Introduction to lightweight camping equipment

Heading into the countryside for a walk on the hills or camping in the wilderness is a great way to reconnect with nature.

But you will need specialist gear to say safe and warm in the great outdoors. So, what equipment should you take on your walking and lightweight camping adventures?

Camping magazine Editor, Iain Duff, has selected some essential kit to get you started. Here are his current favourites

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated sleeping mat

(Photo: Iain Duff)

Price: £212.95

From:www.bigagnes.com

When I was at primary school, there was a terrifying dinner lady called Big Agnes. In between serving up dollops of lumpy mashed potato, Aggie would rattle her ladle across the knuckles of any child she found to be in contravention of her strict dining hall code of conduct. Usually the crime was trying to scoop lumpy mash onto someone else’s plate.

I’ve no idea why this US outdoor gear company is called Big Agnes. Tempting as it is to imagine that the psychotic dinner lady saw the error of her ways, gave up terrorising eight-year-olds and moved from Glasgow to Colorado to set up a self-titled outdoor equipment brand, it seems unlikely. Anyway, I don’t care – it is, officially, the best name of any outdoor brand, ever. And, luckily, Big Agnes also makes some pretty decent camping gear.

The Rapide SL Insulated is a super-lightweight airbed for backpacking. At 9cm thick, it’s also really comfortable, with 2cm thicker outer struts on both sides to stop you from rolling off the bed onto the floor. The mat is filled with PrimaLoft Silver synthetic fibre to provide insulation even in sub-zero temperatures. A pump bag is included for inflation, so moisture doesn’t get into the mat, and the quick-release valve makes it easy to get the air out again in the morning.

TravelJohn

(Photo: Iain Duff)

Price: £6.09 (3-pack)

From:www.simon-safety.co.uk

It’s 3am, the rain is belting down on the roof of your one-man tent, the wind is howling and you’ve just been woken up by a familiar feeling down below. Yes, you need to answer a call of nature, but you’re snug and dry in your tent and the thought of having to brave the elements fills you with dread.

If only there was some way to relieve yourself without going out. Well, you – and your bladder – will be pleased to hear, there is… and we don’t mean weeing in an empty Evian bottle.

The TravelJohn is basically a disposable unisex urinal – a plastic bag with a super-absorbent gel pouch inside and a plastic collar at the top. You do your business into the bag, wait a few seconds as the liquid turns into gel, then seal the bag. You don’t even need to get out of your sleeping bag!

The TravelJohn is leakproof and odourless and can be used more than once – each holds up to 800ml, which is enough for two or three uses. When it’s finished with, simply put in a bin.

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Oofos OOCandoo sandals

(Photo: Iain Duff)

Price: £80

From:www.oofos.co.uk  

If we’re honest, these sandals are not going to win many prizes for artistic impression. They pay more than a passing resemblance to the much-maligned Croc, and have wedge soles that the Spice Girls would have been proud of in their heyday.

However, don’t let their unorthodox appearance put you off, because these are ridiculously comfortable. Thanks to those chunky foam soles, you genuinely feel as if you are walking on air – Oofos says they absorb 37% more impact than traditional foam soles. That reduces stress on your feet, knees and ankles, which is ideal for recovering back at the campsite after a long walk on the hills. You can also wear them if you’re paddling around on the seashore, kayaking or stand up paddleboarding – basically anything that involves you getting your feet wet.

Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC boots

(Photo: Iain Duff)

Price: £180

From:vivobarefoot.com

Everyone knows how walking boots are supposed to look, and it's safe to say these look nothing like that. In fact, there's no getting away from the fact that these boots look positively weird. Not that there's anything wrong with weird.

The concept behind the Tracker Forest ESC boots is that they give you a closer connection to nature - the chunky soles and padded uppers are stripped away for a more flexible and natural fit.

The thin sole, designed in collaboration with Michelin, features multidirectional lugs and textured edges for better grip on tricky terrain without losing the 'barefoot' ethos. The upper has no waterproof membrane, relying instead on the soft leather upper to provide natural water resistance.

Primus Lite Plus Stove System

(Photo courtesy of Primus)

New and improved

This is a new and improved version of Primus' Lite Plus Stove System, which the Swedish outdoor specialist says is more durable, efficient and eco-friendly than before.

The burner fits perfectly into the hard-anodised aluminium pot (which doubles as a drinking cup), along with a 100g gas cartridge and its accessories.

The pot's sleeve is a durable fabric made from recycled polyester and organic cotton and has an insulating layer of cork underneath to keep the heat in.

Price: £130

From:primus.eu

LifeSaver Liberty water purifier

(Photo courtesy of Lifesaver)

Literally a lifesaver!

This could literally be a lifesaver when you are wild camping, giving you a supply of fresh water that is safe to drink.

The water purifying bottle uses advanced filter technology to remove a minimum of 99.99% of bacteria, cysts and even dangerous viruses from contaminated water.

Just collect water from a lake, pond, fountain or dodgy-looking tap, pump the base and watch clean, safe drinking water flow out.

