Camping and festival gear: best tents, sleeping bags and kitchen kit

Essential equipment to pack for a night under the stars or take to an outdoor event

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1. Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 Tent

Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 Tent

Tents

This roomy waterproof geodesic tent sleeps eight, but assuming you have some kit, it is better for six. It takes just 15 minutes to erect, and has a sewn-in groundsheet and a hinged doorway.

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£220; outdoorworlddirect.co.uk

2. Oak Mini Deck Chair

Oak Mini Deck Chair

Chairs

It’s not a typical design for camping, but this wooden chair is “incredibly comfortable” and it folds completely flat, so it can be easily carried and stored. It is made from solid oak with a polyester canvas, and measures 39.5cm x 75cm x 62.5cm.

£40; futoncompany.co.uk

3. Coleman Monstera XL Sleeping Bag

Coleman Monstera XL Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

This sleeping bag is extra spacious, for a comfy night. It has a soft cotton outer and a washable fleecy lining and comes with a carry bag. With double-layer insulation, it can be used from spring to autumn.

£101; leisuredepot.co.uk

4. Montane Trailblazer 25-litre Backpack

Montane Trailblazer 25-litre Backpack

Bags

Montane’s lightweight (750g) day pack has a well-balanced back support system to keep it close to the body. It has extra-deep side pockets, adjustable chest straps and a breathable mesh finish.

£100; montane.com

5. NHOWIN Self-Inflating Camping Mat

NHOWIN Self-Inflating Camping Mat

Sleeping kit

Made from waterproof nylon, this 9cm-thick sleeping mat has an inbuilt air pump and takes just 45 seconds to inflate. It weighs less than a kilo, packs up incredibly small, and two can connect to make a double bed.

£31; amazon.co.uk

6. 66°North x Heimplanet The Cave

Heimplanet tent

Tents

This advanced tent from Heimplanet inflates in less than a minute, and is robust enough to withstand the rigours of year-round camping in Iceland. The Cave is weatherproof, and can accommodate three people plus equipment.

£825; 66north.com

7. Quechua 2 Man Roof Tent

Quechua Roof Tent

Tents

The Quechua Roof Tent MH500 is designed to fit easily to a roof rack, transforming your car into a camper van. It can be put up in less than five minutes, fits two people, and has a built-in mattress and blackout fabric.

£1,149.99; decathlon.co.uk

8. Cinch Hub

Cinch Hub

Tents

With more headspace than any other pop-up tent, the Hub can be erected by one person in under a minute, and sleeps four comfortably. Solar power packs can be bought to provide power through the USB outlet.

from £298; cinchpopuptents.com

9. Tentsile Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

Tents

A tree house in a bag, this multiple-award-winning flagship model by British firm Tentsile has enough space to sleep three adults or a family of four, suspended off the ground, using three trees as anchor points.

£849; tentsile.com

10. Coleman OctaGo

Coleman OctaGo

Tents

This octagonal three-man tent has a robust steel frame, but weighs around 11kg so is best for car-camping or carrying on a festival trolley. Pitching takes between 10 and 20 minutes.

£169; attwoolls.co.uk

11. Boutique Camping Classic Bell Tent

Classic Bell Tent

(Image credit: boutiquecamping.com)

Tents

Boutique Camping stocks a range of iconic bell tents in the usual sandstone colour. The Classic is available in various widths, and also comes in a choice of material so you can prioritise weight or durability.

From £239; boutiquecamping.com

12. Coleman Meadowood Air 4

Coleman Meadowood 4

Tents

For comfortable family camping, this four-man tent has a bright, airy living space, cosy blackout bedrooms and a spacious porch area. It has lots of clever features such as mesh doors for warmer evenings, plenty of pockets and step-free access and is also available as a larger six-person tent.

