Kit for smaller people still ought to be good to go (& grow with)...
izzy's kit list review
when I was little
Some of you might know me, i'm Izzy, I "moved up" to Cubs from Beavers recently, just before Easter 2012.
What you might not know about me is that as i've been ski-ing snowboarding & hiking in both Canada & Europe since my second birthday when I had my first long lesson on snow, my mum & dad have always insisted that if i'm to do the same sort of things as them then I need kit that is just as good or better than they wear themselves.
My dad is a bit of a green hippy & doesn't like to waste stuff so he looks at things very carefully, (too carefully ..my mum says) as part of our reduce, re-use, recycle way of life we don't have lots of kit stuffed away for the odd day of camp we try to use our gear all of the time.
It can get cold in Canada, REALLY cold, we are still outside in minus 45 C. (which is the average temperature in the Antarctic).
So we have to really think about what we take & will use, my dad packs his luggage so he can balance it on the palm of his hand, this means we have to have clothing & kit that work well, some of which i've listed below are also items we use for camping & hiking.
These are some of my bits & pieces that I use lots.
Thanks to my Dad who helped me with this page.
What you might not know about me is that as i've been ski-ing snowboarding & hiking in both Canada & Europe since my second birthday when I had my first long lesson on snow, my mum & dad have always insisted that if i'm to do the same sort of things as them then I need kit that is just as good or better than they wear themselves.
My dad is a bit of a green hippy & doesn't like to waste stuff so he looks at things very carefully, (too carefully ..my mum says) as part of our reduce, re-use, recycle way of life we don't have lots of kit stuffed away for the odd day of camp we try to use our gear all of the time.
It can get cold in Canada, REALLY cold, we are still outside in minus 45 C. (which is the average temperature in the Antarctic).
So we have to really think about what we take & will use, my dad packs his luggage so he can balance it on the palm of his hand, this means we have to have clothing & kit that work well, some of which i've listed below are also items we use for camping & hiking.
These are some of my bits & pieces that I use lots.
Thanks to my Dad who helped me with this page.
Lowe alpine "POLArtec" fleece
I wear a Lowe alpine fleece to school as my school jumper because it's warmer, is warm even if it gets soaked & it's loads tougher than the school jumpers people tend to get from supermarkets.
I have 3 of them which we bought from ebay, so they are being recycled, the one I started school with still fits & i'm about to go into year 4 because they're hard to shrink or stretch & don't wear out quickly.
I use them at home, for trekking camping & just lounging around at home, especially snug in winter, each one cost around £4 which is about the same as a cold cotton school jumper that stretches & breaks really easily.
Other fleeces I own are just as tough, "Pumpkin patch" sell good funky fleeces & cotswold outdoor for "craghopper" or "regatta"(for example also sell micro fleeces (that's a "100" fleece, the thin underlayer).
Good fleeces don't need to be expensive ..if it's got "polartec" 100, 200, 300 written on the label expect to pay more because they last & are the warmest fleece types available!
(some of my dad's fleeces are 20 years old & still going strong)!
DON'T wash your fleeces with any fabric conditioner, make sure the washing machine hasn't had any in it for at least 3 washes before you wash your fleeces. tumble dry on low heat ...don't iron them!
Additional general information.
The fleeces available nowadays are far from the original fleeces that were in essence like a jumper. When fleece jackets were first available they were a revolution in outdoor wear, compared it’s predecessor - wool and multiple layers, however it did have two major drawbacks - the fleece was not at all windproof and neither was it waterproof. That said one of the big advantages of fleece jackets is that when they do get wet they dry out incredibly quickly. Most people wanted a jacket that could do all things though and it was this that led to the introduction of multilayered jackets where the fleece would zip in to a waterproof and windproof shell.
In the past five years fleeces have become increasing technical and with the advances in breathable materials have become windproof and shower proof. Although better from a features point of view, this has made the fleece feel not a soft as it used to as the fabric has some stiffness to it – but I guess you can’t have everything.
One of the big factors that contributed to the popularity of the fleece was its warmth to weight ratio. They are incredibly light and can be packed down very small and this meant that they were a great addition to any walkers rucksack or day sack.
The sort of fleece you choose to buy will be very dependant on what you want it for, if you only want it to walk the dog, it’s unlikely that you will be too bothered about the weight and size of it, if you do mountain marathons the weight and packed size will probably be one of the most critical items on your list. Here’s a list of features to look out for depending on what you want to do with your fleece:
Materials
I have 3 of them which we bought from ebay, so they are being recycled, the one I started school with still fits & i'm about to go into year 4 because they're hard to shrink or stretch & don't wear out quickly.
I use them at home, for trekking camping & just lounging around at home, especially snug in winter, each one cost around £4 which is about the same as a cold cotton school jumper that stretches & breaks really easily.
Other fleeces I own are just as tough, "Pumpkin patch" sell good funky fleeces & cotswold outdoor for "craghopper" or "regatta"(for example also sell micro fleeces (that's a "100" fleece, the thin underlayer).
Good fleeces don't need to be expensive ..if it's got "polartec" 100, 200, 300 written on the label expect to pay more because they last & are the warmest fleece types available!
(some of my dad's fleeces are 20 years old & still going strong)!
DON'T wash your fleeces with any fabric conditioner, make sure the washing machine hasn't had any in it for at least 3 washes before you wash your fleeces. tumble dry on low heat ...don't iron them!
Additional general information.
The fleeces available nowadays are far from the original fleeces that were in essence like a jumper. When fleece jackets were first available they were a revolution in outdoor wear, compared it’s predecessor - wool and multiple layers, however it did have two major drawbacks - the fleece was not at all windproof and neither was it waterproof. That said one of the big advantages of fleece jackets is that when they do get wet they dry out incredibly quickly. Most people wanted a jacket that could do all things though and it was this that led to the introduction of multilayered jackets where the fleece would zip in to a waterproof and windproof shell.
