Hey! I’m James – a hobbyist camper and hiker, born and raised in Scotland.
I started this website out of a desire to reconnect to nature and have since involved my long-time friend, Fraser.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed escaping to the outdoors. This first started through family camping trips but, in an attempt to find some freedom, quickly turned into adventure camps.
These adventure camps were brilliant for my former teenage self. They had climbing, abseiling, kayaking, survival tips and culminated in the ultimate survival experience – being left with two friends on a remote, uninhabited island in the Scottish Hebrides with nothing but a sleeping bag, a bivvy and a couple of tools.
You can see a picture of me a few days before one of these survival experiences, desperately needing a haircut and with no idea I would soon be hunting for a cave for shelter and foraging for thistles to create possibly the most unappetising soup possible.
However, I’ve things have changed. I moved to the city, I went to university, I got a job and I’ve changed a lot as an individual.
Long gone are my days of wrapping myself in a bivvy to keep out the torrential rain, of covering myself with skin so soft to keep out the particularly annoying Midge (an industry secret) and of waking up only to find out that my tent was very much not waterproof.
This website encapsulates my attempt to reconnect with nature but doing so in a way that doesn’t leave me sodden and miserable. Equipment has come a long way since I was eating thistle soup, and being outdoors no longer needs to be uncomfortable.
A bad night’s sleep can easily ruin a trip to the great outdoors. Spending a night on a bad sleeping pad can leave you exhausted the next morning, after having dealt with rocks digging into your back and a deflating pad half way through the night. But camping and backpacking doesn’t have to be this …
There’s nothing worse than spending time in the great outdoors only to have a miserable night’s sleep. I’ve been a side sleeper all my life and so many sleeping pads out there result in me waking up in the middle of the night with my shoulder and hip digging into the cold, hard ground. Thankfully, …
When camping in summer, you’ll always want your tent to be cool. Come winter camping, you’ll need to know that heating your tent and insulating it for the coldest times of the night or morning requires that you have the right tools on hand. How to insulate a tent for winter camping: Choose The Right …
Going camping with a hammock instead of a tent is all well and good as long as there are trees around. Being stuck with a hammock but no trees to use as anchor points to hang it from is a tough situation. However, with a bit of DIY creativity, you can find a solution. Without …
Camping is a joy. But as more people rediscover the outdoors, camping is becoming crowded. Thus, those who crave a less populated outdoor experience are venturing out during cooler times of the year. However, staying warm in a tent can become a challenge. Yes, people climb Everest and live in tiny tents. But the average …
When you are going to camp for the first time in your life, or you are about to tackle a new challenge in your camping experience, you need to know a few basic things. Setting a tent in the best conditions can be challenging, but getting the basics down may feel impossible in harmful conditions. …
When you are going out to camp, there are several things you will hopefully never happen when you are out in the wilds. One of the most common challenges that tent campers face is that you need to set up your tent with wild winds causing everything to become a kite with very short strings. …
Whether you’re out camping or sitting in the backyard on a cool summer night, nothing beats a roaring fire. However, if you’re unsure how to start a fire, you may struggle to get the flames going. Fortunately, starting a fire is pretty straightforward, both as a camp fire or in a fire pit. As long …
Tent zippers are prone to breaking, leaving you in an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation. When camping, carrying a pair of adjustable pliers and a quality tent repair kit is always wise. Inevitably, you will need it at some stage! A tent zipper can be fixed by following these simple steps: Figure out the nature …
Whether you’re lighting a fire pit in the backyard or in the woods while camping, it’s essential to keep a fire pit going. However, depending on the situation, you may need to use different methods and preparation. If you’re not familiar with fire pits or keeping a fire going in general, you might not know …
The joy of planning your next camping trip is an experience many have enjoyed numerous times over the years, and excitement mounts as the departure day approaches. However, one sure mood-killer to any bubbly conversation is the advent of rain as you near your site, and happy chatter invariably turns to groans. However, it takes …
Not properly staking a tent is one of the most common mistakes that rookie campers make. It’s important to do it correctly to maximize the tent’s wind and water resistance and to ensure that you enjoy your camping trip to the fullest. Wondering how to stake a tent? Follow these steps to stake a tent …
Shopping for a new tent? With the expansive types of tents available today, knowing when to use what type of tent can be intimidating. As we explore the different types of tents in this article, the pros and cons of each, and their best use, picking the right tent for you will be more obvious. …
