoy the Sunday a hell of a lot more and I could return to the human race without as much pain post-festival.

As for 2-man vs 3-man, I'm not sure.  I didn't really need the extra space and those discs are always a palava to carry, so the smaller the better. If you can, go to into a Decathlon and lie down in a 2 and 3 man to see if you can fit in.  I think they're the same length, but definitely check, since it's about a year since I bought mine.

More discussion, including reports of it standing up to higher temperatures than Glasto 2016 at the thread below, I'd recommend skipping forward a few pages, since it wasn't out when the thread started.

Feel free to ask any questions

[mjsell]

7 minutes ago, stuartbert two hats said:

I have one of these and was impressed.  From memory, I had the following main observations:

Pros

• It really is black! 2016 wasn't the hottest, but it was still midsummer.  The blackout lining was great at keeping out the early morning light, enabling me to sleep in the morning.  In fact, I did use my torch a few times during the day when getting changed (i.e. with the door shut)
• As mentioned above, 2016 wasn't a scorcher, but you could tell the anti-heat properties were working.  I went into my camp-mates' tents to compare and the difference in temperature was noticeable.
• Waterproof - almost goes without saying with a modern, brand new tent, but it stayed dry even during a downpour with my head against the wall (see "length" below)

Cons

• Length - this was the main concern for me.  Not exactly a beanpole at 5'10", my feet and head were both against the wall of the tent.  Going diagonal helped a little, but that's not going to fly if you're sharing the tent (which is fine for you).  If I was 6" or taller I wouldn't use this tent.
• Porch - didn't bother me too much actually.  There was a tiny porch, big enough for boots, but certainly not any kind of bag.  I just stuck everything else on the other side of the tent.  Muddy clothes went in a bin bag, I wasn't going to wear them again anyway.

Conclusion

Other than the length issues, it's a definite recommend! The previous time I went (2014) left me absolutely exhausted from sleep deprivation caused by the early morning sun+light.  This tent sorted me out good and proper, allowed me to enjoy the Sunday a hell of a lot more and I could return to the human race without as much pain post-festival.

As for 2-man vs 3-man, I'm not sure.  I didn't really need the extra space and those discs are always a palava to carry, so the smaller the better. If you can, go to into a Decathlon and lie down in a 2 and 3 man to see if you can fit in.  I think they're the same length, but definitely check, since it's about a year since I bought mine.

More discussion, including reports of it standing up to higher temperatures than Glasto 2016 at the thread below, I'd recommend skipping forward a few pages, since it wasn't out when the thread started.

Feel free to ask any questions

I think this is the most comprehensive response to a tent question I've ever seen. Top job Stu. I had no idea this anti-heat blackout thing existed. Do many other tents use it?

I'd be interested in a tent that had this that was a little bigger as I'm 6ft, and like a bit of space anyway. The heat thing is always what gets to me the most at festivals.

[stuartbert two hats]

Just now, mjsell said:

I think this is the most comprehensive response to a tent question I've ever seen. Top job Stu. I had no idea this anti-heat blackout thing existed. Do many other tents use it?

I'd be interested in a tent that had this that was a little bigger as I'm 6ft, and like a bit of space anyway. The heat thing is always what gets to me the most at festivals.

I think my review on the linked thread is longer

Being 6ft is unfortunate for these tents, I guess the oddly square shape is related to it being pop-up*.  If you can take the extra weight/carry size, then you could look at the inflatable tents, which are a bit larger (and possibly a better shape - not sure)

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-4-xl-freshblack-inflatable-tent-4-man-id_8357358.html

If they're a different shape you might be able to get away with the 3 man.

The anti-heat and blackout are two different things, but they do work wonderfully in combination.  I'm not aware of any tent currently on the market than does both, although there were some Kickstarters around last year that cost a lot more and weren't out.  Things may have developed since I bought mine. 

But the advice stands, if you possibly can, get down to Decathlon and try one out.  Beware tent stats on the site, since the tent walls curve inwards, so don't really reflect how much space your feet have if you're on a high air bed. 

*Looks like the pop-up version is longer than the non pop-up.

