CAMPING GEAR | Cosying Up In The Robens Crevasse II Sleeping Bag

What is it?

Robens Crevasse II Sleeping Bag
RRP £129.99

Technical features

• 3 season
• Shell 40D 300T polyester / 20D 300T nylon, 50% polyester / 50% nylon
• Lining 50D 300T polyester pongee, 100% polyester
• Half lenght zips down each side of the bag
• Extra roomy mummy style bag
• Zipped foot box
• Adjustable hood
• When the bag is open, internal wings create a duvet function
• Compression stuff sack

Stockists

• Amazon.co.uk

What I thought

Brand new for 2018, I got a sneak preview of the Robens Crevasse II sleeping bag in Denmark last year and well and truly fell in love with it.

I can’t stand restrictive mummy sleeping bags and had always used an envelope style bag as a result. The problem though is that the extra space menas it’s less effective at retaining heat, and really, there’s not an awful lot of choice, with most R&D going into the more popular mummy style of sleeping bag.

The Robens Crevasse II is different thgouh, although technically it is a mummy bag, it’s oversized and nowhere near as restricitve as a typical mummy bag, which was the key reason I was drawn to it. I also really liked the feel of the fabric, again, mummy bags are often made of Nylon and I hate the feel of them so the cotton-like feel of the Crevasse II and it’s 3-season credentials all meant I was very keen to put it through it’s paces.

The verdict

The first time I tried the sleeping bag I camped out in early spring. The night time temperature was hovering around 1 degree and I was so warm that I ended up taking off my hat and unzipping the bottom section to stick my feet out.

I’ve since camped a further 2 times using this sleeping bag (once in April and again in early May) and the performance of the bag is brilliant.

In fact it’s a revelation not needing extra layers at night. I’m so used to wearing thermals, thick fleece pyjamas and a hat and using a second sleeping bag or duvet on top of me, that it’s taken me a while to get used to the Crevasse II.

The Air Thermo filling is super-warm

Whilst it’s by no means a cheap sleeping bag, in my opinion if you do a lot of camping outside of the summer months, this makes an excellent investment. The quality of the sleeping bag is excellent and the extra size is a real benefit for those of us who don’t like to feel too restricticed but still want to stay warm.

This sleeping bag is fairly big, even when stuffed into it’s compression sack. My partner has a 3 season mummy sleeping bag which is easily 60% smaller in size when packed down, but it’s also made of a really odd shiny plastic-feeling material and is generally a smaller and more restrictive sleeping bag. Becuase of the extra bulk then, the Crevasse II isn’t the type of sleeping bag you’d want to be hiking with, but for car campers, it’s perfect.

The zips which reach half way down each side of the sleeping bag

Pros

• I love the colour of the sleeping bag and the cotton-like feel of the fabric
• Being able to unzip the foot section is brilliant as I often sleep with my feet outside of a duvet, and for warmer weather use, this makes the bag more flexible
• The warmth of this bag is amazing, hands down, better than any other sleeping bag I’ve used
• I love the clver flexible configuration options that allow you to use the sleeping bag more like a duvet and snuggle up by wrapping the ‘wings’ around you or pop your arms out when it’s warm

Cons

• Although it does compress down and comes with a stuff-sack, It’s still pretty big, so not really suitable for backpacking
• I’d personally prefer the side zips to go down a bit further to make middle of the night strips to the toilet block that bit easier

Thank you to Robens who sent us this sleeping bag to test.

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REVIEWS | Cotton & Olive Bamboo Towels Are Ideal For Stylish Travelers

Cotton & Olive are a UK brand who sell a superb range of Bamboo peshtemal hammam towels and robes in a variety of different colours and patterns. Not only are the towels eco-friendly, but they are ideal for travel.

The towels are extremely lightweight, soft and fast drying, making them ideal for travel and camping. We love the way the towels look (and there are lots of different colours and patterns to choose from), so they are ideal for popping on sun loungers or straight onto the sand or grass for a spot of sunbathing. As well as their very generous size, because they are so thin, they pack down super small so they’re perfect for camping and backpacking trips too.

I’ve recently been using the towel to sunbathe on in the garden

These Cotton & Olive towels dry much quicker than regular towels and because they are made from natural fibres, they are kind to sensitive skin. The towels are so pretty, they can even be used as a pool or beachside sarong making them super versatile.

