A staple of the classic British summer, camping holidays are part of the quintessential childhood experience here in the UK.
Whether trips were organised by your parents, school or an activity group like Scouts or the cadets, heading into the countryside and learning the art of living under starry skies and canvas is a rite of passage many have experienced and enjoyed - whatever the weather.
Few people are born campers; it takes experience, skill and the right tools to achieve comfort in the outdoors, especially for those who are used to their creature comforts. But you can have an enjoyable trip in the great outdoors in spite of the odd shower - as long as you pack the right equipment. This being the UK, good weather is never a given.
Your pack list will depend mostly on the type of camping trip you have planned. Those who intend to enjoy a few days in a campground with proper shower facilities and the ability to rock up right to their pitch have the luxury of taking bigger, bulkier items in the car boot. If you’re going to a festival or hiking, you’re going to have to work out what the bare basics for your comfort will be because it’s unlikely that you’re going to want to - or have the strength to - carry everything to the camping fields.
As well as a decent tent with an awning or space other than the sleeping compartments to keep things out of the wet, something with enough headroom to stand straight up in will make it easier to change out of damp clothing.
Cooking equipment is also key to making hot dishes and drinks to warm you back to functioning levels. Plus, the levels of cosy when drinking mugfuls of hot chocolate inside a cosy tent when it’s drizzling outside are through the roof.
And of course, packing the right waterproof clothing will allow you to be out and about without getting drenched to the skin.
We’ve made an edit of the best camping kit to take to protect you in wet weather, but it is intended for occasional showers and drizzle. Always check the forecast before setting off and consider rearranging your break if it’s torrential - it’s supposed to be a relaxing holiday, not an endurance test.
See the best wet weather camping kit below.
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Eurohike Air 600 Tent
If you’re fed-up faffing with tent poles, this tent is a great choice. It’s pitched using the included double-efficiency pump, which inflates the air tubed frame in a matter of minutes so you can start your holiday sooner.
Though it’s not as pricey as some other air models, it still packs in all sorts of premium features including a 4000mm HH flysheet to withstand a heavy downpour, a fully sewn in groundsheet, an electric hook up point and a darkened bedroom to reduce early morning light.
The large back bedroom can sleep up to six or be divided into two for extra privacy – it felt like a canvas palace for just four with enough room so we didn’t need to sleep almost on top of each other and with valuable full head height in most of the tent. We also liked the internal storage pockets in the bedrooms which are useful for stashing a phone or torch rather than scrabbling around in the dark.
All this and it deflates in seconds so you can hit the road quickly when it’s time to head home.
Buy now £394.99, Amazon
Tetri 2-Person Backpacking Tent
Pitching up in less-than-ideal conditions? If it’s blowing a hooley out there, the Tetri tent, from B-Corp-certified outdoor equipment shop Alpkit, is a wise investment.
Its alloy poles are much more durable than the fibreglass poles you’ll find in most other tents, and waterproofed seams and a porch groundsheet both help with keeping kit dry even in the soggiest of conditions. Weighing in at a superlight 3kg, it’s ideal for backpackers and festival-goers alike, too.
Buy now £149.99, Amazon
Coleman Weathermaster 4XL Air Blackout Tent
There’s no getting away from it: you need to be planning some serious camping trips to spend this sort of money on a tent. If you’re a dedicated outdoorsy bunch, however, you’ll never regret the investment as this is the Rolls Royce of family tents. It’s also worth noting that the price includes a Camping and Caravanning Club membership worth £48 when bought through one of Coleman’s tent partners, such as Winfields Outdoors.
As you’d expect, the tent is packed with features to help the family sleep more easily, including zipped bedroom dividers for flexible configuration, a lantern hanging point, sturdy storm straps for extra stability, full head height throughout and an extended enclosed front porch.
Bad weather won’t stop you from camping either as it has a WeatherTec Polyester PU coating, a 4500 mm HH rating and even a UV guard for SPF50 protection. The bedrooms are the real game changer though. Far roomier than you might expect, they easily fit a double air bed, while BlackOut Bedroom technology keeps them dark and much cooler than normal so you won’t wake up sweating at the crack of dawn. Just be aware that the tent does weigh in at a hefty 30.4kg so you won’t want to lug it miles to your pitch, although the inflatable poles mean it still goes up in an impressive 20 minutes.
