Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2024 i Camping

● WINNER OUTWELL MOONHILL 5 AIR OUR VERDICT What makes a great tent for weekend camping trips or for touring? Well, obviously it needs to have all the essentials that are important for any other kind of camping trip, ie a reliably waterproof flysheet, robust structure, good ventilation, etc. It also needs to get the balance right between having enough usable space and being compact enough to fit in the car boot. But the most important thing to look out for in a weekend tent is ease of pitching. If your time on the campsite is limited, you want to know that you’ll be able to have the tent pitched as speedily as possible, to give you more time to have fun. Of course the same applies when it comes…

● WINNER THULE OUTSET OUR VERDICT Coolness in tents comes in lots of forms. It might be a cool look, a cool take on an existing design or simply a cool new feature. Or, best of all, it could be something completely different – a cool new product that immediately gets heads turning and people talking. Thule’s Outset definitely falls into the latter category, although it has elements of the others, too. It first caught the eye at last year’s Caravan Salon trade fair in Germany, where it was one of a number of innovative products launched by the Swedish company, well known for its rooftop tents, roof boxes, bike racks and rear storage solutions. At shows like that, a tent needs to be pretty special to divert attention away…

● WINNER QUECHUA AIRSECONDS TRAILER TENT 4.2 OUR VERDICT Quechua – the family camping brand of French retail giant, Decathlon – has an impressive track record of developing new products that are both innovative and affordable, and this is another excellent example. We visited the Quechua HQ in France last year, and saw at first hand how the company’s product development process works. It all starts with an idea and a purpose, and, in this case, it was to design an innovative trailer tent that was inflatable, easy to assemble and equipped with Fresh&Black temperature-regulating technology. The Quechua designers teamed up with French trailer manufacturer, Erdé, to develop the product and they have come up with something we think is pretty impressive. It’s easy to tow and takes around 45…

● WINNER DRUMMOHR CAMPING & GLAMPING SITE OUR VERDICT For anyone who loves exploring the UK, a trip to Edinburgh needs to be ticked off the list – the combination of historic buildings, royal connections and world-famous attractions makes for a great getaway. Located only 10 miles from the city centre, Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site is the perfect choice, and it would seem that Camping readers agree, as this East Lothian coastal site has been voted as Campsite of the Year in our annual awards. That’s right – you can combine a visit to the city of Edinburgh with sandy beaches and rugged coastline, thanks to Drummohr’s prime position. The coast is just half a mile away and a sandy beach less than three miles. A golf course is…

● WINNER COLEMAN CONVOY COOLER OUR VERDICT We’ve all cast a covetous eye at those heavyduty Yeti coolboxes, much beloved of social media influencers. Yes, they look cool but, my word, they are expensive! Well, the new collection of coolers from Coleman is the affordable alternative. Robust and stylish, the Convoy range comes in three sizes – with the mid-sized 53-litre version coming in at around half the price of its nearest Yeti equivalent. The lower price doesn’t mean lower quality. In fact, the Convoy’s performance is as good as its looks. As well as being fitted with additional rubber seals that keep your food and drink colder for longer, it includes extra features such as a built-in bottle opener, rugged wheels and rope handles. The Convoy coolers also have…

● WINNER VANGO LIGHTBEAM 250 RECHARGE OUR VERDICT For quick overnight camping trips, a couple of torches and a battery-powered lantern will probably be enough to meet your lighting needs. But on longer family holidays, when you are likely to spend more time inside the tent after dark, you really need something a bit more substantial to illuminate your tent. This newcomer from Vango, the LightBeam 250 Recharge, is an inflatable striplight that is powerful enough to do just that. It has a lightweight and flexible design and is fitted with two magnetic attachment points for easy set-up in your tent. Depending on light mode – you can tailor the levels to your individual needs – it has a run time of between four and 40 hours. It’s also available in…

● WINNER ROBENS SEARCHER OUR VERDICT When you reach a certain age, the thought of sitting around on the rocky ground after a day walking on the hills, does not appeal one little bit. A proper lightweight camping chair is a must – but the problem is that many of the good ones are incredibly expensive. But, not for the first time, Robens has the answer. The Searcher is a brilliant little chair that packs small into its own carry bag and will slot easily into your rucksack. It weighs a not-too-shabby 1.83kg so won’t add a huge amount to your pack weight. When you reach your camping spot for the night, the chair will be assembled in a matter of seconds, with mesh panels providing breathability and extra comfort.…

● WINNER LEDLENSER HF6R CORE OUR VERDICT Every backpacking or lightweight camping trip needs a head torch and preferably one you can rely on. This brand-new rechargeable light from German brand, Ledlenser, is the Rolls Royce of head torches – or given its homeland, perhaps Mercedes-Benz would be more apt. Either way, it’s reassuringly reliable and packed with high-tech features. The HF6R Core has a lightweight, but robust, aluminium housing and is water and dust resistant so you know it should be able to take a bit of a battering. It has three brightness levels, plus a Boost mode that provides a short burst of more power when you need it. The front red light helps with night vision and the light beam can be tilted. Ledlenser’s innovative Digital Advanced…