£400; amazon.co.uk

13. Lotus Belle Outdoor Deluxe

Lotus Belle Outdoor Deluxe

Tents

If you want to glamp in style, then Lotus Belle’s Outdoor Deluxe may be the tent for you. It resembles a kind of giant mushroom spaceship that has just landed on Earth. The Outdoor Deluxe has two doors and two windows with zip-open mesh layers for maximum airflow while keeping creepy-crawlies out. It is made of a waterproof, yet breathable, canvas to minimise condensation.

£2,990; lotusbelle.co.uk

14. Boutique Camping Luna Bell Tent

Luna Bell Tent

Tents

The Luna Bell Tent is a spacious tent for glampers that can be pitched quickly. Setting up the canvas and aluminium structure takes just a few minutes, and its innovative design allows it to be pitched as one. There’s lots of space inside which makes it ideal for families.

£409-£1,699; boutiquecamping.com

15. Coleman Tent Octagon

Coleman Tent Octagon

Tents

Ideal for family camping trips or festivals, the Coleman Tent Octagon can sleep six people and is sturdy and easy to pitch.

£252; amazon.co.uk

16. Mountain Warehouse Pop-Up Single Skin 2 Man Tent

Pop-Up Single Skin 2 Man Tent

Tents

If you’re looking for something smaller, cheaper and easier to assemble then a two-man pop-up tent from Mountain Warehouse may do the job.

£35; mountainwarehouse.com

17. Eurohike Pop 200

Eurohike Pop 200

Tents

If you’re not a frequent camper and don’t need fancy gear, this great-value Eurohike Pop 200 two-person tent will serve you fine. It is waterproof, and has an easy pop-up design that takes seconds to set up.

£35; millets.co.uk

18. Summit 250 XL Winter Sleeping Bag

Summit 250 XL Winter Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

This hollow­fibre sleeping bag will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -20ºC; and is mummy-shaped for extra cosiness.

£40; mountainwarehouse.com

19. The Fine Bedding Company Night Owl 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag

The Fine Bedding Company Night Owl 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

Two-way zips mean this can be used as two singles or one huge sleeping bag. It is machine washable (it dries in around 90 minutes), and comes in its own duffle bag.

£100; johnlewis.com

20. The North Face Eco Trail 2C Synthetic Sleeping Bag

Eco Trail 2C Synthetic Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

Made from recycled fabric, this water-repellent bag comes in a longer length for taller campers, and has the option of left-side zips for left-handers.

£120.98-£124.85; amazon.co.uk

21. Berghaus Transition 300 Sleeping Bag

Berghaus Transition 300 Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

Ideal for colder months, this has an integrated hood to keep draughts out, security pockets and a pillow.

£54; blacks.co.uk

22. Naturehike Mini Outdoor Ultralight Envelope Sleeping Bag

Naturehike Mini Outdoor Ultralight Envelope Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags

This ultra-compact bag for warmer weather measures 190cm x 75cm.

£46.20; naturehikegearuk.com

23. Airbeds, mattresses and sleeping mats

Trespass camping mattress

Sleeping kit

You may choose to rough it in a sleeping bag on the tent groundsheet, but for those seeking a bit more comfort, an airbed might be needed. Trespass has a number of blow-up and inflatable air beds and mattresses.

trespass.com

24. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Regular Sleeping Mat

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Regular Sleeping Mat

Sleeping kit

Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir XLite Regular Sleeping Mat is extremely lightweight and fits into a tiny bag, but can still keep you well insulated from the cold. It makes for a supportive sleep surface, and comes in several sizes.

£205.28; amazon.co.uk

25. Kid-O-Bunk

Kid-O-Bunk

Beds

The Kid-O-Bunk is an absolute must buy for families. It takes 10 or 15 minutes to put together and can be configured as bunk beds, single twin beds, and even a sofa. It packs back down into its own carry bag, and can double up as extra sleeping space at home for sleepovers or guests.

£298; kidobunk.com

26. BioLite Campstove 2+

BioLite Campstove 2+

Kitchen kit

This clever stove burns wood, twigs and pellets without creating smoke, and generates electricity to power devices via the USB port. There’s a portable grill, a KettlePot and CoffeePress, plus a FlexLight for cooking at night.

