Camping September 2022

CRAGHOPPERS TREVELYAN ECO 250

After many years of providing campers material. Inside the sleeping area, there is in – although I did find it tricky to work out
with outdoor clothing, footwear and a large ventilation panel to deal with any what to do with the door when it was fully
accessories for their trips, it makes perfect condensation issues. opened up.
sense for Craghoppers to move into the tent
world. I have reviewed the retro-style Kiwi The ‘Eco’ in the title refers to the fact that LVITAL STATISTICS
tent already and was very impressed, so I was this tent is made with fabric created with
looking forward to seeing how the Trevelyan recycled plastic, so there’s a definite positive W craghoppers.com
fared. I wasn’t disappointed. Tents might be environmental story here. The materials PRICE £235
new territory for Craghoppers, but it is clear contain the equivalent of around 90 plastic
that the designers have done their homework drinks bottles. ● Style Tunnel
and have come up with something that any ● Sleeps 2
established manufacturer would be more than After a couple of false starts – mainly due ● Weight 2.4kg
happy with. to the windy conditions blowing the flysheet ● Packed size N/A
around – I had the tent pitched fairly quickly. ● Waterproof 3,000mm hydrostatic head
Compared to the polycotton Kiwi, with The colour-coded poles and sleeves make it ● Pitching time 10 minutes
its old-school stylings, this is a far more much easier. Although the Trevelyan is fairly ● Size 235 x 150cm
conventional backpacking tent – aluminium light, it’s actually pretty spacious inside, with ● Height 105cm
poles, lightweight pegs and a polyester the front vestibule providing plenty of room ● Materials Outer Polyester
flysheet, with lots of ventilation and plenty of for storage and cooking. Two campers would
room inside. fit in snugly, or instead it’s a really spacious Poles Aluminium
tent for a solo camper.
The flysheet and inner tent pitch together
and the inner is made from a breathable The front door can be unzipped in a
variety of ways to allow light and fresh air

Front ventilation panel Main sleeping area Spacious front porch
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
September 2022 Camping 49

THE KNOWLEDGE

GEAR LIGHTWEIGHT TENTS

Top tips and expert
advice from the
Camping team

VANGO NEVIS 200

Mesh ventilation panel This is a classic lightweight backpacking Vestibule and sleeping area
tent, and is the sort of thing that Vango does
LVITAL STATISTICS so well. Not only does the Nevis 200 tick of which have large storage porches before
all the boxes in terms of weight (just over you enter the inner tent. The vestibules
W vango.co.uk 2kg), waterproofing (3,000mm hydrostatic provide somewhere to store your gear and are
PRICE £140 head) and size (sleeping area is 185cm long a sheltered space for cooking and eating.
by 120cm wide), but it comes in at a brilliant
● Style Tunnel price. The RRP is a reasonable £140, but start The inner is designed for two, but in reality
● Sleeps 2 searching around the internet and you’ll find the Nevis 200 is best suited for one, providing
● Weight 2.02kg it for around £100, which is excellent value. plenty of space for the solo camper to move
● Packed size 46 x 15cm around. The ventilation panels inside are
● Waterproof 3,000mm hydrostatic head The tent has a single main pole, which designed to cut down on condensation.
● Pitching time 5 minutes forms an arch towards the front, while two
● Size 245 x 185cm short, upright poles create the rigidity at the The Nevis 200 uses Vango’s TBS II Tension
● Height 105cm front and rear. Both the aluminium poles are Band System, to give it more rigidity in
● Materials Outer Polyester strong but flexible. The flysheet and inner go strong winds. The bands can be unclipped and
up together, and after a practice run in the stashed away in good weather.
Poles Alloy garden, I found pitching straightforward and
really easy. It’s not a spectacular tent, but it does exactly
what is says on the tin, and for those of us
Access is via one of the two side doors, both whose lightweight camping is at the lower
end of the scale, it’s absolutely perfect.
Side entry door

50 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

spirit of Enhance your Space...
adventure
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Make the most of the summer and enjoy the
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Technical Cotton fabric - Climate controlling and an
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Quick pitching - Pitching your tent has been made
even easier with AirBeam® S.I Pro - Single Point
Inflation System. Simply attach your Vango AirBeam
Zephyr pump and sit back and relax while your tent
inflates itself.

The Anantara IV Air TC comes in
two sizes for 4 and 6 persons.

