Outwell Cardinal 2017 Double Sleeping Bag Review

Outwell Cardinal double sleeping bag

What is it?

Outwell Cardinal Double Sleeping Bag
RRP £139.99
Outwell.com (stockists can be found at the end of this review)

The Outwell Cardinal sleeping bag is a double mummy style sleeping bag featuring Isofill Premium for warmth. The sleeping bag features a zipperless entry design, and incorporates an integrated Isofill duvet which can be folded back to provide maximum freedom of movement.

Technical details

• Mummy style double sleeping bag
• Dimensions 220 x 160 x 140 cm (LxWxW)
• Body length 195 cm
• 230T microfibre shell 100% polyester
• Polycotton lining (20% cotton / 80% polyester)
• Zip across bottom section for ventilation in warmer weather
• Isofill premium filling in single layer construction

The Cardinal sleeping bag with the duvet section pulled all the way up

Left: Press studs that hold the upper duvet section in place Right: Integrated pillows

What did we think?

I never use mummy bags as I can’t stand the feeling of being restricted in bed and don’t like the slightly sticky synthetic feel of most mummy bags. I prefer to sacrifice their warmth for something roomier but with an extra blanket on top. As a side sleeper too, I like plenty of room to move around and find mummy bags claustrophobic, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel using a double sleeping bag for the first time.

The zipperless design of the bag is unusual; you get in towards the top end of the sleeping bag through the large V shaped opening instead of getting in through a side zip. Initially it looked like it might be quite tricky to get in and out of, but in use it was a cinch. The fold-over built in duvet easily un-clips from each side, providing a larger opening to get in and out of, and we were both pleasantly surprised to find the Cardinal just as easy as any other sleeping bag to get in and out of.

The duvet style layer that can be rolled back, or un-clipped to allow easier access

The label on the sleeping bag states that it’s suitable right down to -12, so on a recent Easter camping trip with the night time temperature down at around 5 degrees, and as someone who is perpetually cold, it was chilly enough overnight to find out just how warm the Outwell Cardinal could keep me.

Our Cardinal sleeping bag all set up

A combination of shared body heat and the high performance Isofill Premium stuffing of the sleeping bag ensured that we stayed cosy on both nights of our camping trip. The description of the sleeping bag has it down as mummy style, and whilst the foot end does taper, I was relieved to find that actually, it’s only very slight.

The sleeping bag is pretty generous size wise, and that does make for quite a large size when packed down. Just like any other sleeping bag though, it’s easy to put away, and comes with a big stuff sack with extra compression straps on the outside.

Final thoughts

Whilst the built-in pillows are a nice extra touch, in practice they didn’t really provide pillow-like support, so we still used our regular pillows with the Cardinal. I was honestly expecting to struggle with this sleeping bag on grounds of it being both a double and mummy style, but I really liked it, and Mr CWS thinks it’s brilliant, so it’s a definite big thumbs up from us in terms of both looks and performance.

The Outwell Cardinal get’ the thumbs up from us!

More information & stockists

• Outwell
• Go Outdoors
• Amazon
• Ultimate Outdoors

Thank you to Outwell for supplying the featured Outwell Cardinal Double Sleeping Bag for us to review.

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Thule Stir 35 Litre Men’s Roarange Backpack – Review

What is it?

Thule stir 35 Litre Backpack
Men’s and Women’s versions available in various colours
£83.63 Buy it here

Technical Features

• Easy access lid with protective storm flap
• StormGuard system combines a partial rain cover with a waterproof bottom liner to create a fully weather proof bag
• StormGuard provides better access, keeps gear drier and is more durable than a traditional rain cover
• 10 cm/4 in of torso adjustability provides the perfect fit
• Removable hipbelt and sternum strap for around town use
• Side zipper for easy access to gear
• Stretch pocket on shoulder strap for a phone and other small items
• Light loop attachment point and reflective material
• Front shove-it pocket for quick access
• Two attachment loops for hiking poles or ice axes

Find out more on the Thule website

I’ve had this backpack for a couple of months now, and it’s quite different to others that I’ve owned. The main difference with this backpack, is that it feels much more akin to using a giant stuff-sack with straps. I love the lack of faff required when it comes packing this bag, and when I use it for weekend trips, I simply open the top and stuff my clothes etc inside and then use it’s unique closing mechanism (see the picture below) to secure the bag shut.

