I've been following the OM forums for a while now and have found a huge wealth of advice here, but having just bought our first tent, thought I'd introduce us.
We're both 26, living/working in London although I'm a country girl at heart (from mid-Staffordshire). We plan to start wild camping this year, starting with 1 or 2 night jaunts in England before heading up to Wales/Scotland by the end of the year, and looking to go abroad next year (no plans for Winter camping). While we're planning to start on foot, my partner is a keen biker and we may look at doing some bike touring as well.
We decided we'd rather start by buying equipment a little better than entry range; budget is a consideration but we'd rather spend a little more on better gear that will last longer, than make do with entry-level. Because there are 2 of us and we are highly unlikely to go solo, we figured that we could focus a little more on comfort than simply going ultralight - and we may look at panniers for cycle touring down the line.
We've just bought a Vango Spirit 200+ (£125) and 2 Exped Downmat 9s (£75 each) but would love to know what people would suggest in terms of sleeping bags (esp given the downmats) and stoves (suitable for cooking for 2 people).
I'd also welcome suggestions for rucksacks given the load is to be split - I'm 5'2" with a really short back, my BF is a 5'11" beanpole with a really long back.
Are there any other kit 'must haves' we should consider aside from the obvious personal stuff, first aid kit, repair kit?
Because there are 2 of us and we are highly unlikely to go solo, we figured that we could focus a little more on comfort than simply going ultralight
It's important to realise that the main point of ultralight is comfort, but comfort in a different phase of the operation. We've just had a wonderful weekend of wild camping out in the W. Highlands with a couple of munros thrown in, and while the camping was very comfy the walking would have been easier and more comfortable if we'd gone for lighter kit. In this case it was primarily a camping trip, so we emphasised the comfort there, but you need to be aware that more comfort camping means less comfort walking (or cycling).
what people would suggest in terms of sleeping bags
If you're happier spending more for a longer life then down makes a lot of sense. It's also lighter and lower bulk (and lower bulk really helps with cycle touring, when space tends to be more of a premium than weight). Needs a bit more care and is more expensive up front. Don't apply if you're allergic to down or a strict vegan, for obvious reasons. Beyond that, decide the sorts of temperatures you'll be happy out in and get something appropriate. If you want to zip bags together occasionally get a pair of bags with matching L and R zips.
and stoves (suitable for cooking for 2 people).
Gas is the most popular fuel because it's easy to use and control, relatively safe and is very clean and the stoves are fairly cheap. You can go for as light as possible with stoves that screw directly into canisters, or something that is easier and safer to use and connects to the canister via a hose. The latter type have a wider base and pot supports which makes them a lot more stable in use, and being lower they're easier to shield from wind if cooking outside (recommended if conditions make it reasonable), or if cooking inside puts the flame further from your tent materials. I prefer the latter, but a lot depends on the sort of cooking you're doing: if it's basically boiling water or quick heat-ups then there's less to gain from the heavier more user-friendly type. Stoves like the Jetboil are optimised for water boiling, which if you live on tea and dehydrated packet meals is all you'd need.
Some canister-top stoves pierce the can which cannot be removed until it's finished. I wouldn't suggest one of these, and in any case ones using screw-top connections tend to be lighter.
Some folk like liquid fuel stoves that burn petrol, paraffin etc. These are very handy if you're going somewhere fairly remote where you might be able to obtain petrol but not a gas can, but other than that and just liking something you're used to there aren't many compelling reasons for many users compared to gas. They're fiddlier to use, need more maintenance and need practice to use safely, and there is a possibility of fuel spillage which can be most unpleasant.
Another option is the meths stove, either something like a Trangia or a home-made equivalent like the coke-can stove. These are easy to use, reasonably safe, very easy to wind shield but tend to use a lot of fuel and control is fiddly and only extends from slow to very slow. But the home-made ones can be very, very light and only cost pennies, and things like the Trangia are the most stable and best shielded lightweight stoves there are. You can put a gas burner in aTrangia if you want to combine the advantages, but you do pay for Trangias in weight.
I'd also welcome suggestions for rucksacks given the load is to be split - I'm 5'2" with a really short back, my BF is a 5'11" beanpole with a really long back.
Go and try stuff on, and fill the suspects with what you think you might be taking. If you haven't bought it all yet use some of the shop's stock to make up the load. Different bags suit different people and the only way to see what suits your idea of comfort is to try it on with a load in.
Are there any other kit 'must haves' we should consider aside from the obvious personal stuff, first aid kit, repair kit?