Vango.co.uk

THE KNOWLEDGE

GEAR LIGHTWEIGHT TENTS

Top tips and expert
advice from the
Camping team

SIERRA DESIGNS HIGH SIDE 3000 1

Just by reading the intro to the Meet The European version of the existing High Side, Bedroom ventilation
Team section on Sierra Designs’ website, and is designed to be more suited to our
you can tell that the US brand is unlike your harsher climate and conditions. That means
typical outdoor manufacturer. It reads, “We retaining the same successful basic design,
are serious about making badass outdoor but with less mesh and more durable and
products so you have a happier experience.” weatherproof fabrics – including a higher
Now, I wouldn’t class myself as ‘badass’ in any hydrostatic head rating. The combination
way (more fat ass, if I’m honest) but I like that works a treat.
attitude and I very much like this tent.
The High Side gets its name from the pre-
With its quirky design and shape and tiny bent, slightly skew-whiff poles, which create
pack size, the High Side 3000 is definitely a “high side” over the door. This unusual
a little different. This one-man tent is the design helps maximise the liveable space
inside the tent, without adding to the weight
or affecting the low profile, which is great for
windy conditions.

The side door can be set up in various
different ways: fully closed to keep the
weather at bay, rolled up to let you to take in
the view, or extended out with a hiking pole
to create a larger sheltered space.

The aluminium poles are colour-coded to
make it easier to erect; although, because it’s

Adjustable peg tensioner LVITAL STATISTICS Pole clips
Storage porch
W sierradesigns.com an inner-first design, there is the problem of
PRICE £259.99 pitching in rain.

● Style Offset tunnel The pole sections are deliberately short.
● Sleeps 1 So, not only is the tent light at just over
● Weight 1.02kg 1kg, it also has an extremely compact pack
● Packed size 34.3 x 13.3cm size of around 30cm long, small enough to
● Waterproof 3,000mm hydrostatic head fit comfortably inside your backpack or on
● Pitching time 5 minutes bicycle panniers.
● Size 224 x 86cm
● Height 81cm With its higher internal walls, an increased
● Materials Outer Nylon ripstop 3,000mm hydrostatic head flysheet to keep
out the rain and the compact pack size, overall
Poles Aluminium this is a pretty badass tent.

52 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

ROBENS PIONEER 2EX

Technical tents are not only for trekking and through the sleeve, then push the end into Ventilation is pretty decent, with vents
backpacking. If your camping trips involve a fabric pocket. The other end of the pole at both ends, which can be held open with a
motorcycling, cycling or canoeing, for goes into an eyelet to create the tunnel shape. Velcro strap and a guyline.
example, then you’ll also need something that Even with the adjustable tension straps
is lightweight, relatively small, easy to pitch loosened, I did find it needed quite a lot of LVITAL STATISTICS
and offers dependable protection from the force to get the pole into the eyelet, but once
elements, whatever the weather. it was in place it created a rigid structure. W robens.de
PRICE £244.99
However, because you’re not carrying it on When all the poles are in position, you can
your back, you can consider something a little move the tent to exactly where you want it ● Style Tunnel
larger, like the Pioneer 2EX from Robens. then peg out the corners and guylines. Make ● Sleeps 2
sure you get the sides as taut as possible to ● Weight 2.9kg
Unlike some of the two-man tents out reduce the noise of fabric flapping in the ● Packed size 44 x 19cm
there, this is genuinely big enough for two wind, and to ensure there’s no danger of the ● Waterproof 3,000mm hydrostatic head
people. It also has a huge front porch area, outer wall touching the inner. ● Pitching time 10 minutes
where there is room for loads of kit. ● Size 395 x 140cm
Access to the Pioneer is through a side ● Height 105cm
Yes, there are lighter tents out there, but door, which leads straight into the front ● Materials Outer Polyester
that’s not such an issue when you’re on two porch. This porch gives you somewhere
wheels or floating on water. And if there are you can comfortably remove muddy boots Poles Alloy
two of you sharing the tent, you can spread and wet jackets before getting into the main
the load between you. sleeping area. You can also use this covered
area to get stuff in and out of your rucksack
The Pioneer pitches all in one and, in the dry.
with the three colour-coded poles, it’s a
straightforward process. Slide the pole

Inner tent door Large storage area Bedroom for two
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
September 2022 Camping 53

