Why is some CAMPING gear so expensive?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Why is some CAMPING gear so expensive?
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@1:59 ... 30% cheaper .. don't think so Paul
If the Trekology one was £70, it would be 50% cheaper .. half price ... It's actually about 70% cheaper 😀
A brain fart on my part. What I meant to say is it’s 30% of the price of the thermarest. He’s actually about 28 1/2 LOL
I think he meant to say 30% of the cost of a Thermarest :-)
OMGoodness. Thankfully we got this straightened out quickly. Whew! Thanks Brian!
IMHO the neo air women’s is 200% worth the extra 70%cost. Absolutely loving mine and I’ve never slept so well camping.
Thanks again for an interesting video.
My grandmother always said “spend money on shoes and beds - if you’re not in one, you’re in the other”. Same goes for camping gear I reckon.
Good point.
Similar to a House. Good Foundation (Shoes), good Roof (Shelter). Any Architect of any worth will tell you that.
Comfortable Bed / Good Night's Sleep .. a non-negotiable. Mors Kochanski is 100% correct on this.
A wise woman :nods:.
I'd like to see a Tesco winter camping budget challenge, none of this expensive stuff, cheap as chips, makes for a good comparison video, between expensive and cheap as it come :D
Great idea!
Brilliant
My stainless steel pot I've been using for years came from Tesco and on sale at that. It was fine, it was just the right size and volume, the lid clipped on and it wasn't heavy. Only reason I stopped using it is I was gifted a titanium pot and I'm asked where it is by the person who gave it to me before I leave the house.
I have just bought a 2 man tent from Asda for 30 quid, see how it goes next week
Having a comfortable backpack is key for a good hike in my opinion
Wouldn't that depend on the distance and terrain? If your hike is 200 meter from the carpark to the tent almost any bag is good enough.
@@SirBlade666 true if it is short it doesn’t matter be at the same time Evan on a short hike it will still be more comfortable
@@SirBlade666 that's not hiking, that's car camping.
I find having a wife does the same job for far cheaper.
Absolutely! On Paul's recommend, I just bought an Osprey Exos 48 for £105 quid. Light as a feather and so comfy and robust!!
It's a shame when I see a company develop a product, then an almost identical product come out of China for half the price. When you don't have to do all the research and development and just copy what someone else did, it will always be a lot cheaper.
I would rather spend my money helping a cottage company who is putting a lot of time and effort into making a good product. I don't think that you HAVE to do this in order to have a good time camping/hiking/whatever, it just makes me feel better that I'm helping someone out rather than helping out a country that has low moral standards.
This is something I’ve done a lot of research in. Companies like MLD and Emberlit have been hit hard by cheap Chinese copies. The quality especially of the MLD trail star copy is not a patch on the real McCoy.
Many cottage companies have stopped doing outdoor shows because the Chinese would visit and take pictures, measurements etc then within weeks there would be copies on ebay. They dont even try and hide the fact they are ripping designers off any more.
Unfortunately there are far to many idiots buying the Chinese copies and crap...
Low moral standards? You might consider researching this matter further. Never forget that most (not all) USA made cottage gear is copied from other cottage gear or developed from DIY gear ideas that have been floating around for decades. And it is far to easy to deem everything made in Asia as a junky copy and everything made in American as original, super spiffy and golden. It is just not that simple. Why not experiment with the less expensive gear from overseas at least some of the time?
@@geraldhenrickson7472 I would rather support British manufacturers rather than gear produced in a Communist country which abuses its citizens. Chinese manufatuers also evade UK taxes by marking items as gifts and setting up UK adresses for their ebay operations. This also helps put UK manufactueres at a disadvantage so BUY BRITISH and if you do and find its made in China complain.
One of the best things I bought to go under my sleeping pad was a car windscreen frost protector thing from Aldi for a couple of quid. Works a treat and is really really warm
Absolutely i usually buy a few when aldi reduce them... versatile for many winter outdoor applications and duct tape them when Start to wear to help the environment. 👍
Brill, I use the bubble foil insulation stuff left over from other projects. Works a treat. Take out on walks too to sit on really warms the butt up 😂
Worth spending the money in the Bs- Boots, Bag and Bed at the start and add in more expensive kit as decide what you actually want/need
be patient........ all these shortages are created by people just buying the dream , most of will never get used once the planes are flying to Ibiza again!! then the second hand market will be flooded with cheap but virtually unused gear
Shhhh......it’s a secret😉. Let others know that AFTER you have blagged that bargain.
Playing the markets lol. 😂
I was thinking that too!
Buy high, re-sell low! Lol
Same goes for bicycles,there is still a shortage of new ones.Musical intruments too.
