Best bit of camping equipment for under £125?

[fimm]

Can you fit those inside a pannier?

I do - it just rolls round the tent poles

Oh do they roll up? Ace, I think I'll keep an eye out for one of those myself...

I have to confess that I haven't actually done any cycle touring - what I do do is backpacking, which requires the same attention to weight etc. However one does have one big bag rather than several smaller ones, so the question of "does it fit" didn't actually cross my mind! Sorry. As andrew_s says, the thermarest chair thing does roll up to similar dimensions to tent poles.

[alicej]

I have to confess that I haven't actually done any cycle touring - what I do do is backpacking, which requires the same attention to weight etc. However one does have one big bag rather than several smaller ones, so the question of "does it fit" didn't actually cross my mind! Sorry. As andrew_s says, the thermarest chair thing does roll up to similar dimensions to tent poles.

My tent goes across the top of my pannier rack, so a rolled-up thing will probably do the same. It's just not clear from online photos and descriptions that they do roll up, so useful to find that out.

I don't think I'd take a chair for camping/bike touring, but there are a few things I'd like one for, like in the summer when I cycle across town to sit in the park all day with friends - a chair would be brilliant if I could get one on the bike, and this might just do the trick!

[rualexander]

The Trekker Lounge chair allows you to leave the chair kit on the mat rather than having to take it off when you want to lie down, it also means you can have some mat under your legs when sitting and you can recline the backrest to create a lounger style seat, like this, although I have a Kathmandu chair kit (New Zealand brand).

[Justin]

Some of the best items I've bought under £125 and ones I wouldn't be without are, in no particular order;

1) Petzl Tikka XP headtorch

2) Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

3) Camcleat tent pegs

4) £1.99 sheet of tarpaulin to make a groundsheet protecter for my Terra Nova Laser Competition tent.

[farafield]

Trangia (and an aluminium fuel bottle)

Collapsable bowl (great for chlling beers in)

Travel clothes line

[llayercake]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. The question was a very open one and generated some interesting comment. I was hoping that anything I may have missed in my preparation would be mentioned by the experienced tourers (tourists?) on this forum. The only items that were mentioned and that I lack are a chair and patience .

The entire 'see what you missed when you get back' idea is a good one but I don't really have anywhere to come back to. The plan is to do Lowestoft to St Davids Head as a shakedown run starting on 01/06/2011 and to be in Norfolk for my daughters graduation in mid July. After that I'm going to Europe via Portsmouth/Le Havre with the vague objective of wintering in Spain.

[llayercake]

Doh!! I looked at the Trangia stoves for ages and then bought a Jetboil Flash. At one point I was walking round with both, one in each hand trying to feel a significant difference in weight. I went for the Jetboil as I was assured that the 'self sealing' canisters really do self seal (no leaking bottles) and because I'm not concerned with cooking up anything more sophisticated than a morning coffee. The Trangia does look extremely gfood value for money though.

[beachcomber]

If you are a CTC member take your membership card. You may be entitled to a discount even with vouchers.

Silk sleeping bag liner is one of my best buys. Good enough on it's own if the weather is warm, adds warmth to sleeping bag when it's cold. Can be used in a hostel/b+b if the sheets are a bit 'rustic'.
+1 for Petzel head torch. I made my own straps so it velcros to my helmet aswell as going on my head. Waterproof bags to go in my panniers. Keeps stuff organised and dry, better than old plastic bags which I used before. Money belt and an ordinary trouser belt with a hidden pocket. ( Both Trekmate I think)

[bealer]

- +1 Thermarest Prolite £80. I went for the prolite as it's a bit tougher compared with the NeoLite. Alternatively Alpkit do a great mat, but it's not in stock. Retails at £40, so a huge saving.
- CTC bike bag £10 - for flights, and makes a great ground sheet, and cover for the bike during the night if it rains.
- Terra Nova Tarp £80 - a lightweight 200g tarp. Great for longer camps, extend your living area, protection from the rain, something to hide the bike under if stealth camping.
- +1 Petzl head torch £30ish - great head torches, always take mine with me.
- Thermarest Compressible Pillow £15 - a 200g pillow if you get the small one. I fold it in half and it makes a half decent pillow. I don't take it if going ultralight though.
- Alpkit Hunka bivi bag £30. Handy to protect your sleeping bag. Sometime in nice weather I just don't bother with the tent, and sleep in the bivi. I've got a tarptent which needs loads of ventilation, so in the winter have the Hunka as a protector for my bag inside the tent. Just against condensation and through drafts.

[alicej]

Thermarest Compressible Pillow £15 - a 200g pillow if you get the small one

Instead of a pillow I take a cotton pillowcase, which I can then stuff with my clothes/towel to make a comfy pillow. Works a treat and takes up very little space/weight.

[bealer]

Instead of a pillow I take a cotton pillowcase, which I can then stuff with my clothes/towel to make a comfy pillow. Works a treat and takes up very little space/weight.

True. I personally never really take enough stuff to fill a pillow though. My towel is tiny, and my merino top is the bulkiest thing I have. Plus you can't beat a good pillow, especially in a bivi. Although I've got used to sleeping on my front, so find myself using it less and less. It's more of a luxury item.

[Fratercula]

Thermarest
Thermarest pillow (amazing)
Silk sleeping bag liner
Two poly bags to put over your feet when putting dry feet into wet shoes
Platypus water carrier (Taunton Leisure stock them)
Ortlieb bowl for ablutiuons and washing up.

[PH]

Some of the biggest weight/bulk in my panniers is clothing. Some of the current technical clothing is fantastic, light. good wicking, easy clean, quick dry and all with prices to match. It's hard to justify for a couple of weeks a year, but if you have something longer in mind it would be worth the expense. I's go for a couple of Merino shirts, probably Icebreaker, they could be the only shirts you need to take.

[alicej]

I'd forgotten about my Platypus. These are like a cross between a water bottle and a plastic bag, and they're great because they only take up the space that the water takes - if they're empty they're very small indeed and if they're only half full then they're only half size. They don't fit in bike bottle cages, but what I tend to do is have a water bottle in my cage for easy access and then carry more water in the Platypus in a pannier with which to fill the bottle when I stop.

When camping I carry it empty in a pocket taking up very little space until I'm heading back to my tent, then fill it up to its full 2.5 litre capacity to take back for cooking, washing etc. Can definitely recommend them.

[pedalsheep]

+1 for platypus. They weigh almost nothing, roll to a tiny size and are hardwearing and cheap with a lifetime guarantee.