One of the stand-out features that I really like on the Stir, is the removable hip belt. Being able to remove the hip belt makes it ultra-flexible and perfect for traveling; not just for camping and hiking. In fact I’ll be using it as hand luggage on a flight in just a few hours time.

Padding and mesh ventilation on the back of the Stir

The Verdict

It’s looks might not be for everyone, but I really like this backpack. The whole front section of the bag contains an almost hidden big pocket, and the lack of excess zips and straps makes the backpack simple to use, and I swear I can fit more in, despite my old backpack having the same 35 Litre capacity.

There’s a built in pouch for your hydration pack and an opening for the drinking tube to come though which is very hand for long walks, and even with the rain cover in place you can still easily get to your water.

There are two side pockets that are a decent size and give you ample space for walking poles, or if you’re more adventurous, ice axes. If like me you only use one walking pole it leaves plenty of space for a decent sized flask or water bottle.

The final feature that I really like are the adjustable straps. The back section which includes the straps can be fully lifted off and re-positioned – moving the straps up or down depending on your height and where you prefer the pack to sit.

Best bits

• Love the bright colour
• Feels like using a giant stuff-sack
• Flexibility of being able to move the straps up or down
• Good padding from the straps and comfortable to wear

Many thanks to Thule for supplying the backpack for us to review.

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Woly Sport Anti-shock Insoles 3d Plus from Fresh Steps

What are they?

Woly Sport Anti-shock Plus 3D Insoles
£9.99 fro Fresh Step
Find out more

Features

• Cushioned for maximum performance
• Breathable microfibre
• Shock-absorbing inserts

As an over pronator with flat arches, I can’t wear any shoes without insoles, especially if I’m planning on walking any real distance. I must admit to having quite a few pairs of boots, in fact to be honest I have a ridiculous number of boots…

Rather than hunting around for insoles and moving them in and out of different pairs of boots all the time, I instead have lots of insoles that range from expensive custom orthotics to cheap eBay purchases.

The verdict

The Woly Sport Anti-shock Plus 3D Insoles are really bouncy, and provide a great amount of padding under foot, so I’ve found them to be very comfortable and I’ve been wearing for the past month or so.

The arch isn’t quite severe enough for me to wear the insoles on long hikes, but in my gym trainers they are great.

Priced at £9.99 they’re good value, and they really do reduce foot fatigue too. If you have a normal arch, or are very slightly flat footed, these are a great buy.

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Discover Ultra Comfortable Camping With The Outwell Centuple Double Camp Bed

Fed up of deflating air mattresses, rock hard SIMs or uncomfortable and rickety camp beds? Welcome the awesome new Outwell Centuple sleep system into your camping life, and you’ll never spend another uncomfortable night under canvas again. Read on to find out more.

Left: Padded top cover for the Centuple Middle: Double foldaway camp bed Right: Cardinal double sleeping bag

What is it?

Outwell Centuple Foldaway Double Camp Bed
RRP £199
Find out more

Technical features

• Bed – 300Dx300D 100% polyester / Cover – top: 100% cotton weaved, bottom: 100% polyester non woven / Skirt – 100% cotton
• Steel frame
• Dimensons 134 x 194 x 48 cm (WxLxH)
• Foam 16 kg/m3 PU foam / Filling 60% Tencel® / 40% polyester microfibre 200 g/m2
• 70 x 30 cm + 20 x 27 x 97 cm pack size
• 16.1 kg weight

What we thought

The new Outwell Centuple sleep system uses the sturdy Outwell Posadas camp bed as it’s base. On top of that there’s a cover with half an inch or so of foam padding on top and underneath each corner there’s an elastic strap which allows you to secure the top cover to the frame of the camp bed.

Folding out the camp bed is a very fast process, taking just a few seconds

The Outwell Centuple camp bed all set up with the padded cover in place

I’ve always used either a single folding aluminium camp bed or an inflatable air mattress to sleep on in the past, but found after my snowboarding accident that a camp bed on it’s own didn’t provide me with anywhere near enough padding to sleep comfortably, so I stopped using one and changed to an air mattress.

The downside of air mattresses I’ve found is that the double height ones at least, are seriously cold to sleep on and they all lose air overnight, a problem that only gets worse over time, so I end up having to replace them every few months. Although they don’t leave me stiff and aching in the morning, they are far from ideal.

