Too a lot gear and no concept? From slogging throughout mountains to schlepping it forwards and backwards from a automotive, tenting with heavy gear is sufficient to have anybody operating for the closest resort. So why not go ultralight? From compact backpacking tents and pocket-sized tenting pads to featherweight hammocks and collapsible espresso makers, these progressive new merchandise will take your camp from kilos to grams.
(Image credit score: Jamie Carter)
Nemo Tensor Elite Insulated Sleeping Pad
RRP: £184.99-£214.99
Weight: 221g (quick)/268g (giant)
For point-to-point campers, the brand new Nemo Tensor Elite Insulated is unbeatable – it’s the lightest and smallest round. When packed up in its drawstring bag, it’s the width of a few cans of beer, with solely the valve standing proud.
Inflating it up is through the Vortex pump sack, which is little greater than a plastic bag. You blow into the bag a number of instances after which squeeze that air into the mattress. Repeat thrice and also you’re executed. Comfort-wise, it’s a slim, mummy form, with no room on your arms, however its three-inch loft is sufficient for fairly bumpy floor, although side-sleepers might wrestle. Unlike many sleeping pads, the material is super-quiet.
Take-down is a five-minute job. The common dimension we examined was 180cm, however there’s additionally a 160cm quick model.
(Image credit score: AeroPress)
AeroPress Go Plus espresso maker
RRP: £84.99
Weight: 569g
Sure, you might take immediate espresso or espresso luggage in your tenting journey. However, in order for you good espresso and plan to take tenting cups, the AeroPress GoPlus is a no brainer.
If you’re not conversant in the AeroPress GoPlus idea, it’s a mix of immersion and stress brewing that makes use of floor espresso and tiny filter disks to provide sturdy and easy espresso in 60 seconds, with virtually no {hardware}.
This iteration wraps all of that right into a stainless-steel tumbler that doubles as a journey mug (though the clever-looking magnetic lid does leak barely when the tumbler is the wrong way up). Weighing 560g all-in (press, tumbler and filters), the tumbler is arguably optionally available, nevertheless it’s helpful to have round camp. Just don’t overlook the espresso…
(Image credit score: DD)
DD TremendousLight Hammock
RRP: £49
Weight: 350g
As nicely as being helpful for quick, mild overnights, having a hammock makes hanging round camp a dream. Weighing simply 350g and packed in a drawstring bag, the DD TremendousLight Hammock might be simply stowed in a backpack till wanted.
Despite its tiny footprint, it unfolds right into a full-sized, 2.7-metre-long hammock full with tree-friendly straps, carabiners and Whoopie Slings. The latter requires watching this video a number of instances, however when you’ve figured it out, establishing and adjusting takes seconds.
The ripstop nylon feels surprisingly sturdy, with 4 loops, technically designed for including a mosquito internet, proving useful in attaching a flashlight, drying washing, and pinning sun shades when hanging round.
(Image credit score: Coleman)
Coleman Cobra 2 light-weight tent
RRP: £169.99
Weight: 2.05kg
Ultralight tents are a basic instance of the extra you pay, the much less you get. Two-person tents that weigh lower than half a kilo can be found for thru-hikers on a minimalist mission, however the costs are astronomical. Plenty sufficiently big for 2 individuals and their gear (if the remainder of your gear is ultralight), the Cobra 2 is all about sturdiness and performance, regardless of its light-weight construct.
A tunnel tent makes use of two aluminium poles, which give the tent some much-needed headroom. Happily, the fly, the outer layer, goes up first, which is helpful in rain, as is the weatherproof groundsheet. If you’re beginning in your minimalist tenting journey, the Cobra 2 is a superb place to start, and a superb worth possibility.
(Image credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT
RRP: £225
Weight: 480g
The noisy crisp packet-foil sound of ultralight sleeping pads has vanished, changed right here by a whisper-quiet ribbed cloth that helps put the space-saving Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT in a league of its personal.
The giant dimension we examined is a intelligent mixture of a space-saving mummy form with sufficient width for broad shoulders. The 3-inch loft makes it deep sufficient to cowl bumps within the floor, and its agency really feel will imply you gained’t need to stand up within the morning.
It’s straightforward to arrange, taking about 5 minutes, nevertheless it’s not fairly as easy or as quick as rival sleeping ultralight pads. The pump sack, which doubles as a drawstring bag, funnels air into the valve comparatively slowly. However, the consequence is a perfect steadiness between extremely‑packable lightness and luxury.
(Image credit score: Lifesystems)
Lifesystems Light & Dry Nano First Aid Kit
RRP: £15.99
Weight: 95g
Buy at Outdoor Action
If you’re tenting off the overwhelmed observe, getting medical consideration is right down to you, however there’s no must overdo it. Cue the Lifesystems Light & Dry Nano First Aid Kit, a minimalist lifesaver that packs quite a bit right into a tiny waterproof pouch.
No bigger than a pack of crisps, it contains the fundamentals – a bandage, a dressing, tape, gauze swabs, security pins, wipes, plasters, one blister plaster, and solar cream – all wrapped in a zip-lock bag.