THE KNOWLEDGE

GEAR LIGHTWEIGHT TENTS

Top tips and expert
advice from the
Camping team

LIGHTWAVE S15 SIGMA

Cross pole creates headroom single side entry and porch, which provides Plenty of storage space
plenty of space for your kit – it’s bigger than
Backpackers keen to shave every gram they porches I’ve seen on some two-berth tents. underside has a soft and warm feel to the
can from their pack weight may opt for a touch. This is Lightwave’s own fabric called
tarp rather than a full tent, and certainly Inside the tent, there’s a good-sized mesh X-tex. The important part is the lamination
in the right weather conditions it can be a pocket in the sidewall opposite the door, and on the underside of the lightweight nylon
liberating experience. But a tarp does have its a small lantern hanging loop taped to the high – polyurethane impregnated with activated
drawbacks – not quite so private for pitches point in the ceiling. The liveability factor is carbon. This provides a vastly greater surface
on campsites, and there’s also the fact that you good – it’s spacious for a solo tent, with the area at the molecular level to dissipate
have no protection against marauding insects. steep walls and that cross pole adding up to any water when it condenses, and it’s also
lots of headroom. hydrophilic – it attracts water. It’s highly
A single-skin tent might afford more breathable, and deals with moisture even
privacy and protection against the elements, The main body of the tent is self- when it condenses.
but, depending on the efficiency of the supporting, so you can get it standing before
design, you may also have to contend with deciding which way round to peg out. You
condensation. may find that you don’t need to use guys – it
pitches to a nice taut finish anyway, and it is
Foolproof pitching, minimal pegging for pretty stable.
the majority of situations, and better than
average space make this tent a joy to use. It’s The fabric is black, so it’s rather darker than
not cheap, of course, but worth it when you your average two-skin tent, and the patterned
combine the amount of space for weight with
the sturdy design. LVITAL STATISTICS

Lightwave’s single-skin S15 Sigma pitches W lightwave.uk.com
all in one, because one is all there is! It has a PRICE £649

● Style Dome
● Sleeps 1
● Weight 1.36kg
● Packed size 45cm x 15cm
● Waterproof 5,000mm hydrostatic head
● Pitching time 5 minutes
● Size 230cm x 95cm
● Height 110cm
● Materials Outer Nylon ripstop

Poles Alloy

54 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

TERRA NOVA LASER PULSE 1

This has to be one of the lightest and smallest with a short upright at the tail, and, while Storage area
pack size double-wall tents we’ve ever its default pitching mode is all in one, it’s
reviewed in Camping. Packed in its stuff sack, possible to pitch the inner on its own, or pitches.
the Laser Pulse 1 is about the size of a one- indeed the fly on its own. Of course, that is all The single side entry unzips – there’s also
litre water bottle, and tips the scales at just weather-dependent.
over half a kilo. a small quick-release fastener at the bottom
The tent is a three-season model best suited to take the strain off the zip, as well as giving
It’s aimed at fast movers with limited pack to sheltered pitches, but you could certainly you a venting option. The door panel’s
size, such as mountain marathon runners, extend its range somewhat with a small bottom corner simply lifts up then secures to
but its qualities will definitely appeal to handful of alternative pegs for better grip in the top of the fly with a loop and toggle.
backpackers going for minimal weight and the ground.
small pack size throughout their gear. The porch runs the side of the tent, and
With a maximum head height of 82cm, while the storage space beyond the doorway
The Laser Pulse is a single-hoop tunnel you’ll probably find it most comfortable at the head of the tent isn’t huge, in the
sitting in the doorway with your head outside, context of the other lightweight gear you’d be
Good ventilation but, for what is essentially a luxury bivy tent, using, it’s likely to be perfectly adequate for
the space inside for one isn’t that bad. your requirements.
Sleeping area
Even using the most advanced lightweight There’s a hanging loop in the high point of
materials, it’s inevitable that a tent that more the ceiling for a torch or lantern.
or less fits into your pocket demands a few
compromises.