Thanks to the addition of the padded top cover, the Centuple is super comfortable – that extra padding makes a real difference. I prefer side sleeping, so on our most recent Easter camping trip we added the Outwell Dreamboat SIM on top (which is utterly brilliant and I’ll be reviewing separately soon). The additional SIM was easily secured in place under the padded cover of the Centuple, which made for an even more luxurious and ultra comfortable sleep.

Padded pillows

One of the features that tends to set Outwell products aside is not only their quality, but how well engineered they are. My old camp bed  needed to be folded out, the canvas base pulled taut to either end, and then two end bars slotted into place; often an awkward manoeuvre. In comparison the Centuple, despite it’s size was extremely fast and easy to put up. When removed from the carry bag it simply concertinas out in one piece, et voila, the bed is up and you need do nothing else except secure the padded top cover in place.

It’s worth mentioning that the padded top cover is pretty big, and it doesn’t compress down much, though there are two compression straps included in the bag with it. The 12 Tog King size duvet we used to take camping with us takes up around the same amount of space as the padded top cover.

Why you should consider the Centuple

• Excellent quality
• Nice and stable to sit and lie on
• Very fast to put up and take down
• Much warmer to sleep on than an air mattress
• Comfortable enough for side sleepers
• Makes a great guest bed

There is a ridge in the middle, but not quite as pronounced as it looks in this photo

Final thoughts

At an RRP of £199 this is not a small purchase by any means, and one I’m sure that for most will require careful consideration. Putting it into perspective, the amount of money I have spent on camp beds and various different air mattresses in the last 5 years just for myself however, easily exceeds the purchase cost of the Centuple.

If you are trying to justify this bed, then thanks to it’s quality, I think the ‘buy once, buy well’ ethos should factor into your decision making. Without a long term test I can’t tell you it will last for the rest of your camping life, but quality wise, I am certain it will provide many years of service.

I know we’ll certainly get a lot of use out of ours and I have no hesitation in highly recommending the Outwell Centuple. It’s also really nice to finally be sleeping together again instead of on separate single beds for once!

Stockists

Prices correct at time of writing 19/04/2017

• Camping World (stock due 5/5/2017) £179.99
• Simply Hike £143.95
• Amazon.co.uk £179.99

Thank you to Outwell for providing the Centuple Double Bed for us to review.

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The post Discover Ultra Comfortable Camping With The Outwell Centuple Double Camp Bed appeared first on Camping with Style Camping Blog | Activities • Glamping • Travel • Adventure.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/outwell-centuple-double-foldaway-camp-bed-review/

Great Value Family Camping With The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Family Tent

We were lucky enough to get a good look around the new Rocky Mountain 5 Plus family tent earlier this year at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, and think the BlackOut bedrooms will be especially attractive to families with young children.

Family friendly features

Getting up early when camping isn’t everyone’s idea of a relaxing family break, and with bright morning sunshine streaming in, little ones often wake up super early when camping, but with it’s clever BlackOut bedrooms, early wake-ups should be a thing of the past.

The Rocky Mountain 5 Plus is a great sized tent, ideal for small families or weekend camping trips, and at a really competitive price point (currently available for around £340 – see stockists below), so it’s a great choice for those looking to upgrade their family camping set-up.

The tent has an easy to pitch tunnel structure, offers standing height throughout and features Coleman’s patented BlackOut Bedroom™ technology. Responsive fibreglass poles provide stability, while mesh pole sleeves reduce noise on blustery nights. The spacious living area inside the Rocky Mountain 5 Plus can easily fit a large family sized table and chairs – making it ideal for dining and spending time in if the weather turns wet.

The front entrance has a dropped door for easy cleaning and non-trip access for children and ensures easy entry with buggies. The peaked porch at the front of the tent is perfect for giving extra protection against unsettled British weather.

Need to know

• BlackOut Bedrooms™ block out 99% of sunlight and regulate temperature
• Two spacious bedrooms
• 4,500mm hydrostatic head
• Integrated PE groundsheet
• Reflective guylines
• Ventilation panels
• Flysheet is fire retardant and features UVGuard, providing SPF 50 protection
• Ample pockets and handing hooks

Stockists

Prices correct at time of writing 18/04/2017

• Amazon.co.uk £338.22

Find out more about the new Rocky Mountain collection.