Using the towel as a sarong – genius!

We’ve been using our Cotton & Olive Bamboo towels for the past month and I’ve taken mine to the gym and on camping and glamping trips and it performs brilliantly. Despite being so thin the towels are surprisingly absorbant and I love the fact that for such a large towel (it’s bath sheet size), they fold down to a tiny size.

The towel folded with a book and sunglasses for scale

Cotton & Olive towels start at £22 with free delivery. They can be purchased at cottonandolive.com

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CAMPING | Eco Friendly Camping & Active Outdoors Buys – Send Less Plastic To Landfill

Today is Earth Day, so we thought we’d do our own little bit by searching out some of the best eco-friendly camping and active outdoors gear to inspire you into making some simple swaps that will help to send less plastic to landfill.

Traditionally, camping gear was utilitarian and often nasty looking, made from green or white plastic. Increasingly though, forward thinking camping manufacturers like Outwell and Vango are using more sustainable materials like Bamboo, which are not only far more aesthetically pleasing, but also more eco-friendly compared to their plastic counter-parts.

The featured camping and active outdoors products are more eco-friendly than plastic alternatives commonly available on the camping market.

1. Robens Ottawa Pot 6 Litre – £26.40

Made from stainless steel with a wooden handle on the lid, this camping cook pot can be easily recycled at the end of it’s life.

2. Cotton & Olive Finesse Bamboo Peshtemal Towels – £22.00

Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and is highly sustainable, and because it’s natural it’s also biodegradable too. We pack our Cotton & Olive towels for camping trips and holidays as they are great space savers too!

3. Vango 4 Person Bamboo Set – £33.99

The Vango 4 Person Bamboo Set includes 4 large plates, 4 smaller plates, 4 bowls and 4 mugs. It’s highly sustainable, eco-friendly, and dishwasher safe too.

4. Domyos 100 Eco Women’s Long-Sleeved Top – £4.99

Organic cotton for softness, elastane for comfort. Domyos offers gentle yoga products with a reduced environmental impact.

5. Large British Unique Recycled Wool Blanket – £21.39

These wool blankets are an ideal extra layer at night or wrapped around your shoulders beside the camp fire. These are made from recycled wool so no two blankets are the same.

6. Zuperzozial Rainbow Biodegradable Plates – £23.08

Zuperzozial make bidegradable products out of bamboo and corn and this  beautiful set of 6 pastel coloured plates is 100% natural and biodegradable.

 

 7.Retro Daisy Bamboo Eco Travel Coffee Cup – £3.99

Made from eco-friendly bamboo, this reusable mug will save you money and time on barista coffees as well as helping to save the environment.

8. Hydro Flask 21oz Standard Mouth – £23.12

Ditch plastic bottles and opt instead a reusable water bottle like this. Hydro Flask is a double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel BPA-free flask, that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Check out our Hydro Flask review.

9. Natural Bamboo Rainbow Toothbruses, Set of 12 – £8.99

These high quality Bamboo toothbrushes come in 100% recycled , biodegradable packaging and the handle and bristles too are both biodegradable.

10. Outwell Bamboo Crockery Set – £57.56

Outwell biodegradable bamboo 4 person crockery set.

 

11. Biolite Campstove 2- £129.95

Cook more naturally using biomass, twigs, pinecones and so on, additional energy is stored and can then be used to charge USB devices.

12. Robens Trekker L Bamboo Camp Table

The Robens Trekker L camp table has an eco friendly Bamboo top and an Aluminium frame which is widely recyclable, making it one of the most eco friendly and good looking camp tables available.

13. HUBi 10K Solar Power Kit – £250

Technical, reliable and robust, the Freeloader HUBi 10K Power System harvests solar power using a crystalline solar panel, and converts it to DC electricity to charge and power a huge range of devices. See our review of the HUBi 10k.

14. Green Olive Co ECO Friendly Organic Firelighters – £2.99

An instant lighting organic firelighter made from sawdust and vegetable oil.

15. MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot, 775ml – £18

Made from stainless steel, the MSR Alpine Stowaway 775ml Pot easily stows in your bag and with no plastic bits, these stainless steel pots are 100% recyclable.

16. Sundried Les Rouies Women’s Training Vest – £35

Sundried’s innovative and industry-leading sportswear is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

17. 5m Canvas Bell Tent By Bell Tent Boutique – £509.99

Made from 100% natural cotton canvas, this tent will rot down naturally at the end of it’s life, whilst the PVC ground sheet can be widely recycled.

