Comfortable camping: the best kit for a campsite holiday
Looking for a comfortable camping bed, chairs or tent? Our experts select the best camping equipment
Whether you’re camping, glamping or in a touring caravan, you’ll find great campsites throughout the UK, with the Lake District, Cornwall, New Forest, Peak Distict and Wales among the most popular destinations for campsite holidays. Our experts have been testing camping equipment – including tents, camp beds and mattresses, camping stoves and dining essentials – to bring you their recommendations of top kit for a cosy and comfortable campsite stay.
A note on DWR treatment
Many outdoor products are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) to add water repellence and stain resistance. All relevant products in this test use a PFOA/PFC-free DWR because perfluorinated compounds are persistent, pervasive and toxic.
Best tents for a campsite holiday
Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 BlackOut
RRP: £499.99
Ideal as an adventure base for two to four people, this functional tent is roomy and easy to pitch. The tunnel design has enough room to stand up in, with a large living and storage space. Blackout bedroom fabrics block out excess light, while the sewn-in groundsheet keeps the weather out.
Regatta 3 Person Instant Tent
RRP: £160
Quick and easy to set up solo, and almost as easy to pack away, this is a great value, spacious, three-person dome tent with plenty of room to sit up in and a small front porch for stowing packs and boots. It packs down to 80 x 20cm and weighs 4kg – great for car camping but a bit heavy for a backpack.
Comfortable camping beds, mattresses and chairs
Outwell Dreamcatcher sleeping mat
RRP: From £65.99
These high-quality self-inflating sleeping mats are warm, comfortable, durable and easy to inflate/deflate (but we’d recommend a pump). The range includes four different depths of single mats, three depths of double mats, and mats specifically designed to fit campervans.
Vango Hush Campbed
RRP: From £37
Practical and comfortable, the Hush raises you off hard or bumpy ground. You can sleep directly on the cot or use a sleeping pad for extra warmth and comfort. It’s good value and durable but a bit of a struggle to set up, especially the first few uses. For more space try the Grande (£52) or Double version (£72).
Mountain Warehouse Summit 250 Sleeping Bag
RRP: £59.99
This good value, cosy, mummy-shaped sleeping bag is ideal for three-season campsite and sleepover use. It’s 100% polyester, 1.4kg and packs to 22 x 40cm, ideal for car camping or carrying short distances. A lefthand zip and a righthand zip pair will zip together to make a double sleeping bag. Long length version available.
Rab Ascent Down Sleeping Bags
RRP: From £280
Teaming high performance materials with a relaxed, tapered shape, this outstanding bag is a top choice when comfort, pack size and weight are all equally important. The recycled Pertex shell surrounds 650 fill-power responsibly sourced hydrophobic down insulation. Available in regular, long length or female specific fit in 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1100 weights (g of down).
Alpkit Vagabond Chair
RRP: £39.99
This lightweight, packable chair is great value and deploys easily into a comfortable, stable seat. The recycled polyester fabric and sturdy aluminium frame weigh less than a kilo and pack down to 43 x 11 x 11cm – easy to fit in the car and small enough to be carried on shorter adventures.
Kelty Lowdown Couch
RRP: £39.99
This brilliant couch with a low, slightly reclined design comfortably seats 3 people (or 2 and a dog), bringing an extra level to campsite luxury. The steel frame is strong and the quilted polyester materials are durable and insulating. Easy to assemble, it packs down to: 89 x 23 x 34cm and 9.5kg.
Best cooking and dining kit for camping
Highlander Compact Camping Table - Double
RRP: £69.99
A camping table makes campsite food preparation, mealtimes and mobile working so much easier. This model is easy to set up, large enough for six to sit around, stable and sturdy. The height is adjustable and, when the time comes to pack away, it folds in half with the legs inside.
Campingaz Camping Kitchen 2 Multi-Cook Plus
RRP: £199.99
Ideal for group cooking and extended campsite stays, the two powerful burners heat large pans, and the griddle can be used simultaneously. With a more efficient design than previous models, it burns well even in windy conditions. Can be used on a flat surface, or set up the legs for a self-contained unit. Runs off 904/907 gas canisters (sold separately).
Highlander Portable Gas Stove
RRP: From £34.99
This compact gas cooker is sturdy enough for a large pan, self-contained and easy to use. It runs off aerosol style gas canisters, which fit neatly into the stove and light with the integrated piezo ignitor. Good value and dependable, it’s ideal for campsite or garden use.
GSI Glacier Stainless Camper cookset
RRP: £129
This space-saving set includes everything needed to cook for four: a 3-litre pan with strainer lid, 2-litre pan, frying pan, plates, bowls and insulated mugs. It all packs into the largest pan, carried in a protective bag that doubles as a washing up bowl. The pans are durable stainless steel, everything else is drop-proof polypropylene.
Kelty Camp Galley
RRP: £55
One of those items we didn’t know we needed, but it’s made camping and packing easier and more efficient. Designed to organise the camp kitchen, it’s also useful for keeping torches, charging cables and other small items together. The bag opens out to reveal a selection of zipped pockets for cutlery, utensils and spices, elasticated storage pouches for chopping boards and plates, and a hanging loop for a tea towel. The whole bag can be hung up for easy access and then zipped away for storage.
Yeti Rambler 1L French Press
RRP: £110
Filling this durable, insulated coffee press is our favourite way to start the day. Its bright style and smooth function make it a joy to use. A ceramic lining ensures a non-scratchy press, free-from escaping grounds. It doubles as a pitcher later in the day. 1.9L version available for larger groups (£130).
