CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog

What is a Rucksack Cover?

They are usually made from lightweight, waterproof, ripstop fabric and are secured around your rucksack with elasticated drawcord. When not in use they can be packed away into their own little stuff sack.

Trekmates Backpack Covers are available in small, medium and large to fit different sizes of rucksacks. Small fits 20-45 litre rucksacks, medium fits 45-65 litre rucksacks and large fits 65+ litre rucksacks.

Do I Need a Rucksack Cover?

The purpose of rucksack / Backpack covers is to protect your rucksack from the rain, but are they really necessary?

• Do I need a Groundsheet Protector?
• Lightwave Fastpack Rucksack Review
• Ultralight Backpacking – Tips for being more lightweight

Bicycle Touring is an exciting, healthy way to spend your free time, either on your own, with friends or even your family! In my previous article An Introduction to Bicyle Touring the main forms of touring were defined. For most Cycle Tours the gear needed will essentially the same, although it will depend upon how much each individual cyclist is prepared to carry, what they view as essential items, what level of comfort is required, what terrain and distance the tour will cover and whether there are any support vehicles to carry equipment.

• Bicycle Touring – An Introduction
• Kendal Mountain Festival 2009: Dates Confirmed
• Clothing For Your Bike Tour

Today more and more people are looking for ways to lighten their backpack and go ultralight. It makes the walking easier, lets you cover more miles and can make things a lot more fun. But what are the best ways to save weight and become more lightweight.  I’ve put together a short summary of some of the best tips for becoming a lightweight backpacker.

Want to be more lightweight than this? Source - Flickr - Mrfrosted

• Mountain Marathon Gear Advice
• Outdoor and camping advice is our thing…
• Are you a heavyweight, lightweight or ultralight?

Since the bike was invented, people have been using them to tour the world. You may ask what has bicycle touring got to do with CheapTents.com, well, touring and camping are very similar especially the equipment used.

Bicycle Touring

This short post is an introduction to a pass time enjoyed by millions around the world, but if you thought that it was just a case of stapping your tent to your bike and cycling into the sunset then think again, cycle touring requires planning and preparation. This can be done independently, by groups of cyclists or commercial holiday companies, there are many questions to consider such as;

• Cycle Touring, A Guide To Essential Sleeping Gear
• Clothing For Your Bike Tour
• Cycle Ride for Charity in Chile

Now that summer is fast approaching so are the dreaded midges, which have to be one of the most annoying creatures on this planet.  While they’re hardly dangerous, they can be annoying and leave you with a few nasty bite marks.

Midge close up: source imarsman - flickr

The term Midge doesn’t refer to a specific insect it is a general term for very small (about 3mm) flies. There are about 40 midge species in the UK but very few which bite humans. The most common of these biting midges is the Culicoides Impunctatus or the infamous highland midge.

• 2008 Outdoor Industry Consumer Survey Results
• Bamboo an Eco-Friendly Fabric or Not?
• Smelly Boots – Causes and Cures

The latest Irish bouldering guide was released last week and contains 115 pages, packed full with almost 1500 problems and about 200 maps and topos.

The latest Irish bouldering guide contains 1500 problems, 200 maps and topos. Source: Geograph. © Copyright Richard Smith and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

This guide is intended to be reasonably definitive but just because something has been climbed doesn’t mean it is worth documenting so I haven’t detailed every variation, elimate, lowball sitstart or squeezed in micro line. From a personal point of view I attach the highest value to logical, independent lines with good moves and good landings and every problem that fits this criteria is described. Though I welcome other opinions on omissions and inclusions.

• Introduction to Bouldering – accessible Climbing across the UK
• New Bouldering Wall Announced for Manchester
• A Guide to Best Walking Route Planners

With everyone pinching pennies due to the current economic situation more and more people are looking staying at home this year and enjoying a holiday.  Camping is the perfect option, it’s cheap, fun and lets you see the landscape in a different way, but what should you look for when choosing a family tent.

Tent Weight

Normally with tents you want the lightest possible. With a family tent this is not really an issue as you will most likely be able to drive right up to the campsite and simply lift the tent out.  It might be worth considering the weight if you know that you might have to carry the tent for short distances, but it’s definitely not a major consideration.

• Vaude Taurus Ultralight Tent Review
• Do I need a Groundsheet Protector?
• Which is the best tent for you?

I’m sure over the years we’ve all had our fair share of blisters, but what is the best way to avoid them and what should we do when we get one?

Blisters generally occur from friction on the skin from your socks or shoes this repeated friction causes the outer layer of the skin to separate from the fiber layer. The resulting “pocket” then fills up with a clear fluid (serum) and forms a blister.

Some Bad Blisters. Source : Jason Cartwright - Flickr

How to Avoid Blisters

• Make sure you have a pair of boots that are a good fit and be sure to break them in well.

• Smelly Boots – Causes and Cures
• The reason why you should wear walking boots…
• What Outdoor Gear Do You Need to Take Up Scafell Pike?

Recently I’ve posted about mountain marathons,  the key to enjoying fell running is good fitness. The trouble is it can be hard to get up and out and get training. I’ve decided to put together a list of tips for getting out of the house and keeping motivated.

Train with a friend
Its definitely much easier to get out onto the hills for a walk or a run if you have a friend harassing you to come out with  you or someone you don’t want to disappoint.

• Run Across America with Abe Clark
• Ultralight Backpacking – Tips for being more lightweight
• Lakeland 100 Ultra Marathon

Please share this warning with fellow walkers!

There has been an avalanche warning put out by the Live for the Outdoors forum around the Snowdonia area, as there has been instances of snow falling away from cornices.  Here are the tips provided by the article advising on walking in the hills, especially avalanche prone areas….

1. If you are sinking in over ankle deep, just maybe you shouldn’t be there..
2. Avoid leeward slopes (if the wind’s blowing from the north the leeward slope is the south side).
3. Know that slopes are at their most dangerous between 25º and 50º- even low angle innocuous looking slopes can avalanche.

• International Mountain Day 2009
• Pennine Walk – Hameldon and Worsthorne Moors
• Mountain Boarding