18. EZY Woodburning Stove from Gather Outdoors – £74.95

The EZY Stove is a portable wood burning rocket stove. It’s award winning Swedish design means you can cook with less wood, in any conditions, including windy beaches.

19. Giant Recycled Storage Bags – £4.95

These bags are ideal for camping – big enough to fit in a double duvet and pillows in  they’re ideal for packing your clothing and soft camping gear ain nd they are made from 100% recycled materials too!

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ACTIVE | 5 Of The Things I Love To Do To Stay Active

As a proud member of the Decathlon blogger community I love the brands core belief that sports should be inclusive and for all body types. As a larger lady who is also active, the perception that only skinny people or those with a classically athletic build can be fit is endlessly frustrating. Brands that don’t offer sports clothing above a size 12/14 are a frequent irritation, as though someone who’s a size 14/16 couldn’t possibly need snowboarding gear or a wetsuit because we’re too busy eating cake and watching TV to go outside and actually do physical stuff.

To be honest though it’s not just brands or the perception of others that can be frustrating, I’ve had to battle and overcome my own negative perceptions of myself and what I’m capable of.

For many years I totally eschewed climbing, assuming that it was something that only skinny, lithe people could do. Now obviously being strong and flexible is a distinct advantage, but that didn’t mean that climbing was a sport that was completely closed to me! I closed it off to myself in my own head and avoided it for many years, until one day when I thought “y’know what? I’m gonna give it a try!” and I loved it.

So don’t let the perception of others, or even yourself stop you from trying new things. I’ve stopped worrying about bits wobbling on the treadmill at the gym and instead focus on the fact that I’m active and helping to improve my cardiovascular and mental health… and having a jolly good time to boot!

Me looking insanely happy (or just insane?), snowboarding in Whistler Canada

Snowboarding

I started snowboarding in my mid twenties and I absolutely adore it. It’s hands down the thing I would choose to do all day every day If I could! Of course living in the UK means opportunities to snowboard are generally limited to my annual snowboarding holiday to either Canada or Europe, or the occasional session on an indoor slope like the Tamworth Snowdome or Chill Factore in Manchester.

My dad started snowboarding a few years ago, and comes along on family snowboarding holidays – and he’s 70 – so stop making excuses. If you’ve ever fancied giving snowsports a try, book a taster session at an indoor slope and go for it!

Go for it!

Here are a few places to grab yourself a lesson or for experienced skiers and snowboarders, some slope time on real snow.

• Chill Factore in Manchester often has great value beginner lessons on offer
• SnowDome in Tamworth this is where I learned to snowboard so I’ll always have a soft spot for it
• The Snow Centre in London
• SnoZone in Sheffield and Milton Keynes
• Check out my article 16 Fun Facts You Need To Know Before Hitting The Slopes

Me out walking in the Peak District

Walking

I used to hate going out for walks as it bored me to tears. Then I learnt some mindfulness techniques and started to take more of an active interest in nature and in landscape photography and that changed everything! As a thrill-seeker at heart, gentle walks still don’t really do it for me, but I have learned to appreciate every second I spend outdoors no matter what I’m doing.

I’ve also found that I can get the kick of adrenaline I crave by choosing more challenging terrain, for example a mountain ascent that requires a scramble. The thing I love most about walking is that it’s so easy to build up your fitness and it’s also so accessible, unlike some of the sports that I do like snowboarding and kayaking, the investment needed to get out walking is next to nothing!

Go for it!

It really couldn’t be easier. Get started by going to a local reservoir or nature reserve and following a walking route before working up to scaling hills or mountains.

• Grab yourself an inspiring walking book from Amazon.co.uk
• Kit yourself out without breaking the bank at Decathlon
• Check out the free OS GetOutside guides which contain loads of great walking routes

Kayaking in Scotland on Loch Tay

Kayaking

I have always been a bit of a water baby. When I broke my back in a snowboarding accident it was swimming 5 days a week that helped me to regain my fitness. I’m not the worlds best swimmer, but I’m not too bad either and I love the freedom of being in and on the water.