The pitched size of the tent may or may
not be an issue depending on the size of the
user, but certainly it is best suited to sheltered

LVITAL STATISTICS

W terra-nova.co.uk
PRICE £660

● Style Single-hoop tunnel
● Sleeps 1
● Weight 0.545kg
● Packed size 30 x 10cm
● Waterproof 1,500mm hydrostatic head
● Pitching time 5 minutes
● Size 234 x 115cm
● Height 82cm
● Materials Outer Ripstop nylon

Poles Alloy

outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping September 2022 Camping 55

THE KNOWLEDGE

GEAR TESTED WALKING KIT

A round-up of the
latest camping and
outdoor accessories

Courtesy Lars Schneider/Fjallraven

Take a hike

Camping magazine Editor Iain Duff has selected some
essential kit for a day out walking on the hills

Heading into the countryside for a clothing, but you’ll quickly find that those expected to be: a map and compass; a head
walk on the hills or camping in jeans and trainers don’t quite cut it when the torch (plus spare batteries); a first aid kit;
the wilderness is a great way to weather conditions and terrain take a turn and some food and drink. There are plenty
reconnect with nature. for the worse. That’s when specialist gear of other items you could take, but those are
comes into its own. the essentials.
But you will need specialist clothing and
accessories to say safe and warm in the great And remember, the weather can change Finally, always tell someone where you
outdoors. So, what equipment should you in seconds, especially if you’re up in the are planning to go before you set off or leave
take on your walking adventures? Scottish or Welsh hills, so no matter what a note in your car window.
the conditions are like when you set off,
Firstly, make sure you dress appropriately make sure you that are totally prepared for Check the weather forecast before you
for the conditions. Warm and waterproof any eventuality. leave home and, if it looks like turning
clothes are essential if it’s wet and cold out to be desperately inclement, then stay
and, if it is a lovely summer’s day, wear sun There are a few things you should indoors. There is nothing worse than feeling
protection clothing, a hat and sun cream. always have in your backpack, no matter cold, wet and miserable, and finding yourself
how challenging or otherwise your walk is miles from the car.
You could, of course, just dress in normal

56 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

LOWA TREK EVO GTX BOOTS

Founded in 1923 in a small village at the L INFO
foot of the Bavarian Alps, Lowa
is now one of the ● Price £210
leading European ● Weight 1,140g
outdoor shoe ● Upper Synthetic
brands. But ● lowa.co.uk
what you might
not know is that,
as well as its top-

quality hiking and climbing boots, the company is also renowned
for producing rugged footwear for police and armed forces around
the globe.

And the way I see it, if they’re good enough for the military
to rely on when they’re on manoeuvres in some of the most
inhospitable places in the world, then they’re good enough for me
to wear walking in the Lake District on a rainy Sunday morning.

To be fair, the lightweight and sporty new Trek Evo GTX
mid-height boots are a far cry from the utilitarian products Lowa
supplies to the emergency services. But you can be sure that the
fit, reliability and durability were top of the designers’ ‘essential
considerations’ lists for both.

The Trek Evo certainly ticks all three of those boxes. The fabric
upper and Gore-Tex lining combine to give you a fully waterproof
boot that still allows your feet to breathe, no matter the weather.
Perfect for wet and warm conditions, then… they must have been
specifically designed for the UK summer!

The shock-absorbing midsole, heel protection and padded
collar make the Trek Evo extremely comfortable for walking and
the innovative two-zone lacing system lets you lace the upper

and lower parts of the boot to different tensions
depending on what’s most comfortable for you.
A Vibram outsole is designed with all manner
of studs and multidirectional lugs to give as
much grip as possible on tricky terrain, so even
if you’re not going into a war zone, you should
certainly be able to cope with some challenging
underfoot conditions.
One last thing – these boots are 100%
vegan-friendly. That means, not
only are they completely leather-
free, but there are no other
animal products used anywhere
in the manufacturing process.

FJÄLLRÄVEN KEB AGILE
TROUSERS

Fjällräven’s mission for the last six decades has along narrow paths.
been to encourage more people to enjoy the All this comes at a price – these trousers
great outdoors by keeping them warm, dry
and comfortable. And the Swedish company’s cost an eye-watering £185. But think of it
aim is to do so with products designed for a as an investment. These should be the last
lifetime of wear. That means hardwearing walking trousers you’ll ever need to buy,
fabrics and timeless designs that will never go assuming you can keep your waistline under
out of fashion. The Keb Agile Trousers are control for the next 40 years!
a lightweight version of the original, multi
award-winning Keb, made with a four-way L INFO
stretch fabric to help you be more, well, agile.
The Agile also has fewer reinforcements ● Price £185
than the original trousers, to keep the weight ● Weight 414g
down. The fabric dries quickly and feels ● Material 89% polyamide, 11% elastane; Leg pockets and
pretty rugged, so should give you plenty of knees: G-1000 Lite Eco Stretch
protection when you’re squeezing your way ● fjallraven.com

outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping September 2022 Camping 57

