Camping is highly likely to be a popular activity this summer, especially as the Covid restrictions continue to limit travel abroad. A staycation is a great way to enjoy time away with the family while exploring your own country.
In the UK, especially Scotland, we are blessed with so many beautiful places to enjoy camping and the great outdoors.
Camping can be done in many different ways. You might choose to base yourself at a large campsite, with lots of entertainment laid on for children. Alternatively, there are campsites for people who prefer peace and quiet and fewer mod cons.
If you like to get away from it all – including people – wild camping is a brilliant option, too. Be sure to take a set of binoculars or a 4x magnification scope so you don’t miss a thing!
If you hope too camp this summer, you will want to make sure you have the right gear. I have been testing items from Unigear, which I really like, especially because they offer very good value for money.
Discount offer: You can benefit from a 20% discount with this code: FIONAOUTDOORS20
5 great items for summer camping
Double/Single Portable Hammock Set
Hammocks are a growing trend for camping (as well as enjoying a chill out in your garden).
The Unigear hammock is made of high-tenacity 210T nylon (this is similar to parachute fabric, so it’s lightweight but strong). The hammocks allow for a weight of up to 800lbs, which means two people share the double hammock together. Alternatively, you can enjoy a single hammock all to yourself.
There are two sizes: 320cm x 200cm and 275cm x 165cm.
The hammock looks to be made of robust and durable fabric. It also has an easy-to-use system for tying it to trees, posts, for whatever you have chosen for your hanging place.
Packed weight is 1.1kg or 0.95kg.
To buy: $21.99 or $20.99 from Unigear or Unigear Camping Hammock. If you are based in the UK, the price is automatically converted to British pounds. So, for example, $21.99 is £15.90. The shipping cost is free and takes between five and 15 days. (I gain a small commission for each sale through this website. It helps to pay for my work. Thanks.)
Camfy P3 Air Sleeping Pad
The Unigear inflatable sleeping pad offers a comfortable night’s sleep for campers. It is rated as suitable for temperatures above 0℃. As well as offering a soft place for sleeping, the inflatable pad protects you from the cold ground.
It is 7.5cm thick when inflated and has an ergonomic design for the back, waist, legs and ankles. It is made of 40D 310T nylon material and 150D Oxford strap to enhance the tear-resistance. It is also quiet when you roll on it. This is important as some air mattresses can be noisy and annoying at night.
The Airsteam Pump Sack is great. Basically the storage sack has an extended area that allows you to inflate the pad by using far less of your own breath. You attach the pump sack to the one-way valve on the pad. If you blow into the sack to inflate, you can then roll the sack over to inflate the pad. It is surprising how much more effective this is than simply blowing air straight into the pad.
There are two sizes, regular for heights up to 175cm and large for heights up to 185cm. Packed size is 38 x 12 x 12cm.
The pad also comes with a repair pack in case you do puncture it.
To buy: The price is around £50. See sleeping pad. (I gain a small commission for each sale through Amazon. It helps to pay for my work. Thanks.)
Roll Top Dry Bag Backpack with Waterproof Pouch
Unigear dry bags are made of a durable material with “high frequency” welding. All this means it should last you a long time even with a lot of use.
The bags are sized in 2l, 5l, 10l, 20l, 30l and 40l and they have a roll top closure that makes it easy to achieve a tight seal for excellent protection against water.
There is a robust strap that attaches with clips and is a useful extra feature.
There are 10 different colours, too. This makes them easy to use for colour-coded organisation in a rucksack, suitcase or when bike packing.
The bag comes with a useful smaller waterproof pod for a phone or items such as keys and credit card.
This is not the lightest dry bag I have tested but it appears to be well made, very durable and very waterproof. I would be likely to use it while Stand up Paddle Boarding or as a bike packing bag.
Buy from: Prices from $9.99 to $32.99. See Unigear dry bag. (Same info as above when buying from this website.)
Rainproof Camping Tarp Shelter
The Unigear Camping Tarp is a useful extra for a camping trip, or for shelter while on a picnic. It offers large coverage and protects you from rain, sunshine, wind and even snow, if you happen to be planning a winter trip.
It is made of 210D rip-stop Oxford fabric with a PU Inner layer. The details include fixpoints that are reinforced with double stitches, plus 6 stakes and 6 guy-ropes so you can set it up in different shapes and formats.
The packed weights are: S: 0.95kg; M: 1.3kg; L: 1.62kg.
Buy: Prices from $31.99 at Unigear camping tarp. (Same info as above when buying from this website.)
Hydration Water Bladder
The Unigear Hydration Water Bladder is sold in 2, 2.5l and 3l sizes. It is a useful addition to a running or cycling pack.
Again, this appears to be a well made product, especially for the price.
The hydration bladder is made with a BPA-free and FDA-approved anti-bacterial material.
It has a wide opening for filling with water and a neoprene tube cover to resist temperature changes in different weather.
Another features is thermal tape at each end to prevent insulation from sliding and wearing off.
Buy: From $11.99 from Unigear. You can also buy a useful cleaning kit.
- Unigear offers unconditional return and replacement in 30 days.
- Discount offer: You can benefit from a 20% discount with this code: FIONAOUTDOORS20