One thing’s certain: you’ll be holidaying in this one for years.
Buy now £699.99, Amazon
North Face Men’s Lightning Zip-In Jacket
It’s difficult to find the sweet spot when it comes to waterproofs. Too flimsy, and you’ll be soaked through within minutes, but too much heavy-duty GoreTex is a one-way ticket to some serious overheating.
The Goldilocks of jackets, this North Face number gets the balance just right, with breathable construction, three layers of breathable, waterproof and windproof Dry-Vent fabrics, and zippable side-slits for extra ventilation.
Buy now £112.00, North Face
Outwell Nevada 4P
Need a tent that will stand up to the worst of a British summer? This high-quality three-roomed tunnel tent would see off even the heaviest downpour with its impressive 6000mm HH rating, sealed-in groundsheet for all-weather protection and heavy-duty quick-adjust storm straps. The tent is astonishingly stable too with a strong hook and loop fastening system as a direct attachment point for the flysheet and tent pole to stop sleep-disturbing vibrations if the wind picks up.
Best of all, it’s super comfortable. While tents generally allow 60cm per person in each bedroom, this one provides 70cm per person in the bigger master bedroom and full standing height means it feels very airy and roomy, even when we were all in it together. The dark roof and side panels help everyone get a good night’s sleep, magnetic strips on the inner doors allow for quick and quiet entry into the bedrooms and there are tinted windows for privacy and sun protection. We especially liked the colour-coded pegs for easier pitching even for camping novices.
Buy now £677.25, Alpine Trek
Trail Outdoor Leisure Dome Shelter With Sides
You don't have to feel trapped inside your tent when it's raining. This shelter is the perfect addition to drive and camp-style trips and comes with roll down sides to protect you from bad weather if it appears. Available in blue as well as grey, the foldable design is supported with fiberglass poles for strength and enough headroom to stand without stooping. The exterior is coated with PU and comes with taped seams to keep you dry in case of a sudden downpour.
Buy now £145.00, Trail Outdoor Leisure
Pro Action Camping Event Shelter
If you're camping with a few others, having somewhere other than your tent or car to gather is a great idea - especially if it looks like it's about to chuck it down. Pro Action's shelter has enough room to set up a small table and camp chairs for a game of cards while the storm passes. The freestanding structure also offers excellent relief from sun, making it a must for keen campers. The four roll-down doors come complete with mosquito netting for extra protection against bugs.
Buy now £116.00, Argos
Double Folding Camping Chair with Canopy
You can never quite tell what’s going to happen with the British weather, even when forecasts are promising sunny days ahead. Save yourselves running for cover from a passing shower with this genius option: two seats with a cool box in between covered with an adjustable top canopy. A good option for passing showers that comes with its own carry bag.
Buy now £66.54, Aliexpress
Thermarest Space Cowboy Sleeping Bag
Channel a new-age Tutankhamun in Therm-A-Rest’s SpaceCowboy sleeping bag, made with synthetic fabric and fibres to keep body heat where you want it - inside the bag.
Weighing 780g, it won’t take up much space in your kit bag at just 20 x 26cm when packed. You’ll stay comfortably warm even in lows of -6 degrees. The side zip makes it easy to get in and out of, helpful for midnight loo breaks. Best for sleepers 6ft and under.
Buy now £144.87, Amazon
DUNLOP Compass Flick Bell
Keeping your feet nice and dry is key to any successful camping trip, but you don't have to shell out loads for a decent pair of wellies. Dunlop is the no-nonsense choice for farmers and regular outdoors types, offering excellent protection at a price that won't have you skirting around muddy puddles. The fully waterproof exterior and deep tread means it has excellent grip across a range of terrain. They come in a range of sizes too, so you can kit out the whole family for around the same price as a designer pair.
Buy now £13.95, Amazon
Vanilla Leisure Vesuvius Folding Outdoor Heated Camping Chair
Prepare to turn the rest of your camping party green with envy with a camping chair that heats up. It’s just the thing you want in case the weather takes a cold or wet turn.