● WINNER OUTWELL STONEHILL 7 AIR OUR VERDICT For some tent manufacturers, ‘entry level’ means something that is as basic as it gets; with all bells and whistles stripped out, leaving you with little more than a piece of waterproof fabric. For Outwell, it is a completely different proposition. New for 2024, the Stonehill 7 Air is, in theory, an entry level Outwell tent. But it is one that is packed with the sort of features many brands would save for their top-of-the-range models and that is what sets the Danish company apart from many of its rivals. Yes, the price tag is perhaps a little higher than others, but this is part of the Deluxe Air range, which is aimed at mid-income families with lots of camping experience, rather…

● WINNER OUTDOOR REVOLUTION CAMP STAR 600 DT OUR VERDICT Like everything right now, the cost of tents is increasing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find exceptional quality at an affordable price, like this new model from Outdoor Revolution. To keep costs down, it’s well worth considering a traditional poled tent rather than an inflatable. While air tents score highly for convenience, there’s still a big difference in price between the two styles. You can pay up to £300 less for a tent with fibreglass supports instead of air-filled tubes – even though the tent is otherwise identical. The Camp Star 600 DT is a great example. It is one of four new poled models based on the company’s award-winning Camp Star air tent range, and is for…

● WINNER VANGO CLASSIC INSTANT 300 OUR VERDICT If you asked someone to do you a quick sketch of a tent, they’d probably come up with something like this. This is a 21st century take on the classic A-frame ridge tent that we all recognise from the likes of Carry On Camping – and it’s even available in 1960s orange as well as in deep blue or a geodesic pattern. The aptly named Classic Instant 300 is easy to use and it’s ideal as a beginners’ tent for weekends away. But where it really comes into its own is as a festival tent. It’s the perfect size for two campers and the new hub structure means it pops up in seconds and, crucially, folds down like an umbrella, so takes…

● WINNER TENTBOX LITE XL OUR VERDICT Like a campervan, a rooftop tent can give you the flexibility to camp wherever you feel like. Unlike a campervan, you don’t need to sell a kidney to buy one. We jest, of course, but campervans are expensive and this is a very affordable alternative. The bestselling TentBox Lite XL is a great piece of kit that opens up a whole new world of adventure to you and your family. It is pretty straightforward to install and quick to set up once you reach your camping spot. Simply pull up somewhere flat and scenic and you can be set up in a few minutes – and even quicker if you choose to go for Summer Mode. As the name would suggest, this is…

Every year the Camping team spends hours testing trailer-loads of camping gear. We know how lucky we are. It sincerely is a pleasure to spend your working day putting the latest camping gear to the test. Of course, we don’t do all this testing simply because we enjoy it (although obviously that helps). The whole point of assessing the new gear is so we can tell you the pros and cons of what’s out there. When money is as tight as it is now, you need to know that the gear you’re spending your money on is worth the outlay. You’ve seen our favourite tents of 2024, now over the next few pages we will pay tribute to the new accessories for family and lightweight camping that have made the…

● WINNER NEMO STARGAZE OUR VERDICT There’s nothing better on a clear summer’s night than taking half an hour just to sit back and stare at the stars from outside your tent. As the name would suggest, the excellent Stargaze camping chair from US brand, Nemo, is designed for exactly that. It boasts an auto-reclining support system and smooth swinging motion to allow you to easily get it into the perfect position. The sturdy aluminium frame features wide upright poles for generous elbow room and there are padded armrests and a large padded headrest for extra comfort. It’s designed to assemble quickly with the design cutting down on assembly steps; the shock-corded poles intuitively slot into place. For 2024, it comes in a range of new colours. ● COMMENDED YETI TRAILHEAD…

● WINNER OUTDOOR REVOLUTION SHIMANTO OUR VERDICT Long-time readers will know that we love a dual-purpose product like this, here at Camping HQ. This folding plastic storage crate from Outdoor Revolution is ideal for campers as it can be stashed away in a corner or under a camp bed to provide robust storage, but, come brew time, you can stick it next to your chair and use it as a table as it comes with a wooden lid. It’s just 6.6cm deep when folded and, even including its lid, weighs just 2.21kg, so it’s perfect for transporting in the car. And the fact that you’ll find it for a fairly brilliant price of £12.99 is just the icing on the cake that you’ll use this table for with your cuppa.…