I’d add a few extras, comparable to wound closure strips and painkillers, as a result of there’s sufficient room within the bag to take action. However, because it comes, it’s greater than sufficient for peace of thoughts within the nice open air.
(Image credit score: Jamie Carter)
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR PRO Insulated Air Sleeping Mat
RRP: £240
Weight: 720g
Buy at Base Camp Food
Going ultralight typically means making compromises on consolation, however not with the Sea To Summit Ether Light XR Pro, which mimics the width and size of a heavyweight mattress, however shrinks it down. Cleverly, its drawstring bag expands right into a pump sack, and whereas the claimed 90-second setup isn’t fairly correct, we had it up in a speedy 4 minutes (after a number of remaining top-ups by mouth).
The design innovation on the regular-wide model (183 cm lengthy, 64 cm large) is Air Sprung Cell cushioning, which gives a ten cm depth. Meanwhile, ThermalCore insulation provides weight, but additionally heat, making it preferrred for all seasons. It might not be absolutely the lightest sleeping pad round, nevertheless it’s shut, with excessive packability in comparison with most rivals, and nil compromises on dimension or consolation.
(Image credit score: Future)
Vango Cobra 600 Sleeping Bag
RRP: £325
Weight: 1.1kg
Buy at Base Camp Food
You must watch out when shopping for ultralight sleeping luggage — it’s too tempting to go for the very lightest round and find yourself freezing at night time because the seasons flip. Ready for all 4 seasons (right down to -12 levels Celsius) and weighing simply over a kilo, Vango’s Cobra 600 makes use of a intelligent mummy-style design that tapers on the ft.
The ergonomic match seems to be primarily centered on space-saving, nevertheless it additionally enhances warmth retention, as does the usage of box-shaped baffle channels crammed with down. There’s additionally a layer of aluminium to mirror physique warmth.
The Cobra 600 options a number of different good touches, together with a pouch on the within to safe a smartphone. Best of all, compression straps on its bag squash it down for straightforward packing.
(Image credit score: PackTowl)
PackTowl Personal Artist Print
RRP: £26
Weight: 177g (64 x 137cm in ‘Body’ dimension)
Having a towel or two round camp is important, however why be boring? Given that you just’ll be hanging your towel out to dry on a man rope on full show, the PackTowl Personal Artist Print makes use of vibrant artist-designed prints so as to add a splash of character to your equipment.
Made from mushy, ultra-absorbent, and 50% recycled microfiber, it soaks up 4 instances its weight in water and dries in a flash, preferrred for every part from campsite showers to wild swimming.
Crucially, it folds down smaller than a water bottle, permitting it to vanish right into a pack. If you’re upgrading from cotton towels, will probably be a revelation, as they dry 70% quicker. If you’ve been utilizing microfiber towels for years, right here’s a handsome improve.
(Image credit score: Lifeventure)
Lifeventure Waterproof Packable Backpack
RRP: £36.99
Weight: 150g
If you’re going to hike right into a campsite with a bunch of ultra-light gear, then don’t spoil it through the use of a heavy backpack. Weighing nearly nothing and smaller than a can of Coke when packed, the Lifeventure Waterproof Packable Backpack is large on the within, in a position to carry roughly 22 litres of substances. It’s acquired a roll-top, too, so it’s waterproof.
Despite its minimalist design, it options contoured straps, a hip belt, mesh aspect pockets for carrying water bottles, and even reflective tabs. That makes it good for each day hikes and chores round camp.
(Image credit score: Platypus)
Platypus Quickdraw 1L
RRP: £60
Weight: 95g
Buy at Tiso
If you’re tenting close to a supply of recent water, a water filtration gadget is a helpful addition. Ideal for ultralight tenting because of its low weight and compact dimension, the Platypus QuickDraw 1L rolls up sufficiently small to slide right into a aspect pocket or hip belt pouch.
The microfilter cleans a litre of water in simply 40 seconds, with a wide-mouth reservoir that’s straightforward to fill from shallow sources. It’s easy to make use of, fast to backflush, and appropriate with a spread of bottles and bladders. For minimalist backpackers, it’s an environment friendly, light-weight approach to keep hydrated with out including bulk.
(Image credit score: Jamie Carter)
Vango Titanium Kit
RRP: £25-40
Weight: 66-82g
Buy at LD Mountain Centre
Unless you’re simply going to pack immediate noodles, you’ll want some minimalist pots, pans, cups and cutlery. That’s what Vango’s Titanium assortment is all about. In addition to being produced from super-light materials, every part on these merchandise folds, together with cup handles, pan handles, and even the sporks (spoon-forks).
For a superb steadiness between performance, we tried the Titanium Bowl (600ml, 82g) and the Titanium Single-Walled Mug (350ml, 66g), together with a Titanium Hip Flask (120ml, 66g) for good measure.
The bowl and the mug each are available drawstring luggage and proved greater than sufficient for a brief tenting journey, whereas the latter, full with filling funnel, helped add some late-night cheer when the inevitable rain set in.