In the past five years fleeces have become increasing technical and with the advances in breathable materials have become windproof and shower proof. Although better from a features point of view, this has made the fleece feel not a soft as it used to as the fabric has some stiffness to it – but I guess you can’t have everything.
One of the big factors that contributed to the popularity of the fleece was its warmth to weight ratio. They are incredibly light and can be packed down very small and this meant that they were a great addition to any walkers rucksack or day sack.
The sort of fleece you choose to buy will be very dependant on what you want it for, if you only want it to walk the dog, it’s unlikely that you will be too bothered about the weight and size of it, if you do mountain marathons the weight and packed size will probably be one of the most critical items on your list. Here’s a list of features to look out for depending on what you want to do with your fleece:
Materials
- Fleeces are generally made from 100% polyester, in terms of fleeces though Polartec® have pretty much cornered the market on fleece materials. Most technical fleeces will be made from a Polartec® materials and they have a vast range. Their classic range comes as a 100, 200 and 300 type and this denoted their weight. The 100 is the lightest weight fabric which is more suited to a base layer, the 200 is and everyday use type material and the 300 a heavy duty extreme cold condition type material. From a safety point of view it is fair to say that fleeces used to set alight rather well, the newer material are flame resistant and won’t melt or drip on the skin. If you regularly sit in front of fires with and old fleece maybe it’s time for an upgrade.
- Pockets
If you fleece is for an outer layer you will definitely want it to have pockets. Base layers fleeces generally won’t because you won’t have access to them. Look for zipped hand pockets and a large zipped chest pocket as a minimum. Other useful places to have pockets are on the arm as access to them will not become restricted when you are wearing a rucksack on your back.
- Reinforced shoulders
This has two benefits, firstly the shoulder pads can be made of a water resistant material and secondly they will prevent wear of your fleece if you regularly use a rucksack. You may think it’s a bit odd to just have waterproof shoulders but if you’re walking this in the main contact area with the rain.
- High neck
- Zip Length
This is personal preference really, you get either a full length zipper or a chest zip. Having a full length zip does make it easier to get the fleece off, but does give more opportunities for draughts to creep in.
- Cuffs
Cuffs come in three varieties – elasticized, Velcro adjustable and open. I wouldn’t recommend the open sort but would recommend the Velcro sort. You may pay a little bit more for adjustable cuffs but it does mean that when you get hot you can roll the sleeves up without damaging the elastic in the cuff.
- Elastic hem cord
Some fleeces come with an adjustable hem; you can pull them tight in colder weather. If you do go for a fleece jacket with an elasticated hem choose one that is a one handed operation. You’ll know if it’s one handed because the toggle it fixed in position and you can pull the elastic through it without having to hold it.
- Ventilation
The more expensive fleeces come with zippered ventilation under the arms. This is a great feature as sometime you’re a bit too warm but it’s not warm enough to take off the fleece. The zipped underarm allows you to be at just the right temperature.
Lightweight
Popular Materials:
Description & Use:
|
Midweight
Popular Materials:
Description & Use:
|
Heavyweight
Popular Materials:
Description & Use:
|
Windproof
Popular Materials:
Description & Use:
|
Hopefully this has given some tips on choosing your next fleece.
L.m.f. Sporks
We use sporks every day!
They are really good fun for children (we have lots of them) & dad gobbles porridge with vanilla sugar from his every day!
As we fly to Canada alot my dad doesn't like meal times in the air as there isn't much room.
So he rang the airline security people to make sure that he wouldn't get stopped & have it taken off him, as it's plastic cutlery you can travel around with one in your pocket, this means gobbling foods is easier & especially at camp when you are balancing your food on your lap, or on holiday when you just need a fork or spoon on the beach or in your hotel...or wedged in a tiny seat trying to have a meal in the air.(elbow's everywhere)
There are cheaper versions around but we like the original spork from "Light my fire" as we use some of their other stuff too, they're good for a yoghurt in packed lunches, salads or to chop up a banana for example.
..you can chop up a burger with one but will have a tough time with steak!
flexible & comfy , now in smaller sizes for little kids too!
Price around £1.99 (original spork)
Izzy's rating: 8 /10
Because its not too good when buttering bread, & you can't use it in a camp frying pan, otherwise my favourite!
They are really good fun for children (we have lots of them) & dad gobbles porridge with vanilla sugar from his every day!
As we fly to Canada alot my dad doesn't like meal times in the air as there isn't much room.
So he rang the airline security people to make sure that he wouldn't get stopped & have it taken off him, as it's plastic cutlery you can travel around with one in your pocket, this means gobbling foods is easier & especially at camp when you are balancing your food on your lap, or on holiday when you just need a fork or spoon on the beach or in your hotel...or wedged in a tiny seat trying to have a meal in the air.(elbow's everywhere)
There are cheaper versions around but we like the original spork from "Light my fire" as we use some of their other stuff too, they're good for a yoghurt in packed lunches, salads or to chop up a banana for example.
..you can chop up a burger with one but will have a tough time with steak!
flexible & comfy , now in smaller sizes for little kids too!
Price around £1.99 (original spork)
Izzy's rating: 8 /10
Because its not too good when buttering bread, & you can't use it in a camp frying pan, otherwise my favourite!
summary of the spork
Like.
Light My Fire spork can spear pasta and hold soup far easier than any other similar item. The proper spoon and fork are at either end, making it very useful, very easy to clean, as it's one piece there is less to balance or drop!
Dislike.
Co-polyester = brittle, it won't last forever so don't use it for a food fight! It also has a fairly low melting point, don't cook from a frying pan with it or it will melt! ...try a micro-bites as an alternative (it has a spatula knife / spreader.
Best Used for
Light My Fire Spork is best used for general camping or backpacking.