THE KNOWLEDGE TESTED WALKING KIT

GEAR KEELA CAIRN
JACKET
A round-up of the
latest camping and
outdoor accessories

This jacket is designed for adventures, but adventures EASY CAMP
don’t have to be conquering mountains or trekking into
uncharted forests. For most of us, an adventure entails VENTURE MAP
a brisk Sunday afternoon hike followed by a pint and
a bite to eat at a cosy pub. And there’s nothing wrong COMPASS
with that. Of course, even on these mild adventures,
we still need to stay dry and comfortable and that’s What with smartphones being able to
why we’d recommend something like the Cairn. do pretty much everything these days,
Keela makes clothing that is used by the you might think there’s no need for old
military and emergency services so you fashioned stuff like maps and compasses.
know it’s going to be good quality and And you might be right – until, that is,
this has been thoroughly tested in the your battery goes flat or you drop your
extremes of Scotland. So, you’ll not phone into a stream. What then? Basic
be surprised to learn that the Cairn skills like being able to read a compass
is water and windproof. It’s also still have their place and a simple piece
extremely lightweight and features of kit like this should always be in your
Keela’s Aquaflex fabric, which uses backpack. For less than £7 this could be
three-layer technology to provide a lifesaver… as long as you know how
breathability and durability. to use it.
Other features include plenty
of pockets, articulated sleeves and L INFO
adjustable cuffs and a two-way
zip with inner storm flap. And ● Price £6.99
if you really want to go proper ● Weight 50g
adventuring it also features ● Features Luminous needle, lanyard,
harness-compatible pockets and a foldable, rotating dial, magnifying lens
helmet-compatible hood. ● easycamp.com

L INFO

● Price £174.95
● Weight 340g
● Colours Botanical green, dijon, loch blue,
racing red
● keelaoutdoors.com

BERGHAUS REMOTE
HIKE 25 BACKPACK

Backpacks come in a vast range of sizes, Daisy chain lashing points provide
but, for a day walking on the hills, a additional external storage options.
25-litre daysack like this new one from
Berghaus should be perfect for your For comfort, there is foam in the straps
requirements. It’s got all the capacity and and the hip belt, designed to distribute the
features you’ll need for a long day on the load as you walk, and a hard board in the
trail and features a breathable back system back system protects your back.
designed to help you comfortably carry a
full load without overheating. There are two walking pole holders
and side compression straps to let you
You have easy access to the main adjust your pack depending on how full
compartment through a ‘frog mouth’ zip it is . For longer walks that involve an
at the top, so you can quickly retrieve overnight stay, the larger Remote Hike 35
waterproofs if the weather changes. But gives you enough space for a sleeping bag
the storage options don’t stop there. and small tent or bivy.
Valuables can be safely hidden in a small
zipped external pocket and the elasticated L INFO
front stash pocket is perfect for your map.
Drinking bottles will fit in the two mesh ● Price £75
pockets on the sides and the two hip belt ● Weight 814g
pockets are great for essentials like snacks ● Capacity 25l
and a compass. ● berghaus.com

58 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

TILLEY TRAIL TOQUE BEANIE

This beanie hat from Tilley is you toasty if you’re heading off L INFO
made with 50% soft Merino into the hills for an autumnal
wool, so it’s extremely warm, walk, while being stylish enough ● Price £24
naturally breathable and to be worn as you go about your ● Material Merino/acrylic blend
moisture wicking – and it’s also day-to-day business. I love the ● Colours Dark green, camel and
odour-resistant. Even when waffle design and know it will navy blue
wet, wool will keep you warm be a trusty companion for years ● uk.tilley.com
so it’s the perfect hat to keep to come.

