BIG up to Richard Collyer and David Hunt 4 and all the, 6 ft +, 17 st, OMers. I've been likened to Tommy Walsh proportionally and my aim is to get out wild camping more often.

I've been using a Gelert Mongoose and a Campus 1kg, XL bag for a couple of years and its time to upgrade my kit. The tent is really good but weighs in at 4KG+ & the bag's good only for 1 season use and is just too tight across my shoulders. The compromise between weight and luxury is always a factor, but for comfort and practicality, much of the gear that everyone raves about on here just aint quite large enough.

Can anyone refine the tent and sleeping bag threads with recommendations for us big fellas?

Hey Hey.

I would suggest using what I use which is a surplus (issued in my case) army sleeping bag.

They are big and warm. Disadvantage is that they weight alot (3kgs - i finally weighed it).

I have a feeling that with all the training I am putting in for this Pennine Way and walking it in March I may be alot smaller than what I am now (a crumbled wreck most likley).

Hmm for a budget I recommend ME sleepwalker - elasticated so snugs up round you or expands so you can sit cross legged and brew up and comes in optional longer length. SW2 is 1.4Kg.

Yes indeed, size does matter. I've been trying to impress this fact home for some time now. Would you rather wake up with the inner tent pressed into your face, sucking up moisture from the night's condensation, or would you rather wake up in a double bed, covered in furs, next to your partner of choice, draught free and without a droplet in sight? Yes, welcome to the world of big tents, in fact the bigger the better.

Don't bother with a sleeping bag, chuck yer duvet in with yer bed and you've got it made, innit?

the ME firewalker is substatially cheaper for the same warmth if you can live without a stretchy sleeping bag.

'bloke with a big rucksack' as well, are you?

;-)

Well I don't have a big tent but I DO wake up next to the partner of my choice....dunno about the furs though.

I hope it's ethical "fur" not fur.

Is she called Venus?
(will appeal only to music buffs)

Shiny, shiny, click things of metal,
Rubber sticky, and leather smells
Curse and swear at the painfull toenails
As you stagger to the wall

Shiny, shiny, clicky things of metal
Ropeburn warnings on the belay plate
Nuts and friends, your belayer don't abuse him
Climb, dear partner, and find the holds.

etc...

yeah!! You didn't let me down!!
:O))0

oooh it's going through my head! I'm going to have to put the track on now.....

Jaegermonster

At 6ft 10ins tall, although only 14stone weight, I have similar (but maybe slightly different) problems with kit sizes to you. Whenever I've gone looking for sleeping bags, I've never found the extra long ME bags in stock, and the standard length ones are not long enough. Vango Ultralites however are, so I use either an Ultralite 700 or an 1100 depending on the balance needed of weight and warmth.

Tents are Terra Novas: a Solar II for two person operations, and a Solar one man for when I'm by myself. Both are long enough for me to lie down comfortably. The one man version, oddly, is actually of slightly greater internal length. I believe Terra Nova no longer make these tents, but have heard talk of them being re-issued as 'Wild Country' models, in which case they'll be cheaper but still good three season tents.

Important items of clothing are made to measure. Have used 'Extreme Outdoor Clothing', 'Paul hutchinson Designs' (aka PHD), and Cioch, all with good results and not too much more expensive than the ill-fitting off the peg alternatives.

My boots are made by Meindl - many of the other boot makers don't make sizes above about 12, or at least if they do, they're not easily available in this country.

Backpack length can also be a problem. My big load carrier is a Lowe Alpine Alpamayo. Currently looking into buying a 35l day pack. Favourite possibilities at the moment are Osprey and Macpac, but I haven't invested any money yet. Most 'one-size' day packs are way too short.

Hope that helps

So that's-
ME Sleepwalkers & Firewalkers
Terra Nova & Wild Country tents
- to be tracked down.
Thanks folks, keep any more suggestions coming.

BTW Bloke, gotta get a huge tent as well, I love em. Probably will go for the under floor heating package this time. Well, upstairs anyway.

HI, if you go for the ME bag you can get a baffle which is basicly an extra piece of bag you zip in,it gives you about an extra 4 or 5 inches width!?! I don't know if they will fit other makes of bag.I use mine in a sleepwalker 2. I got it from the magic mountain shop for £5. hpoe this helps.

Also, ME's expedition ranges are available in the standard and XL sixes.

IMHO the baffles are not worth it in all but the thin bags as they are nowhere near thick enough for the warmer bags. I have contacted ME about it, but nothing so far...