CheapTents Outdoor Gear Blog

Outdoor gear specialists MSR have a great range of ultralight shelters, known as their Essential Series. One of their more interesting new designs is the Fast Stash Tent. What is a Fast Stash and is it any good? In summary, its a 2/3 season, single-walled, ultralight tent that sleeps two people. The design is somewhat unusual. It looks something like a cross between a ridge tent and a caravan awning. There is not a pole along the ridge however, just one lightweight DAC pole at each end. The structure is held up by the tension of guy ropes.

MSR Fast Stash with side awning open for ventilation.

• The North Face Tadpole 2 DL Tent Review
• Force 10 Helium 100 2012 Edition
• Vaude Taurus Ultralight Tent Review

Buying a new tent is never an easy task, there seems to be so many technical features these days that it can be more than a little bit confusing. So to cut the daunting task of buying a tent down to size, here is the CheapTents buying guide.

This article on buying a new tent is by no means exhaustive but is meant as a starting place by which you can get an idea of what features and requirements you have for a tent. Once you’ve read this article, if you have any questions or need some more advice simply leave a comment below or if you are looking for more detailed advice visit our camping tent advice section.

• Which is the best tent for you?
• The Family Camping Checklist 2010
• What’s in your rucksack?

With the school (summer) holidays now upon us, it is that time of year we’ve all be waiting for, the family holiday. This year, as with the previous few, has seen a massive decrease in foreign holiday bookings, meaning that more and more people are staying in the UK for their family holidays. However, as with all things camping holidays take a lot of preparation - you’ve already found a camp site and booked your pitch… you’ve planned what attractions and walks you may do together… it’s now time to pack up and get on the road.

• Choosing a Family Tent
• Cumulus Sleeping Bag Reviews
• What’s in your rucksack?

Which walking route planner websites are the best? In the second part of our guide we are reviewing five websites that include walks in specific areas of the UK. We conclude with a review of John Dawson’s Lake District Walks.

• A Guide to Best Walking Route Planners
• Walking Northern Ireland Route Planner Review
• Walking North Wales – Route Planner Review

Which on-line walking route planners are the best? In the second part of our guide we are reviewing five websites that include walks in particular regions of the UK. In this particular review we are going walking in the city with Walkit.com.

• Walking Northern Ireland Route Planner Review
• Walking North Wales – Route Planner Review
• Green Bridges: Hiking in the Future

When hiking, camping and climbing it is always great to see some wildlife. Birds can often be heard or seen out in the countryside. Keeping an eye out for birds can add another dimension to your outdoor experience. If you are going to do some birdwatching there is some additional equipment that you could take with you. The gear that you will need will depend upon the nature of your trip:

• What time of year will you be going?
• What are anticipated weather conditions?
• What is duration of trip?
• Where will you sleep overnight?

• What Outdoor Gear Do You Need to Take Up Scafell Pike?
• Waterproof Clothing Technology
• What Outdoor Gear Do You Need to Take Up Ben Nevis?

Which on-line walking route planners are the best? In the second part of our guide we are reviewing five websites that include walks in particular regions of the UK. In this particular review we are going walking in Northern Ireland using the WalkNI route planner.

www.walkni.com

Northern Ireland offers plenty of hiking opportunities, for example in the Mourne Mountains. Source: Flickr by Ryan McD

• Walking North Wales – Route Planner Review
• A Guide to Best Walking Route Planners
• Walkit Urban Route Planner Review

The award winning and much loved ME Kongur at £252 is a lot of money, so why wouldn't you want to protect it?

Breathable waterproof fabrics such as Gore Tex, eVent and Gelanots are highly technical and can be expensive. So it is not surprising that there are numerous products on the market that claim to protect and prolong the life of waterproof clothing. Is it necessary to use these fabric care products or will my waterproofs be ok as long as I simply look after them?

• Which Mid-layer Fleece is best?
• Summer Windproof Jackets
• Review of The North Face Women’s Resolve Waterproof Jacket

Which on-line walking route planners are the best? In the second part of our guide we are reviewing websites which focus on walks in specific regions. In this review our hiking destination is North Wales and to help us find our way around we have used the Walking North Wales website.

www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk

General / Searching for a Walk

As part of an initiative to encourage walkers to the region, this website has been created for Tourism Partnership North Wales. The simple, clean design of www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk make this walking route planner initially likeable, yet using the website and reading introductory text on the homepage gives the impression that it has not been written or designed by walkers.

• Walking Northern Ireland Route Planner Review
• Lake District Walks Route Planner Review
• A Guide to Best Walking Route Planners

Which on-line walking route planners are the best? In the second part of our guide we are reviewing websites that include walks in particular regions. For this review we are walking in Scotland with Walk Highlands…

www.walkhighlands.co.uk

General / Searching for a Walk

If you are planning a walk in Scotland then look further than Walkinghighlands.co.uk. This walking route planner contains an enormous data base of free walking routes, 1,104 at present.

• Walking Northern Ireland Route Planner Review
• Walking North Wales – Route Planner Review
• A Guide to Best Walking Route Planners