Bringing tech to tent life, this clever folding chair comes with a heated seat and backrest which warms when you plug in your portable power bank. There are three levels of toastiness to sink into with padding to make things feel even more luxurious. And there’s an insulated cup holder to keep your drinks at just the right temperature for longer. The dreamiest a camping chair can get.
Weighs 5.1kg and comes with its own carry bag.
Buy now £59.99, Mountain Warehouse
Luci Outdoor 2.0 Pro Solar Camping Light
Best for: solar lighting and charging
Camping lanterns often fall by the wayside when it comes to packing, mainly because of their bulk. However, no such trouble with this design: it’s inflatable! It folds flat when not in use and offers a soft but bright glow when you need it.
What’s more, not only is the camping lantern lightweight, but it’s solar-charged and it can juice up your phone when your battery is low too. Don’t worry, there’s a USB cable power option if the weather doesn’t play ball.
Buy now £45.00, Go Outdoors
Lifeventure SoftFibre Printed Travel Towel
Within the bounds of ordinary camping experiences, nobody likes to be wet in a tent. So, here’s a smart piece of kit that will help you dry off after bad weather or lukewarm campsite showers.
Lifeventure’s SoftFibre travel towel has incredible drying power, with the ability to absorb up to nine times its own weight in water. The towel itself also dries off remarkably fast and well, especially if you can find a sunny, well-ventilated place to hang it up (a guy rope when the sun comes out will do).
While this towel comes in a few different prints and colours, our clear favourite is this tropical design, with its vibrant crop of Swiss cheese and bird of paradise plants.
Buy now £20.95, Amazon
Milestone Camping Whistling Kettle Teapot Coffee Pot Indoor Outdoor Camping Hiking Picnic
If you’re the sort of person who simply cannot function without their early morning brew, a kettle is non-negotiable. This bright orange one will be easy to spot in a tent without upending all your things and works well for boiling water for instant noodles and hot water bottles too. Fill with sauce sachets and seasoning packets on the way to your pitch to maximise your packing space.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
Vivida All Weather Puffer Changing Robe - Mineral Blue
Designed for changing before or after wild swimming and trips to the beach, Vivida's changing robe is an excellent addition to wet weather camping gear.
The outer shell features flexible four-way stretch, afforded by the multilayer technology employed to ensure breathability and insulation at the same time. The first layer is made from a PFC-free water-repellent coating, the second is a soft-touch peached 100 per cent recycled polyester, and the third is a 5000mm waterproof laminate. That’s already an unbelievable amount of protection against the elements, and we haven’t even discussed the robe’s lining.
Filled with 100 percent recycled polyester 200gsm fleece – otherwise known as ‘advanced honeycomb’ fleece lining – the Vivida changing robe effectively wicks away sweat and moisture while warming the body fast. The additional 135 grams of synthetic fill insulation mimics the properties of traditional down in terms of its ability to provide unbeatable insulation. The oversized, roomy fit paired with the raglan-style long sleeves allows for wonderful freedom of movement as well as the ability to bring your arms inside of the robe to change with ease.
The fleece-lined hood is adjustable and sports a foam-supported peak, while the external hand-warmer pockets are designed to keep your extremities cosy at all times.
One of the most fantastic, subtle features of the Vivida changing robe is the fact that the carry bag doubles up as a padded travel pillow, making it double use. Handy if you’re trying to pack light for a camping trip.
Buy now £240.00, Vivida
Knog Bandicoot 100 Headlamp
Boasting a sleek silicone design that joggers and marathon-trainers will love, this stylish head torch not only offers a powerful light at range up to 40m but it’s waterproof to grade level IP67 too, so a useful piece of kit to wear in all weathers. Chargeable via a USB cable makes it eco-friendly too. Bye-bye batteries. You can expect 80 hours of light on five modes and four settings, making it incredibly versatile too. Available in a choice of four colours.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Verdict
Unless you're staying in a camper van, your tent will be the most important piece of camping kit to separate you from the elements. With excellent waterproofability and a spacious interior, Eurohike's inflatable tent is a sound investment for many summers of British camping, whatever the weather.