You can’t beat the convenience of a Coleman Fuel Canister. But once the hike or camping trip is over, and you’ve got an empty canister to dispose of, what do you do with it? You can’t throw it in the trash. In some places, it’s even illegal to do that, so how should an eco-conscious …
You’ve just arrived at your campsite, everything is unpacked, and the tent is pitched, but when you walk into your tent, you realize there’s a foul smell. Unfortunately, the smell has permeated into the tent itself. If there’s anything an avid camper needs to know, it’s how to clean a tent that smells. Here are …
Tents have one job: to protect campers from the elements. Thus, it seems ridiculous that they sometimes need help to do the exact thing they are designed to do. Alas, crying about it won’t help, it just adds water. Sometimes you really do have to waterproof your tent to keep the rain out. If you’re …
Many a camper has toyed with the idea of abandoning the status quo to camp full time. Whether traveling cross country, trying to save money, or exploring alternative ways to live, if you want to make your adventure successful, you must know how to live in a tent long term. Here are the steps to …
Unpacking your tent and finding it infested with mold or mildew is awful, but thankfully the problem can be solved! Before you reach for your bottle of Chlorox, keep in mind that harsh chemicals can damage the tent fabric. It is crucial to clean your tent the right way to ensure its longevity. Wondering how …
Tent vestibules are not a staple addition to every tent, but they come in handy for rainy weather. If you’ve been looking at purchasing a tent or have seen or heard about a tent vestibule but aren’t exactly sure what it is or if you need one, we’ll be answering these questions and how it …
If gambling gives you a rush, pitching a tent without a footprint or tarp is an excellent high-stakes game. However, for the rest of us, footprints and tarps are essential to ensure the longevity of our tent. But what are the key differences between a footprint and a tarp? Is one better than the other? …
What’s the secret to an enjoyable camp? Keep your food (and beer) cool for the entire camp! If you are going completely off the beaten path with no access to shops, you may consider using dry ice, but may not be sure how to use dry ice in a cooler. Here are the 12 steps …
One of the quintessential components of camping or hanging out in the backyard is to have a roaring fire. While an outdoor fire pit provides warmth and comfort, what happens when you need to put the fire out? If you want to extinguish the flame safely, there’s a five-step process. Spoiler alert, it’s more than …
Camping in the winter without any means to heat your tent is only for the brave and perhaps those who are more adventurous. Winter camping is a fantastic experience, but it can become unpleasant without being comfortable and warm. But don’t worry; we’ve covered a list of ways to heat a tent without electricity, so …
Speaking to family and friends recently about camping in general, I realized that almost without exception, the word camping conjures up pictures of sleeping bags and a tent in peoples’ minds. Of the nine people I chatted to, none thought about the possibility of swapping their trusty tent for a hammock. This begs the question …
You may have heard some campers say, with no complaints, that they have never used a tarp or ground cover. So why do so many campers swear by it? Do you need a tarp under a tent? Placing a tarp under your tent extends the lifetime of your tent by protecting it from wear and …
Camping is one of the best activities you can do. Period. There is nothing quite like being out in open spaces; whether alone, with friends, or as a family. But when the sun goes down and you need to sleep in your tent, you still want that feeling of space and a little extra comfort. …
Campfires are being swept into history due to safety issues. In addition, droughts and hotter summer temperatures are drying out forests, raising the fire risk. Thus, the popularity of camp stoves is on the rise. But buyers must decide if their camping style requires a good butane or propane stove. The age old question of …
Summer beckons, and we answer, venturing into the great outdoors. It’s a delight until the heat turns our tent into a pizza oven. Sure, it saves us the trouble of building a campfire or hooking up the portable stove to rustle up dinner. But oven-tents are terrible for a good night’s sleep, with or without …
The last thing you’ll want to end up with on your upcoming camping trip is a terrible night’s sleep. So whether you’re packing light or have room for more camping gear, you’ll want to find a sleeping solution that ticks all the boxes. Choosing between a camping cot and a sleeping pad for your camping …
One of the easiest things to do when making food is boiling water. However, if you’re out in the wilderness camping, this simple task can be pretty challenging. Fortunately, with some preparation and the right equipment, boiling water while camping is just as easy as it is at home. This article will show you 12 …
Wilderness survival movies have always been a staple of modern filmmaking because it taps into a primal element of human nature. When people are stranded in a harsh environment, they can either rise to the challenge or succumb to the elements. Although wilderness survival films are not a specific subgenre, they do belong in a …
How hot is a campfire? You may not think this answer matters much, but when staying warm or cooking food, the temperature matters. Campfires are an essential part of the outdoor experience, but many campers don’t pay attention to the heat coming from their fire. However, as we’ll discuss in this article, the heat level …