[The Red Telephone]

29 minutes ago, stuartbert two hats said:

I have one of these and was impressed.  From memory, I had the following main observations:

Pros

• It really is black! 2016 wasn't the hottest, but it was still midsummer.  The blackout lining was great at keeping out the early morning light, enabling me to sleep in the morning.  In fact, I did use my torch a few times during the day when getting changed (i.e. with the door shut)
• As mentioned above, 2016 wasn't a scorcher, but you could tell the anti-heat properties were working.  I went into my camp-mates' tents to compare and the difference in temperature was noticeable.
• Waterproof - almost goes without saying with a modern, brand new tent, but it stayed dry even during a downpour with my head against the wall (see "length" below)

Cons

• Length - this was the main concern for me.  Not exactly a beanpole at 5'10", my feet and head were both against the wall of the tent.  Going diagonal helped a little, but that's not going to fly if you're sharing the tent (which is fine for you).  If I was 6" or taller I wouldn't use this tent.
• Porch - didn't bother me too much actually.  There was a tiny porch, big enough for boots, but certainly not any kind of bag.  I just stuck everything else on the other side of the tent.  Muddy clothes went in a bin bag, I wasn't going to wear them again anyway.

Conclusion

Other than the length issues, it's a definite recommend! The previous time I went (2014) left me absolutely exhausted from sleep deprivation caused by the early morning sun+light.  This tent sorted me out good and proper, allowed me to enjoy the Sunday a hell of a lot more and I could return to the human race without as much pain post-festival.

As for 2-man vs 3-man, I'm not sure.  I didn't really need the extra space and those discs are always a palava to carry, so the smaller the better. If you can, go to into a Decathlon and lie down in a 2 and 3 man to see if you can fit in.  I think they're the same length, but definitely check, since it's about a year since I bought mine.

More discussion, including reports of it standing up to higher temperatures than Glasto 2016 at the thread below, I'd recommend skipping forward a few pages, since it wasn't out when the thread started.

Feel free to ask any questions

Thanks Stu, that's fab 

[incident]

6 hours ago, stuartbert two hats said:

Cons

 

• Length - this was the main concern for me.  Not exactly a beanpole at 5'10", my feet and head were both against the wall of the tent.  Going diagonal helped a little, but that's not going to fly if you're sharing the tent (which is fine for you).  If I was 6" or taller I wouldn't use this tent.

I took the 3 man version of this to Bestival last year. I agree with the writeup on the whole, but I think that it's worth mentioning that with regards to length how you sleep does make a huge difference - I'm 6'3" but as I tend to sleep on my side and not stretched out, it was absolutely fine.

Personally the only thing I didn't like was not having a small porch area, and would be all over it if they release a model with one this year. As they don't seem to have put 2017 models on their web site yet (would assume they're coming any time now) I guess that it's still a possibility.

[wosman]

Aldi have a load of caravan / camping stuff on their latest special buys, good gear for the price

https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/dates/2017-04-02

[musky]

On 30/03/2017 at 3:27 PM, Tommy101 said:

Can anyone recommend a good walking sock?

I've got 1000 mile socks and some of these from Mountain Warehouse. The 1000 mile are better socks, in that they've got different weaves on different parts of the sock and when you put them on they kind of feel more supportive. Once you've got them inside your boots however I think you'd struggle to notice the difference. Maybe if you've had problems with your feet in the past the 1000 Mile ones would be better, but for me if I was buying again I'd just go for the Mountain Warehouse ones.

[Tommy Dickfingers]

I'm 6"6 and I'll be sleeping next to my girlfriend. Can anyone recommend the largest pop up tent around, I had one last year but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. It was a Four manner.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

3 hours ago, Tommy Dickfingers said:

I'm 6"6 and I'll be sleeping next to my girlfriend. Can anyone recommend the largest pop up tent around, I had one last year but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. It was a Four manner.