KOMPERDELL JACK WOLFSKIN PACK
CARBON CLOUD-FXP & GO! OVERHEAD
FOLDABLE WALKING JACKET

POLES The trouble with walking in the UK is that you can never be sure what
weather you’re going to get from one minute to the next. What might start
These pop-up poles from off as a beautiful, warm sunny day can quickly change to wet and cold… and
then back again, just as quickly. An easy jacket like this overhead cagoule is
Komperdell are strong but ideal. It weighs just 230g (about the size of a large adult male hamster, fact
fans), and packs away in its own pocket, ready to be whipped out at the first
super-lightweight at just 173g sign of rain.

and fold away to an extremely The ripstop fabric is made from recycled polyester, and the jacket is
waterproof, breathable and windproof, with an integrated hood.
small size of just 41cm, making
L INFO
them easy to pack away in
● Price £130
your rucksack. They pop up in ● Weight: 230 g
● Material Texapore-
a fraction of a second and the Ripstop Light 100%
polyester
ergonomically designed cork grip has ● jack-wolfskin.co.uk

an extension, so grip positions

can be changed depending on L INFO
the terrain.

● Price £129.95
● uk.komperdell.com

ADVENTURE MEDICAL
KITS MOUNTAIN
BACKPACKER KIT

A first aid kit is the one piece of
camping gear you never want
to use – but you need to know
you can rely on if the worst-case
scenario happens.

Thankfully my AMK Mountain
Backpacking kit remains unused
but I know it’s always there if I need it, with a selection
of bandages, a trauma pad to stop bleeding, dressings,
adhesive tape and a splinter removal tool. The kit
contains first aid supplies to treat more
complex injuries and minor trauma
– with enough first aid supplies to
treat you and a friend on trips of
up to four days.

L INFO

● Price £37.99
● Weight 431g
● Group size 1-2 people
● adventuremedicalkits.com

outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping September 2022 Camping 59

THE KNOWLEDGE

GEAR KITBAG Camping Gear

A round-up of the BIG AGNES RAPIDE ECCO MX ONSHORE
latest camping and SL INSULATED SANDALS
outdoor accessories SLEEPING MAT
• £70
• £212.95 • gb.ecco.com
• bigagnes.com
We never fail to be surprised
When our esteemed editor was at primary at what inspires the designers
school, there was a terrifying dinner lady of outdoor equipment. For
called Big Agnes. In between serving example, it takes a certain kind
up dollops of lumpy mashed potato, of thought process to look at
Aggie would rattle her ladle across the a motocross bike and think,
knuckles of any child she found to be “Eureka! I’ve got the perfect
in contravention of her strict dining hall idea for a pair of sandals!”
code of conduct. Usually the crime was
But apparently that’s what
trying to scoop lumpy mash onto someone went through the mind of
else’s plate. whoever designed the Ecco
We’ve no idea why this US outdoor gear MX Onshore walking sandals.
company is called Big Agnes. Tempting as it is to imagine that the psychotic dinner lady saw According to the Ecco website,
the error of her ways, gave up terrorising eight-year-olds and moved from Glasgow to Colorado the deep, multidirectional
to set up a self-titled outdoor equipment brand, it seems unlikely. Anyway, we don’t care – it is, grooves on the outer sole are
officially, the best name of any outdoor brand, ever. And, luckily, Big Agnes also makes some inspired by a motocross tyre
pretty decent camping gear. tread. And, to be fair, there is
The Rapide SL Insulated is a super-lightweight airbed for backpacking. At 9cm thick, it’s also a certain logic to it. Motocross
really comfortable, with 2cm thicker outer struts on both sides to stop you from rolling off the tyres need to be rugged and
bed onto the floor. The mat is filled with PrimaLoft Silver synthetic fibre to provide insulation grippy in all sorts of difficult
even in sub-zero temperatures. A pump bag is included for inflation, so moisture doesn’t get terrain, and so do walking
into the mat, and the quick-release valve makes it easy to get the air out again in the morning. shoes, and these certainly are.

TRAVELJOHN Sandals are usually only for
gentle ambles around town,
• £6.09 (3-pack) but these are designed for
• simon-safety.co.uk much more vigorous activity.
The cushioned sole follows the
It’s 3am, the rain is belting down on the roof of your curve of your feet and the three
one-man tent, the wind is howling and you’ve just been adjustable straps let you control
woken up by a familiar feeling down below. Yes, you the fit and stability.
need to answer a call of nature, but you’re snug and
dry in your tent and the thought of having to brave the The MX Shore is available in
elements fills you with dread. both men’s and women’s styles
and comes in a selection of
If only there was some way to relieve yourself different colours.
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.

