Camping

Could regularly changing socks help? Sounds a bit like the problem I often have with gloves either being too cold, or getting too hot and sweaty. I've started using two sets of fleece gloves under a shell glove. Swapping out the fleece ones when they get too hot and sweaty works well for me.

I see. Tricky.

Corn starch and single light weight merino wool socks would help keep your feet and socks dry in the day. If your shoes don’t breathe well, you could vent shoes, change socks and/or dry toes and refresh corn starch as needed towards night. An alternative would be heated inner soles to use at night, but if your socks are already saturated they might just delay the pain.

IME, the key on hikes is keeping good circulation, and keeping toes dry(ish). You’re mindful of your tendons being constricted, so I suspect you’ve thought of shoe fit too.

I’d try taking spare socks. Merino can be hit and miss, so paying extra (£20 ish, look for sales) for the established brands is safest bet. I have a pair of REI quarter length light weight hiking socks that are entering their 10th year and have been from Canada to Tierra del Fuego. Smart Wool and Darn Tough are dependably good. Conversely, there’s a £45 pair on Amazon from a brand I can’t find elsewhere, and I wouldn’t recommend.

I did have 3 pairs of socks but didn't use one. I'm pretty shit when it comes to dealing with clothing. Saving stuff for 'need' rather than comfort.

I guess in future I'll be more mindful and do something more proactive about it (maybe).

Rotating socks during the day doesn't sound like too much drama. I could increase venting in the shoes a bit probably too. Shimano GRX7 or something with no mesh up front.

keeping good circulation

I think that's why my missus has warm hands and feet while I suffer. My blood is like porridge - thick and lack red blood cells.

I had the Lezyne, Woolie Boolie which I didn't use and PlanetX merino. I'll have a look for Smart Wool and Darn Tough - I think I might have a Smart Wool pair already I've used for hiking but they're too thick for the cycling shoes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smartwool-Bike-Zero-Cushion-Socks/dp/B0BKWWHZMY

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008RSFEXU/

.

Liam is good value for sure!

Going family/car camping for 2 weeks this summer and need a canopy of some sort. Needs to be largely rainproof but will also be important for shade - expect we'll generally eat meals under it.

We've got a proper family tent so it doesn't need to replicate that - just looking for something sturdy that can pack down small. Any suggestions?

If your budget can stretch to it / you have room I would recommend the Coleman Event Shelter. We have spent substantial time underneath it when it's been raining hard and you can fit 'windows' and windblocks to various sides.

There's various sizes, so the smallest might be worth looking at?

We use a 6ft by 6ft tarp, with 4 x bell tent poles and guys ropes to give ourselves a decent outside shade area when we go camping with a few other families.
Let me try to dig out a pic

https://www.ddhammocks.com/product/DD_Tarp_5x5?from_cat=33

3 Attachments

I have a uniflame tarp for shade/meals, it's great.

Impending family car camp - next weekend as a test run - and two weeks this summer - need to sort us with sleeping mats. Wife is NHS so we can get bluelight discount at various outdoor stores. I've had a Robens one which was massive but comfy (like 7.5cm) , and a little mountain equip one much thinner 25mm or so. So im thinking 5cm ish would be a sweet spot for packability (only small car) and comfort - Is Decathlon still going to be the best bet ? or Alpkit ?.

I've got one of these which is excellent but fairly large when packed
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/self-inflating-camping-mattress-ultim-comfort-double-136-cm-2-person/_/R-p-329980

I have a brilliant, tiny, light Terra Nova for solo camps but we've been tasked with camping with cousins for a couple of nights in July which sounds harder than anything I've solo'd.

Easy, roomy, 4 person (3 but let's be real, 4). Not £1000? Inflatable?

This? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-camping-tent-air-seconds-4-1-fandb-4-person-1-bedroom/_/R-p-302837

Other?

I have that decathlon one. Its good, forgot to by a pump and had to borrow one on first trip using it. The bag is pretty big and its heavy. Only suitable for car camping.

Thanks - will run by for approval but unless anyone has any others that sounds good to me. Take it I can't use a track pump and it needs some big job?

Def won't be doing anything other than car camping with kiddo just yet - even though it's just half an hour away from us, by Salcombe. Preparing for it to be rammed.

I’m on a similar hunt and have 95% landed on this Alpkit one:

https://alpkit.com/products/axiom-4?variant=40207971614825

Yes it’s Alpkit so the usual it’s-just-a-Naturehike arguments apply, but it’s the only family tent I’ve found that uses backpacking tent style design without costing a billion pounds.

https://www.charlies.co.uk/coleman-kobuk-valley-4-plus-tent.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz18NYE8KwfpTOwcd8Lmky5iXrkHChPE4pOIOeN1Lmw5prwCe72C9CFYaAvPjEALw_wcB

I would go for this, which is lush and black out but packs down small.
You really don't need inflatable until you get to 6 man size I reckon

Alpkit == Naturehike?

Thanks all - have been given a clearer brief:

"Sewn in groundsheet
Plenty of height, you tall freak
Enough length for sleeping, see above

Extras:
Porch (ideally with similarly sewn in groundsheet but may be hard to find)
Windows (either in porch or bedroom or both or neither)
Blackout ability in sleeping area
Quick put up time and ease - inflatable because we're lazier than you acknowledge".

Yes, sorta.

Some of their tents, particularly the Soloist, have been criticised for being basically picked out of a catalogue and then rebadged.

This was really only relevant when you could get a Naturehike equivalent for ~£50, but those prices have gone up now. And anyway, Alpkit does do proper supplier audits etc so there’s some element of manufacturer accountability you’re paying for too.

So no, I don’t really agree with the criticism, but wanted to get in there before someone else said it.

Source: I’m a former Alpkit employee, specifically in sourcing

Blackout is essential with kiddo imo

Thanks for the explanation, didn't know that.

Somewhat related, I noticed that Naturehike have a line of products on SportPursuit now. Initially I was interested, but they all seem to be "made up" models of tents I've never seen exist outside of SP, with fake RRPs to imply heavy discounts. Like a lot of things on SportPursuit or indeed TK Maxx, I guess.

I have a Naturehike tent that I like, but have always fancied an Alpkit at some point. I just don't think they make anything long enough for me.

Ooo that’s a fun little wheeze they’ve got going on there! This is the Cloud Up 1 for example - fun.

1 Attachment

Also looking at this https://www.blacks.co.uk/16537526/berghaus-air-400-nightfall-tent-16537526

but can't understand whether this https://www.millets.co.uk/16233495/berghaus-air-4-nightfall-bedroom-16233495/3677634 come as part of it or an extra if you want actual blackout.