The LMF spork can’t really be used for cooking, it's purely an eating tool & is best for kids because it has a proper spoon, & a proper fork (great for noodles. ...but if you play around with it, expect it to snap & have to use your fingers for the rest of your trip!
Light My Fire spork can spear pasta and hold soup far easier than any other similar item. The proper spoon and fork are at either end, making it very useful, very easy to clean, as it's one piece there is less to balance or drop!
Dislike.
Co-polyester = brittle, it won't last forever so don't use it for a food fight! It also has a fairly low melting point, don't cook from a frying pan with it or it will melt! ...try a micro-bites as an alternative (it has a spatula knife / spreader.
Best Used for
Light My Fire Spork is best used for general camping or backpacking.
The LMF spork can’t really be used for cooking, it's purely an eating tool & is best for kids because it has a proper spoon, & a proper fork (great for noodles. ...but if you play around with it, expect it to snap & have to use your fingers for the rest of your trip!
Alpkit (wet & dry bag) ...Airlok xtra
WATERPROOF!
My dad uses this to store his sleeping bag, storing his camp-stove or as a bag to collect wood fuel, & even to collect water.
It can be used to store stuff on the handlebars of a mountain bike.
& it makes a good pillow if you trap air in it!
Dad lets me use it for night-hikes & to store my wet swimming kit & towel, he keeps his emergency gear in it when he's on the mountains or in back-country deep snow.
We love Alpkit because it's designed by people who sit & think "I need something different" & then make it themselves!
Tough, easy to open & close & keeps your kit dry!
Will take the knocks at school or travelling in it's stride, as you can simply pop a small patch over any hole or abrasion you make & glue it on, just like a bike inner tube with a puncture! ..this means it will last & last & give you many years of use without having to replace it, (reduce, re-use, recycle)
Prices from £5 to £14 (depending on size needed ..up to 65 litres, a small packed adult sleeping bag will fit in an 8 litre bag if squeezed.
Izzy's rating 10 /10 light easy to use walking, on bikes, or motorcycles or on a boat, keeps water out, keeps stuff dry! ..
or wet things contained!
My dad uses this to store his sleeping bag, storing his camp-stove or as a bag to collect wood fuel, & even to collect water.
It can be used to store stuff on the handlebars of a mountain bike.
& it makes a good pillow if you trap air in it!
Dad lets me use it for night-hikes & to store my wet swimming kit & towel, he keeps his emergency gear in it when he's on the mountains or in back-country deep snow.
We love Alpkit because it's designed by people who sit & think "I need something different" & then make it themselves!
Tough, easy to open & close & keeps your kit dry!
Will take the knocks at school or travelling in it's stride, as you can simply pop a small patch over any hole or abrasion you make & glue it on, just like a bike inner tube with a puncture! ..this means it will last & last & give you many years of use without having to replace it, (reduce, re-use, recycle)
Prices from £5 to £14 (depending on size needed ..up to 65 litres, a small packed adult sleeping bag will fit in an 8 litre bag if squeezed.
Izzy's rating 10 /10 light easy to use walking, on bikes, or motorcycles or on a boat, keeps water out, keeps stuff dry! ..
or wet things contained!
Airlok bags (thinner, lighter, cheaper)
These are from the same company as the bags above "Alpkit" & are superb for stuffing a fleece in the bottom of your pack or double bagging your sleeping bag whilst keeping it light.
These bags are "siliconised" which keeps them waterproof (re-proofing needed occasionally) & are mega-light
They have the same "roll-top" widemouth access, available in many different sizes these are great daybags to provide basic protection from dust, snow moisture & water!
These weigh almost nothing & make good pillows when filled with air & stuffed with spare clothing, this saves me taking a pillow to camp (more to carry).
prices from £3.50.
Alpkit also have fleece lined bags with drawstrings to keep your phone or electronic bits & pieces safer & less likely to be scratched check out their range it's a great site!
Izzy's rating 10/10 ..less bulk than a travel pillow & with lot's more uses!
These bags are "siliconised" which keeps them waterproof (re-proofing needed occasionally) & are mega-light
They have the same "roll-top" widemouth access, available in many different sizes these are great daybags to provide basic protection from dust, snow moisture & water!
These weigh almost nothing & make good pillows when filled with air & stuffed with spare clothing, this saves me taking a pillow to camp (more to carry).
prices from £3.50.
Alpkit also have fleece lined bags with drawstrings to keep your phone or electronic bits & pieces safer & less likely to be scratched check out their range it's a great site!
Izzy's rating 10/10 ..less bulk than a travel pillow & with lot's more uses!
A mini sharpie pen
Put Your Name On Your Stuff:
The techniques have changed over the years (sewing in labels, ironing on name-tags, etc.), but the core idea is the same: In a group of kids your age who go to the same camp, a lot of you are going to have the same clothes, the same flip-flops, the same iPod. So put your name on everything. EVERYTHING. Buy a fine-point Sharpie and get your name (or at least your first initial and last name) ..even on that toothbrush!
costs around a pound, but saves you a fortune in lost gear!
Another excellent pen (especially for writing on dark materials) is a gold or silver Staedtler paint marker pen.
Chances are you already have a sharpie pen around your home, "use it or lose it"
The techniques have changed over the years (sewing in labels, ironing on name-tags, etc.), but the core idea is the same: In a group of kids your age who go to the same camp, a lot of you are going to have the same clothes, the same flip-flops, the same iPod. So put your name on everything. EVERYTHING. Buy a fine-point Sharpie and get your name (or at least your first initial and last name) ..even on that toothbrush!
costs around a pound, but saves you a fortune in lost gear!
Another excellent pen (especially for writing on dark materials) is a gold or silver Staedtler paint marker pen.
Chances are you already have a sharpie pen around your home, "use it or lose it"
GOOD, (NOT NECESSARILY EXPENSIVE) SOCKS FOR SPORT & HIKES
When you have worn the same socks for many days on end whilst travelling you suddenly understand the difference between "good & bad" socks.
