CAMPING GEAR BUYER’S GUIDE

Once you’ve chosen your tent, you’ll need to stock up on a few essentials to ensure your camping trip is functional as well as fun.

Choosing your next family tent, plus all the essentials for your next trip

Sleeping

Sleeping bags can cost as little as £25, but one filled with down, which gives the best warmth to weight ratio, will set you back anything from around £200. Mats and beds are important for comfort and for maintaining body heat. and a camping bed will keep you off the cold ground and might make you feel more at home.

Sea to summit Traveller TrII -1°c £280

Filled with down and made from ultralightweight fabrics, this is designed to offer maximum warmth for minimal weight and bulk. It also comes with drawcords at the feet and shoulders to properly cocoon yourself on a chilly night. www.seatosummit.co.uk

Exped SynMat HL Duo £240

Two can snuggle up (or one can sprawl) on this lightweight and warm inflatable mat. It comes with a pumpbag for rapid inflation and there are two valves – one for each side – in case one of you prefers a softer mat to the other. www.lyonequipment.com

Renata Camp Bed £100

The strong aluminium frame will keep you comfortably above ground and It folds down to a compact size and there’s a useful side storage pocket. www.regatta.com

Cooking

There are plenty of portable gas and multi-fuel stoves out there. Two or more hobs make creating meals easier, and broad hobs cook more evenly, though a larger stove is normally pricier. Single hob stoves start at around £20, with two hobs around £40. Portable barbecues and fire pits also add to a more authentic camping experience.

Campingaz Camping Cook CV £44.99

This little cooker makes campsite meals a lot easier. The gas cartridge connects with a click (rather than a screw) and the two hobs adjust independently of each other. www.campingaz.com

Primus Kamoto OpenFire Pit £155

You can use wood or charcoal on this fire pit, its base protects the ground from heat, and it can be folded flat so it’s easy to transport to and from the campsite. www.primus.eu

Jetboil 1.5-litre FluxRing Cooking Pot £74.99

A great pot when cooking for small groups, and it’s non-stick, so easy to clean. You’ll need an additional pot support unless you’re using certain Jetboil stoves. www.jetboil.co.uk

Eating

You want a table that’s big enough for your family, but doesn’t fill up the tent. One with wooden slats is easier to transport (less bulky), while a flat top table is easier to put up. Prices start around £100 for a table and chairs set. As for tableware, keep breakables at home. Buying a full set means you’re less likely to forget something!

Vango Orchard XL 182 Table and Chair set £170

With its waterproof table top and steel frame, this spacious table folds down into a carry bag (with handle) and comes with four chairs. www.vango.co.uk

Backgammon Cool bag £19

As useful for day trips to the beach as for the journey over, this handy bag should keep food (and wine!) cool for seven hours. It comes with a detachable shoulder strap and PEVA lining to make it easy to clean. www.easycamp.com

GSI Outdoors Infinity 4 Person Compact Set £51.50

Bowls, mugs and plates that pack down into a mesh stuff sack, all made from 100 % recyclable polypropylene. www.lyonequipment.com