TROBOLO The last couple of years has seen a big odourless, cleverly separating liquid and solid
WANDAGO increase in the number of campers using waste into separate containers. Because
their own toilet facilities at their tent. This there are no chemicals involved, getting rid of
• £211 has been partly down to the pandemic the waste is really easy, with no need to use a
• trobolo.com – many campsite loo blocks were off- chemical disposal point.
limits while Covid restrictions were in
place and lots of people have stuck with Solid waste can be put in any regular
the convenience of having their own WC. rubbish bin, just like used nappies, while the
The other factor has been the surge in liquid waste can be poured straight down
popularity of ‘almost wild’ camping, where the toilet or diluted with water and used as a
the campsite is little more than an open field natural fertilizer.
and facilities are limited to a cold water tap.
Having your own private loo is great, but It weighs less than 5kg and is compact
the chemicals you have to use always seem enough to easily fit in the boot of your car or
to be just a bit of a faff – not to mention in the trailer and the SafeShell system means
the nagging doubts about the harm they you can drive without any danger of fluid
might be doing to the environment. The spilling over.
new WandaGO avoids those problems
completely by using a composting system Unlike most portable toilets, it has a
and no chemicals – or water – at all. standard-sized seat and can be set to the
The WandaGO is spill-proof and height of a normal toilet, making it so much
more comfortable to sit on. The WandaGO
also comes with a built-in toilet paper
dispenser that can be attached to the side.

60 Camping September 2022 outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping

OOFOS OUTWELL PEGASUS
OOCANDOO SOLAR LANTERN
SANDALS
• £22.99
• £80 • outwell.com
• oofos.co.uk
Solar power is nothing new – it's been
If we’re honest, these drying clothes for centuries, after all.
sandals are not But with the soaring cost of energy on
going to win many everyone’s mind right now, it’s good
prizes for artistic to remember that the sun is a free
impression. They resource. And that makes a solar-
pay more than a passing resemblance to the much-maligned powered lamp like this even more
Croc, and have wedge soles that the Spice Girls would have been appealing.
proud of in their heyday.
However, don’t let their unorthodox appearance put you off, The Pegasus is a small, easy-to-use,
because these are ridiculously comfortable. Thanks to those dimmable lantern with multiple uses – as a hanging lantern, standing
chunky foam soles, you genuinely feel as if you are walking on air lamp or carried like a torch. It can be charged up using the included
– Oofos says they absorb 37% more impact than traditional foam USB cable or via the solar panels – a full solar charge will take 15
soles. That reduces stress on your feet, knees and ankles, which hours and will give you up to 45 hours of use, depending on the
is ideal for recovering back at the campsite after a long walk on setting. The Pegasus can also be used as a power bank to give your
the hills. You can also wear them if you’re paddling around on phone a boost when the battery is hovering close to zero.
the seashore, kayaking or stand up paddleboarding – basically
anything that involves you getting your feet wet.

LIFEVENTURE ELLIPSE CAMPING THERMOS
TABLEWARE SET REVIVAL
FLASK
• £12.99
• lifeventure.com • £30
• thermos.co.uk
If space is at a premium in your tent,
you’re unlikely to have myriad cupboards For children of the
set aside for your finest crockery, and 70s, like Camping’s
bespoke champagne glass holders like decrepit editor
you see in big, fancy motorhomes and (you’re sacked – Ed), the “new” Thermos Revival flask is a thing of
caravans. More likely, your kitchenware beauty. It will instantly transport you back to a simpler time, when picnics
is chucked in a plastic box, so you’ll want involved parking the Morris Marina in a layby and scoffing floppy cheese
to make sure it’s unbreakable. sandwiches, Salt ‘n’ Shake crisps and warm Ski yoghurts, as cars whizzed
by a few yards away, belching out toxic fumes from their exhaust pipes. All
That’s where fantastic plastic comes washed down with scalding hot tea from a Thermos flask, just like this.
in, and this set can be clipped together
with a karabiner to keep it all together The Revival’s retro checked pattern certainly instigated nostalgic feelings
– although, oddly, Lifeventure doesn’t – we got the orange one, but it’s also available in blue or green. The slightly
supply a karabiner, it just recommends off-white screw top cup with handle is bang on the period, too. However,
that you get one. The set contains a the inner cap with its push button operation is simplicity itself to operate.
plate, bowl, mug, spoon, fork and tent
knife – and is available in graphite, teal,
pink and navy.