I have owned 3 or 4 (can't remember) Thermarest Neoair sleeping pads over the years. I only paid for the first one- the others were replacements sent to me under the lifetime warranty that Thermarest offers. This is over the span of 6 years, and hundreds of nights use of the pads (not an exaggeration). Low price is usually a false economy, and not actually good value for someone like myself who is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. Of course there are exceptions- I love my Decathlon down jacket and Trekology pillow. That being said, I am much more aware these days of where my gear is made, and by whom. It has become a priority to source gear that isn't made in countries where cheap labour is the norm- After sales care is important in the long run. There's an expression that goes 'I'm too poor to buy cheap'- Many outdoor professionals have very little money, yet they will save up for quality equipment. I personally would rather own less 'stuff' that is of a higher quality.
Next year when restrictions are much less I expect to see a list of camping gear for sale on eBay... ;)
Yeah me too some bargains to be had 😬
restrictions will be here for a few more years yet
Well said. Backpacking is highly personal, and your wants/needs will change over time. My gear priorities are completely different at 44 years old, than they were at 24. Best advice I have for any age: Understand your needs, do your research, buy once/cry once (buy second-hand or wait for end-of-season sales), and no matter what...never cheap out on your feet or your safety.
Thanks for all the great vids, Paul. Cheers from across the pond.
Hi Paul, you didn't mention the Thermarest sleeping pad bag doubles as a pump so water vapor from breath doesn't end up inside the pad. Pretty ingenious idea! Also, it's lightweight and compact. Glad I finally invested in one 😀
Hohooooo ! +1 point for you ! I never thought about that ! Thanks !
Back in the army 30 years ago we had these heavy duty rubber air mattresses that had an open ended bag on the end with a port to stick into the inflation valve so you could fill the mattress without using your mouth.
I always thought that was a great idea but it’s only recently I’ve noticed it in camping gear.
@@rjstewart A guy in a Cornish hostel showed me his Thermarest a few years ago and highly recommended them. I did think they were overpriced at the time. I cycled coast to coast last summer so good quality rest was a must. The valve broke on my previous pad in the middle of the night so ended up spending 5 hours on the freezing ground. The following day I cycled into Exeter (bit of a detour) to Cotswolds Outdoor and invested in one. Never looked back.
What other sleep pad brands use the bag as an inflation device?
@@cyclingmadhedgehog8860 In the army when they retired the "Rubber Lady" they issued us thermarest knockoffs made by a company called Mustang Engineering that make survival suits for sailors. After I left the army I've only ever bought actual thermarest pads and I've never actually seen one in person with the inflation bag!
Decide what kind of camping you want to do, time of year, location and weather conditions then buy appropriately. If you want something that will do for all seasons and locations then you will pay a premium for the quality but it will serve you well. For me a good all round sleeping bag is essential. You can work around the sleep mat but if your bag is crap you will get a bad night.
Here in Sweden there was many new campers out camping and hiking last year. The camping stove became christmas present of the year last Christmas. I guess supply and demand drives prices up. I have also seen a lot of pretty new second hand camping gear for sale. So there is a possibility to get some second hand high end gear to a better price. The down side is that when I hiked in the mountains last summer I found one tent, one thermos and one water bottle, all cheap stuff that people just left behind on the trail. I carried the stuff to the next mountain station and put it in the lost and found.
Same here in Scotland,the £30 tent and low price sleeping bags,are often left behind in wild areas now too.
@@mr.145 it is sad to see, perhaps we can help educate new campers through TH-cam, blogs and stuff. @Paul Messner what du you say?
Always been put off by silly high prices. Most of my main kit is ex-Army - goretex waterproofs, windproof smock, sleeping mat(s), tarp, arctic sleeping bag etc. Dirt cheap compared to 'brands' and absolutely bombproof - built for British conditions. I've had the same pair of Danner Acadia boots since 1992, been re-soled twice by LSR. My little Go-System Sirocco gas stove is brilliant and cost £30. Pack is a Berghaus Cyclops Roc customised by Dixies Corner in Brecon - had that since the lat '80s! Been tabbing and wild camping in the Brecon Beacons for over 30 years, none of my kit has let me down yet, and the Army kit is only getting better!
Prices have gone nuts on a lot of out door /sports equipment. Someone did tell me the issue is with the lack of shipping containers. There is a reasonable amount sitting empty stuck in locations where exports have suddenly dropped and the shipping companies wont pay to move them as not worth it. This has pushed up prices in shipping, which has meant an increased in cost of production. The challenge is, this is effecting every aspect, the movement of materials to factories, from factories to distribution centres, distribution centres to destination country.
Then throw in Manufactures scaling back production as their storage units are full of stock ready to go, they have no room to make more, so of course are not buying materials, which means the shipping containers with materials are not moving. It's a massive knock on effect.....
I love using Ali Express for camping products, some great prices and free delivery. I hope you are able to get out camping again soon
Another level headed great piece of advice. I do like to buy from smaller specialised companies, especially UK ones where I can.