Kayaking is something I tried for the first time about 10 years ago, and I’ve loved it ever since. From then I’ve gone from kayaking on small local lakes to exhilarating sea kayaking trips and I can’t get enough of it. It’s easy to do, not too physically demanding as you can take it as fast or slow as you like and hiring a kayak and having a go is pretty easy. Just look for a local kayak hire company who will hire you everything you need including a wetsuit and BA (buoyancy aid).

Go for it!

Find a local kayaking company by doing a simple Google search then hire a kayak or book a beginners coaching session to get yourself started.

• Visit Peak Pursuits in Manchester and Cheshire
• Take a look at these kayaking tips for beginners
• Book a sea kayaking tour with Koru Kayaking in Cornwall
• Book a kayaking and wild camping trip with Much Better Adventures
• Kayak down the River Ouse with Wilderness Weekends

Climbing on Christmas Eve (hence the Santa hat)

Indoor Climbing

As well as vertigo and being generally afraid of heights, I perceived climbing as being something only thin people could do. I was embarrassed worrying what If I was too heavy? What If I looked like a big lump and wouldn’t be able to climb more than a couple of metres? I pushed the worries aside and overcame my own fears to give it a go. And I loved it!

Since then I’ve gone on to purchase all my own climbing gear (purchased from Decathlon) and I’m keen to do some outdoor climbing too. Climbing I think has been the biggest surprise for me, my life-long belief that I’d hate it and that it wasn’t for me, couldn’t have been more wrong! it just goes to show what can happen when you move outside of your comfort zone and challenger your own perceptions.

Go for it!

It’s so easy to get started, with pretty much all climbing centres offering taster sessions which includes expert tuition and hire of your climbing harness etc.

• Give indoor climbing a try at Awesome Walls in Sheffield, Liverpool, Stocke & Stockport
• Have a go and find your head for heights at Kilnworks in Staffordshire like I did!
• Have a go at the Newcastle Climbing Centre
• Go for a taster session at Highball Climbing Centre in Norwich
• Check out High Sports in Brigthon
• Have a quick read of my article Beginners Climbing Tips – A Quick Guide To Getting Started
• Check out the great value range of climbing gear from Decathlon

 

The Gym

Some people hate the gym, and whilst I love being outside, luckily I also love the gym! I’ve never regarded going to the gym as a chore because the benefits it has on my mental health, above everything else are dramatic. I’ve been a member of my local Bannatynes gym now for some 15 years. My gym routine recently isn’t as tight as it once was, but I’m not beating myself up about it. I still go regularly and I now do loads of extra sports and activities to make it up for it when I don’t go.

I love the time to think that being at the gym gives me. After a long day at work it can be tempting to drive straight past and go home instead, but the benefits of investing an hour into me, are always worth it.

it’s all about finding what works for you, trying new things and just going for it. Life’s just too short and our health is just too important not to make it a priority and finding sports that you love ensure improving your fitness won’t ever be a chore and only ever a pleasure.

Go for it!

The gym isn’t for everyone, so instead of committing to a membership you won’t use get started by opting for a pay as you go option, or choosing a gym that doesn’t tie you in to a year long contract. Don’t feel intimidated. Everyone there is investing in their health and the fact you’re there too, whatever shape or size you are, instantly makes you ‘one of them’, you DO belong.

 

• Find gyms near you
• Pay as you gym
• Bannatynes gyms
• Need to look the part with new gym kit? Check out what Decathlon have to offer.

Over to you, I’d love to hear how you stay active and keep fit!

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CAMPING | Space Saving Family Camping Furniture, Accessories & Tents

With so much to pack, family camping trips can often mean space in the car is at a premium. If you’ve got a small car, or have a large family, space-saving camping gear an absolute must, so we’ve rounded up some of the best space saving camping gear currently available.

1. Robens Trekker L Bamboo Camp Table £123

The  Trekker table rolls up to around half the pack size of equivalent tables and comes with a carry bag for convenience.

2. Wild Country Hoolie 6 Tent £400.00

Although this is a big tent that sleeps 6, it’s pack size of just 55cm x 23cm with a diminutive weight of just 6.75Kg so it won’t take up too much space in the car.

3. Grilliput Folding Portable Fire Bowl £19.99

Take a campfire with you, with the Grilliput fire bowl. It’s clever design means it folds down on itself to take up less space.

4. Lifeventure Silicon Ellipse Bowl £10

The Lifeventure Silicon Ellipse Bowl is the perfect space saving solution. This robust yet flexible piece of tableware folds completely flat for easy storage.

