That’s all, folks!
Sian Lewis
I’m signing off now. Thank you so much for all your great questions, and happy camping!
Key events
How do you cope with returning to a conventional home, post-camp?
eamonmcc asks: Sian, is it claustrophobic, ‘suffocating’ or otherwise uncomfortable for you to return to a conventional home, office etc? All that freedom in nature surely becomes beautifully addictive?
Sian replies:
Yes and no! I have to admit that, after a rainy and cold few days of eating noodles, I do love a warm shower and a proper bed. But I’ve experienced something akin to ‘reverse culture shock’ returning to a city after a few weeks of camping: I find myself longing for the peace and quiet of an empty landscape rather than the hustle and bustle of crowds. I always miss the unhurried pace of camping when I’m back at my desk. The only antidote is to plan another camping trip.
How useful are inflatable tents?
Hesfalleninthewater asks: Where do inflatable tents sit in your estimation?
Sian replies:
I think they’re great for specific scenarios. If you want a palatial family tent with an easier setup, they’re a good choice, and it’s very pleasing to simply use a pump to pop your tent up instead of fiddling about with poles. But they can be heavy, and if you get a puncture you’re in trouble. I liked the Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL on test – it’s heavy and expensive but it’s great quality and there’s tons of room, so if you’re planning longer summer trips as a family it would be worth the spend.
Which tent for adverse weather?
VeryBigMac asks: Which tent fabric is best for heavy wind and rain? Silnylon has the benefit of a natural stretch which puts less strain on specific points of the fabric (like tie out points) but sags when really wet. Silpoly doesn’t do this and neither does DCF but I’m yet to be convinced over their longevity.
Sian replies:
I’m going to answer this but I’m not well up on fabrics!
My (limited) understanding of the techy side of tent fabrics is that in general Silnylon is your best bet for bad weather. I know some tents are now made with Dyneema, such as the Hyperlite Mountain Gear tent I mentioned before, which is waterproof and lightweight, but it’s currently an expensive option.
What would you say is the best campsite?
Fromey asks: What is the best campsite you’ve ever stayed at? And why?
Sian replies:
I’m going to chicken out of picking just one and recommend a few I love.
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Knepp, West Sussex, England, – for amazing wildlife and rewilding (and an on-site sauna).
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Wasdale Campsite, Lake District, England – for hiking, you can climb Scafell right from your tent door (and then have a dip in Wastwater afterwards).
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Troytown, Isles of Scilly, England – steps from the sea on the idyllic Scilly Archipelago off the coast of Cornwall, great for families and the farm sells homemade ice-cream.
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Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland – park up at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains for skies full of stars and a campfire on the beach.
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Bert’s Kitchen Garden, Llyn Peninsula, Wales – charming, old-fashioned camping on the Llyn Peninsula with a big focus on homegrown food.
What should I do with my old tent?
The_greeno asks: Any advice on getting rid of an old tent? I have a 20 year old Vango Beta 350 – bit musty but it’s all there, although one of the poles might be a bit damaged. Is it OK to sell? It seems a waste to just throw it away.
Sian replies:
I’d give it a good clean with Nikwax tent wash before you do. While you could sell it, you might want to consider donating it – shops such as Alpkit and Cotswold Outdoors accept used outdoor kit, or post it to Kitsquad. Freecycle is also a great way to find new homes for things.
Ultralight tents for solo travellers: which is best?
CromwellSkelton asks: What are the best ultralight one-person tents for hiking and how much do they cost?
Sian replies:
There are lots of options out there – the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Tent stands out to me and only weighs 450g – about the same as a World Cup football! But it’s expensive, around £700. I’ve tried the Vango F10 Neon UL tent which is great, it’s compact and weighs 510g but doesn’t feel claustrophobic. It’s around £450. Meanwhile, Mountain Warehouse has a backpacker tent for £60 that looks perfectly fine – at 1.1kg it’s not super lightweight but it’d be more than light enough for most trekking adventures.
What’s the perfect stove for bikepacking?
followers_of_chaos asks: What’s the perfect stove for bikepacking? Tried Trangia (underpowered), Coleman (break down often) and a whole host of expensive ultralight gas stoves, which aren’t so ultralight when you factor in the gas bottles. What are your recommendations? Any good old fashioned lightweight wood burning alternatives?
Sian replies:
I’ve never got on with Trangias, I find them fiddly. I like my MSR Switch, which I featured in my test of the best stoves: it boils water fast, but it’s not teeny tiny to fold up and carry. Jetboil do similar designs which are highly rated. I do also have a wood-burning Kelly Kettle, which I love! But it’s not pannier friendly. I’d give the MSR Switch a go for bikepacking, and try a Kelly Kettle for fun when you’re based in one campsite.
Easy kids’ camping meal ideas?
Sineadsavage asks: What are some realistic, fridge-free meal options for camping with kids?
Sian replies:
If you’re only camping for a few days, and don’t have a fridge or cool box, kids might enjoy ‘ration packs’ – freeze-dried, long-lasting instant camping meals you add boiling water to. I like Firepot, which are UK-made (I particularly liked the posh baked beans). Potatoes wrapped in foil and cooked in embers are great fun and don’t need to be stored in the fridge, as are marshmallows or s’mores for pudding of course! Sausage and bean stew is an easy staple. You can also make bannock bread, which is pre-made dough you can bring with you and wrap around sticks to bake. My toddler loves it smothered in jam for breakfast.
What are the best tents to keep out midges?
MetallicusFox asks: I can’t wear mosquito spray as it brings my skin up in welts. As a solo camper with a small dog are there any other options that are A) easy to carry and B) will hide/protect me AND my dog from the flying and crawling hordes of thirsty bloodsuckers in Scotland?
Sian replies:
In Scotland I’d arm yourself with a midge net around your face, a tent with a good mesh inner that keeps insects out such as the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, Smidge spray if your skin can tolerate it (I find it works brilliantly against midges in Scotland), or Avon’s Skin So Soft oil spray if you can’t: this isn’t actually designed for insects but seems to keep them at bay, and it smells lovely too! It looks like there are some good cedarwood oil sprays available that might help your dog.
Do campervans need awnings?
TobermoryNightlife asks: How do you feel about the massive family tent-sized awnings that some people attach to their campervans? Best of both worlds, or defeating the purpose of having a van?
Sian replies:
I always think they look a bit claustrophobic! When we had a vintage Bedford van (the automobile love of my life) we had a cheap awning on two poles we used for festivals and campsites without shade, I wouldn’t go bigger than that.