Love your topic and examples. Perfect instruction for novice and not so novice. Like the one saying "put your money where your mouth is ", put your money where you want your comfort. Keep up your good work.
Thanks for sharing/uploading, over the years from ground dwelling under a poncho on a 20mm sleep mat, I got fed up with 4 hours of lousy rest so tried a tarp/hammock( obviously lying atop something thermal) but woke up every morning feeling like my knees were bent backwards, transitioned to a full on military cot bed but got fed up with needing a crowbar to lever the end bars over the plastic lugs, so went full on z bed, guest bed with mattress...about £35, progressed to the Lidl/Aldi 4 man tunnel which is about right for my knife shows/gatherings etc, for the stall/ meeting customers/ cooking etc, but luckily ended up gifted with a second hand Vango Diablo, instant Palace for big meets, however for other times in the Banshee I really need a box sided air mattress, just fits in the Banshee, I really doubt any trek style mat could afford me any real level of comfort to get a decent night sleep so any load out for hiking/Brecons etc would need to include a huge air mat (100mm 4" etc minimum ) with a li-ion inflator so weight wise I would already be rucksacking more than most but would be counting on getting that improved sleep once I weezed and puffed to get there...
I spent a lot on a sleep system. I bought a US Army 3 piece sleep system. I used one in the Army and know how to mix and match the parts for temps ranging from 70f/21c to -40f/-40c. They sell for 270 dollars or 195 pounds. Because I use a good bivy and sleeping bag system I can use a light tarp for added comfort. When its hotter I use a minimal hammock system that is very budget friendly. Then again I live in the Texas and summer nights might only go down to 85f/29c. Winter nights might get to 1f/-17c. I don't like to sleep cold The Army isn't paying me to so I don't have to any more.
Just get what’s within your budget is the most important thing.. you will change bits of kit over the years... if it works and it gets you out doing things that you want to do then it’s a win... thanks for the content 👍🏻
yes camping gear is way over priced. Like you said, pick what's right for you. thanks for the video and stay safe.
Just bought a tarptent scarp 2 so looking forward to getting back out when restrictions are lifted
Great vid Paul 👌
Try not to forget the environment when making these choices. No company is perfect but some (patagonia etc) give options that are a bit better for the environment.
Exped are reasonably good too yes 👍
There are a number of cheaper alternatives to the big brands which work just as well but I do spend a little more on hiking socks. Got to get the feet right but I also have my tried and tested blister kit which is far superior to the blister pads you can buy.
Great topic. I bought a pair of Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles for $26, whereas some people spend $150+ for a pair of Leki poles. Yet mine have worked well for me for two years now.
The old engineering saying, "Lighter, stronger, cheaper, pick 2" applies. But good advice, knowing clearly what you need for your activities, and shopping around including returns and used items is, as always a useful approach
We all have to start somewhere. And rather start with some cheap gear and find out for your self, if it's any good, than buy expensive gear from the start and find out that the great outdoor, isn't for you 🤔 With experience comes demands. You get a better picture of, what you want/need, and it doesn't have to be expensive 😊 Good advice for the beginner Paul 👍
Another great little video. I bought almost all of my gear at charity shops or it was passed on to me. It’s surprising how many people have got good kit just sitting in cupboards/garages, just gathering dust. It’s always worth asking or putting the feelers out for any kit. I’ve also had stuff bought for me from my Amazon wishlist - always worth adding stuff there. I’m always happy with cheap-and-cheerful (if it does the job) and will always try and pass on kit as I find upgrades; that’s a big part of the fun of it for me.
Paul, you made a great valid point in this video about logos or brand names,. I purchased a down packaway jkt for £40 on line, other sites are charging well over £130 for a very similar product! On the sleeping pads my tip is get some aluminium radiator reflector sheets and put them below pad, it should help improve any cold spots! Regards Mark.
Just purchased a Jetboil after watching your stove test. Not camping at the minute but wife and I go mountain biking so will take it with us.
Good points Paul. All my stuff is from Decathlon in Chiang Mai Thailand where mall competition for cloths and shoes etc. is far more expensive. I visited a Decathlon store in Germany and found the prices of certain items quite a bit more expensive than Thailand. You wouldn't choose their gear for an Everest expedition but on the whole, I've found it quite adequate for me and reasonably cheap.
Spot on Paul - for me it’s a sleeping system and tent. If I don’t have a comfortable night then I won’t be as eager to keep going. Especially after a long, hard walk. I’ve just bought a MiniMo and went back and forth on it ages, but at the end of the day I’ll be able to have decent meals and probably not buy another stove for years - same with the Soulo (I paid £650 on eBay), I’ll not buy another tent for possibly ten years. When it comes to clothes, I’m not as fussed - got a £4 Rab shirt from mountain outfitters and does me just fine!
