That's all, folks!
I’m signing off now. Thank you so much for all your great questions, and happy camping!
How do you cope with returning to a conventional home, post-camp?
eamonmcc asks: Sian, is it claustrophobic, ‘suffocating’ or otherwise uncomfortable for you to return to a conventional home, office etc? All that freedom in nature surely becomes beautifully addictive?
Sian replies:
Yes and no! I have to admit that, after a rainy and cold few days of eating noodles, I do love a warm shower and a proper bed. But I’ve experienced something akin to ‘reverse culture shock’ returning to a city after a few weeks of camping: I find myself longing for the peace and quiet of an empty landscape rather than the hustle and bustle of crowds. I always miss the unhurried pace of camping when I’m back at my desk. The only antidote is to plan another camping trip.
How useful are inflatable tents?
Hesfalleninthewater asks: Where do inflatable tents sit in your estimation?
Sian replies:
I think they’re great for specific scenarios. If you want a palatial family tent with an easier setup, they’re a good choice, and it’s very pleasing to simply use a pump to pop your tent up instead of fiddling about with poles. But they can be heavy, and if you get a puncture you’re in trouble. I liked the Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL on test - it’s heavy and expensive but it’s great quality and there’s tons of room, so if you’re planning longer summer trips as a family it would be worth the spend.
Which tent for adverse weather?
VeryBigMac asks: Which tent fabric is best for heavy wind and rain? Silnylon has the benefit of a natural stretch which puts less strain on specific points of the fabric (like tie out points) but sags when really wet. Silpoly doesn’t do this and neither does DCF but I’m yet to be convinced over their longevity.
Sian replies:
I’m going to answer this but I’m not well up on fabrics!
My (limited) understanding of the techy side of tent fabrics is that in general Silnylon is your best bet for bad weather. I know some tents are now made with Dyneema, such as the Hyperlite Mountain Gear tent I mentioned before, which is waterproof and lightweight, but it’s currently an expensive option.
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What would you say is the best campsite?
Fromey asks: What is the best campsite you’ve ever stayed at? And why?
Sian replies:
I’m going to chicken out of picking just one and recommend a few I love.
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Knepp, West Sussex, England, - for amazing wildlife and rewilding (and an on-site sauna).
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Wasdale Campsite, Lake District, England - for hiking, you can climb Scafell right from your tent door (and then have a dip in Wastwater afterwards).
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Troytown, Isles of Scilly, England - steps from the sea on the idyllic Scilly Archipelago off the coast of Cornwall, great for families and the farm sells homemade ice-cream.
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Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland - park up at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains for skies full of stars and a campfire on the beach.
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Bert’s Kitchen Garden, Llyn Peninsula, Wales – charming, old-fashioned camping on the Llyn Peninsula with a big focus on homegrown food.
What should I do with my old tent?
The_greeno asks: Any advice on getting rid of an old tent? I have a 20 year old Vango Beta 350 - bit musty but it’s all there, although one of the poles might be a bit damaged. Is it OK to sell? It seems a waste to just throw it away.
Sian replies:
I’d give it a good clean with Nikwax tent wash before you do. While you could sell it, you might want to consider donating it - shops such as Alpkit and Cotswold Outdoors accept used outdoor kit, or post it to Kitsquad. Freecycle is also a great way to find new homes for things.
Ultralight tents for solo travellers: which is best?
CromwellSkelton asks: What are the best ultralight one-person tents for hiking and how much do they cost?
Sian replies:
There are lots of options out there - the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Tent stands out to me and only weighs 450g - about the same as a World Cup football! But it’s expensive, around £700. I’ve tried the Vango F10 Neon UL tent which is great, it’s compact and weighs 510g but doesn’t feel claustrophobic. It’s around £450. Meanwhile, Mountain Warehouse has a backpacker tent for £60 that looks perfectly fine - at 1.1kg it’s not super lightweight but it’d be more than light enough for most trekking adventures.