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SLEEPING BAG ● WINNER ROBENS SERAC OUR VERDICT First and foremost, this is a really good mummy-shaped sleeping bag for backpacking. The Serac 300 weighs less than 1kg and is packed with features, such as insulated face, neck and zip baffles, insulated foot box and loft expander system, designed to keep you warm at night without adding to the load. But there’s more to this story than just an excellent product. As part of its commitment to reducing its impact on the great outdoors, Robens has launched its Sustain initiative for 2024. This is more than just a marketing move, the company says, but a shift in thinking. The Serac is the first sleeping bag to be included and as a result it contains responsibly sourced and traceable…

● WINNER SOTO WindMaster OUR VERDICT You might not know the name yet, but SOTO is a Japanese technical expedition stove and cookware brand, renowned for its leading edge technology. It’s already making inroads into the UK market, and the WindMaster is its latest stove, which harnesses the brand’s technical knowhow to deliver high levels of performance in a wide range of weather circumstances and temperatures. This is a stove that can stand up to harsh conditions. In fact, the WindMaster uses SOTO’s micro regulator to deliver a consistent output as temperatures drop and has been tested to produce the same impressive burning performance at-5°C as at 20°C. The WindMaster can bring two cups of water to the boil in less than two-and-a-half minutes, even in strong winds. The shielded…

● WINNER BERGHAUS VORLICH OUR VERDICT Sitting majestically just to the south of Loch Earn, Ben Vorlich is one of Scotland’s best-known Munros and a very popular walking destination in the southern Highlands. It’s also exactly the sort of place you’d expect the new Vorlich jacket from Berghaus to come into its own. Berghaus say it is “no nonsense” and is ideal for long days outdoors when the weather turns wet and windy. And you can be pretty sure that’s exactly what you’re going to get when you ascend the 985m to the summit of Ben Vorlich. As popular with dog walkers as it is with hill walkers, Berghaus is always a reliable brand for UK conditions, and this Gore-Tex waterproof jacket has a robust shell that is designed for…

● WINNER WINFIELDS OUTDOORS Do you have a favourite local outdoors shop that you return to time and time again? If you are serious about camping, the chances are that you do. And chances are you keep going back because they’re friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile to help their customers. Big superstore chains and online shops have their place, but nothing quite matches the wisdom and customer service you get from an independent retailer. With seven stores around the UK, Winfields is one of the bigger players in the outdoor market, but despite its multiple locations, it retains the spirit of a local retailer. Part of the reason for that is that the business is still in the hands of the Winfield family after more…

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TENT OF THE YEAR & BEST FAMILY TENT ● WINNER Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL OUR VERDICT It’s hard to believe it’s more than 13 years since Vango launched the AirBeam range of tents – the first mainstream inflatable family tent. Rivals initially dismissed it as a gimmick, but soon changed their tune when they realised how much campers loved the new technology. In fact, it’s fair to say, inflatable tents have revolutionised family camping in the UK and, over the last decade or so, Vango has led the way with its technology. In 2024, the Scottish brand continues to innovate, with the its new Anantara IV Air TC 650XL, a six-man inflatable tent that is the absolute epitome of lavish camping. This is perfect for families who need…

● WINNER OUTDOOR REVOLUTION CAMP STAR 500XL DT OUR VERDICT Although inflatable tents remain the dominant force in family camping, there are many campers who prefer the traditional pole structure. And one of the main reasons for that is the cost. Generally, air tents are still more expensive than their poled equivalents, and for families on a budget that can be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a tent. Yorkshire-based Outdoor Revolution is renowned for the quality of its inflatable tent system, but for 2024 it has recognised that there remains a vast market for affordable pole tents – and that has seen the development of a new poled range of its entry-level, Camp Star tents. The 500XL DT is a superb quality medium-sized tent, that costs less…

● WINNER ROBENS SETTLER FIELD OUR VERDICT As you might expect from a Scandinavian brand with German roots, Robens tents look fantastic and come with technical tent-level spec. The Settler Field, the latest addition to the popular Outback range, is no exception. This is a retro-style bell tent with huge windows and mesh side panels that provide great panoramic views from inside the spacious living area. The breathable HydroTex polycotton fabric looks, feels and even smells the part – giving the tent that authentic old-school glamping feel without compromising on performance. It looks amazing, but this is not just about design aesthetics. Robens uses the latest manufacturing techniques and materials to create a robust tent that is guaranteed to keep you dry and warm, no matter the conditions. With one central…

● WINNER COLEMAN COBRA 2 OUR VERDICT The Cobra 2 may not be the lightest tent in the world but at £150 – even less if you shop around – it is brilliant value for money. And it proves that a good backpacking tent doesn’t have to be super-expensive and complicated to pitch. Some lightweight camping enthusiasts consider Coleman to be too mainstream or their expeditions, but let them sneer. Camping is a way to let you enjoy the countryside, whether you’re pitching on a campsite or wild camping on a remote hilltop, and that’s exactly what this tent does. At around 2kg, it’s light and compact enough to take with you wherever you want to go and weatherproof enough to ensure you stay dry and warm. It’s also really…

