Camping Equipment

Camping tent: capacity, flysheet and water column

A tent should be chosen with one extra space than the number of sleepers, to store bags and shoes inside. For families, a tent with separate rooms and a living area where you can stand up makes a big difference to holiday comfort; for camping, a lightweight, free-standing tent or one with tensioned poles can be set up in a few minutes. The waterproofing of the flysheet is measured in millimetres of water column: from two thousand millimetres upwards, the fabric can withstand heavy rain, and the groundsheet, which is more frequently used, often shows a higher rating. The flysheet, stretched without touching the inner tent, allows air circulation and lets moisture escape overnight.

The selection

Camping gear is organised by type:

• Tents.
• Sleeping bags.
• Cooking, stoves, utensils and water bottles.
• Lighting, headlamps and lanterns.
• Furniture, folding chairs and tables.

Sleeping bag and mattress: ISO standard and ground insulation

The sleeping bag shows three temperatures according to ISO 23537: the comfort temperature, for a person who sleeps without getting cold, the limit temperature, for a night curled up, and the extreme temperature, which should never be aimed for. The comfort temperature is chosen based on the coldest nights expected. The mummy bag, which is narrower, retains heat better than the rectangular bag, which is more spacious. The mattress is equally important: its R-value measures its thermal resistance, and a high index prevents cold from the ground. An self-inflating mattress combines comfort and insulation for family camping, while camping prefers a very compact inflatable mattress.

Other sports

The other sports on the site, climbing, hunting, fishing, athletics, badminton, basketball, handball, padel, golf, fitness, swimming, motorcycling, rollerblading and skateboarding, are all gathered on the other sports page.

Cooking, lighting and furniture: the comforts of camp

In terms of cooking, a gas cartridge stove and a cooking pot are enough for camping, while a family adds a cooler and a two-burner stove. Insulated stainless steel containers, like the cup and the Stanley IceFlow bottle, keep water cool all day. For lighting, a headlamp frees up your hands for setting up the tent as night falls, and a lantern lights up the dining table. Folding furniture makes a difference in living space: the Regatta Isla chair folds up in an instant and fits in the boot. On cool nights, hand and foot warmers provide warmth before getting into the sleeping bag.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals feature the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The year's highlights follow a steady order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end of year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and the back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

How to set up your tent in the rain?

Preferably choose a tent that sets up the flysheet first, with the inner tent attaching later for shelter. Look for a spot that is slightly elevated, never in the bottom of a dip, and tension the fabric well so that water runs off without pooling.

How to store your tent to make it last?

Never leave a wet tent folded for long: unfold it as soon as you return to dry it in the shade and avoid mould. Brush off the dirt, check the pegs and poles, and then store it in a dry place, away from rodents.

What is a bivouac and where is it allowed?

A bivouac involves setting up a lightweight tent for one night, from sunset to sunrise, during a hike. It is tolerated in many natural areas but regulated or prohibited in some national parks: check with the park or local council before you go.

How to keep food fresh while camping?

A passive cooler keeps things cold for one to two days with ice packs; an electric cooler plugged into the car or site takes over for a longer stay. Place it in the shade and open it as infrequently as possible.

How many pegs to prepare for a tent?

Prepare all the pegs provided plus a few spares, and a mallet. On hard or stony ground, V or Y shaped steel pegs hold better than thin models; in sand, wide pegs or weighted bags replace traditional anchoring.