A Dry British Summer?

Well according to the BBC website (link) we can expect to actually have a Summer here in the UK this year. The last couple of years have been a wash out with torrential rain fall and even floods. Well it looks like the weather folk are predicting that this Summer will have average rainfall or maybe even less than average with temperatures peaking around the 30 degrees mark.

That's great news for the Festival goers, Outdoor enthusiasts and people looking to save themselves some money by taking their summer holiday right here at home on one of the literally thousands of campsites spread across the UK.

There are some fantastic deals on Tents and Camping Equipment to be found at the moment, with many stores taking full advantage of the fact that more people are introducing themselves to camping this year because of the credit crunch.

One trend you may notice when you put a little research into what Tents are worth a look is that many hardened campers will stick loyally to a brand that they are comfortable with. There are some cheap Outwell tents available on offer (usually previous seasons models) but in reality the tents have risen in price quite a bit over the last year.

Tents are like anything else you may purchase; what is right for one person may not be right for another. New tent brands may not have the reputation but that doesn't mean the tents aren't worth the gamble. So look around when buying a tent this summer, buy the right tent for you, not the right tent for the masses.

And for all of you people heading for festivals this Summer time and are looking for cheap tents for less than £15 but wondering if you will wake up with soggy clothes? Well single skin tents should get the job done if the weather remains warm, however you will need a thicker sleeping bag. If you've made an investment and gone double skin then you will be fine with a cheap sleeping bag to sleep in.

I think we can all agree that this year is a year that many new people will turn to camping and many will realize what they have been missing out on and the money that can be saved by staying in Britain in the great outdoors.

That's all for now

Brandon

Pop Up Tent Guide

Over the past few years Pop up Tents have become increasingly more popular among new campers. Does this take out the whole 'point' of camping? Not at all!

Festivals whether music, car, art or anything you can think of have introduced people who aren't much for the great outdoors to weekends of camping. The pop up tent has reduced embarrassment of not being able to put together a complex tent when you have no experience in the matter.

Pop up tents are marketed on the fact that they can spring to life in under a minute and all the user has to do is throw it out, and peg it down. Ideal right? These tents started as simple 2 man tents but over the last few years have grown to 3 man tents, 4 man tents and even some family tents have become the popular pop up variety giving more people the confidence to GO Outdoors.

Words you may have heard when searching for Pop up Tents:

Quick Pitch - This is Gelert's own take on the Pop up Tent but does exactly the same job.

Pitch and Go - Hi Gear one of the newer tent manufacturers on the market call their Pop up Tents, Pitch and Go tents but they essentially serve the same purpose.

So if you are looking for a tent for the summer months, or just for camping out on the back garden then small Pop up Tents are ideal.

A common mistake is to think that these pop up tents aren't up to a camping holiday away. The larger pop up tents will do the job just as well as a standard tunnel or dome tent though space is limited as you would expect from a smaller tent.

Most tent brands are now bringing out their own versions of the classic pop up tent so shop around and you're likely to find one that will fit your needs just right.

That's all for now

Brandon

Holiday in the UK this Year

So with the current economic state as it is and more and more people feeling the pinch on their purses or wallets going abroad this year isn't looking like a feasible option for a lot of families.

A family holiday is something everyone needs, just to take that break from work and just get away from the stress and strains of home life and have a good time. This is why more and more families are turning to camping holidays this year. Whether choosing to stay in Britain or hitch a ferry over to near by France a camping holiday can be a cheap alternative and a lot of fun for the whole family.

The camping industry has already taken a notable rise with new families popping into stores to get some advice on a purchase for their first family tent. Helpful advice is out there and the Internet is a great place to pick up some good reviews of family tents.

Names you will notice get consistently good reviews are tent brands like Outwell and Vango. Outwell make some very durable family tents with plenty of living space for the whole family. Most Vango and Outwell customers are more than happy to gush to you about how their tent is a great holiday accommodation and rather than paying for that accommodation every year they bought one tent which lasted a few years. Money saving at it's best.

