One day it’s sunny; the next - rains not seen since Noah built his ark. If you haven’t experienced it before, this folks, is a classic British summer.
While we’ve collectively accepted that fair weather from May - September is never a given, even in the supposedly ‘warmer’ months, in recent years, the mercury has swung the other way and we’ve started to see 40-degree scorchers become more of a thing.
What does this mean if you’ve got outdoor pursuits like camping on the agenda? Prepare for every and any eventuality.
We’re stoic in the face of dark clouds and duly rummage for waterproofs to stuff in our backpacks, but when the forecast points to blazing sun, the race is on to find hot weather camping essentials to ensure you don’t burn to a crisp in the great outdoors.
Whether you’re planning a few days of the good life in an official campground or you’re bolting for the festival field, camping means being exposed to the elements - come rain or shine - all day.
Sure, warm weather and sun mean it’s an altogether more pleasurable experience than enduring days of downpours, but those same high temperatures can make it challenging to sleep at night as well as find shade when the sun is at its most lethal.
Yet by packing the right gear, you can have your soft-serve ice cream, and eat it.
Starting with your tent, ensure there’s more than one door to encourage air flow, and if you can stand up in it, well, all the better. Tents with more than one compartment tend to have a ground sheet included but try to opt for one that isn’t sewn in - you can remove it to feel the coolness of the grass under your toes rather than the hot and very likely sweaty tarpaulin.
Creating shade (the practical kind, not a funny attitude) is key when you’re facing blue skies and constant sunshine. But look, this isn’t a DofE expedition, so no need to faff about with sheets of plastic and elastic bungee cords. If your camping field allows it, take a portable gazebo with roll-down sides for covered space to sit that isn’t your tent - one that’s got enough headroom to stand up in is wise, and if you add a camping table and some chairs, you’ve got a lounging spot to spend all day in.
After sundown, the last thing you’ll want to do is wriggle into a high-tog sleeping bag. Take a light blanket to snooze under instead, or try a sleeping bag liner, which is far lighter than a typical bag but offers enough breathable cover to make you feel ‘protected’.
Don’t forget coolboxes and fans for your trip. A USB rechargeable fan will provide more relief than you think, and you can always keep it topped up with a portable battery or camping generator. If you don’t want to risk running out of juice or you’re saving it for more important tech, a hand fan barely takes up any room and will offer gentle breezes when it’s sweltering.
Above all, don’t forget SPF. A reef-safe or mineral version is the best eco option if you’re planning to swim or wash outside.
It’s a lot to think about, but have no fear! We’ve made a roundup of the best hot-weather camping gear to get before you go.
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Quechua 4 Person Blackout Air Tent – Air Seconds 4.1 XL Fresh&Black
Ideal if you want to pitch in a flash and get on with your holiday, this inflatable tent feels really spacious inside thanks to a generous 70cm width allowance per person in the bedroom. The entire structure is inflated in one go and the bedroom is pre-assembled for minimum hassle, though be warned there is only one so this tent may be better suited to families with younger children or those who don’t mind sharing personal space.
There are all sorts of other considered features to make your camping trip as comfy as possible including a heat-reducing, sun protection fabric to stop you from roasting inside the tent, a 2000mm HH rating and patented Fresh & Black technology to reflect the sun’s rays and guarantee 99 per cent darkness in the bedroom. Our only gripe is that a hand pump isn’t included – not something you’d want to discover the first time you unroll the tent on a campsite – so make sure you buy before you go.
Buy now £299.99, Decathlon
Vango Farnham Family Tunnel Tent, River Blue, 500
A spacious tent with an extra living room is a very welcome thing when the sun becomes too much to bear.
Decamp to the living room if it’s too hot to sleep in the bedroom chamber; the extra inches will make all the difference in helping air to circulate, especially with high and low ventilation panels at play. An extra porch area at the front allows you to sit in camping chairs while still under shade - just keep that cool box handy.
It’s a breeze to put up if you know your way around a tent, and fibreglass poles help to keep the weight down - though you probably will need help to carry the 20kg design to your pitch. The five-man tent measures 68 x 35 x 31cm.
Buy now £336.99, Amazon
Outsunny 4-5 Adult Pop-up Tent - Green
Best for: spacial and palatial
A party pop-up if we ever saw one, Outsunny’s XL design has enough space for up to five adults to sleep comfortably inside. The design also features two mesh windows for air circulation as well as two PVC window panels to allow daylight to stream inside. At night, affix your lantern onto the integrated lamp hook so you can keep the good times going if it’s too cold or rainy outside. Side storage pockets mean you can keep easy track of your essentials.
Buy now £68.99, The Range
YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
If you could grade coolers on a scale of celebrity hard men, this Yeti design would surely be Ray Mears-standard; able to hold its own against harsh environments and the most blazing of summer days.
