Your top camping tips
We've asked members of the Cotswold Outdoor community to post their essential camping tips so here a few of the best:
Save space with a Lifeventure towel
"Save space in your car or rucksack by using a Lifeventure Microfibre Towel. They are super absorbent and pack down much smaller than a bath towel." - Andrew Day
Don't forget your sleeping mat!
"The warmer summer weather is the prefect time of year to get out for your first camping experience, but don't think that just a tent and sleeping bag will make for a comfortable night in the great outdoors! Sleeping Mats provide not only comfort, but insulation from the cold ground. They trap and hold a layer of dead (non-circulating) air between your body and the cold ground. Your body gradually warms this layer of dead air and it becomes an insulating barrier. So, whatever you do, don't forget your sleeping mat (believe me, I've done it!)"
- Anthony
Waking up refreshed and warm
"When out camping in your tent, put a fleece jumper in your sleeping bag when you go to bed. When you wake up in the morning and need to put a warm layer on, your fleece jumper will be comfortably warm (rather than cold, straight out of your kit bag)!"
- Rich
Spice up your camping
"Take some of your favourite spices with you when you go camping (think chinese five spice, chilli flakes, paprika, curry powder). They weigh next to nothing and can turn a bland meal into something really interesting! Whether its car camping or wild camping it can be a real morale booster."
- Andy (from our Shrewsbury store)
Where not to pitch your tent
"From my previous camping disasters, 1) Do Not pitch tent on top of tree roots and stumps. These do not do your back any favours. 2) Do not pitch tent in open, windy areas They work similar to parachutes. 3) Do not pitch by a footpath. If you have a black tent, like me, everyone try's to walk through my tent."
- Ben C
Unpredictable weather does not have to ruin your camping trip. Watch this short video for some great tips on camping in wet weather
For more informative videos about camping, plus tent pitching videos for a wide range of popular tents, visit The Knowledge.