What’s the perfect stove for bikepacking?
followers_of_chaos asks: What’s the perfect stove for bikepacking? Tried Trangia (underpowered), Coleman (break down often) and a whole host of expensive ultralight gas stoves, which aren’t so ultralight when you factor in the gas bottles. What are your recommendations? Any good old fashioned lightweight wood burning alternatives?
Sian replies:
I’ve never got on with Trangias, I find them fiddly. I like my MSR Switch, which I featured in my test of the best stoves: it boils water fast, but it’s not teeny tiny to fold up and carry. Jetboil do similar designs which are highly rated. I do also have a wood-burning Kelly Kettle, which I love! But it’s not pannier friendly. I’d give the MSR Switch a go for bikepacking, and try a Kelly Kettle for fun when you’re based in one campsite.
Easy kids' camping meal ideas?
Sineadsavage asks: What are some realistic, fridge-free meal options for camping with kids?
Sian replies:
If you’re only camping for a few days, and don’t have a fridge or cool box, kids might enjoy ‘ration packs’ - freeze-dried, long-lasting instant camping meals you add boiling water to. I like Firepot, which are UK-made (I particularly liked the posh baked beans). Potatoes wrapped in foil and cooked in embers are great fun and don’t need to be stored in the fridge, as are marshmallows or s’mores for pudding of course! Sausage and bean stew is an easy staple. You can also make bannock bread, which is pre-made dough you can bring with you and wrap around sticks to bake. My toddler loves it smothered in jam for breakfast.
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What are the best tents to keep out midges?
MetallicusFox asks: I can’t wear mosquito spray as it brings my skin up in welts. As a solo camper with a small dog are there any other options that are A) easy to carry and B) will hide/protect me AND my dog from the flying and crawling hordes of thirsty bloodsuckers in Scotland?
Sian replies:
In Scotland I’d arm yourself with a midge net around your face, a tent with a good mesh inner that keeps insects out such as the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, Smidge spray if your skin can tolerate it (I find it works brilliantly against midges in Scotland), or Avon’s Skin So Soft oil spray if you can’t: this isn’t actually designed for insects but seems to keep them at bay, and it smells lovely too! It looks like there are some good cedarwood oil sprays available that might help your dog.
Do campervans need awnings?
TobermoryNightlife asks: How do you feel about the massive family tent-sized awnings that some people attach to their campervans? Best of both worlds, or defeating the purpose of having a van?
Sian replies:
I always think they look a bit claustrophobic! When we had a vintage Bedford van (the automobile love of my life) we had a cheap awning on two poles we used for festivals and campsites without shade, I wouldn’t go bigger than that.
How can I find wild camping spots in Scotland?
Fpearce asks: How can I choose a spot for my first night of wild camping in Scotland? Do I need to go on a recce first or can I identify somewhere from a map?
Sian replies:
You could look online for wild camping spots (or rough areas) recommended by bloggers, camp near a bothy (then you have the option of shelter in bad weather) or just head out on a hiking trail and branch off when you see a likely spot. For an iconic camp, try remote but seriously beautiful Sandwood Bay on Scotland’s north-west coast, a bucket-list spot that’s worth the walk in.
Are there long-lasting and sustainable airbeds?
Cath4641 asks: Any advice on sustainable/long-lasting and comfortable airbeds? I find them impossible to repair and as far as I can tell, they’re also impossible to recycle!
Sian replies:
Sadly I think you’ve hit the nail on the head: air beds need improving when it comes to easy repair. And for recycling, if you have an old but functional one you could give it a clean and donate it to a charity shop.
One tip for improving the lifespan of inflatable air mats - stick them on top of a non-inflatable roll-up foam mat if you’ve got room to carry both, to protect it from rocks and add extra insulation. Or if space isn’t an issue try a non-inflatable thicker foam mat such as this one.
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How light should I travel if trekking for three weeks?
Mikeodwyer asks: Kit and weight(!) for a three-week walking/trek around Tuscany?