The robust tank offers a host of features designed to keep foodstuffs cool. Not only that, but it’s 10 per cent lighter than its predecessor and can fit easily in car footwells, allowing you to pack properly for a camping trip away. Bottles of wine can be stored upright thanks to the taller dimensions too.
It’s heavy duty so not one for short park stays - but it will perform brilliantly on long trips or if you’re catering for a large crowd. Add a seat cushion for a makeshift chair when you need one. Plenty of colours are available.
Buy now £197.00, Amazon
Sea to Summit Reactor Plus (Compact) Thermolite Mummy Liner
Made from cosy yet lightweight Thermolite, Sea to Summit’s design is less of a liner and more of a warm-weather sleeping bag. It’s offered in a mummy shape to conform to popular sleeping bag shapes with a box foot to give you extra wiggle room. It packs down to minute proportions in its own stuff sack and is machine washable too, so keeping it looking and smelling fresh is as easy as slinging it in with your next wash.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
Amazon Basics Camping Chair with Cooler
Amazon’s own-brand basics range is full of essential no-frills products for a fraction of the price of established brands. Amongst the collection is this camping chair, which does come with one helpful extra - a built-in cooler suspended from one armrest (hooray!) with space for four cans of beer.
Available in two sizes - normal and XL - the chair comes with a cupholder and an extra pocket for magazines and snacks. The frame folds shut and doesn’t require deconstructing, just pop it into the carry bag and sling it over your shoulder to find the next sunspot.
Buy now £32.99, Amazon
Eurohike Lazi Lounger
No armrests, no drinks holder - why is this on our list? Well, as far as lounging goes, this Eurohike design beats any rigid chair and best of all, it weighs practically nothing. If you’re only away for a couple of days and want to save space for more important things - cough beer cough - this is a great option. The little exertion required to inflate (you’ll need to run to catch enough wind inside) will be instantly rewarded when you plump down on this colourful seat.
Buy now £20.00, Go Outdoors
Halfords 300 Fully Waterproof Gazebo with 2 Side Panels
If you’re a keen camper, adding a gazebo to your kit list can reap the rewards not just for you, but for your entire group of friends too. This fully waterproof design will keep things directly under the canopy dry, but we can’t account for sideways rain, so always stow away important possessions when you’re not in the vicinity. The design, which spans 3 x 3m, offers plenty of cover from the sun when things get too warm.
Buy now £85.00, Halfords
Outsunny Cunninghamia Board Folding Camping Picnic Table Set
Forget eating off your knees all weekend; grand outdoor feasts require a proper table to set the scene.
With enough room for six diners to get around, this folding wood-style camping table is a must-have for laidback camping trips with friends and family. Not only is it a compact design once folded, but it comes with a carry handle for easy transportation and four swivel-out stools that pack up inside too.
Granted, it’s not the most polished thing to look at so throw on a nice tablecloth and add a cordless lamp, and you’re in business.
Buy now £52.99, Amazon
Double Cotton Hammock With Steel Stand
One of the top-rated options on Amazon, this double hammock serves up room for two, or extra space for one, on a stylishly striped canvas fabric. The set comes with everything you need for a quick and easy assembly on your terrace or in your garden, creating a beautiful spot to soak up some rays. Rock on.
Available in multiple colours. Quick delivery available.
Buy now £117.00, Amazon
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick
If the name alone doesn’t draw you into this product then the mineral composition just might. The plant-conscious label has HQs in California and Florida and creates its formulas to withstand active lifestyles. The hard-working essentials include this face stick that makes application a breeze, just swipe directly onto your skin and you’re protected from UVA and UVB rays with SPF50. It is free from chemicals and instead uses zinc as the main ingredient to be kinder to marine life. This is all while remaining lightweight, blendable and ideal for those with sensitivities or allergies.
Buy now £22.00, Amazon
Pai British Summer Time Zinc & Cotton Extract SPF 30
Seven years in the making and well worth the wait, Pai’s suncream is the broad spectrum protection that you need. It’s packed with skin-boosting benefits and the formula is not greasy, leaves a slightly matte finish and is so lightweight that it can be worn under makeup with ease.
It is reef-friendly - comprised of zinc oxide that provides a shield from blue light and infrared too.
Wear rain or shine to protect against premature skin ageing without drying or causing breakouts. It can be worn on sensitive skin and for daily use. The sun lotion also has a lovely scent.
Buy now £32.00, John Lewis
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 £21.99, Lifeventure
Beldray EH3413B Foldaway Stand Fan
When breezes are in short supply, there’s nothing for it but to roll up your sleeves... and reach for this USB-powered fan instead. The lightweight and portable cordless fan is up to 97cm adjustable in height and offers three-speed modes to help you through the worst of the sunshine. There’s even a ring light so it doubles up as a lamp. Multifunctional camping gear? We live for it.
Buy now £35.99, Amazon