The post Great Value Family Camping With The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Family Tent appeared first on Camping with Style Camping Blog | Activities • Glamping • Travel • Adventure.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/coleman-rocky-mountain-5-plus-family-tent-blackout-bedrooms/

The North Face Women’s 100 Glacier Full Zip Fleece Review

What is it?

The North Face Women’s 100 Glacier Full Zip Fleece
Sweet Violet Stripe
£43.50 from Simply Hike

Features

•  Zip-in compatibility
• Exposed centre front zip
• Two secure-zip hand pockets
• Shock-cord adjustment at hem
• Embroidered logo
• Ultraviolet protection factor UPF (30+)

I’ve had my The North Face Glacier fleece for the past 6 weeks, and during that time I’ve been on 3 camping trips, spent a weekend out walking and sightseeing in Cornwall and a weekend glamping in Oxfordshire. The fleece has come with me every single time and it’s proven itself to be highly versatile. Because it’s so light and packs down to such a small size, it’s also ideal for carrying in my backpack as an extra layer whilst out walking should I need it.

The 100 Glacier Fleece is new for Spring/Summer 2017 and I love the fit and the colour of it. I think the only thing that could improve the fleece for me, would be slightly longer sleeves to accommodate thumb holes.

As well as wearing it out and about on our most recent camping trip over Easter weekend, I ended up putting it on to wear as an extra layer in bed as it was so cold at night.

Considering how thin it is, it’s exceptionally warm. The Glacier Polartec® fleece offers warmth and breathability and it’s proved itself to be the perfect mid-layer in countless different situations.

Priced £43.50 at Simply Hike, I think this is a great value buy for anyone who spends time outdoors.

Thank you to Simply Hike for providing the fleece for us to feature.

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The post The North Face Women’s 100 Glacier Full Zip Fleece Review appeared first on Camping with Style Camping Blog | Activities • Glamping • Travel • Adventure.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/north-face-womens-100-glacier-full-zip-fleece-review/

Save Shell Island! Maintain high tide emergency services access

A new petition has been launched to guarantee emergency service access at high tide.

Shell Island in Gwynedd is one of the biggest campsites in Europe and here at Camping with Style it’s a firm favourite that we visit at least once every single year.

Access to Shell Island is via a tidal causeway which becomes cut off twice a day. Emergency vehicles have been provided with high-tide access through the neighbouring Llanbedr Airfield, which is owned by the Welsh Government. The new tenant of Llanbedr Airfield, Snowdonia Aerospace LLP, has now withdrawn guaranteed 24-hour emergency services access to Shell Island.

There is currently a petition to urge their tenant Snowdonia Aerospace LLP to reinstate guaranteed and permanent high tide emergency services access so that Shell Island can continue to operate.

Find out more and lend your support to the Shell Island petition here.

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Fall In Love With Camping – Tips For People Who Hate Camping!

Perhaps you’ve never camped before and are convinced you’ll hate it or maybe you’ve camped in the past and hated every minute of it? If that sounds like you, then read on for some simple tips that will transform your camping experience.

1. Be willing to have fun (whatever the weather!)

If you’ve agreed to go camping or are thinking about giving it a try for the first time, make sure you are in the right mindset. If you’re already convinced you’ll hate it before you even get there, then you probably will.

Remember the fun you had exploring somewhere new and building dens in the great outdoors when you were a kid? Try to relax back into that kind of mindset – you won’t be staying in a luxurious 4* hotel but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!

2. Think about what clothes you pack

Going camping requires more careful packing than an weekend stay in a hotel. A few of the things that you’ll need include warm pyjamas to wear in bed, flip flops, towel and toiletries that can be easily taken into the shower with you, and plenty of extra layers, including waterproof outer layers in case the weather is rubbish.

Staying warm and dry should be a priority; looking stylish – not so much, so think warm and practical; and remember there’s never a place for heels, flash lashes or hair straighteners when you’re camping. As long as you pack for the outdoors (expect cold, wind and rain even at the height of British summertime) you’ll be off to a great start!

Check out how to keep warm when camping in a tent.

3. Take the right camping gear with you

Being comfortable when camping is the single most important thing that will determine whether you enjoy your camping trip or not. Even if the weather is rubbish, as long as you are warm and comfy and have somewhere dry to hang out, you can still make the most of it.