£250; gooutdoors.co.uk

27. Outwell Collaps Kettle

Outwell Collaps Kettle

Kitchen kit

This 2.5-litre silicone and stainless-steel kettle collapses flat for storage when not in use. Break-resistant, it is easy to clean, has a wide stable base and is quick and easy to open and fold away.

£55; outwell.com

28. Collapsible Washing-Up Bowl

Collapsible Washing-Up Bowl

Kitchen kit

With strong handles, this durable 9-litre washing-up bowl also folds almost flat. It has a twist plug to keep the water in, and measures 20cm x 32cm x 31cm.

£6; dunelm.com

29. Kitchen Gadgets 5-Piece Set

Kitchen Gadgets 5-Piece Set

Kitchen kit

Made from robust plastic, this stackable set is not designed specifically for camping, but would be useful. It has a peeler, mini grater, bottle opener, grinder and a pizza cutter.

£12.11; amazon.co.uk

30. Stainless-steel Camping Cook Set

Stainless-steel Camping Cook Set

Kitchen kit

Quechua’s tough, integrated cook set for two people features a saucepan that doubles as a measuring jug, a frying pan with strainer, 2 bowls, 2 cups and 2 sets of cutlery.

£30; decathlon.co.uk

31. Cool boxes and food storage

Coleman Cool boxes and food storage

Kitchen kit

Unless you’re hunting or foraging for your dinner then it’s likely you’ll be taking some grub to cook on site. A decent cool box is essential for any camping trip. Winfields Outdoors stocks cool box brands such as Coleman, Igloo, Outwell and Kampa Dometic.

winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk

32. AeroPress Go travel coffee maker

Aeropress Go

Kitchen kit

Already beloved by coffee drinkers as an easy way to make an espresso in a minute, the Aeropress is now more portable than ever. The “Go” version comes with a lid and packs down into its own plastic mug.

£39.99; aeropress.co.uk

33. Ikea Fältmal wearable blanket

Fältmal wearable sleeping bag from Ikea

Blankets

Worried about committing to outdoor socialising in the cold? Ikea has you covered. The Fältmal is a cushion that unzips into a wearable sleeping bag-style blanket, with sleeves, and a kangaroo-style front pocket.

£25; ikea.com

34. Milestone Camping steel foldable chairs

Milestone Camping steel foldable chairs

Chairs

Perfect for sitting around the fire, for reading a book or just general relaxing, a decent camping chair is essential. These Milestone Camping steel foldable chairs are lightweight and comfortable.

£12.49 each; amazon.co.uk

35. Trespass Inflatable Chair Floki

Trespass Inflatable Chair Floki

Chairs

If you’re seeking something softer than a folding item, then Trespass has an inflatable camping chair.

£29.99; trespass.com

36. Quechua Pressure Solar Camping Shower

Quechua Pressure Solar Camping Shower

Gadgets

Camping can be a dirty business. You are living in a field, after all. But if your campsite doesn’t have facilities of its own, or you don’t fancy trekking across the site to queue at the toilet block in the morning, don’t worry. Take along the Quechua solar shower. Its 10-litre water bag is heated by the sun and its pump system ensures there’s enough pressure to wash all the grime off.

£55; decathlon.com

37. ADDTOP Solar Charger

ADDTOP Solar Charger

Gadgets

If your gadgets require charging then use the power of the sun. This waterproof ADDTOP Solar Charger is perfect for the outdoors.

£41.97; amazon.co.uk

38. 2XPLORE Emergency First Aid Kit

2XPLORE Emergency First Aid Kit

Essentials

Ideal for travel and camping, the 2XPLORE Emergency First Aid Kit can cover a wide range of minor injuries and comes with strong scissors, tweezers, sticking plasters, bandages, safety pins, first aid cleaning wipes, and medical tape.

£6.99; amazon.co.uk

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