Two pieces of kit I do make sure are spot on and will spend a little bit more on are boots and socks, nothing worse than having bad hurting feet when hiking.
I thoroughly agree with about 90 percent of this, You generally get what you pay for, but there are exceptions. My down jacket, waterproof and boots are embarrassingly expensive. But. I own the cheap trekology mat shown in this video. If you camp at sub zero temperatures you will be cold. But there are 2 options. You can spend a fiver on a foil emergency blanket to go put under the mat. That does the same same job as the thermarest, while saving 100 quid. Or (my preference) you can be a fair weather camper.
I agree totally on a stove. I have a few at all price points. The one I use most is the cheapest. A pocket rocket knock-off from china. It cost less than 10 pounds. I use it because it is reliable and light.
Biggest reason for company prices is R&D... Thats why really good brands like Hilleberg MHW etc are expensive... Besides quality products used...
Great video Paul, agree about compromising on comfort with lighter gear. It’s definitely worth spending a bit more on some key items 👍🏻
Your quite right there paul, in some areas it’s best if you can afford it, to invest a little more money in for example your boots, sleep pad etc. But like you say it’s all about personal choice and how much it gets used.
I tend to look fir the best opinions for my budget. Invested in a custom quilt (on sale!) and insulated pad but got a lower priced tent. Love Osprey packs and managed to get the lighter woman’s AG on sale. Shop around. Pick what you’re willing to spend top dollar or liner priced Like you said. What ever makes you happy
It's all about researching products thoroughly before pressing the buy button. I looked at quite a number of sleeping pads when getting into this and ended up with an Exped Synmat 7 for £70. I don't regret it one bit. Good features (such as the integrated hand pump) with an R-Value of 4.9 without breaking the bank. I would advise any other newbie to spend quality time researching first, especially when it comes to the more expensive items on any gear list.
I've found that in high winds it's always the tents poles that fail. So buy a tent such as a naturehike or whatever and just buy one good pole to go on top and perhaps better pegs and you end up with a stronger pretty good tent at half the cost.
Also I use a down throw under my sleeping pad. There very like the naturehike sleeping bags but only cost 30 pounds on ebay. My theory being if feathers can keep a ducks arse warm on ice it ought to keep mine warm. Also you can obviously also use it as a throw or anyway you might need it. Buy two and you can join em together as have stud buttons on them. And of course pack away yo nothing.
Hi Paul brilliant video . My sleep system I spend money on as it’s all about the good nights sleep and I do have an msr access 3 . My banshee 300 is a great tent at a budget . I have a msr windburner and a £5 penny stove from Amazon . Like yourself I don’t let people dictate where I should spend money I have more than one system in all areas as I like options for camping and trying different methods as it’s my hobby and you have to keep the fun going with different methods and equipment. I do have favs but also love trying new gear .....if your not robbing or begging for the money go for it there are dearer hobbies
Keep up the amazing work mate
I got my first summer wild camp setup for a touch over £100. Got loads of second hand, online offers, budget brands, raiding old cupboards at my parents.
Another great down to earth video Paul. Keep them coming. Ps I don’t know why people would give a thumbs down to your videos. Maybe they’re experts!
Another cost in the UK is the taxes on importing the ultralight gear from the USA, for example Zpacks
I use a reflective car windscreen frost cover under a cheap inflatable. Cost about £5 on ebay.
Keep spreading the good word! It seems like camping has been monopolised by gear junkies yet I remember pitching an ancient canvas tent in the scouts and spending 4 soaking wet days in it. Loved every minute! That was only the 90's too!
The retail mark up on most brand names is ridiculous whether that be tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, rucksacks, boots and clothing. Look at the crazy prices being asked for some of the Merino Wool base layers and don't even get me started on Tent Stoves which in the main, cost more than the wood burning stove in my house. Hence, I have to stick with heavier more durable Military Surplus, but as soon as some big channel shows an item, it becomes expensive and sought after.
After doing a degree in outdoor adventure I would say having a good set of clothing is really important spending a few hundred pounds on a good hardshell is a great investment.
For tents I think it's always worth hunting around for a bargain I got two MSR tents both for less than half price.
I do fell prices have rocketed over the last year I hope it will drop again soon
The same thing happened in the carp fishing scene during the first lockdown. People went crazy and prices went ridiculous .
I started planning to do some wild camping for a change and picked up some bargains in Jan. Looks like I got lucky .
Already own a nordisk telemark2, and after tonnes of research, chats with various contacts was gonna purchase a Hilleberg Staika. BUT, found out they as you said tent makers are having nightmare due to COVID because of backlog and the Staika was not gonna be available until at least November of this year. Good news though I was lucky to snap up a Hilleberg Allak that had only been used 2 times for 840! Just gutted not tried it out yet. I thought well worse case use this until the staika available and then sell the Allak for pretty much the same as they hold value well.