A very cheap sleeping bag from a Argos won’t keep you warm, and sleeping on nothing but a flimsy yoga mat definitely won’t give you a comfortable nights sleep. A cheap inflatable air mattress is much more comfortable, and investing in a decent sleeping bag, or borrowing one from a friend and ensuring you take extra blankets and a pillow, will ensure you’ll sleep well.

4. Don’t regard yourself as being ‘above’ camping

Despite it’s huge rise in popularity, there is still a bit of a stigma attached attached to camping. To enjoy any new experience it’s best to fully immerse yourself, so don’t make the mistake of looking down your nose at campers or make the assumption that they are only camping because they can’t afford to do anything ‘better’.

Many campers also travel extensively, staying at hotels and going on luxury holidays and city breaks. Camping is simply a choice and in many cases, a preference – not something we do because we can’t afford to do anything better; and from our point of view the benefits we get from camping are way more meaningful than the convenience of 24 hour room service.

5. Don’t fixate on the things you can’t do when camping

There’s nowhere to plug in your hair straighteners, you can’t watch TV and there’s no super-fast internet connection – so accept it, and move on.

Getting fixated on the things that you can’t do whilst camping will trap you in a negative loop, and a negative mindset will ensure you don’t enjoy yourself.

6. Use camping as a chance to practice mindfulness

Humans aren’t meant to spend all of their time indoors with everything at their fingertrips and a constant connection to anything and everything. Modern life is demanding and people are increasingly suffering from mental health issues as a direct result of our 21st century lifestyles.

Camping is an opportunity to embrace a different way of living, so instead of lamenting the things you can’t whilst camping, see it as an opportunity to get away from the stress and distractions of modern life and a chance to reconnect with friends, family and importantly, yourself.

7. Plan stuff to do

If you are used to being constantly online or spend hours in front of the TV, camping will give you free time that you might well have no idea how to utilise.

Take a good book and/or magazine with you, dig out the board games, take along your guitar and sing around the campfire, take your camera and get some great landscape shots, take art supplies with you, go hiking, explore the local area….there are heaps of things you can do when camping but you can also use the opportunity to simply relax, there’s real simple pleasure to be had in lying on your back and watching the clouds float by or staring up at the stars.

8. Think about food

If your day is punctuated by several cups of tea, or you can’t function without a morning coffee, doing away with those things whilst you’re camping may feel like a chore, and if you aren’t one to embrace change then a different routine and going without things like this will quickly make camping feel like too big a compromise. If you can’t do without a brew, borrow or invest in a camp stove and kettle.

Likewise, if you love cooking and normally prepare fresh food and cook from scratch, put a bit of thought into easy camping meals that will allow you to eat well whilst camping. If you let the quality of your nutrition drop whilst camping, then it stands to reason that you won’t enjoy the experience as much.

It’s actually really easy with a bit of planning to prepare proper meals when camping; tasty chicken curries, vegetable stir frys, hearty casseroles and even a simple omlette with a bit salad are all super easy to prep and cook when camping with a little bit of forward planning.

9. Choose your campsite wisely

Campsites all have their own distinct personalities and finding the right one will have a big impact on how much you enjoy your camping break. Campsites range from big and busy with set pitches and lots of on-site facilities to basic and peaceful sites in the middle of nowhere with just the bare essential.

Make sure also that you are aware of the rules that are set at each individual campsite. Some won’t allow group bookings, BBQs, campfires or even any noise after 9pm, so make sure you choose a campsite that meets your requirements.

Find tips on choosing the perfect campsite here.

10. Don’t take a tiny tent

Camping in a tent that you can’t stand up, get dressed or move around in easily often just isn’t practical. If you’re going on a group camping trip and will be traveling by car, the trick is to ensure you have a decent sized tent. Being able to stand up to get dressed and having somewhere to sit and hang out if the weather is bad is much easier if you have a standing height tent that isn’t at full occupancy.

You can get a spacious standing height tent like the Quechua Arpenaz 4.1 for around £70, and if you don’t fancy investing in a tent, why not split the cost with a friend, or better still, borrow a tent from someone?

Take a look at top tips for first time campers. Got any great tips to share yourself? Let us know in the comments below!

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The post Fall In Love With Camping – Tips For People Who Hate Camping! appeared first on Camping with Style Camping Blog | Activities • Glamping • Travel • Adventure.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/camping-tips-for-people-who-hate-camping/