My dad started ski-ing many years ago, everyone wore flannel cotton tube socks which ended up soaking within a few hours & became very uncomfy & painful to wear...
His hiking socks when a boy were thick wool which could get really sore over a few days of wear on the scottish mountains & always felt wet!
But luckily nowadays we know lots about socks & feet & you can wear the same hiking or ski socks for a good amount of time before they get cheesey, so are often better than your normal school socks! ..& if they make that much difference it does make you wonder why we don't just have proper socks, (just less of them) in the sock drawer!?
This type of sock helps let your feet breathe by "wicking" warm, wet, sweaty air away keeping your feet cosier & drier on your activity.
A sport / trekking sock can be very cheap for the wear you get out of them, my dad will take only 2 or 3 pairs with him for a 2 or 3 week winter holiday, he used to have to take a pair for every single day! ..that makes for much lighter luggage or room in a backpack if hiking & camping.
You CAN spend up to £20 on a pair of socks for an adult ..but you don't necessarily have to.
My Socks are the same, hiking socks & ski socks are padded in places where normal socks aren't so are incredibly comfy to wear without feeling so hot & tired.
Bridgedale socks are available in most camping & sport shops, they are made in the uk & there are many different types for different sports & hobbies...
Right now, i'm wearing Bridgedale Coolfusion Hike Junior socks to school & simply for playing out, or going for a hike with Cubs.
http://www.bridgedale.com/hike-junior they have padded heels & toes so are super comfy, & designed to let your feet breathe more, (so even in trainers my feet are less stinky).
Having an RRP of £6.99 they might become your favourite socks!
Dad has a hard time getting me to wear "normal" socks these days because they are so comfortable, ..whether you are out shopping, hiking or simply trudging around a car boot sale or lost deep inside a giant DIY store, in fact recently, dad caught me wearing my Bridgedales in bed as they are so comfy & warm! (tut-tut) ..but that's not so bad really as I was seeing how comfy they were to wear over a weekend without taking them off, & you often need to wear socks in a sleeping bag ...in fact that's why it's a good idea to have extra pairs of GOOD sport & trekking socks, so you can put a clean pair on before you go to sleep & have extra foot warmth (& better sleep) when camping outside!
Good socks last, so don't suffer tired achey feet, ..invest in a good pair (or two) & see what I mean, sadly we do not treat our feet to the same level of technology as we do other parts of our kit, but feet really are SO important to keep happy alert & mobile!
Izzy's rating: 10 / 10 ..because fresh feeling feet let you do so much more!
Note: i'm off hiking with my family in Crete (spring 2013) to really test these socks out, & will update you then.
My dad started ski-ing many years ago, everyone wore flannel cotton tube socks which ended up soaking within a few hours & became very uncomfy & painful to wear...
His hiking socks when a boy were thick wool which could get really sore over a few days of wear on the scottish mountains & always felt wet!
But luckily nowadays we know lots about socks & feet & you can wear the same hiking or ski socks for a good amount of time before they get cheesey, so are often better than your normal school socks! ..& if they make that much difference it does make you wonder why we don't just have proper socks, (just less of them) in the sock drawer!?
This type of sock helps let your feet breathe by "wicking" warm, wet, sweaty air away keeping your feet cosier & drier on your activity.
A sport / trekking sock can be very cheap for the wear you get out of them, my dad will take only 2 or 3 pairs with him for a 2 or 3 week winter holiday, he used to have to take a pair for every single day! ..that makes for much lighter luggage or room in a backpack if hiking & camping.
You CAN spend up to £20 on a pair of socks for an adult ..but you don't necessarily have to.
My Socks are the same, hiking socks & ski socks are padded in places where normal socks aren't so are incredibly comfy to wear without feeling so hot & tired.
Bridgedale socks are available in most camping & sport shops, they are made in the uk & there are many different types for different sports & hobbies...
Right now, i'm wearing Bridgedale Coolfusion Hike Junior socks to school & simply for playing out, or going for a hike with Cubs.
http://www.bridgedale.com/hike-junior they have padded heels & toes so are super comfy, & designed to let your feet breathe more, (so even in trainers my feet are less stinky).
Having an RRP of £6.99 they might become your favourite socks!
Dad has a hard time getting me to wear "normal" socks these days because they are so comfortable, ..whether you are out shopping, hiking or simply trudging around a car boot sale or lost deep inside a giant DIY store, in fact recently, dad caught me wearing my Bridgedales in bed as they are so comfy & warm! (tut-tut) ..but that's not so bad really as I was seeing how comfy they were to wear over a weekend without taking them off, & you often need to wear socks in a sleeping bag ...in fact that's why it's a good idea to have extra pairs of GOOD sport & trekking socks, so you can put a clean pair on before you go to sleep & have extra foot warmth (& better sleep) when camping outside!
Good socks last, so don't suffer tired achey feet, ..invest in a good pair (or two) & see what I mean, sadly we do not treat our feet to the same level of technology as we do other parts of our kit, but feet really are SO important to keep happy alert & mobile!
Izzy's rating: 10 / 10 ..because fresh feeling feet let you do so much more!
Note: i'm off hiking with my family in Crete (spring 2013) to really test these socks out, & will update you then.
Tog 24 clothing
http://www.tog24.com/
Some of my first proper winter clothing was Tog24 & was good enough layered to keep me warm in extreme temperatures (minus 25 to minus 45 degrees in snowstorms ..they have some really good sales & so you can get their polartec (& similar) fleeces really cheaply, lots of people use this brand because it works well in winter weather, they have sales of good quality jackets for around £29.95 reduced from £70 which are good for school & up a mountain., ..funky jackets to use all year round ..for several years
You do have to keep an eye out online for their sales but if you wan't to look & try out at their clothing, there is a store in Peterborough on the same site as Cotswold outdoor.