I like my tents and am willing to spend on them. Scarp 2, Helm 2, Lanshan 1 are my favourites in order of price, cooking wise I'm not fussed, got an aluminium pot I've had for 30yrs and a tiny cooker off wish that well... cooks 😂. Wild Camping is very individual and should be, a friend of mine is obsessed with sleeping mats, every time we go out he has a new one 😴🤣
I am glad you said about the price of camping gear going up the price is mad I brought loads of gear in the sales last year and this year this price has gone up 4 fold its barmy.
Camping is the same as anything and its not until you get out there and know what sort of gear you can scrimp on. When you first start you thing you need all the top named gear.
Good video 😎👍
Thanks mate. You are doing a a great job too.
I use a Coleman 442 feather camping stove. Donkeys years old, dual fuel, burns Colemans proprietary fuel or unleaded (guess which on one go for). Originally designed during the second world war (or so I have read). How about a video about "older" tech and if it still works and is relevant ?
Just invested in a down sleeping bag (yes I know you love quilts!) I bought the Thermarest Questar -6C Sleeping Bag, in a large from Elite Mountain Supplies for £220 quid - an absolute bargain, check them out. This luxury bag, on top of the budget Trekology UL80 sleeping pad, is supremely comfortable. Both in my Naturehike Cloud peak 2. Like you said, spend money on the important things and get value from others.
Yes i agree you need a good nights sleep, is camping gear more expensive (it would be good if we could use it) depends where you shop and your expectations, dare i mention Ali express? It also depends when you are going out - decent winter gear is more expensive than summer gear, it has to be bomb proof. Like you said summing up its horses for courses - Stay safe
Hi Paul firstly I would like to thank you for your honestly on camping products. I personally have the trekology UL80 air mattress and have read some very negative comments about it. But I honestly can not afford or justify spending £140 on the thermorest neoair. I will eventually invest in a high end mattress when I can but at the moment this is not a option for me.
Add a thermal barrier underneath as Paul mentions. They help a lot. we have the UL80's and use a fleece lined emergency blanket that cost a tenner.
@@hubby-tubadventures01 thanks for your message. Where did you purchased your fleece lined blanket.
@@markreid2642 quite cheap really and lower than what we paid. We have cut ours down to the size of the mat and added some elastic to help prevent slippage. use it with Mylar side on the mat. The off cut of 1 blanket is more than enough to make a pillow case for 2 trekology pillows. www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/below-zero-blanket/
The UL80 is probably the most comfortable pad i've used. It's easy to add warmth to it with a foil blanket or CCF mat. This just adds more bulk but still doable.
@@PaulMessner Agree re the bulk Paul. The link I added above does add a fair bit and the cut down version is not to hand for measuring. I have chopped 1/3 off the width. The "as new" version will roll down to 12 inches long by 18 inches circumference and in a dry sack this'll reduce even more when you squeeze the air out.
Great video. I have the £2 seat pad (although I paid £1.50 for mine!). That and a Hilleberg Niak tent were two of my best purchases last year. Opposite ends of the price spectrum, but both do their job very well.
Hiked and camped all over europe and only expensive kit I bought was my osprey pack. A friends expensive sleeping mat punctured in multiple places, my dirt cheap OEX traverse mat lasted the whole trip.
This a wonderfully balanced report Paul. Exactly what is needed. I've always maintained that if you buy a piece of kit, it should be used to within an inch of its life. Hence my gas cooker. Frequently used. Its not the top of its range, but by gum, it earns its keep. Excellent report Paul. Keep them coming.
If the people I work for don't know who you are by now they will by the end of the day. I'm guna sing your praises and hopefully hook you up. Keep up the good work mate.
I am a adventure guide in South Africa and yes I agree 100% with you - outdoor gear seems to be getting a lot more expensive - they say its the exchange rate but I think its more because of demand.
My favourite example of this is ripstop windproof trousers. Ones designed for walking are typically £70-100 whereas you can get something almost identical intended as warm up dance trousers for only £15
Warm up dance trousers?
@@skyblue-df2od yeah so they're just a pair of trousers made from thin ripstop nylon. They are super light and don't restrict your movement. dancewear.co.uk/adel-4.html
You do have to sacrifice a few style points, but they're practical
With the stoves, it's not just about how fast they boil water, it's about how efficient they are in relation to what you are doing with it and too some extent the conditions you are using it in. Some stoves might be small, light and cheap, but are not very efficient in use. Others may be very efficient on gas, but maybe not as efficient in wind as others. Looking at you Jet boil zip.
I absolutely agree with this. I have recently made videos showing how much more efficient the jetboil is. But it still might not be the best purchase if you only go camping a couple of times. You don't get to use it enough to reap the overall financial benefits anyway.