This one's got £51 knocked off the normal price at Millets (maybe even cheaper elsewhere). 

http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/117073-coleman-instant-dome-5-tent.html/435680/?istCompanyId=b238823a-59fd-4816-9c36-7dd47877f2a8&istItemId=raxrlqwpw&istBid=tzim&gclid=CjwKEAjwq5LHBRCN0YLf9-GyywYSJAAhOw6m5V2Dxyc4Do7O1kMSJjrVP3dA5wky1FcU-85CnJ6puxoCpCzw_wcB

[OBface]

On 4/4/2017 at 11:09 AM, stuartbert two hats said:

I think my review on the linked thread is longer

Being 6ft is unfortunate for these tents, I guess the oddly square shape is related to it being pop-up*.  If you can take the extra weight/carry size, then you could look at the inflatable tents, which are a bit larger (and possibly a better shape - not sure)

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-4-xl-freshblack-inflatable-tent-4-man-id_8357358.html

If they're a different shape you might be able to get away with the 3 man.

The anti-heat and blackout are two different things, but they do work wonderfully in combination.  I'm not aware of any tent currently on the market than does both, although there were some Kickstarters around last year that cost a lot more and weren't out.  Things may have developed since I bought mine. 

But the advice stands, if you possibly can, get down to Decathlon and try one out.  Beware tent stats on the site, since the tent walls curve inwards, so don't really reflect how much space your feet have if you're on a high air bed. 

*Looks like the pop-up version is longer than the non pop-up.

We bought one of these last year as a second tent to use at shorter festivals. Would definitely recommend. Up and down in less than 5 minutes and entirely fine for me and my 6ft husband. We even managed to squeeze our 5 year old for a night.

[dondo]

On 4/4/2017 at 7:09 AM, The Red Telephone said:

Does anyone have any experience of Quecha pop-up tents? Like these : https://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-seconds-easy-iii-freshblack-pop-up-tent-3-man-id_8357353.html

Any good? I need to buy a tent, preferably  as cheap and as easy to assemble as possible. Only going to be me + booze + rucksacksin there, so doesn't need to be huge. Recommendations sought please!

 

Mr 2 hats had already done a sterling job with his replies but here's my tuppence worth as had one of these for last year's festival and overall liked it. 

Few comments

•  I am 6'3" and had to sleep diagonally which meant i had to think about where I put my rucksack etc. in the tent.  I think I would have found the 2 man too small
• The blackout lining is great- I slept so much better and later as a result.  Yes needed a torch/lantern but bought a lantern from Decathlon at the same time it was ideal
• Tiny porch which I found a bit of an inconvenience but having known this I bought a Coleman sun shelter set that up next to my tent and put a tarp type thing over the gap to make a bit of a DIY porch and the beach shelter zipped up so was good for storing muddy stuff

• As it wasn't that sunny didn't get the chance to try out the being cooler feature
• Getting back in the bag was a bit of a pain

Overall I liked it as I say but probaly ion hindsight I would have splashed out on the more expensive inflatable one which is now unfortunately out of stock https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-xl-3-freshblack-inflatable-tent-3-man-id_8357351.html or https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-4-xl-freshblack-inflatable-tent-4-man-id_8357358.html

Edited April 5, 2017 by dondo

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

If you buy 3 tubes of this from Express Chemist, then you'll save a whopping 45p on the transaction;

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/preparation-h-ointment-25g.html

Don't thank me, thank Express Chemist. Oh, and don't all rush at once.

[waterfalls212434]

On 04/04/2017 at 7:09 AM, The Red Telephone said:

Does anyone have any experience of Quecha pop-up tents? Like these : https://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-seconds-easy-iii-freshblack-pop-up-tent-3-man-id_8357353.html

Any good? I need to buy a tent, preferably  as cheap and as easy to assemble as possible. Only going to be me + booze + rucksacksin there, so doesn't need to be huge. Recommendations sought please!

 

Reccomended for quality but get a big one! Ive got a quecha 2 man and it does the job quality wise, its very well made, good hh rating and double skinned so wont get leaks and even after 4 years (got it just before glastonbury 2013)  its still holding up, no problems with the unpacking/packing back mechanism etc.

But yes don`t go for a 2 man, because theres just about room for me and my big bag and little bag, not much else...also you dont get a decent porch on the smaller ones which is always a handy thing to have.

