GUIDE FOR FIRST TIME CAMPERS
If you’re a camping beginner and planning your first trip, then take a look at TOG24’s camping tips and tricks. We don’t want this to be your first and last ever camping trip so we’ve pooled our years of experience enjoying the great outdoors to ensure you have a brilliant time. The good news is that if you’re prepared, then no matter what the British summer weather throws at you, you’ll still have fun. Happy camping!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAMPSITE FOR YOU
If you know that you like home comforts, don’t go wild camping on your first trip! There are many amazing glamping campsites across the UK with Wi-Fi, bars, pizza ovens, even hairdryers and even GHDs. Camping doesn’t have to be wild and off-grid and if that’s not your thing, don’t force it. After all, you are on holiday and you want to have a good time. There’s a campsite out there for everyone.
PRACTICE BEFORE YOU GO
If you have the space and the tent is new to you, we urge you to practice putting it up beforehand. It means that once you arrive at your campsite, you can be up and ready sooner rather than later. Believe us, you don’t want to be still putting up your tent in the dark, whilst everyone else is relaxing around the campfire.
PLASTIC BOXES WITH LIDS
We promise you’ll never regret investing in plastic boxes with tight lids. They are great for storing your food, clothes and other belongings. Putting things in clear plastic boxes makes them easy to find, their protected from the rain, they keep your camping area neat and tidy and allow you to pack up quickly when it’s time to leave. Don’t leave home without them.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
We’ve all heard the saying ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing’. This couldn’t be truer than when it comes to camping, particularly in Britain where the weather is so unpredictable. Even if it’s been scorching all day, at night it tends to get cold around the campfire so always pack a fleece. And always, always take a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and waterproof shoes. Camping is miserable when you’re wet.
TAKE CHAIRS
You don’t want to be sitting on a picnic rug on the ground the whole trip because you’ll be sore and stiff. Invest in fold up camping chairs, sit back and relax.
SLIP ON SHOES
Sandals, flip flops or sliders are a must for any camping trip. First, you don’t want to walk muddy footwear through your tent or caravan. You can easily slip these off at the entrance. Secondly, if you need to visit the facilities in the night, you’ll be glad you don’t have to take ages fastening up laces in the dark! You’ll notice all the professional campers wearing them.
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Finding your tent, especially in the dark, can be a challenge. Every camper has struggled at some point. So make sure yours stands out. Add solar powered fairy lights to the outside, put up a big flag (we’re partial to a white rose of Yorkshire one!) or a colourful windsock or spinner. Not only will you not get lost, but your camping spot will be the envy of the campsite.
7 CAMPING WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
SOFTSHELL – FEIZOR / KELD
Softshells are great for camping because their softness is perfect for lounging around the campsite, but their flexibility is great for hiking and outdoor activity. Plus, they are both windproof, and water resistant (giving you time to get back inside the tent if the weather turns). Finally, they are also great for temperamental weather because they can perform as both mid and outer layers. Softshells really are the great all-rounder jacket of the outdoors! Choose from hooded or no hood, in multiple different colour options. MEN SHOP FEIZOR / WOMEN SHOP KELD
PACKAWAY WATERPROOF – CRAVEN
While a softshell may be water resistant, for longer term resistance against the rain you’re going to need a classic waterproof jacket. Especially if you’re out hiking a fair distance away from the tent! Our CRAVEN waterproofs are perfect because they packaway into a little bag meaning they won’t get in your way on a dry day, but they’re always there if you need to grab it for protection from the rain. Just don’t forget to keep it with you! Available for kids too! With longer styles available for women, and overhead styles available for men. SHOP MENS / SHOP WOMENS / KIDS CRAVEN
BACKPACK – SNAITH / GARDHAM
Although you might want a larger backpack for carrying your main camping equipment to the campsite, it’s a good idea to have a smaller backpack to hand for storing your personal essentials and taking on your hikes and touristy activities. It’s a good idea to invest in a waterproof backpack instead of just your day to day handbag because if you get caught in the rain – your bag is caught in the rain too! Our backpacks are made with water resistant fabric, multiple compartments for organising your things, padded shoulder straps for comfort and even a reflective trim so you’re a little bit safer near the roads at night. SHOP SNAITH 35L or GARDHAM 30L
FLEECE – SHIRE
Even on the most pleasant of days, camping can soon turn nippy at night. You won’t want to spend all your time snuggled up inside the tent so make sure you have something warm and cosy for sitting out around the campfire. We recommend our SHIRE fleeces because they are lightweight – so it won’t take up lots of space in your backpack – but still super warm and comfortable. Choose from zip neck overhead or classic zip jacket, in multiple different colour options. Also available for kids – get twinning! SHOP MENS / WOMENS / KIDS SHIRE
WARM PYJAMAS / SWEAT PANTS – COSY/SLUMBER, WILLERBY/BRADLEY /
With keeping warm in mind, it’s still going to be pretty cool on the British ground at night time, even in summer. So you will need something warm to sleep in! Stick to long bottoms, instead of shorts, to minimise mosquito and midge bites on your legs... Either go for a classic bedtime pyjama for proper cosy comfort, or choose sweatpants instead – great for popping to the loo in the night or heading to the shower in the morning (if you’re concerned about being caught in your brushed check flannels)! MEN SHOP SLUMBER or BRADLEY, WOMEN SHOP COSY or WILLERBY.
WARM SOCKS – ROXBY / KILPIN
Whether it’s day or night, whether you’re at the campsite or out on a walk, the devil is in the detail. The best investment you will ever make is what’s on your feet. And before shoes? Comes socks! High performance socks that provide both warmth and comfort as well as technical features are the way to go. Our ROXBY socks have a comfort toe seam that won’t chafe, and the soft grip cuff will stay firmly in place without gripping tightly – so you won’t find your socks slipping down your ankles. Alternatively, our KILPIN socks have the same technical features complete with a colourful Fair Isle pattern available in purple or blue! SHOP ROXBY or KILPIN
DRINKING FLASK – RAWDON/HEATON
It’s important to stay hydrated, and it’s not always ideal to keep rebuying bottled water. Opt instead for a reusable flask to fill up for free at water stations around the campsite and countryside. All of our flasks have sealed leak-proof lids so you can pop them into your backpack without worrying about spills. RAWDON is lightweight so it’s great for carrying around cool drinks with you. Or choose HEATON for something suitable for both cool and hot beverages. SHOP RAWDON or HEATON