I agree Paul , I think some manufacturers are taking the proverbial, once lockdown ended and normality prevails their sales will hit rock bottom and people will remember they were fleeced in a time of need . Not a good strategy me thinks. I have just bought a cloud peak 2 for 2-3 season use ideal for what I need very happy 😃
I wonder how much of the price rises are retailers just trying to stay in business. If they can't get new stock in then it's only rational to raise prices rather than sell out and have nothing left.
There appears to be a shortage of shipping containers in the right places ATM. Lines are actually sending ships to simply ship out empties from the UK. Furthermore, imports are being delayed coming in because of too many boxes in terminals hampering efficiency, and vessels delayed due to weather.
@@discomikeyboy2012 I don’t mind paying a bit more to support retailers but in some cases doubling prices is opportunistic in my view.
Happy you compared the sit mats. I bought the cheapie one you have with intention of upgrading but I see there's no point now. Saved me £14! Thanks 😎 .. is there a decent, cheapie version of hot tent stoves? I think they seem overpriced. Especially the flat pack ones. But it looks so cosy, I'd love to try hot tenting.
Low volume cottage industries. Products that may have a lower retail price but the scarcity of that item drives up the after-market prices for their items. Products made in-country at living wages versus paying a third world citizen to construct the item at a cost of pennies. A target audience that expects a company to be socially conscious and divert a portion of its profits towards social causes will inevitably drive up the asking prices for that companies products
When I worked outdoors I went a couple of years before buying good quality boots and rain gear. It literally changed my life! Biggest regret was not doing it sooner. My gore-tex coat is around 10yrs old now and still as good as new!
Equally I have a £15 dare2b down jacket that I love lol
As always Paul great to have some of your good advice
I’d love to see a series about ethical companies in the camping industry, for those of us whom are trying to be more thoughtful about where we spend our money, especially when we’re getting back to nature once lockdown ends.
Great video as always, Paul. In my experience you get what you pay for with outdoor gear however there are exceptions to this. You do pay for branding at times but established brands are established due to the quality they produce and as you say the technology, quality of materials, weight etc aren’t always noticeable. It’s worth knowing what you’re paying for in my view and your vids help do that for people 👍🏼 keep up the good work mate. ATB, Craig
Funny you mention the Soulo ... I’ve been looking to get one and can’t get one anywhere. I’m on about 7 waiting lists at the minute 🤣😂
Sometimes the high price tag means fragile ultra light, that may not suit the needs of the patron.
The hilleburgs have a reputation for sturdiness, but I live in tornado ally Midwest US, & think if you got good stakes any freestanding dome tent can handle wind rain snow & hail no problem.
I recommend something lighter, easier, & something that you can also use in the hot summer. (double doors w/mesh)
Good luck👍
@@aaronfuentes5919 agreed mate. As with all things it’s about what is right for the individual... that includes budget, weight, functionality. I have a couple of hillebergs and think the quality is excellent. I also have a few lightweight options.
I see you're tent collector. Lol. I'll check out your channel.
@@aaronfuentes5919 I have issues 😂👍🏼
I cannot pick up an OEX leviathan 900 sleeping bag for love nor money and they’re not coming in anytime soon by looks of things. So I camped in a 2 season bag in the snow with my down jacket, thermal bottoms and a... HOT WATER BOTTLE!! Was pretty comfy at around 1*c. Still looking for a decent 4 season bag that’s not in the up in the RAB ranges
Shelter , sleeping bag and sleeping pad, boots and backpack . Spend more money on these can be really painful BUT these are essentials and life savers, I think.
As always you talk sense. There is a lot of Brand snobbery out there. My attitude is, get out and about with what you are comfortable in and can afford. I know people who spend hundreds on gear and others far less, they all end up on the same trails and hills.
Top stuff as ever Paul. Don't skimp on boots and sleep systems and you wont go far wrong. It always makes me chuckle as I get into my "bomb proof" Helm 1 and have the sleep of the gods on a Thermorest and UGQ Bandit quilt.
Keep up the great work Paul, it is hugely appreciated.
Choosing gear also depends on your focus. If you drive to a location, walk an hour to camp and are happy carrying bacon, eggs and beer then weight and packability probably aren’t priorities. If your focus is on multi day trail walking, then weight and packability become essential to your enjoyment. Every kilo adds up.
I think most things have sneaked up in price since recently especially since lockdown also been trying to get a new pair of boots really been struggling to find stock of most brands anywhere seems like there is a massive shortage. great vids recently aswell paul trying to find ideas is hard when you cant get out much :)
Good video. I do not hesitate to buy good footwear or a good sleeping pad. I have some titanium cookware and a set of titanium cuttlery. They are nice to have and a bit of luxury. My needs in regards of tents are not high. So I tend to go cheaper. With sleeping bags I can go cheaper. I do not need it to be too warm. "Freaking cold" to some others is kind of T shirt weather to me.