LIBIS rSS Enamel Mug
RRP: £12.95
Eye-catching, retro styled 350ml enamel mugs crafted from durable, 100% recycled stainless steel. Available in a range of laser etched designs and nature-inspired colours to accessorise or stand out. Great to use, they’re a functional, ethical choice for camping, picnics, van life or every day.
Camelbak Thrive Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug - 500ml
RRP: £35
Hot drinks are essential when camping but cool down quickly, so a good, insulated mug is a must. The Thrive series is made from durable, vacuum insulated stainless steel with leakproof lids and comfortable handles. Most importantly, they keep drinks hot for long enough to enjoy them.
Petromax Atago Gas Grill
RRP: £194.95
This is the best compact gas grill we’ve seen. It folds in on itself, taking up hardly any room in the car, then deploys easily for effective and efficient cooking. It runs off standard camping gas canisters and lights with a built-in piezo ignitor. The stainless-steel construction is easy to clean and will last for years.
Jetboil Minimo Cooking System
RRP: £184.99
Thanks to the integrated heat exchanger and wind protection, the Minimo boils 2 cups of in about 2 minutes. It’s stable and features a regulated burner that works efficiently in cooler temperatures. We use it primarily for hot drinks but it’s compact and light enough (415g) to carry and cook on.
TRUE Plasma Lighter Wand
RRP: £24.99
An innovative and invaluable bit of kit, replacing matches and lighters with a clean, reliable, rechargeable igniter. The long reach keeps hands safe, LED light ring helps you see what you’re lighting, and the twin plasma arc is powerful. Each charge provides about 100 ignitions.
Craghoppers National Trust collection insulated mug
RRP: £27.99
A dual walled, insulated stainless steel mug with a large, comfortable handle and sipper lid. The 350ml capacity is a good size for a morning coffee without taking up too much space. 10% of net sales are donated to the National Trust.
Useful camping accessories
THAW Rechargeable heated wrap 2.0
RRP: £99.99
An electric blanket crossed with a fleecy poncho, great for cool evenings at the campsite or for warming up at the end of a walk. The fluffy fleece-lined, recycled polyester blanket has three heat modes providing warmth for up to four hours. The battery will also charge other USB devices.
Useful camping accessories
Claymore Heady2 headtorch
RRP: £29.95
wildbounds.com/collections/claymore
We’re impressed with this great value, water resistant headtorch, which offers 350-lumen spotlight, flood light or strobe functions. The spotlight is ideal for walking, the flood for use around camp and the strobe as an emergency beacon. A single charge lasts up to 40 hours.
Useful camping accessories
Petzl TIKKA core headtorch
RRP: £58
A compact, lightweight and powerful headtorch, ideal for walking and campsite use. 3 power modes include a 450-lumen beam, a 100-lumen light or a gentle 7-lumens for maximum battery and evening use, as well as a red light mode. It’s weather resistant and includes the rechargeable Core battery which can be replaced with 3x AAA batteries.
Useful camping accessories
Biolite Alpen Glow Mini lamp
RRP: £39.99
This mini lantern is incredibly useful, providing fun and useful communal light for minimal size and weight. The integrated bungee makes it easy to hang in a convenient place. There’s a bright, dimmable white light, fixed colour or a cool colour changing mode. It’s rechargeable and lasts between 5 and 40 hours.
Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Gear Hauler Tote – Del Día
RRP: £85
These bags are incredibly useful, storing loads of kit in tough and easy to carry style. Internal zip and mesh pockets keep small items handy, multiple carry handles are easy to grab, and straps hold everything together. The jazzy Del Día collection is made from factory off-cuts, reducing waste and creating unique designs.
Lifesystems Camping First Aid Kit
RRP: £37.99
A handy first aid kit designed specifically to cope with the most likely campsite injuries: burns, cuts, grazes, blisters etc. It comes neatly stowed in a tough, easily identifiable zipped bag and includes a primary care leaflet as well as 39 other items.
Lifesystems Water Filter Purifier Bottle
RRP: £49.99
This brand new 1-litre bottle filters out particulates, chemicals and heavy metals, as well as removing at least 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa. It works like a water bottle, filtering as you drink. The filter will treat around 600 litres before it needs replacing (new filter £24.99).
Ticket to the Moon Original Hammock
RRP: £64.95
wildbounds.com/collections/ticket-to-the-moon
Our TTTM hammock spends most of the summer in the garden. Comfortable for lounging or sleeping, it’s a delight to be cocooned amidst the trees and wildlife. The lightweight Oeko-Tex 100-certified Nylon fabric is hard-wearing and backed by a 10-year guarantee. It’s easy to hang, particularly using the adjustable MoonStraps (£27.95). It packs easily into the supplied bag and weighs around 600g, light enough to take on adventures.
Nebo Galileo Air 1000 Rechargeable lantern
RRP: £39.99
A powerful lantern with a clever space-saving design that collapses into its own base. 6 modes include a bright, 1000-lumen white light which will last a couple of hours, a useful 500-lumen light (5 hours), a 100-lumen low light (10 hours) ideal for general evening lighting, red light to save night vision and red or white strobe. It’s rechargeable and serves as a power bank to charge other USB devices.
Nikwax Camping Kit
RRP: £18.49
Designed to help maintain and prolong the life of your camping gear, this kit includes 500ml each of SolarWash, formulated to safely clean tents and other gear, and SolarProof, to reproof the tent and increase its UV resistance. The kit costs less than buying the bottles separately, includes a couple of microfibre cloths, and comes in a handy 10-litre dry bag. All Nikwax products are water based and PFC-free.
Find a wealth of information about all things camping in Jen and Sim’s new book, The Camping Bible: the complete guide to life under canvas, out now from Bloomsbury.
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