Has he thought about going into the Solar Heating business?Guy down the road makes a decent amount just picking up the empty drinks cans.
See http://www.reuk.co.uk/Make-a-Simple-Sol ... Heater.htm
Lightweight tents
Moderator: Peak Moderation
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Baldybloke
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 17 May 2009, 14:56
- Location: Wiltshire
Depends on what sort of use you want the tent for. For a lightweight tent for reasonable money which will last a couple of years serious use, then a Coleman or Vango.
If you are going camping on the top of Snowdon, then a Terra Firma or a Vango Force Ten (not the canvas version, as it weighs a bit).
Due to the fact I use tents pretty frequently, I currently have several:
For lightweight summer use I still use a Coleman, which is about five years old. For slightly inclement weather I use the Vango Tempest. Both have quite useful porch areas for cooking.
For real crappy weather, I have a Terra Firma Quasar which stands up to pretty much anything. Unfortunately it lacks a decent porch as does the old Vango Force Ten that I occasionally drag into use.
Another tent that I rate, but have never owned is the Vaude range.
I hope this is of use.
If you are going camping on the top of Snowdon, then a Terra Firma or a Vango Force Ten (not the canvas version, as it weighs a bit).
Due to the fact I use tents pretty frequently, I currently have several:
For lightweight summer use I still use a Coleman, which is about five years old. For slightly inclement weather I use the Vango Tempest. Both have quite useful porch areas for cooking.
For real crappy weather, I have a Terra Firma Quasar which stands up to pretty much anything. Unfortunately it lacks a decent porch as does the old Vango Force Ten that I occasionally drag into use.
Another tent that I rate, but have never owned is the Vaude range.
I hope this is of use.
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Snail
The best tent I've ever owned is the golite shangri-la 3. Its expensive (about £115 or so) but its amazingly lightweight and roomy (its a tipi design). It has no tent floor, so you can cook in it easily and safely. And don't have to worry about taking off your muddy boots off when inside.
I also use a bivvy bag in the summer, and its a great alternative to a tent. If its for a BOB, then a bivvy and/or tarp would be the best choice imo. Tents can be fiddly to put up, especially when its cold. A bivvy literally takes a second or two. A tarp can also cover everything, including your bike, and can be pitched very low. A bivvy on its own is almost invisible, just a shadow on the ground.
I also use a bivvy bag in the summer, and its a great alternative to a tent. If its for a BOB, then a bivvy and/or tarp would be the best choice imo. Tents can be fiddly to put up, especially when its cold. A bivvy literally takes a second or two. A tarp can also cover everything, including your bike, and can be pitched very low. A bivvy on its own is almost invisible, just a shadow on the ground.
@Snail; Actually, the Shangri-la 3 is not that espensive compared to what you normally have to pay to get a combination of space and light weight (e.g £3-400).
It's a bit of a problem in the north in the midge season. You can get an inner "nest" for it, but this adds to the weight and cost, and removes some of the benefits you described.
To be honest, I've toyed with the idea of a Shangri-la 3 for ages. I'd be interested to hear your experiences of midges and also ground-water/soft ground when using it.
It's a bit of a problem in the north in the midge season. You can get an inner "nest" for it, but this adds to the weight and cost, and removes some of the benefits you described.
To be honest, I've toyed with the idea of a Shangri-la 3 for ages. I'd be interested to hear your experiences of midges and also ground-water/soft ground when using it.
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Snail
The lack of a ground sheet can be a problem on wet/soft ground. You need something on the grass to keep your sleeping bag and mat dry. I've gotten round this in the past by simply using my poncho as the ground sheet or a bivvy bag so it's not that big a deal imo.
I do most of my camping in the south now, so midges aren't as big a problem for me. However, I now bring my old gelert solo inner with me and pitch it inside the shangri-la. This gives me somewhere dry to store my stuff, and keeps insects away if needed. It takes up less than half the floorspace and gives me somewhere to sit and sleep too. I've seen an 'ooknest' or something on the internet before. This is a third-party nest which is designed to fill only half the tent but I don't know how much it is or even if it's still being sold. In midge-season, some sort of net would probably be needed.
So the tent isn't perfect. But it's a far more enjoyable experience than my other 1-person tents. I can almost stand up in it. Washing is no problem, just let the water drop onto the grass. In the winter, I sometimes use a gas lantern for heat. In the future, i plan to install a stovejack in it and make a lightweight tentstove - like a kifaru
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I do most of my camping in the south now, so midges aren't as big a problem for me. However, I now bring my old gelert solo inner with me and pitch it inside the shangri-la. This gives me somewhere dry to store my stuff, and keeps insects away if needed. It takes up less than half the floorspace and gives me somewhere to sit and sleep too. I've seen an 'ooknest' or something on the internet before. This is a third-party nest which is designed to fill only half the tent but I don't know how much it is or even if it's still being sold. In midge-season, some sort of net would probably be needed.
So the tent isn't perfect. But it's a far more enjoyable experience than my other 1-person tents. I can almost stand up in it. Washing is no problem, just let the water drop onto the grass. In the winter, I sometimes use a gas lantern for heat. In the future, i plan to install a stovejack in it and make a lightweight tentstove - like a kifaru
.Yes, I've heard of the Oook-nest. You can still get them (www.oookworks.com). Thanks for the insights.
Tbh, I tend to work on avoiding midges by trying to camp high, or where there's a breeze. Even with a fully midge-proof tent they are still a pain in terms of cooking and generally moving around camp, before you hunker down in the tent. So best to avoid if possible.
I listen to Bob Cartwright's lightweight podcasts a lot (www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk), and he has used a Shangri-la and speaks highly of it. There's also a video review of it on his site if anyone is interested. http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/201 ... 10-review/
Tbh, I tend to work on avoiding midges by trying to camp high, or where there's a breeze. Even with a fully midge-proof tent they are still a pain in terms of cooking and generally moving around camp, before you hunker down in the tent. So best to avoid if possible.
I listen to Bob Cartwright's lightweight podcasts a lot (www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk), and he has used a Shangri-la and speaks highly of it. There's also a video review of it on his site if anyone is interested. http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/201 ... 10-review/
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CountingDown
- Posts: 447
- Joined: 23 Aug 2008, 21:49
- Location: Adrift in the UK
For a BOB do you actually need a tent?
I have a waterproof breathable bivi bag similar to this http://www.aosbanbury.com/product_AOS57235953.htm
Combined with one of these which I have on me anyway
http://www.meanandgreen.com/army/-/Rip- ... 0/392.html
Always get a good nights sleep without the weight of a tent.
I have a waterproof breathable bivi bag similar to this http://www.aosbanbury.com/product_AOS57235953.htm
Combined with one of these which I have on me anyway
http://www.meanandgreen.com/army/-/Rip- ... 0/392.html
Always get a good nights sleep without the weight of a tent.