Other places to find technical jackets cheaply ..TK Maxx when they sell their ski clothing.
Look for at least 5000 /5000 which shows how waterproof & breathable over 24hours a jacket can be.
We like "Orage" a french brand thats worn by lots of people in Canada where they know BAD weather & which clothing works.
Some of my first proper winter clothing was Tog24 & was good enough layered to keep me warm in extreme temperatures (minus 25 to minus 45 degrees in snowstorms ..they have some really good sales & so you can get their polartec (& similar) fleeces really cheaply, lots of people use this brand because it works well in winter weather, they have sales of good quality jackets for around £29.95 reduced from £70 which are good for school & up a mountain., ..funky jackets to use all year round ..for several years
You do have to keep an eye out online for their sales but if you wan't to look & try out at their clothing, there is a store in Peterborough on the same site as Cotswold outdoor.
Other places to find technical jackets cheaply ..TK Maxx when they sell their ski clothing.
Look for at least 5000 /5000 which shows how waterproof & breathable over 24hours a jacket can be.
We like "Orage" a french brand thats worn by lots of people in Canada where they know BAD weather & which clothing works.
Camp blanket (fleece)
I want to stay warm so I wrap this over my back, it also makes for a nice pillow stuffing if it's too warm to use the blanket as an extra layer in my sleeping bag.
Fleece around £3.99 from Dunelm
TOP-TIP ..which side of a new fleece blanket is which? ..pour a tiny dribble of water on one side & see if it "beads" ..that's the water repellent side , so stick your old badges on that side!
How to make one HERE
Fleece around £3.99 from Dunelm
TOP-TIP ..which side of a new fleece blanket is which? ..pour a tiny dribble of water on one side & see if it "beads" ..that's the water repellent side , so stick your old badges on that side!
How to make one HERE
A good nights sleep (on a good self inflating sleep mat)
http://www.alpkit.com/sleeping-mats/features
Because you really need to know what you are buying & why you are buying it! ..otherwise it's pain, cold & a restless night (NO SLEEP)
We have one particular sleep mat that is fought over constantly for camping trips (dad loses)
It's used for days in the park when i'm splashing around at the local outdoor pool & dad reckons it's comfier than a lot of hotel beds he's slept in!
We recently used it to sleep for 2 whole weeks on the floor keeping an eye on our newborn puppies!
(a great investment, & you can leave it unrolled under a bed)
from £25.00 & useful for the whole family! ...far comfier than a picnic blanket!
Because you really need to know what you are buying & why you are buying it! ..otherwise it's pain, cold & a restless night (NO SLEEP)
We have one particular sleep mat that is fought over constantly for camping trips (dad loses)
It's used for days in the park when i'm splashing around at the local outdoor pool & dad reckons it's comfier than a lot of hotel beds he's slept in!
We recently used it to sleep for 2 whole weeks on the floor keeping an eye on our newborn puppies!
(a great investment, & you can leave it unrolled under a bed)
from £25.00 & useful for the whole family! ...far comfier than a picnic blanket!
L.M.F. fire fork
These are really useful especially for doubling up on toasted marshmallows around a campfire or to pin a sausage safely to sizzle!
very small & saves whittling a stick each time, the spring adjusts well around sticks of different thicknesses.
as it's steel it's very easy to clean & has a protector for when you've finished (in case it's sticky or greasy) so it's not messy in your pocket or backback!
I'm too young to whittle a stick properly at the moment so for kids like me this is super ..(& especially useful when dad has forgotten his knife)
Can hold 2 normal sausages or one jumbo sausage!
Very light, Tough, self adjusting. might not seem cheap but worth the money rrp £4.95
Izzy's rating 8 /10 ..because it means we get to scoff easily & quickly when there's a campfire.
TOP-TIP Love roasted marshmallows but always burn the outside? You'll always have the perfection of a melted middle inside a golden crust if you dip the marshmallow in water before holding it over the flame.
very small & saves whittling a stick each time, the spring adjusts well around sticks of different thicknesses.
as it's steel it's very easy to clean & has a protector for when you've finished (in case it's sticky or greasy) so it's not messy in your pocket or backback!
I'm too young to whittle a stick properly at the moment so for kids like me this is super ..(& especially useful when dad has forgotten his knife)
Can hold 2 normal sausages or one jumbo sausage!
Very light, Tough, self adjusting. might not seem cheap but worth the money rrp £4.95
Izzy's rating 8 /10 ..because it means we get to scoff easily & quickly when there's a campfire.
TOP-TIP Love roasted marshmallows but always burn the outside? You'll always have the perfection of a melted middle inside a golden crust if you dip the marshmallow in water before holding it over the flame.
Thermals
My favourites are by "Patagonia" but there are loads of brands selling good thermals including "Damart" ..always go for sportier styles as they tend not to rub because they are designed for movement & cut to fit the body a lot better.
Thermals make for good pyjama layering on a cold night in a tent, they are good for general winter wear or up a mountain. always pack a set of extra thermals as your pyjama's they keep you warmer in your sleeping bag, which needs you to heat it up!
Sometimes people think that thermals are not cool, ...but if you wear these you won't be going home early because you are wet, miserable & cold, ..you'll be toasty warm & happy!
Thermals make for good pyjama layering on a cold night in a tent, they are good for general winter wear or up a mountain. always pack a set of extra thermals as your pyjama's they keep you warmer in your sleeping bag, which needs you to heat it up!
Sometimes people think that thermals are not cool, ...but if you wear these you won't be going home early because you are wet, miserable & cold, ..you'll be toasty warm & happy!
Good "2 season + " sleeping bag
A good "mummy shape" bag with a hood means i'm not grumpy in the morning (unless others kept me awake)
When not in use you need to put it on a hanger so it doesn't scrunch up, even if you do this a few times a year it will help you stay warm & keep your bag useful for longer.