● WINNER TERRA NOVA Not many tent manufacturers can boast of having a Guinness World Record, but that’s one of the many accolades picked up by Derbyshire-based Terra Nova Equipment over the years. Now, to add to that list, is the prestigious title of Tent Brand of the Year for 2024, as voted for you, the readers of Camping magazine and our online platforms. Terra Nova is a true British success story – an independent company that has thrived while others have struggled, especially in the last few years of Brexit, Covid and the cost of living crisis. Over the years the brand has specialised in lightweight technical tents for backpacking and hiking adventures, and has developed a band of very loyal fans. Husband and wife team, Andy Utting and…

● WINNER OUTWELL DREAMSCAPE INSULATED OUR VERDICT In the last few years, airbeds have dropped out of fashion somewhat, with many campers choosing to go for self-inflating mats instead. But it’s not time to give up on airbeds just yet, if this Outwell model is anything to go by. One of the main issues with airbeds is that they can feel cold when the air temperature drops. Basically, the air trapped inside the bed gets cold and can’t be warmed up, transferring that cold onto you. But the new Dreamscape addresses that problem with the use of Isofill Premium insulation, which should make this bed warm and comfortable for use three seasons of the year. The 12cm deep, 3D shape also provides exceptional comfort, along with the ultra-soft, polyester pongee fabric.…

● WINNER COLEMAN PACKAWAY TABLE & BENCH SET OUR VERDICT Simple camping dining table and bench combos like this used to be commonplace on campsites, but in recent years they have become a little less popular, with many campers choosing to mix and match their tables and chairs. However, this set-up is perfect for family camping, especially when car storage space is at a premium. The new Packaway, err, packs away neatly into its own carry case which is light to move and a lot less bulky than trying to pack a table and four individual chairs. Ideal for small family holidays, the durable steel frame construction is quick and easy to set up inside or outside your tent, and is robust enough for adults and kids. The benches can be…

● WINNER CRAGHOPPERS C02RENU FLEECE OUR VERDICT By now we’re all familiar with the concept of recycling and how it’s possible to repurpose seemingly random materials and use them again in a completely different context; turning plastic drink bottles into tent fabric, for example. Well, outdoor clothing specialist, Craghoppers, has taken that to the next level by recycling actual carbon emissions and turning them into clothing. Science was never the Camping team’s strongest subject at school – we all spent too much time gazing out of the classroom window and thinking about what we could be doing out there instead. So, when we had this explained to us, it all got a bit hazy. However, what we do understand is that CO2Renu uses 100% recycled fabric, up to 30% of which…

● WINNER VANGO THERMOCORE XPD OUR VERDICT For comfort and warmth at night on backpacking trips, the new Thermocore XPD is pretty hard to beat. Designed for all-year use, the Thermocore XPD has a unique vertical walled design to provide a larger sleeping area. But its major USP is the use of what Vango calls Thermal Reverb technology, which, along with layers of strategically placed film, reflects heat back towards your body to keep you warm at night. The top and bottom fabrics are made from recycled nylon with a TPU lamination that is lighter and more environmentally friendly than traditional PVC. The improved compressibility means you can have a smaller pack size without compromising on comfort. Silent Sleep technology reduces the rustling noise when you move and the air-filled…

● WINNER BERGHAUS 3D FREEFLOW OUR VERDICT First introduced back in 1996 (no, we can't believe that’s nearly 30 years ago, either), the Berghaus Freeflow was one of the first rucksacks to use back ventilation. The latest incarnation of this classic provides another big step forward in frame design. Conventional ventilated packs with mesh back systems (like the original Freeflow) often make compromises in stability, storage space, and ease of packing. The new 3D Freeflow technology sets out to minimise the compromises and disadvantages with an ergonomic frame design, 3D-printed spacer pads in the lumbar area and a seamlessly stretched mesh back. The system provides a consistent air gap of two to four centimetres along the entire length of the back, but keeps the load close to the body for stability.…

● WINNER HANWAG BANKS SF EXTRA GTX OUR VERDICT Our editor can be a typically dour Scot at times – he’s not generally prone to emotional outbursts. So, when he declared these “officially the comfiest walking boots I’ve ever worn”, we had to listen. The Hanwag Banks SF Extra is aimed at the many hikers with wider feet, who often find that walking boots and shoes are simply too narrow. Sadly, for many, that means badly fitting, uncomfortable footwear that does nothing to encourage you to get active. Hanwag’s solution is to come up with a special last, designed to provide more room at the side of the forefoot and around the big toe. The difference is amazing and that’s why we think this boot deserves top prize. In addition,…