Sian replies:
The rule of thumb is that a comfortably loaded backpack should weigh no more than 20% of your body weight, typically capping out at 11–15 kg (24–33 lbs) for most hikers. I’d work to that weight, make sure you’ve got a really good backpack with padded straps that you find comfortable and then pack the bare minimum (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat) before adding clothes, kit and luxuries to meet your max walking weight.
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Tips for camping lightweight, but luxurious?
Myopicus asks: We’ve done the bell tent glampy thing (stove, kit, ages to set up and take down let alone the logistics issues) What’s the best way of achieving a similar feel but in a lighter package now the kids are doing their own thing? Those Dutch canvas tents always looked tempting …
Sian replies:
I like the look of cotton tents such as Karstenten too!. I actually really like DIY glamping - take a small, lighter cotton or polycotton tent (or something lighter weight like the Big Agnes Big House and add fairy lights, lanterns and other accessories. If you’re car camping there’s nothing to stop you bringing a big padded double sleeping mat and your duvet and pillows for a comfier night’s sleep. I think camping chairs make all the difference for a relaxing camp.
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How do I keep food cold in hot weather?
FermentedDinosaur asks: Any tips on how to best pack a cool box for food and drink. Storage ideas for the hot weather please. Are ice cubes a potential water bath no no? Or best for filling in the gaps?
Sian replies:
I’m not a pro at this and always end up with tepid beers, but a cheffy friend told me to make sure food and drinks are pre-cooled, to pop an ice pack at the bottom of your cooler and to try using clean, cold tea towels as filler. If you want more detailed advice, Linda Geddes put 11 cool boxes to the test for the Filter.
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Tips on firepit cooking
Mrssmith1974 asks: I am currently on a four-month camping trip. The fire pit does not have a grill, but I would like to cook steak and make skillet brownies as I usually cook those once or twice. Do you have any suggestions how I could use the fire pit instead of attempting to make skillet brownies on my Martin stove?
Sian replies:
You can do ‘caveman style’ steaks where you pop the meat straight onto to embers, but I’d invest in a cast-iron skillet and stick steaks in that, or pop brownie mix in and cook on low heat.
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How can you manage condensation?
NatalieK2015 asks: I have had a MSR tent Hubba Hubba since 2005, same one. But condensation after a night of sleeping has become an issue. The inside of the fly is soaking wet after a night’s sleep. Is there anything I can do to prevent/manage that?
Sian replies:
I wonder if your tent needs a professional clean and re-waterproof? But in general, to avoid condensation, leave the vents open, try to pitch so a breeze can come in through doors and make sure your tent is bone-dry before you put it away. A waterproof footprint, which goes under a groundsheet, can also stop ground moisture getting at your tent.
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Which is best: bivouac or tarp?
VacuousSapience asks: Tent or bivouac?
EurasianJay asks: How feasible is a tarp setup, particularly if you’re concerned about mosquitos?
Sian replies:
I’ve tried a bivouac quite a few times now and I love it for dry weather, low-profile camping with friends. But in rain and cold it’s pretty uncomfortable, and I don’t like bivi-ing by myself - as a lone woman I prefer the privacy of a small tent. What I did try and absolutely loved is an Australian swag bag - they’re like a bivouac but have a bit more padding, a smallish shelter above your head and insect netting, so they’re a great compromise between tent and bivi. Burke and Wills have some cool designs available in the UK.
Tarps are great ad-hoc shelters but definitely won’t protect against mosquitoes. I’d swap to a hammock with mosquito netting if there are any trees around, or you can buy bivouac bags with built-in mosquito netting
Recommendations for lightweight foldable chairs?
Gynaenurse asks: Best lightweight foldable camping chair?
Sian replies:
The Helinox Chair Zero if weight and pack size are an issue, and the Montbell Base Camp Chair if they aren’t. More here.
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Do you have recommendations for wild swimming spots?
Callummcfadden asks: How do you find wild swimming spots? I have just read Waterlog by Roger Deakin and feel inspired!
Sian replies:
For wild swimming spots (and wild swimming camping spots!) I look online and in guidebooks or on mapping apps. I’ve also (shameless plug) just written Wild Swimming in South West England, which includes a few campsites!