The other important thing about sleeping bags is try not to wash them unless they get really stinky as washing often separates the filling making gaps in the warm material that you won't see but will then have cold spots in your bag letting body heat pour out.
always look at the "comfort rating" to get an idea of how warm it will be, sleeping bag comfort ratings are designed with a dressed person in mind, it's not like you should really strip off completely into thin pyjama's to sleep in your bag, they certainly don't do that on big cold mountains, & if really cold keep their jackets on in the sleeping bag, you could do the same if it's cold or there is lots of water around (water drops the temperature.
But if you do need to be semi dressed make sure it's tomorrows DRY clothing you change into before bed! ..not what you have been wearing & sweating in all day!
My 1st Sleeping bag was by "Blacks" camping shop, & is fine for cub camps it was around £9.00 in a sale ..so it's good for sleep-overs at friends too. if i'm going somewhere cold i'll borrow my dad's sleeping bag or put mine inside his.
I am just about growing out of it after 5 solid years of use.
Save time though & check out our recommendation for a GREAT bag for beavers & cubs, which will probably be very popular at home, visiting friends, garden camp outs etc...
Let me give you some blog page information on a beavers & cubs performance sleeping bag at a really good price, click here for a new page on the Snugpak Laponie sleeping bag which if i'd had this bag it would have worked out at less than £4.60 per year of use.
When my bedroom is cold in winter i'll use my sleeping bag as an extra blanket.
Always practise zipping up your sleeping bag so that it doesn't get stuck or you could spend a very cold night awake & miserable!
choose one with a black inner lining, so in the morning you can turn it inside out to dry out any damp, (if sunny black absorbs heat well) keeping your sleeping bag fresh & dry for the next night it's needed.
Don't send a kid to camp with a duvet, as they don't seal & hold in the heat! ..plan ahead & borrow one, make a sheet liner so it doesn't need washing (you really try not to wash a sleeping bag)
Prices from £23.99 to £65 (depending on material filling, quality zips & temperature requirements etc).
Izzy's rating 10 /10 ..you can't put a price on a good nights sleep! the Snugpak Laponie works really well compared to the uncertainty of other shop bought "cheapies" ..you won't be able to get rid of your kids for camping weekends if they don't enjoy it!
Sleep warm & well at night, this has enough of a versatile temperature range to be a really useful piece of kit across the seasons.
When not in use you need to put it on a hanger so it doesn't scrunch up, even if you do this a few times a year it will help you stay warm & keep your bag useful for longer.
The other important thing about sleeping bags is try not to wash them unless they get really stinky as washing often separates the filling making gaps in the warm material that you won't see but will then have cold spots in your bag letting body heat pour out.
always look at the "comfort rating" to get an idea of how warm it will be, sleeping bag comfort ratings are designed with a dressed person in mind, it's not like you should really strip off completely into thin pyjama's to sleep in your bag, they certainly don't do that on big cold mountains, & if really cold keep their jackets on in the sleeping bag, you could do the same if it's cold or there is lots of water around (water drops the temperature.
But if you do need to be semi dressed make sure it's tomorrows DRY clothing you change into before bed! ..not what you have been wearing & sweating in all day!
My 1st Sleeping bag was by "Blacks" camping shop, & is fine for cub camps it was around £9.00 in a sale ..so it's good for sleep-overs at friends too. if i'm going somewhere cold i'll borrow my dad's sleeping bag or put mine inside his.
I am just about growing out of it after 5 solid years of use.
Save time though & check out our recommendation for a GREAT bag for beavers & cubs, which will probably be very popular at home, visiting friends, garden camp outs etc...
Let me give you some blog page information on a beavers & cubs performance sleeping bag at a really good price, click here for a new page on the Snugpak Laponie sleeping bag which if i'd had this bag it would have worked out at less than £4.60 per year of use.
When my bedroom is cold in winter i'll use my sleeping bag as an extra blanket.
Always practise zipping up your sleeping bag so that it doesn't get stuck or you could spend a very cold night awake & miserable!
choose one with a black inner lining, so in the morning you can turn it inside out to dry out any damp, (if sunny black absorbs heat well) keeping your sleeping bag fresh & dry for the next night it's needed.
Don't send a kid to camp with a duvet, as they don't seal & hold in the heat! ..plan ahead & borrow one, make a sheet liner so it doesn't need washing (you really try not to wash a sleeping bag)
Prices from £23.99 to £65 (depending on material filling, quality zips & temperature requirements etc).
Izzy's rating 10 /10 ..you can't put a price on a good nights sleep! the Snugpak Laponie works really well compared to the uncertainty of other shop bought "cheapies" ..you won't be able to get rid of your kids for camping weekends if they don't enjoy it!
Sleep warm & well at night, this has enough of a versatile temperature range to be a really useful piece of kit across the seasons.
Water bottle
Our SIGG bottles
Eating food takes up lots of energy & water, hiking & sport takes up lots of energy!
Drink water before you go out & plan for toilet breaks along the way.
My bottles are by "Sigg" they are the only brand I can safely store squash in for several days without it going fizzy (fermenting) ..& vimto is my favourite because that can stay ok to drink for a week if you have other sources of water.
It's made of aluminium with a special liner inside so it's safe to drink from, (unlike lots of other bottles), we have a special pouch made from wet-suit material that helps keep drinks colder for longer & also if dropped it doesn't dent it much.
Dad say's that people don't care about dents in their water bottles because you can often remember where you were travelling & what you were doing when it got a dent in it.
Mine are a 600ml / 21 fluid ounce bottles which if i'm out & about can still need re-filling, ..that's 2 cans of drink nearly!
Prices from £3.95 to £18 ..look out for them at dunelm as sometimes they have them really cheap.
Izzy's rating 10 /10
Sigg's LAST & are probably the safest brand of bottle to drink from, I use mine at school & home every day, so it's a good investment they are not cheap but worth saving up for or as a birthday present.