Completely agree with your thoughts re’ pricing . Same with high end jackets and winter boots etc are all the same. Noticed it back during the latest time there was high oil prices sales assistant said this was impacting manufacturing and distribution costs. Maybe but prices never came back down again 😂
Great video. I noticed that Mountaineering Scotland recommend not taking a sit pad in winter. They say sit pads are so light that they often blow away and you'd be better sitting on your rucksack. (Not sure I totally agree but thought I'd pass that message on)
I bought a preloved tent last year (Tatonka Alaska 3.325) and it is amazing for what we need it. Would love to see if you could make a tent review of a Tatonka tent. Seems to be good and it is not breaking the bank...
When you have lost several therma rest mats its makes sence to buy the cheaper option and use a foil wrap for insulation...
Hi Paul and All. No doubt about prices! But it's interesting, that while top-end kit rises in price almost exponentially, there is some fabulous kit at the bottom end which is in no way too shabby. The tent case in point - the thick end of a grand for an all-season Hilly, or 500+ for a mid-to-top-end Exped, Terra Nova and whoever else, or just over a wunner (oner? How DO you spell that?!) for a tent that passes the DoE/Ten Tors spec for newbies ie. teenagers who are not always too kind on their kit, and who will be able to pitch a tent reliably, so whatever tent needs to make a decent shelter even if not pitched 100% well. In the end it's simply about horses for courses, and one tent to last 10-20 years and still be reliable, or 4 or 5 tents over the same period that will work out at the top-spec tent cost longer term. I have always felt that, if you can afford it, and you know you will use it often and in all conditions, buy the top-end stuff as a nod towards the environment at the very least. If you have seen 'used' tents en masse, the thought about all that wasted nylon and poly-whatever going to landfill when we have an environmental disaster looming seems counter-productive. I have seen Glasto post-event, the year the Boy Scouts got the deal to clear up the abandoned cheap tents. It was enough to make you weep. (among the gear sold off by the Scouts - they keep it all, part of the clean-up deal - was a Macpac sleeping bag, a friend bought it for £3! Yes, £3!! A careful clean and they had a bag to last them for years, good to zero at least, about a £200 new even then, 6 or 7 years back. Some parent would have been incandescent that their Joe or Josaphine had 'borrowed' dad's favourite sleeping bag...) But to return to thread - you can buy a complete set up for 500 or 2,000 pounds, and the £500 deal would still weigh less than the best of the best from 30 years ago! In that sense gear has actually become cheaper, relatively. In the 70s we used to say a good pair of boots would cost a month's wages. I recently bought a pair of leather Scarpa boots - original price £195 - for £100, end of line, but excellent boots. For half a week's wage, even of the least well paid... And my 25 year old Nallo 2, as I wrote earlier, is still going strong (though might be out of commission if I hadn't bought other tents as income allowed, thus spreading the load, as it were). It was my sole one or two person tent for well over 15 years, 500 nights' use minimum. Would a £100 tent do that? There you are then.
TBH I walk past people with about a grands-worth of gear hanging off them for a quick walk along say, Stanage Edge or down the Manifold Way - Gear's expensive for those who want to spend the money. For those who don't, there's plenty of alternatives from buying old ex-Army surplus (I use a Bundeswehr waterproof when I'm out taking photos and standing still in the cold for a long while) to shopping for Regatta / Craghoppers - Its all about the spec and people over-speccing - I can go wildcamp on Kinder Scout in January with an 80 quid bivvy or a 400 quid bivvy, as long as I'm warm in both of them they both meet the spec I'm after, as can most people. Its punters WANTING to spend more for that higher, often unnecessary spec that keeps the hiking manufacturers in business.
Great video Paul... Im a firm believer that you should always get the best you can afford. Within reason obviously..
I could comfortably buy some Hilleberg tents but as im just getting into Wildcamping I want to get a feel for it first and get some experience with more 'normal' tents so to speak.
But I definitely think over the last year or so certain things have gone up in price for sure! 💯%
Great video mate
ATB... Chris
I think the best idea is to start with cheap gear in fair weather not too far from home, then upgrade items as you want/need/can afford to. It's only by getting out and using gear yourself that you figure out what you really want and need, which combinations of gear work for you, and so on. For example, the only way to know exactly how warm a sleeping bag you need is to try it - we all sleep differently. You could waste a lot of money buying a "warmest" down sleeping bag only to find it's too hot. Build gear as you build experience, and gradually try doing more challenging things in more challenging conditions. Redundant gear can then be passed on to friends starting out, or donated to a charity shop.
Another tip depending on where you live: I've found in New Zealand and Australia, gear is much cheaper at hunting shops than general outdoors shops. I think the hunting community hasn't bought into expensive gear BS - they tend to be very budget conscious. eg if you don't mind camo/dull olive/blaze orange, good quality outdoor clothing can be had at half the price or less.