I really love Pool Bridge Farm in Yorkshire and Cornish Tipi Camping in Cornwall, both of which have beautiful swimming lakes in the heart of their campsites. And a Filter colleague has been to Rushbanks campsite in Dedham Vale countless times, which has the River Stour flowing through it for swimming and water activities.
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Are teepee and bell tents a case of style over substance?
ejtp19 asks: My six man Hi-Gear tent complete with zipped off sleeping area is on its last legs and I need to replace it. I’ve got the romantic urge to go for a teepee/bell tent ... but I’m worried I’m going for style over substance. How annoying is not having a zipped-off sleeping area? Is there a teepee/bell type tent with a separate bedroom and is it worth it?
Sian replies:
I have a bell tent and I absolutely love it for festivals, weddings and family camps, but they do have limited uses - they’re heavy, only have one room as you said, and take a while to erect and dismantle. I also paid to have mine cleaned after a few years of use as polycotton isn’t fully waterproof and can get mildewed if you don’t put it away fully dry.
You could look at something in between a bell tent and a tech-y tent - I rate Robens for quality and its Fairbanks Grande and Fairbanks Venturer are gorgeous, teepee styles that are easier to transport and erect (but with no sleeping areas). The only teepee-style tent with sleeping compartments I can find is Decathlon’s Teepee 5.2.
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Solo camping advice for women
scispi asks: Any advice for lone female campers?
Sian replies:
Firstly, camping alone as a woman is brilliant - once you get used to it. It can take a few camps to feel confident, and I’d recommend starting in a comfy campsite by yourself or even going for a solo glamping trip and seeing if you enjoy having some time alone under canvas. I’ve wild camped alone hundreds of times and always really enjoyed it. I’d suggest trying one night alone not far from your car - if you don’t like it you can always drive home and try another time.
If you fancy trying wild camping, firstly make sure you’re aware of where you can camp legally, and let someone know your plans and location. I like to take some creature comforts such as a good book or a podcast (not a true crime one, mind).. Remember that no-one knows who you are once you’re inside a tent. Pitch late and leave early and you’ll probably have your spot all to yourself.
What should I take on a bikepacking trip?
arb900 asks: Do you have any advice on what to pack (and what to leave behind) for a bikepacking or cycle camping trip?
CountPollen asks: Can you recommend a tent/sleeping bag/sleeping mat combination for off-road bikepacking in the UK from March to October, that won’t break the bank? I’m thinking Welsh hills rather than Scottish Highlands.
Sian replies:
Pack as little as possible! As well as avoiding weight, my main bugbear about bikepacking with all my camping kit is the faff and origami-level skills required to pack everything away each morning. If you’re planning a big adventure, you could do a weekend bikepacking trip first, then see what you don’t use for next time.
I’d pack a one-person ultralight tent or even a bivi sack, a good sleeping mat (Linda Geddes recommended Therm-a-Rest here, and I rate the brand too) and a sleeping bag suitable for the weather you’ll encounter - my own sleeping bags are from Rab and Decathlon and I think both are brilliant, depending on your budget.
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What do you do if animals decide to camp with you?
SafwafiChicken asks: What to do when wild animals like bears try to get inside your tent?
Winkynuke asks: What do you do if you find an adder curled up under your groundsheet?
Sian replies:
I had to google what to do if there’s an adder under your groundsheet! Apparently you should leave it alone and wait for it to leave. Do not approach it and keep children and pets away.
My only experience of bears was camping in Alaska. The advice was to make noise when hiking and setting up camp (talking, singing, banging pots) to alert them to your presence, and to cook and store food (and anything else scented, such as toothpaste) in bear-proof containers 100 yards from your tent. I also carried bear spray. I woke up in a hammock one morning convinced a bear was rooting in my backpack, which was right next to my head - I opened my eyes to a fluffy squirrel instead.
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Are there tents for tall people?