Sigg have hundred's of different designs ..plenty to choose from to make it really special, they also have different lids & caps so look & see which is best for you.
Collecting Sigg's is a bit of a family hobby in our house, if we go away somewhere special it's good to have one as a trip reminder & it saves a lot of plastic disposable bottles ..my dad has been using them for a quarter of a century!
(simply rinse & drain, sterilise with milton tabs periodically & scrub inside with a soft brush if left for long periods of time)
A 2007 New York Times article reported Americans consume more than 30 billion (30 thousand Million) single-serving bottles of water annually. (Wow.) The Consumer Recycling Institute estimates at least half, and probably closer to 75%, of these bottles turn into waste. That means they wind up in landfills, get incinerated or turn into litter. (Double wow.)
Those figures do not take into account the materials (petroleum being chief among them), production costs and transportation costs associated with plastic bottles. It makes better sense to find a good reusable water bottle to carry with you on and off the trail.
How to Choose a Water Bottle
All water bottles (and food containers) Should be checked for construction without the use of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has raised health safety questions. look below to quickly compare each material.
Water Bottle Materials
BPA is not banned in the uk or Europe!
But is banned in Canada & America!
Drink water before you go out & plan for toilet breaks along the way.
My bottles are by "Sigg" they are the only brand I can safely store squash in for several days without it going fizzy (fermenting) ..& vimto is my favourite because that can stay ok to drink for a week if you have other sources of water.
It's made of aluminium with a special liner inside so it's safe to drink from, (unlike lots of other bottles), we have a special pouch made from wet-suit material that helps keep drinks colder for longer & also if dropped it doesn't dent it much.
Dad say's that people don't care about dents in their water bottles because you can often remember where you were travelling & what you were doing when it got a dent in it.
Mine are a 600ml / 21 fluid ounce bottles which if i'm out & about can still need re-filling, ..that's 2 cans of drink nearly!
Prices from £3.95 to £18 ..look out for them at dunelm as sometimes they have them really cheap.
Izzy's rating 10 /10
Sigg's LAST & are probably the safest brand of bottle to drink from, I use mine at school & home every day, so it's a good investment they are not cheap but worth saving up for or as a birthday present.
Sigg have hundred's of different designs ..plenty to choose from to make it really special, they also have different lids & caps so look & see which is best for you.
Collecting Sigg's is a bit of a family hobby in our house, if we go away somewhere special it's good to have one as a trip reminder & it saves a lot of plastic disposable bottles ..my dad has been using them for a quarter of a century!
(simply rinse & drain, sterilise with milton tabs periodically & scrub inside with a soft brush if left for long periods of time)
A 2007 New York Times article reported Americans consume more than 30 billion (30 thousand Million) single-serving bottles of water annually. (Wow.) The Consumer Recycling Institute estimates at least half, and probably closer to 75%, of these bottles turn into waste. That means they wind up in landfills, get incinerated or turn into litter. (Double wow.)
Those figures do not take into account the materials (petroleum being chief among them), production costs and transportation costs associated with plastic bottles. It makes better sense to find a good reusable water bottle to carry with you on and off the trail.
How to Choose a Water Bottle
All water bottles (and food containers) Should be checked for construction without the use of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has raised health safety questions. look below to quickly compare each material.
Water Bottle Materials
BPA is not banned in the uk or Europe!
But is banned in Canada & America!
Aluminum Sigg Bottles ..(our pick)
Lightweight, rugged material. Can't shatter. Appropriate for most outdoor pursuits.
Since August 2008, SIGG says its bottles use a new taste-neutral, food-compatible "EcoCare" liner that it states is made from a powder-based copolyester and is free of BPA.
Our personal preference due to design, service support, ability to mix & match lid's, sport tops, cooler pouches, long life potential, taint free drinking, recyclability, toughness & positive results in tests of their bottles. |
Polypropylene
A plastic used in a wide variety of products and textiles. Appropriate for rugged outdoor pursuits.
|
Rice krispies bar (original)
photo courtesy David Locke1
Great trail food or a regular snackfood in our house!
Very light, even if squashed flat they still taste good & sweet!
We take these up the mountain with us, because chocolate bars melt or freeze solid so can cause a mess or just be a pain to eat, if we rush out early in the morning & ski / snowboard all day we stop & eat a few.
Because of the deep snow you can end up falling over & rolling around, unlike a banana in your pack that can get squished & smeared everywhere rice krispie bars just taste good whatever shape they are.
They are really simple to make before a hike!
Prices from £0.45p
Izzy's rating 10 /10 ..snacktastic!
Don't forget to check the ingredients in case you have an allergy!
Very light, even if squashed flat they still taste good & sweet!
We take these up the mountain with us, because chocolate bars melt or freeze solid so can cause a mess or just be a pain to eat, if we rush out early in the morning & ski / snowboard all day we stop & eat a few.
Because of the deep snow you can end up falling over & rolling around, unlike a banana in your pack that can get squished & smeared everywhere rice krispie bars just taste good whatever shape they are.
They are really simple to make before a hike!
Prices from £0.45p
Izzy's rating 10 /10 ..snacktastic!
Don't forget to check the ingredients in case you have an allergy!
EARPLUGS
These can save you a lot of angry words if others are noisy when you are trying to sleep.
Get bright ones so you can find them easily & always pack them at the top of your bag so you can reach them on a plane, coach or in a crowded tent, that way you aren't so tired & cross later on, it's important to get some sleep on long journey's.
Never share them with anyone or you could pass on germs!
Get bright ones so you can find them easily & always pack them at the top of your bag so you can reach them on a plane, coach or in a crowded tent, that way you aren't so tired & cross later on, it's important to get some sleep on long journey's.
Never share them with anyone or you could pass on germs!
A good hat (or TWO)
a brimmed hat is hard to sleep in but can keep sun & rain out of your face & eyes, & it also helps keep you warm.
