Hot new camping gear for 2015
Here's some of the best new gear you'll find in the shops for your camping adventures next year.
CAMPING ACCESSORIES
Rugged and weatherproof, these speakers pack a real punch, letting you play tunes from your MP3, phone or laptop for over 20 hours without draining the battery on your device. The zip up storage compartment lets you safely store and protect your device and there are external controls so you don't have to open it up. The speakers can be charged using a USB or by hooking up to Goal Zero's solar charging system.
www.goalzero.com
[email protected]
0116 234 4646
Campsite sleeping bags don't get much luxurious than this. The Constellation (single or double) has an ultra-soft brushed outer, 100% cotton lining and Isofill filling. It's cosy, soft to the touch and the rectangular shape means there's plenty of room to move around. You have the option of unzipping fully to create a large duvet and there are loops for attaching sleeping bag liners.
OUTWELL COLLAPS BAMBOO TABLEWARE
The Danish firm's range of collapsible tableware has been extended for 2015, introducing a completely new range of bowls, kitchen boards and kitchen tools that combine flexible silicone with stylish bamboo. They look great in vibrant blue or green and like the other Collaps products, fold away neatly for easy packing.
SIGG HOT & COLD BOTTLES
JETBOIL MINIMO STOVE
Jetboil's cooking system has been an essential part of the backpacker's kit for a few years now. But if there was one criticism of the stoves, it was that you couldn't turn the flame heat up or down, making anything other than heating up a tin of beans tricky. Now the new MiniMo has been developed to address that issue - the simmer control feature allows you to cook at varying temperatures. The cooking pot has also been redesigned, making it wider and shorter, allowing easier access for cutlery. It all packs away neatly and comes in a range of new funky designs.
www.jetboil.com
[email protected]
0116 234 4646
SEA TO SUMMIT SLEEPING MATS
This uses new air sprung cell technology - billed as the lightweight sleeping mat equivalent of the pocket-spring mattress. Basically the idea is that every cell moves independently when you lie on the mat, conforming to your body shape. A more even dispersion of pressure means a more comfortable night's sleep. The range consists of the Ultralight, Comfort Light or Comfort Plus models, and each is available as a regular or insulted version.
www.seatosummit.com.au
[email protected]
0116 234 4646
Think the weather might turn wet but don't want to carry a bulky pair of wellies? This is the clever answer. As the name would suggest, the pocket wellies can be packed away in your pocket ready to be pulled on over your shoes if required. Available in blue, yellow, pink or white, they're ideal for festivals or for around the campsite.
I first saw this at the Outdoor Show in Germany back in July and thought then it was pretty cool. Vango insisted it had to be kept under wraps for the time being (the big spoilsports) but now we can share it with you. Simply it's a sleeping bag with a hood, that - with a quick bit of unzipping here and there - can be transformed into something you can wear while sitting round the campfire or making a late night trip to the facilities. It's just as quick to convert it back into a sleeping bag. Genius... but why's no-one thought of it before?
FORCE TEN ALPINE 45 RUCKSACK
This is Force Ten's first range of backpacks and they've done their best to make sure they've got them spot on. Available in 25, 35 and 45 litre versions, the pack has taken two years to develop during which time Force Ten worked with a wide range of Alpinists and mountain guides, making more than 100 design tweaks to the pack during that period. The result is a sleek, lightweight range of packs aimed at mountaineers and serious climbers.
American firm Sierra Designs has come up with what might just be the world's first zipperless sleeping bag. The Backcountry Bed is designed to adapt to whichever sleeping position you prefer - back, side or front - without any additional hardware like zips or Velcro to get in your way. It features an oversized central comforter, a self-sealing foot vent that allows you to poke your feet out the bottom if it gets too hot and insulated hand/arm pockets. There's also a sleeve that allows you to attach the bag to your sleeping mat for extra security.
TENTS
The AirBeam range of inflatable tents was launched by Vango a few years ago now and they've been a big hit, with most of the other manufacturers following in their footsteps. But the problem has been that inflatable tents are generally still pretty expensive. To address this, Vango is launching a new generation of "entry-level" (ie more affordable) inflatables in 2015. The Solaris 500 - part of the Excel range - is one of them. At around £400, it's considerably cheaper than models of a similar size, still has all the features of an AirBeam, including Vango's new for 2015 valve system.
We thought Easy Camp were taking the P when we spotted this during a behind-the-scenes tour of their impressive headquarters in Denmark. It's a fun tent aimed at the festival market and has already proved hugely popular - although we hope it won't encourage any copycat behaviour!
Outdoor Revolution have been making awnings for more than a decade but it's a few years since they last had a range of tents. But next year they'll be returning to the market with a sleek new range of inflatables. The key feature is a new valve system that makes it impossible to over-inflate the tent. The 5.0 is the smallest in a range that extends to a massive six berth XL.
We all get a bit fed up with dull green and blue tents stretching as far as the eye can see so it's nice when something a bit different comes along. With it's bright orange colour scheme, Coleman's new Cortes range will add a bit of sunshine to the campsite. The yurt-style Octagon 8 is certain to capture most of the attention (we have featured it before) but the whole range is worth a look. We particularly like the innovative hinged doors.
KAMPA MERSEA 4 AIR
Another tent aimed at bringing inflatables to the masses, the Mersea 4 from Kampa can be pitched in minutes so is perfect for a quick night away. But it's still roomy enough for touring trips or longer breaks. As well as the convenience of inflatable pitching, the tent is made out of qulaity 150 denier material and has a hydrostatic head rating of 6,000mm. Which basically means it's strong and very waterproof.
www.kampa.co.uk
Contact your local Kampa tent dealer for more information.
Expect to pay £275
After launching their Smart Air inflatable tent system last year, Outwell will be bringing out a new range of inflatables in 2015 featuring their new Air Stability System. The six tents in the range have tubes that are inflated individually, rather than through one single inflation point. The Corvette XL is a large seven berth tent with a large front porch in addition to loads of living and sleeping space.