5. Easy Camp Dugite Lantern £8.99

This is an extremely compact pop-up lantern which is great for camping trips when space is a premium.

6. Outwell Tacoma 500 5 Person Tent £220

With a pack size of just 19 x 68cm and weighing unker 7kg, this Outwell Tacoma 500 tent provides family sized, standing height accommodation for campers.

7. Outsmart Inflatable Camping Pillow £10.50

A superb space saving pillow that folds down to a tiny size, just slightly larger than the palm of your hand.

8. Mount Connor Compact Folding Camp Chair £64.99

These new Mount Connor camp chairs from Outwell are super lightweight and when packed down into their carry bag, they take up a fraction of the space of a standard camp chair.

 

9. Vango Folding Tent Organiser £14.99

Save space during the journey to the campsite with this clever tent organiser which folds flat for storage and transit.

10. Summit Pop Folding Wash Basin £6.99

Ideal forcamping or caravanning, the Pop Folding Wash Basin folds down flat to save space when not in use.

11. Robens Primacore 90 Airbed £100

This camping air bed is small enough to fit in a backpack but comfortable enough to give you a good night’s sleep.

12. Outwell Collaps Camping Kettle £34

The entire Collaps range from Outwell is designed to save as much space as possible whilst in transit.

13. Outwell Vigor 5 Tent £199

With a pack size of 29 x 67 cm and weighing under 10kg, the Outwell Vigor 5 slopes at the back in the bedroom to save space, but offers standing height at the front of the tent.

Collapz Water Carrier £29

The Collapsible 2-in-1 Water Carrier & Drinks Dispenser is the ideal solution for your campsite life. Durable, sturdy and colourful, this bit of kit is perfect.

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CAMPING | Epic New Tents For 2018 From Boutique Camping

The folks over at Boutique Camping have certainly been busy of late with some fantastic new tent designs now available, so If you’ve not seen their epic new tents yet, read on!

New for 2018, Boutique Camping have made the decision ditch traditional 100% cotton canvas in favour of the more durable, and easier to care for Polycotton. This is a move that we’ve seen in a lot of high-end tents recently, with Robens and Outwell in particular leading the way in the use of Polycotton.

As well as moving to Polycotton tents, there are some incredible new designs, including their ‘star’ range of bell and emperor tents, the stunning new Luna bell tent and the brilliant new lightweight Weekender bell tent, available in funky prints and designed especially for weekend campers and festival goers.

The Luna Bell Tent

Priced from £739, find out more about the Luna Bell Tent.

A spacious and eye-catching new tent designed for glampers who want the convenience of a tent that can be set up quickly. Setting up the Luna bell tent takes just a few minutes thanks to the innovative design which includes a heavy-duty zipped in groundsheet, allowing the tent to be pitched as one.

The Luna bell tent is erected by sliding the aluminium framework of curved poles into the inside of the tent and just like a more traditional bell tent, the Luna includes a sturdy centre pole. Once in place, the dome shape of the Luna tent is very stable able to withstand strong winds.

The Star Emperor Bell Tent

Priced from £999, find out more about the Star Emperor Bell Tent.

The new Star Emperor tent is an enormous; 6.55m x 4m with 2 central poles and a unique curved star shape, making it the ideal choice for a family weekend away.

The star emperor bell tent was designed to bring you the most innovative features and is perfect for the UK weather as it has an integrated canopy.

Weekender Bell Tent

Priced from £269, find out more about the Weekender Bell Tent.

The funky new Weekender bell tent has been designed with festival goers in mind. The Weekender looks just like a traditional bell tent but is made from lightweight polyester making them half the weight of canvas bell tents.

Ideal for festivals and weekend camping trips, the Weekender bell tent is available in three different colours. Choose from classic sandstone for a traditional bell tent look, for those that want to stand out there’s the bright and funky rainbow pattern or for something a little different, there’s the Aztec with its distinctive pattern.

The Yurt Tent

Priced from £1,259, find out more about the Yurt Tent.

The 5 Yurt tent is a luxurious and magical bell tent with a homely feel. The 5m Yurt tent comes in the classic sandstone colour that’s eye-catching, yet comforting.

The yurt tent was designed to bring you the best the glamping word has to offer. Inside you’ll find heaps of extra head room, loads of usable space and windows to make the most of your view.

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