TheMongoose asks: My partner is just over two metres [six feet five inches] tall. Most tents are too short for him to lie down and too low for him to sit or stand. We did buy a tent he fitted in but it is a five person family camping tent which is oversized for two of us. Any recommended brands for taller folks?
Sian replies:
I’d try my trusted Big Agnes Big House tent, which he will be able to stand up and lie down in.
I also know that Therm-a-Rest makes sleeping mats in ‘long’ and ‘short’ such as the Therm-a-Rest Thermarest NeoAir XTherm NXT – it looks like the large goes up to 196cm, or 6’4, so just a shade shorter than your partner.
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Should we have Right to Roam in England and Wales?
Tintenfische asks: Should England and Wales have a “right to roam” too?
Sian replies:
This is 100% my own opinion here, but absolutely yes. For me it’s a tragedy that 92% of land in England is privately owned and that landowners are also trying to encroach on rights to roam and camp in places like the Dartmoor National Park. You only have to go to Scandinavia, where some countries have the ‘everyman’s rule’ (a legal principle allowing the public free access to roam, hike, forage, and camp on public and private land, provided they do not damage the environment or disturb landowners) to see the benefits of allowing people to be in nature and of having younger generations grow up with a respect for and knowledge of wild spaces, wild plants etc. Right to Roam are campaigning to bring a Right to Roam Act to England and have more info.
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Am I safe in my tent during a thunderstorm?
Pbendall asks: Is a tent safe in a thunderstorm?
Sian replies:
In a word, no. Tents can attract lightning strikes (the chances are very very slim), and you definitely don’t want to pitch under trees or power lines in a storm. Thunderstorms don’t often last long, so you could shelter in a building such as a shower block while it’s going on. Check the weather before you camp - I’ve made alternative plans and looked for a bothy (or even a hotel room!) if serious thunderstorms are forecast.
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What is the gold standard for awful weather camping?
User30000 asks: I have an old Terra Nova Quaser that has withstood some serious weather and whilst I have no intention of upgrading it, is it still the gold standard for awful weather camping?
Sian replies:
I’ve never tried the Terra Nova myself but have heard great things. It’s a great geodesic shape for withstanding storms, although a tent with an outer that pitches first might be the better pick if you’re heading into foul weather. Is it still waterproof? If it’s starting to let rain in you could treat it or even pay to have to rewaterproofed. It looks like great quality and likely to last you another decade if it’s in good nick.
I have tested the Fjällräven Abisko Lite 2, which is highly waterproof, and the inner tent is kept dry during pitching in foul weather.
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Do you have recommendations for camping in a heatwave?
sunshinelondon84 asks: What are your top tips for camping during a heatwave? We’re off to Cornwall for a week in August and I’m worried we’re going to boil.
Jerry144 asks: I’m tired of camping in summer when the early-morning sun heats up my tent and wakes me up. It’s often not possible to pitch in some shade. Do you have recommendations for new, sun-proof tents and/or advice on how to sun-proof an existing tent?
Sian replies:
This is a tough one: there’s no easy way to stay cool when camping if there’s no shade available. I’d recommend setting your tent up late and waking up early, before the tent heats up. Open vents and consider opening the door if there aren’t bugs present. If your tent has a mesh inner and no rain is forecast you could just pitch that without the fly sheet. A polycotton tent will be more breathable than nylon or polyester (in my test of the best tents, the Luna tent from Boutique Camping has a polycotton option - which is a bit more expensive). Bring a light bedsheet instead of a sleeping bag. I’ve never tried it but you can buy Solar Proof sprays for tents from brands such as Nikwax, but I’d consider rigging up a tarp above your tent instead for added shade.
Welcome to the conversation
Sundowners in nature, kids – and adults – unplugged from screens, escaping everyday life: camping is one of life’s unparalleled joys. Want to know what to look for in a sleeping mat, the best place to pitch a tent – or what to do when it all goes wrong? Outdoors journalist Sian Lewis has walked hundreds of miles and braved all weathers to test everything from tents to camping chairs to hiking sandals.
Sian is now answering your questions below.
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