I carry a thin fleece hat that fits under my hat so I can wear it in my sleeping bag to keep warm or as an extra layer under my big hat, or on it's own if it is too windy to wear a wide brimmed hat.
I carry a thin fleece hat that fits under my hat so I can wear it in my sleeping bag to keep warm or as an extra layer under my big hat, or on it's own if it is too windy to wear a wide brimmed hat.
HeadTorch (& spare batteries)
It's worth getting a modern L.E.D. headtorch because your batteries will last a lot longer.
As L.E.D's can be very bright try to get a model that can be dimmed, you might need bright light to guide you in the dark but mostly you'll only need enough light to read a book or do basic tasks by.
Single bulb L.E.D torches tend to be better than the ones that have lots of weaker leds (the multi-L.E.D. types fade as the battery wears out, this makes it look like some of the L.E.D.'s are failing when they are not!
I borrow one or two of my dad's Petzl head-torches ..they make good presents for parents or carers that hopefully they will let you borrow, headtorches leave your hands free to use a map, or tools & make crawling around in small places much easier.
The one pictured is very good for kids because it has a red rear light too, uses a very good branded L.E.D. for it's main light & is very bright at up to 88 Lumens.
My dad will hardly ever leave the house without a small LED headlamp, especially commuting to London, any trip involving underground as the power does fail on trains & all sorts, & my mum (a nurse) had to help someone in a field after a car crash at night, a small torch is very handy!
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
As L.E.D's can be very bright try to get a model that can be dimmed, you might need bright light to guide you in the dark but mostly you'll only need enough light to read a book or do basic tasks by.
Single bulb L.E.D torches tend to be better than the ones that have lots of weaker leds (the multi-L.E.D. types fade as the battery wears out, this makes it look like some of the L.E.D.'s are failing when they are not!
I borrow one or two of my dad's Petzl head-torches ..they make good presents for parents or carers that hopefully they will let you borrow, headtorches leave your hands free to use a map, or tools & make crawling around in small places much easier.
The one pictured is very good for kids because it has a red rear light too, uses a very good branded L.E.D. for it's main light & is very bright at up to 88 Lumens.
My dad will hardly ever leave the house without a small LED headlamp, especially commuting to London, any trip involving underground as the power does fail on trains & all sorts, & my mum (a nurse) had to help someone in a field after a car crash at night, a small torch is very handy!
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
- 1 x XPC Cree LED
- Two modes - 1W LED or 5mm LEDs.
- Instant off - from any mode.
- Orange button - single multi operation button.
- Green and Red LEDs - for night vision.
- Pivotable head unit - give your neck a rest.
- Emergency strobe mode - attract attention.
- Adjustable elastic headband - because we all have different sized heads.
- Water resistant - that doesn't mean waterproof to 10m!
- Batteries included - and they are Duracell.
- Red light - on battery pack with strobe mode.
Pack for short hikes with parents or carers
I use a cycling water hydration pack which was bought from Aldi for around £3.99 I also take it on school trips where I need lunch, a basic jacket & room for a few bits & pieces (not forgetting my water bottle)
These are really slim (low profile) & padded so they are easy for kids to carry, as a proper pack they aren't very sweaty on your back as air can get through easily.
To keep everything dry they have a built in rain cover!
(the 2 litre removeable water reservoir is included in the price, look out for them on the Aldi website from time to time)
These are really slim (low profile) & padded so they are easy for kids to carry, as a proper pack they aren't very sweaty on your back as air can get through easily.
To keep everything dry they have a built in rain cover!
(the 2 litre removeable water reservoir is included in the price, look out for them on the Aldi website from time to time)
Pack for LONG hikes / short camps with parents or carers
Back to Alpkit for another great pack!
This is called...
"Gourdon 20" (20 litre capacity) it's very waterproof, will take my 600ml Sigg bottles, hold my coat or layer if I get too warm
So can be used easily on a variety of cub activities including Kayaking trekking or travelling, good on the beach to keep sand out of your sandwiches & take sopping wet clothing home, if it get's wet on the inside turn it inside out & rinse it under the tap then hang it up to dry!
This also has a foam pad to keep it comfy on your back.
I can use it to carry a few bits & pieces such as my own sleeping bag & a change of clothes.
This is called...
"Gourdon 20" (20 litre capacity) it's very waterproof, will take my 600ml Sigg bottles, hold my coat or layer if I get too warm
So can be used easily on a variety of cub activities including Kayaking trekking or travelling, good on the beach to keep sand out of your sandwiches & take sopping wet clothing home, if it get's wet on the inside turn it inside out & rinse it under the tap then hang it up to dry!
This also has a foam pad to keep it comfy on your back.
I can use it to carry a few bits & pieces such as my own sleeping bag & a change of clothes.
L.E.D. apollo Lantern (black diamond)
Get one that you can dim down as it's surprising how little light you need once you are settled in your tent.
Adjustable light settings are handy for the bigger jobs such as food prep or lighting up a dining area.
But if you can't turn it down you are not only burning up your batteries quickly, you may wake your camping buddies with blinding light in the middle of the night.
This one is a black diamond Apollo lantern & is about the size of a can of baked beans, we keep a few ready for power cuts & eating outside it runs on 4 AA batteries & will last for a week or more of evening use.
Izzy's rating: 8 /10 ..hang it anywhere, now upgraded to 80+ lumens , clever design!
Adjustable light settings are handy for the bigger jobs such as food prep or lighting up a dining area.
But if you can't turn it down you are not only burning up your batteries quickly, you may wake your camping buddies with blinding light in the middle of the night.
This one is a black diamond Apollo lantern & is about the size of a can of baked beans, we keep a few ready for power cuts & eating outside it runs on 4 AA batteries & will last for a week or more of evening use.
Izzy's rating: 8 /10 ..hang it anywhere, now upgraded to 80+ lumens , clever design!