I’ve had the pleasure of testing a range of camping kit over the past few weeks, and these are the items that I’ll be taking to Glastonbury this year. Some may appear a little silly, others a bit too sensible – but I love them, and you will too.
First up – the tent. I rate the Jack Wolfskin Exolight II and the Vango Langley 400. Both felt secure, were easy to put up and were well-ventilated, so I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d slept in the boot of a car. However, the Langley 400 is a heavy piece of kit – but with two people carrying it, it should be fine. Vango also do a range of sleeping bags that kept us cosy in early spring – the Nitestar 450 and the Ultralite 600 are especially good. Paired with some pillows from home, a Cushtie pillow and our Campingaz Double Quick Airbed, my boyfriend and I slept soundly into the morning. I got up once in the night to tell a fox to shut up, and these LED camping lights were a godsend – no more fumbling for a missing torch or, Heaven forbid, using a lighter to find my way out of the tent.
If you own a mobile phone, please accept that it will run out of juice at some point and/or get damaged, and that’s where this lot comes in. Phone chargers such as the Patriot FUEL, the Veho Pebble and this emergency phone charger all varied in price, but performed brilliantly. Don’t forget that you might need a decent cover for your beloved iPhone – Otterbox and Lifeproof make cases that’ll make sure your phone survives drizzle, being dropped in mud and being crushed in your pocket.
Being a seasoned camper already (yes, that’s right – please don’t mock), I had an array of cooking stuff, but this lot are new additions I am rather fond of. This five-piece non-stick cookset and kettle set means no more scrubbing at blackened pans or having to choose between having tea or food – you know, when you have to make your tea THEN cook your breakfast. Infuriating.
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And what of clothing, you ask? Keep your crop tops – this is what I’ll be rocking in the queue for overpriced cider. My Mantua packaway jacket, my Regatta Trinity jacket, some chunky hiking socks to ensure my wellies don’t rub, and this Jack Wolfskin bag. Anyone who attempts to take a handbag to a festival with find out woefully soon what three days of mud and drunkenness does to leather and fragile straps.
In terms of footwear, my boyfriend rates his Bog’s Men Blaze High Olive wellies. He is known for getting funny about footwear (delicate feet), but he wore these on a 10k walk and no no foot injuries occurred. I have tried to steal them, but he’s having none of it.
Please don’t attempt anything without a warm coat and at least three pairs of pants. I’ve heard of people trying to survive on less and you always find them in the Red Cross tent on day three, looking a bit sorry for themselves and wrapped in a blanket.
Finally – toiletries. Stop rolling your eyes. I know you think all you need is a flannel and a toothbrush, but that’s not true. Here’s what I took – and will be taking again. CB12 mouthrinse and boost chewing gum, Haymax hayfever balm, Dioralyte, Opticrom hayfever eye drops, Anthisan bite cream, Cuticura anti bacterial hand serum, Murad face wipes, and Bio-ears earplugs. Seriously, nothing is getting through these. I used them after being woken by that fox and I slept until mid-morning. If you get loads of spots due to excessive gin consumption, Sudocrem Skin Care Cream will sort you out. You will probably end up smelling, whatever you do, but Right Guard worked well for me when I spent three booze-fuelled days in a field.
Oh, and glow in the dark loo roll. I’m not kidding – finding normal loo roll in a dark tent is a horrific, especially if you’re in a hurry, shall we say. And if you’re planning on risking the showers, take one of these ultra-thin beach towels – it won’t take up a huge amount of space, and my one dried mega-speedily, even in the weak March sunshine.
Image credit: Thinkstock