I have a 4 man standard tent I will probably take this year just because of that, no problem with quecha if I had a bigger one itd be wicked but I miss having the room.

Edited April 6, 2017 by waterfalls212434

[mike86]

Does anyone have any suggestions for decent gazebos? 

[Alvarhanso]

3 hours ago, MikeJ86 said:

Does anyone have any suggestions for decent gazebos? 

Don't take one, they take up valuable camping space and it'a highly unlikely you'll spend that much at your tent/camper van 

 

maybe I am just a grumpy old man though...

[simian_mobile_mushrooms]

Yeah, seconded - pleased don't bring gazebos. It's a little antisocial and takes up a lot of space, plus why does anyone want to sit all day around the campsite when you're at GLASTONBERRRRYYYYYYYY

[The Nal]

17 minutes ago, simian_mobile_mushrooms said:

Yeah, seconded - pleased don't bring gazebos. It's a little antisocial and takes up a lot of space, plus why does anyone want to sit all day around the campsite when you're at GLASTONBERRRRYYYYYYYY

They should blare this every morning when they come around in the milk trucks.

 

Going to buy fresh milk in the morning is one of my favourite things about the place. Pint of milk, a coffee and a shit and get moving. 

[simian_mobile_mushrooms]

5 minutes ago, The Nal said:

They should blare this every morning when they come around in the milk trucks.

 

Going to buy fresh milk in the morning is one of my favourite things about the place. Pint of milk, a coffee and a shit and get moving. 

Hell yeah. Yes to all of this. Morning water, coffee, banana, wet wipe, a dump and then get some breakfast. Back only to change if morning gear is too warm/cold

[waterfalls212434]

6 minutes ago, simian_mobile_mushrooms said:

Hell yeah. Yes to all of this. Morning water, coffee, banana, wet wipe, a dump and then get some breakfast. Back only to change if morning gear is too warm/cold

It is nice to have a chat around breakfast about the night before and wake up/lose hangover slowly especially if people have gotten back v late, I normally head out around the time the musics first starting for the day and only come back to restock on booze etc maybe if ive run out of cans for the day. Mind you did head back to chill out a few times last year at the tents because of the tough going underfoot if im honest, a lot of the time when there was nothing on stage I wanted to see that badly I didnt fancy traipsing from place to place through it all so I just came back to chill out every so often, thats when the benefits of a non muddy year become clear, in 2013 for example I think I barely ever came back to my tent, if I wanted to relax for a bit id wander up to park hill etc but few places to even sit down last year so the tents made a good pitstop.

Edited April 6, 2017 by waterfalls212434

[simian_mobile_mushrooms]

4 minutes ago, waterfalls212434 said:

It is nice to have a chat around breakfast about the night before and wake up/lose hangover slowly especially if people have gotten back v late, I normally head out around the time the musics first starting for the day and only come back to restock on booze etc maybe if ive run out of cans for the day. Mind you did head back to chill out a few times last year at the tents because of the tough going underfoot if im honest, a lot of the time when there was nothing on stage I wanted to see that badly I didnt fancy traipsing from place to place through it all so I just came back to chill out every so often, thats when the benefits of a non muddy year become clear, in 2013 for example I think I barely ever came back to my tent, if I wanted to relax for a bit id wander up to park hill etc but few places to even sit down last year so the tents made a good pitstop.

Yeah, but a gazebo is not essential to have a chat. It's completely unnecessary imo. My friends and I are able to talk in the morning without a gazebo taking up a 10 by 10 foot patch of grass. I can understand during the day you might want a quick nap in the afternoon but again, you don't need a gazebo for that and if it's muddy you're still able to traipse back to the campsite for it, even if it's muddy, you're traipsing regardless

[Charm]

I'm not a fan of gazebos in the busy camping spots, I think it's incredibly selfish, but if someone wants to haul one in and camp in one of the quieter sites it's not really a problem. 
Charm x

[Tartan_Glasto]

4 hours ago, MikeJ86 said:

Does anyone have any suggestions for decent gazebos? 

It's likely you'll come back to someone having pitched their tent under it.