Cheap one man tent/sleeping bag and whether to get ground protector?

[Fab Foodie]

Lots of recommendations on yacf for Alpkit:

https://www.alpkit.com/

 

[Low Roller]

I bought one of their down sleeping bags and an exped mattress. Absolutely excellent but far too hot for the real world. Would be great for a tour of Antartica. Stick to Millets finest.

 

[jay clock]

Well I don't suppose anyone here can really comment on either of these tents unless they've used them, on sale and seem to get good reviews?

http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/147977-easy-camp-phantom-200-2-man-tent-green-grey.html

http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/09668545-eurohike-backpacker-tent-green.html

First one is 4.2 kg. Nice tent but that is almost 3kg more than my 2 man tent. Second one 2.47kg which is a lot better.

Top tip is always buy a 2 man for one person. A one person tent will be snug even for a five year old

 

[Brains]

The basic rule on drinking water in Europe is is you cant see where it come from, don't drink it.
So if you can see the spring then it should be OK, otherwise use tap or bought bottle.

The easiest method of drinking water from streams is 'water to go' purifier
Otherwise puritab, but then it tastes of swimming pool

 

[cnb]

Not sure if Alpkit have any stock of sleeping bags or lightweight tents at the mo..Only a geo mountain style tent..Too heavy for the poster...Why not try the classifieds on this site or Outdoorsmagic..There's always kit coming up for sale on that site...

 

[Ticktockmy]

If the tent is wanted for Cycle touring and not backpacking, the weight is not so much of an issue, from my days as a DOE Assessor, I found the black/millets Eurohike range of tents stood up to the abuse from usage/weather/kiddy power very well including use in the winter months..

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Giardia is widespread in water right across the UK, never mind Europe; fact. I know cos I had it a few years back and it's quite unpleasant. My lovely wife contacted the national water inspectorate (I think) who told us how common it is. Of course, you can drink clean looking water if you wish, and risk this nasty, lingering tummy bug, but I wouldn't. Correction, I would if it was life or death, but that's unlikely in the UK.
Keep safe; use a water purifier like the General Ecology First Need, one of the best on the market and easy to use plus, importantly, field serviceable without tools.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Re tents, Terra Nova's budget range, Wild Country is worth a look. Not the lightest but well designed tents.

 

[cnb]

Yep sorry about the weight thingy..I didn't read the post properly and i was thinking about carrying it as well as on the bike..The Alpkit tent on sale at the mo is still heavy(ish) though compared to to some.....

 

[jay clock]

Re tents, Terra Nova's budget range, Wild Country is worth a look. Not the lightest but well designed tents.

I have a Wild Country Zephyros 2. Excellent and very light

 

[jay clock]

I have a Wild Country Zephyros 2. Excellent and very light

but like many light tents that means a light base so I carry an oblong of polythene to put underneath

 

[rm90]

but like many light tents that means a light base so I carry an oblong of polythene to put underneath

That's what I'm thinking, would be easy to rip base of tent on the ground, then misery. But also as someone said, if raining, an under layer could turn into a mini pond.

 

[psmiffy]

1. I would recommend using a foot print – whilst it is easy enough to mend the odd hole in a groundsheet it is much better not to get one in the first place
2. Camping sites in Europe are often not the nice lush grassy sites we are used to in the UK the extra layer provides protection and a small degree of extra comfort.
3. Additionally it makes it easier to wild camp in places you may not have considered without the sheet. in good weather I have sometimes used mine to wild camp sans tent.

The pond bit I do not understand – the footprint shouldn't be bigger than the outer of the tent (probably why it is called a footprint ) – so avoiding collection of rainwater - plus Rule 23B 2.1 is don’t park the tent in a place that will collect rainwater

 

[Gravity Aided]

I always thought part of the idea of a groundsheet was to prevent the bottom of the tent getting dirty, polyethylene being much easier to clean than tent material. As well as protecting the bottom of the tent from woodsy sticky things, tree sap and other woodland ephemera.

 

[cnb]

Ephemera..Who's been eating dictionary pudding then...Good word though...