COCO-MAT MENTOR FOLDING BIKE

• £1,990
• coco-matbike.uk

Did you hear about the wooden bike? It had a wooden frame, wooden wheels,
wooden pedals and a wooden chain. And guess what… it wooden go. Ah, you
can’t beat a good dad joke, but, seriously, wood’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it? It can
heat us, it can shelter us, it could probably feed us if we were desperate enough,
and now it can also transport us, with the help of a few other components.

Coco-Mat is a Greek company that mainly produces sustainable mattresses, but
it has also branched out (geddit?) into two-wheel transport options. There’s a full
range of wooden bikes, but we like the folding Mentor, available in two or
five-speed options. Both versions get 20in wheels and Sturmey-Archer
S2C gears. The two-speed weighs 14kg and the five-speed is 15kg,
while the folded dimensions are 115cm by 80cm by 25cm. The bikes
are made from a sustainable American ash, with one tree supplying
enough wood for 50 bikes, and the company replants a tree for
every bike sold. Tree-mendous (I thought I said you're sacked – Ed).

outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping September 2022 Camping 61

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Our Site WALKMILL CAMPING & CARAVAN SITE

Stu French

Walkmill Camping & Caravan site

Liz Morrell speaks to a couple whose Northumberland campsite
business happened by accident

Nick Gillingham is a former In 2004 they began the rebuild – a two-year that,” says Nick.
professional sportsperson who process that saw them buying and moving into It also means limiting visitors to the site.
represented Great Britain for a static caravan on their accompanying land. In
13 years before moving into coaching 2006 they finally moved in. Although Walkmill has 24 pitches, the
and tutoring. Today he’s happiest couple say they try to use only 20 of them
driving his John Deere tractor around Today that static serves as the facilities to help land recover and a maximum of 60
Walkmill, the campsite near Guyzance for the campsite. It houses a bathroom and guests to ensure they avoid overwhelming
in Northumberland that he and his wife, washing-up area, as well as a small honesty the facilities and that existing visitors get
Claire, call home. shop where visitors can buy everything from the space they booked.
home-made jam to milk.
The couple were living in Sutton For the couple, their interaction with
Coldfield with their two young boys in The campsite, however, happened by visitors is a key USP for their business.
2002 when they began planning a move to accident when the couple started taking “We wanted to bring a very personal and
Northumberland. Walkmill was little more overflow caravans from a nearby site. Nick friendly touch to our site, and we like to
than ruins at the time, but the potential says it was three years or so later that a visitor meet everyone that arrives and walk around
was obvious. turned around and said, “Thank you for having and have a chat,” says Nick.
us at your lovely campsite.”
However, the work that needed doing Nick says he loves no longer having to
was daunting and so the pair put off “I was really taken aback when he called it a travel, even if the site is hard work. “I love
looking at the property. “It ended up as a campsite as it’s my home,” he says. “Then we doing it and I’ve said I will still be doing
screensaver for about two years,” says Nick. started to realise it is a campsite and that’s why it when I’m 75. It will remain a very small
“It was a bit of a dream at that time, living we look after it so well because we want it to be family business.”
with a bit of land in a lovely stone property what it would be like if it was just us here.”
near castles and beaches.” And his advice for others wanting to do
Their ethos is based on showcasing the the same? As well as looking carefully at
Eventually they agreed to look at the beautiful environment in which they live. “We the financial outlay, he says that attention
property to see if the dream could be won’t compromise what we offer,” says Claire. to detail is part of a winning formula. “My
realised. “We came to look at it and we fell “From my perspective I want people to enjoy advice would be to make sure everything
in love,” says Nick. “We said, let’s not talk camping as it should be in its purest form.” looks good and cared for all the time.”
about it for a week. A week went by, and
we looked at each other and agreed we And that means being able to relax in natural
both still loved it.” surroundings. “Some come to us in a real state
of stress and then they start to unwind and
relax and feel it’s a special place because of

“We like to meet everyone
that arrives and walk

around and have a chat”

L INFORMATION

WALKMILL CAMPING
& CARAVAN SITE
Nr Guyzance, Warkworth,
Northumberland NE65 9AJ
01665 710155
walkmillcampsite.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping September 2022 Camping 63

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