 Thanks for that Kate, I think I'll put in a reservation for one of those seeing as it's now been endorsed by the good Doctor. Munro, what's so bad about Karrimor sacks? Just a bit inferior? The Cotswold sales do look good, but it's a little pricey, what about a Vango Sherpa, are they any good? £45 from £60 looks a bit more managable to my bank balance. At this rate all I'll need soon is asleeping bag and I can get planning. Thanks for all your help.
|
 |
 Moorland Gent, the best rucksack is the one that's most comfortable - doesn't matter if it's £45 or £145. I recently bought a new sack for winter backpacking and, though a wee bit more than £45, was by some way the cheapest one I tried on. Best thing is to get yourself over to Cotswolds and Blacks and try a load on - filled up with the approx. weight you're expecting to carry. For sleeping bags - have a look at what Alpkit can offer - there's a clicky link in Shopping to the left.
|
|
Tesco had some camping bits and hiking bits in their stores - somethings may be worth a look at, I had one of their rucksacks which suited me fine for daywalks. There was mention on another thread about a tesco sleeping bag??
|
|
Thanks Kate, I hear good things about Cotswold, sadly my nearest one is Leeds, which appears to be North Face kit only. Clickowls, cheers, but I already have a good daysack.
|
|
The Kraz X1 seems ok, but I looked for a review on google and found a thread on this site saying the Vango Tempest 200 is better VFM, are there any opinions on it I could get?
|
|
You said you were walking to Saltburn - do you live close to there? If so there's a Go Outdoors opening at Portrack in March. If you can wait till then they should have a selection of rucksacks you can see at first hand. Alternatively there's always Nevisport in Middlesbrough. Not the cheapest place but you can check things out before going mail order.
|
|
I'll only be doing it when the forecast is good, but I appreciate the forecast is never 100% accurate.
The forecast is always accurate. It's just that the weather changes in the meantime !
|
|
*appears from the internet with a URL in his teeth* Right, taking a look at tents, and it seems the Vango ones are in the right weight range given my budget, but there seems to not be much in it between the Spectre, Banshee, and Tempest, would all be good tents for my purposes?
|
| Edited: 28/02/09 12:51 |
Are we alking two man tents? have a look at this site for a very good tent comparison chart witgh weights and prices - this is not a definitive list but a good list. I have to say pack size and weight are very important, otherwise you will be struggling.
|
|
 I recently had the same decision to make and found the following: 1) the banshee pitches inner first always can be cooler in summer but in rain may be more problematic 2) Banshee is the cheapest and lightest but it has a very low roof which does probably make it stand up to the wind better [or hunker down i suppose] but makes it a fair bit more cramped. 2) the tempest and the spectre are pretty similar weightwise. The tempest being 50g more on paper. 3) the tempest has a porch and the spectre doesn't 4) Both the spectre and the tempest have the TBS system to help the tent be more stable. 5)the spectre and the tempest both pitch either fly first or combined and can therefore be used just flysheet 6) the only differences i have found between the spectre and the tempest are the weight [fractionally] the price (although for a better tent the difference should amke little difference as you want the tent that's right) and the tempest has a small tent for gear and or cooking in rain etc. Generally for their price they are good tents even the staff at cotswold were amazed you could get the tempest with that kind of spec for £85. Vango have lost the stigma that followed their name probably for good reason. I've only read good reviews about the build quality etc. of their tents. HTH Andy D
|
|
Well bugger me with a spork. Andy D, you've answered pretty much all my questions, I'll re-read your answers when I've not somehow 'lost' 1/2 a bottle of Islay single malt and probably make a purchase. Ladies and gentlemen of OM, you have until I sober up (11-ish tomorrow) to refute or add to Andy's advice, have a good weekend people  .
|
| Edited: 01/03/09 01:31 |
 All i will add, is that you are a man of good taste Moorland Gent. Islay malts are for the discerning gentleman. 
|
|
Well it's payday, and life's too short to drink bad booze, I am worried I'm building up a rapport with the staff in Oddbins though. So far it looks like the Spectre or Tempest and as I understand it now the real difference is £10, 0.25kg, and a porch, so I'm going to get some coffee and a bacon roll and chew it over.
|
|
Porch.
|
|
And thus the circle is complete, Tempest it is, one of the first tents I looked at in the first place . Now though I've got more confidence in my decision.
|
|
Good choice, the same as i made =-) Glad i could help and wish you many sleepful nights in it when it comes
|
| Edited: 01/03/09 20:24 |
All that's left now is the backpack, time to start reading some reviews on here mefeels.
|
|
Moorland Gentleman - may I sugest you try on as many types of backpack as possible. Personally I find some back systems brilliant with lovely hip belts and others that don't suit me at all. Feel the hip belt and the shoulder strap positions. SOme sacks come in different back lengths, some have adjustable back lengths. It has to be comfortable with all that kit in it. I won't even suggest a type until you have tried some out for size.
|
|