First aid kits aren't really essential: most of the typical contents are about comfort rather than saving lives, and to save lives you need to know procedures rather than have stuff. Any stuff you need you should be able to improvise if you're kitted out for camping (a pad to stop bleeding? Direct pressure with almost any piece of wadded clothing, etc.). Other than that a supply of gaffer tape will cobver a lot of repair possibilities, to your gear and to yourselves.
That's not to say a FAK isn't worth having, just it isn't a must-have. We have one and one particularly handy thing in it is a tick-hook, about 50p from a vet. But the contents are mostly about comfort, which is nice if you need the best item after an accident, but which is an active discomfort if you're carrying it and don't use it. Weight will be discomfort when you're walking.
In this case it was primarily a camping trip, so we emphasised the comfort there, but you need to be aware that more comfort camping means less comfort walking (or cycling).
Pete.
Sorry to say that's not always true. A correctly fitted and well packed heavier rucksack can be more comfortable to carry than a poorly fitting, badly packed but much lighter one. It's also important to remember that you'll probably spend around a third of your time sleeping, and a bad night's sleep can have a more debilitating effect the next day than carrying an extra kilo or two. Lightweight has its place but it's not the be all and end all, you need to find a compromise between weight, performance and value that suits you.
It's important to realise that the main point of ultralight is comfort, but comfort in a different phase of the operation.
Fair comment - our focus is more on the camping than the walking/cycling aspect at this stage, although I have a feeling that our kit may expand to include stuff for a greater variety of camping
If you're happier spending more for a longer life then down makes a lot of sense. It's also lighter and lower bulk (and lower bulk really helps with cycle touring, when space tends to be more of a premium than weight). Needs a bit more care and is more expensive up front. Don't apply if you're allergic to down or a strict vegan, for obvious reasons. Beyond that, decide the sorts of temperatures you'll be happy out in and get something appropriate. If you want to zip bags together occasionally get a pair of bags with matching L and R zips.
I'd not really thought of zipping bags together so it's something to consider. Although generally I prefer sleeping cooler than he does so I'm not sure how well that would work.
Gas is the most popular fuel because it's easy to use and control, relatively safe and is very clean and the stoves are fairly cheap. You can go for as light as possible with stoves that screw directly into canisters, or something that is easier and safer to use and connects to the canister via a hose. The latter type have a wider base and pot supports which makes them a lot more stable in use, and being lower they're easier to shield from wind if cooking outside (recommended if conditions make it reasonable), or if cooking inside puts the flame further from your tent materials. I prefer the latter, but a lot depends on the sort of cooking you're doing: if it's basically boiling water or quick heat-ups then there's less to gain from the heavier more user-friendly type. Stoves like the Jetboil are optimised for water boiling, which if you live on tea and dehydrated packet meals is all you'd need.
I'm a rather dedicated foodie and one thing we're both keen on is wild foraging, so living off instant pasta and tea is out.
I was looking at the 'hose' gas stoves including the Primus Gravity II or MSR Windpro. Alternatively something like the Optimus Crux which looks like it has wider pan supports?
If you're using a Downmat 9, I'd seriously consider using a quilt rather than a full sleping bag.
That actually appeals to me much more than sleeping bags - I'm not really a fan of sleeping with restricted limbs, even if they are much more heat efficient!
I borrowed Downmat 7 for a mid afternoon nap in north Wales a couple of weeks ago. Simply unzipped my sleeping bag & used it as a quilt. Unlike my Prolite 3, the Downmat was nice & warm without a bag under me. Overall it was far more comfortable than being in the bag. I've now bought a Downmat myself & my s/bag zip is now redundant
Sorry to say that's not always true. A correctly fitted and well packed heavier rucksack can be more comfortable to carry than a poorly fitting, badly packed but much lighter one.
Dave's quite right here. Look at what I say rather than what I do, and I took a deliberately bigger than needed pack this last weekend as even though it's heavier the suspension takes all the weight off my shoulders. I should have put in an "if all else is equal" there!
I was looking at the 'hose' gas stoves including the Primus Gravity II or MSR Windpro. Alternatively something like the Optimus Crux which looks like it has wider pan supports?
We use a Gravity, it seems a little lower and wider than the Windpro. Not familiar with the Crux, but you'd be going some to have something overbalance on a Gravity. Good bit of kit and comes with a windshield and reflecting base.
I'd not really thought of zipping bags together so it's something to consider. Although generally I prefer sleeping cooler than he does so I'm not sure how well that would work.
We don't keep ours zipped together, though sometimes it's nice for a snuggle before the business of sleeping. Becomes a bit of a moot point with a quilt.