There is nothing worse than waking up in your tent in the middle of the night because you feel water dripping onto you from the roof. Dampness inside of a tent is a common issue amongst campers and ultralight hikers. Thankfully there are some good ways to prevent the problem and ensure a good night’s …
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is a brilliant backpacking tent for two or three people that comes with loads of space and excellent weatherproofing. The Copper Spur HV UL3 is an ultralight tent that has reached the pinnacle of how light a three person tent can get, without cutting out useful features like …
The Nemo Dragonfly 1 is an excellent backpacking tent that is spacious for a one person tent and made of high quality materials. It’s an excellent ultralight backpacking tent and earns my Editor’s choice award, signifying the high standards reached. The Nemo Dragonfly 1 is easily one of the best ultralight one person tents right …
When camping, you need to find the right tent for your needs. The best tunnel tent offers excellent sleeping areas without a massive footprint. Whether you’re camping solo or with family, a tunnel tent can accommodate everyone without weighing you down. But, tunnel tents are not suitable for all situations, so it’s crucial to look …
Lighting is always a priority when camping, so why not buy the best lighted tent? These models keep you well illuminated at night. While you could supply your own lantern or flashlight, a lighted tent offers better convenience without inflating the price. Plus, you don’t have to fumble with secondary devices because the tent provides …
Just got into elk hunting? Looking for a tent to stay in for extended trips away from home? Then look no further! We have had a look at the different types of tents that hunters like to use and selected ones that are perfect for base camps and ones that are perfect for hunters who …
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a brilliant backpacking tent for one or two people that comes with loads of space and excellent weatherproofing. The Copper Spur HV UL2 is an ultralight tent that has reached the pinnacle of how light a tent can get, without cutting out useful features like easy setup …
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 is a brilliant solo backpacking tent that comes with loads of space and excellent weatherproofing. The Copper Spur is an ultralight tent that has reached the pinnacle of how light a tent can get, without cutting out useful features like easy setup and plenty of storage space. The …
Pros TWO vestibules – one large, one small. Can convert the front vestibule door into a large awning Love that the carry bag can be worn like a backpack The 6 person model feels ridiculously spacious High quality, durable materials including top-of-range DAC aluminum tent poles FULL rainfly coverage with excellent waterproofing Double wall tent …
Getting out on the roads all day on your bike is one of the ultimate ways to see the world! The freedom, the speed, and the flexibility are all part of the big attractions of bike road trips. Camping gives you the freedom to sleep where the road takes you but what is the best …
Not everyone who goes camping wants to sleep on the ground and this is where tent cots come in. They have all the benefits of a cot and a tent all in one bundle. Perfect for those who love to camp and want a quick simple setup for a comfortable night’s sleep off the ground …
If you’re camping with an SUV, you should use the best SUV tent. But, how can you know which one works well for your situation? When comparing SUV tents, you need to ensure they’re compatible with your vehicle and that they offer the same ruggedness and practicality of a regular tent. For example, what if …
Choosing top camping gear means picking the best brands. The best Eureka tents can help you and your family stay comfortable during your adventure. Eureka is a highly respected company that makes some excellent tents for backpacking, car camping, and more. Since Eureka offers so many tent options, we’re devoting this entire article to the …
Typically, when picking a tent, you want something weatherproof. But, the best insulated tent can also help you stay warm. If you’re planning on camping in cold weather, an insulated tent can protect you from the elements. In addition to having the standard tent materials and protective layers, insulated tents have air pockets to trap …
Camping in a minivan can be a lot of fun, but can also feel cramped and crowded. Fortunately, we have the top minivan tents to help. These tents allow you to use your vehicle at the campsite while having plenty of room for you and your family to move around. Best of all, most van …
Do you want to camp full-time? You need a tent that can stand up to the weather all year long without buckling or breaking. While most camping tents are not up to the challenge, we’ve compiled a list of the best tents to live in permanently. These models are spacious and accommodating and, most importantly, …
Do you and your family love the outdoors? The outdoors can be VERY FUN, but it can BE A DISASTER if not done right. Without the right type of tent, your cozy outdoor experience might leave you with a sore back, itchy bug bites, sweat, and discomfort. Read on to find out what the best …
Camping is even better when you can bring your furry friend along, which is why we’re reviewing the best tent for camping with dogs. Whether you have a massive Tibetan Mastiff or a tiny terrier, these tents will make Fido feel more than welcome. Better yet, these models also offer convenience for cleaning and maintenance, …