Price: £124.99

From:iconlifesaver.com

Campingaz Twister stove

(Photo courtesy of Campingaz)

Perfect compact stove

A compact, single-burner stove, the Twister Plus PZ won't add much weight to your backpack and is perfect for boiling water for a restorative coffee.

It features piezo ignition, so no need for matches, and the Easy Clic system makes it simple to connect to a Campingaz CV valve cartridge.

Price: £19.99

From:campingaz.com/uk

Keela Insect Shield Outdoor Blanket

(Photo courtesy of Keela Outdoors)

Warding off bugs and insects

If you are camping in the early or late parts of the season, you'll be wanting a cosy blanket for sitting outside on fresher evenings.

Keela's Insect Shield Blanket is a lightweight polyester blanket that measures 188cm by 142cm. It's treated with permethrin insect repellent, which will ward off mosquitos, ticks, fleas and flies for 25 washes.

Price: £44.95

From:keelaoutdoors.com

CamelBak Camping Cups

(Photos: Iain Duff)

A double-walled, vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel mug that will keep your morning coffee piping hot.

The non-slip silicone pad on the base is designed to prevent spills and, if you do have any accidents, the tumbler lid should keep everything contained.

Price: £28

From:camelbak.com

SOL Survival Medic Survival Kit

(Photo courtesy of Survive Outdoors Longer)

Survive outdoors longer

All the essentials you'll need for exploring the wilderness in a watertight dry bag, including an emergency blanket, a micro firelighter, a rescue whistle to signal for help, some duct tape and bandaging.

Price: £22.99

From:surviveoutdoorslonger.com

Robens Windscreen Tarp

(Photo courtesy of Robens)

Versatility and adaptability are what make camping and outdoor products stand out from the crowd.

By our calculations, the Windscreen Tarp from Robens offers up six options: a large single overhead shelter, two smaller tarps, one large windbreak or two smaller screens.

You can sleep under the A-frame tarps for a wild camping adventure, or use it as a tent extension for outdoor cooking.

Weighing in at 4.43kg, this is pretty heavy, so probably isn't ideal for backpacking, although splitting it between two campers would be just about doable.

Price: £154.99

From:robens.de

Leatherman Free P4

(Photo courtesy of Leatherman)

The only tool you will ever need!

Every camper needs a multi-tool for all those fiddly jobs that always seem to need to be done.

The Free P4 from Leatherman is a virtual tool box in your pocket but even with a mind-boggling 21 tools, it weighs in at just 250g.

The design allows one-handed access to all the utensils, with magnetic fittings to reduce friction when opening and closing.

Price: £169.95

From:leatherman.co.uk

Hanwag Torsby GTX walking boots

(Photo courtesy of Hanwag)

A modern walking boot

For low-level hillwalking, these lightweight, mid-cut hiking boots are comfortable and reliable and have a modern look that means they won't look out of place in the pub.

The suede and nubuck upper has a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane and the Sure-grip outsole is made with 10% recycled rubber.

Price: £189.99

From:hanwag.com

Pits and Bits water-free washing range

(Photo courtesy of Pits & Bits)

Water-free personal hygiene products

Specialising in personal hygiene products that don't require water, the range consists of towel-off-only liquid body wash and shampoos, which come in a selection of different fragrances and bottle sizes, priced from £2.35. These are made from 25% recycled plastic and can also be recycled afterwards.

The company also makes biodegradable expandable wipes, which are so small when packaged that they come with a warning not to swallow them!

These wipes are both skin and food safe, so you can clean your face and do the dishes at the same time. A pack of four costs £1.49.

All Pits and Bits products are alcohol-free, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

Price: £1.49

From:pitsandbits.co.uk

Komperdell Carbon FXP.4 Cloud walking poles

(Photo courtesy of Komperdell)

Folding walking poles

These pop-up poles from Komperdell are strong and super-lightweight at just 173g and fold away to an extremely small size of just 45cm.

The ergonomically designed cork grip has an extension, so grip positions can be changed depending on the terrain. 

Price: £189.95

From:komperdell.com

Tilley 5-Panel Recycled Cap

(Photo courtesy of Tilley)

Flat cap alternative

If you need to protect your head from the sun - or rain - while you're out and about on the hills and you're not quite ready for the full-on flat cap experience just yet, then this new offering from headwear specialist, Tilley, could be the answer.

It's made using a five-panelled design and provides a good deal more pate protection than a basic cap.

It has a wide, curved peak, a water-repellent finish and is rated UPF50+ for sun protection. The grommets provide extra ventilation on hot days and, being a Tilley, you can stash valuables in the secret pocket.

It's made using a new eco-friendly 100% recycled nylon and comes in a selection of tastefully muted colours.

Price: £30

From:tilley.com

HJ ProTrek Mountain Climb socks

(Photo courtesy of HJ)

The perfect socks for mountain climbing

The Mountain Climb socks from HJ's men's ProTrek range are made from Wooltech - a 'scientific wool blend' that's heat-retaining and insulating as well as moisture-wicking.

They also offer arch support and ankle bracing, are fully cushioned and have smooth seams, so they should certainly be up to the job of springtime, summer or autumn walking in the UK.

Price: £14

From:hj.co.uk