I also almost never pay full price for anything. I keep a wishlist of gear I'm looking out for, and wait for sales. I have "club" memberships at all the outdoors stores that sell high-quality gear and offer memberships for free, and get email alerts when sales are coming up. eg this year we are doing an alpine trip for the first time in years, so I'm on the lookout for Gore-tex mitts. If I left buying them until just before we go I'd probably have to pay full price ($$$!) but I'll probably see a good deal somewhere in the next few months.
I don’t like the way they claim a sleeping bag is 4 season when really it’s only good for 1 season because it’s to warm for spring, summer and autumn.
The solution is to have 12 sleeping bags, one for each month!
I’m a sucker for brands sometimes it pays sometimes it doesn’t but like u said if you love the gear u have and you haven’t gone beyond your means that’s all that matters .I see a lot of full on arguments on TH-cam and fb groups about gear but at the end of the day we all share the same passion /hobby.... anyway🤣 Another grate video mate
Interesting comment about tent prices increasing. I was in my local Go Outdoors at the weekend and I noticed a staff member changing the prices on the tents and some of the lower prices tents had gone up in price by £20 !! One was an OEX originally priced at £80 and in a second was displaying a £100 price tag. Helluva increase on a budget tent. He wasn't just changing one or two but many of the tents on display.
Love your videos mate. Definitely right. Not everything expensive is worth the money. Last time we went camping we bought a £30 pop up tent and it was perfect. I have, however, just bought my second pair of Sealskinz waterproof socks. Pretty expensive for what they are but worth every penny. Can’t go walking without them. Miserable feeling having cold wet feet!
I can never feel I have enough tents or camping things my biggest weakness is torches I have over 70 torches I can’t seem to have enough of them, I do night walks and will be taking some on a 35 mile night walk on Friday with me
🤣🤣
I think a lot of stuff recently I find has a price tag that I question. How can the Chinese knock out stuff so cheap and the values not that bad? In the mid price range there's some good deals, like the gas burners, alcohol stoves, wood-stoves and such, I've got a fair collection now, thanks to English Woodsman, lol...hey Dan.
I got a new sleeping matt on advice from you which is rocking, then the tent i got the idea from Trev (Summit or Nothing) and Ant (survive the night) - although the model i got was different it had the same set up and performance. I even got a new sleeping system to push my camping experience to more than 2 seasons a year. I want to tour some great distances (Boris willing) across Europe in the coming years, so I had to buy gear to last and be up to the job. I got a hammock if I went somewhere there were trees but the ground was wet, & a tarp for cover - (Knobster's advice and welsh Dragon). all these channels give great advice I'm sure agree Paul.
Thanks again Paul, great video. On the air mattress, one is made in Ireland and the other in(probably) China. No issues with that, but cost of production also is a factor. My best value purchase I think were my altberg boots, army surplus and a quarter of the price of the civilian version sold for hiking. Same waterproof leather etc, just a lot cheaper.
Buy a Ferrari and it gets you from A to B. Buy a Nissan and it gets you from A to B. It's a interesting debate about how much to pay for various gear and whether it's worth it but as you say Paul, it all comes down to what you can afford, what works for your type of camping and how you use and treat your gear. A few people have commented below about the more ethical aspects of purchasing gear and I would side with that viewpoint. I try to buy from more "ethical" companies but this does usually means paying more. But do hunt around on line as you can get some good deals - I recently picked up a Mountain Equipment "Senja" Down jacket reduced from £200 (which I would not pay for a Down jacket) to £100 (which I did!). And yes, it is a superb quality jacket and fabulously warm!
I'm starting out camping/wild camping. I'm buying stuff that's army surplus. I've got a 120L burgen off ebay for £30. Also a 4 season sleeping bag down to - 12 for £35. It doesn't have to be too expensive
Army surplus is great to get you started. Traditionally very low prices, but the downside is the weight and the bulk. Those 120L Bergens aren't the most comfortable but it will probably last you forever!
Camelbaks are another thing that's expensive in hiking shops, but the army surplus camo version was a fiver!
My sleeping bag is 92% Goose and 8% Down. Worth every cent. The only other expensive thing I have is the backpack as it is important not to hurt your back, hips, shoulders, etc all day walking. Just my opinion
Surely it's 92% goose down right? :-)
@@ChristoferB I give up trying to post a link LOL TH-cam wont allow it. The bag says 92 Goose 8 Down. Go figure what that means 😀
oh wait, you're taking the piss here? 👌 I have been day drinking since lunch time
@@Sir_Chuckmyster LOL! Tell you what, you'd be creating quite a stir at the campsite! (Had a couple after work too btw!)
Recently invested a chunk of money on a Thermarest/Rab sleep system, money very well spent. To wake up in a sub zero tent toasty warm for me made it worth it.
Research and buy used is my way of getting my gear ohh yeeaahh! Great video 👍🏴