Another brand that have appeared on the scene just this year is the recently re-ignited Hi Gear brand, that have brought out a range of festival and family tents ideal for any kind of camper. Pop up Tents for the inexperienced, some aesthetically pleasing family tents which are of a high quality and for tents made in the same factories as Outwell and Vango you can see some of the same sort of craftsmanship in the seams.

You may have noticed a lot of these big name brands have upped their prices this year but you can still pick up some fantastic tent deals; so be sure to compare prices before purchasing.

So remember when thinking about your holidays this summer, why not try your hand at camping? It's cheaper in the long run and it may just save you that bit of cash that you could spend elsewhere. Don't let the credit crunch get you down this year - take that holiday break and relax.

That's all for now

Brandon

Handy Tent Guide

Hints and tips for Tents

With the countries financial issues this year more and more people are expected to stay in England rather than head abroad. This could mean that you take the family on a camping holiday to one of the hundreds of Campsites over the United Kingdom, or maybe you're just a first time festival goer and you've just realized you have to come to grips with your tent now that you've spent all that money on a ticket.

So below you'll find some helpful hints for pitching and caring for your tent.


Before Your Trip

• It is advised to have a few practice's pitching your tent if you haven't before. This will allow you to familiarize you with the tent and to check if the tent has come with any major defects or has any pieces missing.

When Pitching

• If the tent pole jams when being threaded into it's sleeve it is likely one of the metal joints will have snagged on the material, check for where it is caught and release it.
• If the zips on the tent become difficult to close then move the tent pegs to ease the strain of the fabric.
• In warm temperatures the fly sheet will tighten, loosen the guy lines to prevent over-stressing the material.

Condensation

• Condensation is commonly mistaken for a leak in the tent but this is not the case.
• To minimise condensation roll up all storm flaps unless needed.
• Shake or wipe any moisture from the fly sheet, don't worry this will not impair the waterproofing.

Pole Care and Repair

• Start from the centre when folding poles, this will prevent excess strain and bending.
• If your shockcord fails it is possibble to still pitch. Replacement shockcords are available from most stores.
• Replacement pole sections for most tents areavailable from most GO Outdoors stores.

And possibly the worst bit about any camping trip is the prospect of getting the tent back in the small bag it came in. Well for most tents if you follow these simply rules you should be able to do just that.

• Fold the inner & outer into a long thin shape the width of the tent bag
• Roll the tent around the poles to help out the air
• The tent should now fit snuggly inside the bag

If you are staying in Britian or heading for a festival this year then don't forget GO Outdoors stocks a variety of different tents for different occasions. Pop up tents, Back packing tents, Family tents are all available online and in store.

Thanks

Brandon

Half Price Christmas Gift Ideas from GO Outdoors

It's the 1st of December already, can you believe it?

I for one haven't started Christmas shopping yet and I'm sure I'm not alone there. With money being a big issue for a lot of people this year there's some good news from GO Outdoors as we've introduced out Half Price and Less Sale now, ready for you to pick up a few lats minute bargains for your loved ones.

Why wait till after Christmas for the sale when you can pick up something for cheap right now?

From December 1st till Christmas day the Half Price and Less Sale offers any outdoor enthusiast great value offers on some of our most popular lines throughout 2008

Gifts for Walkers
Walkers make up a vast majority of our customers and if you know somebody who enjoys walking, hiking or mountaineering then we have the cut price equipment to make their festive season.

Reductions on Walking Boots
Reductions on Waterproof Jackets
Reductions on Walking Poles

As well as big names like Mountain Equipment, Bergahus, Paramo and The North Face


Gifts for Campers
Do you know somebody with a passion for sleeping outdoors? We've also cut prices on a range from our GO Camping section

Reductions on Tents
Reductions on Rucksacks


Gifts for Gadget Lovers
There's nothing finer than a good gadget for Christmas. We've all got that person in the family who loves to show off their new present over Christmas dinner and at GO Outdoors you'll find a range of Gadgets for that person in your life.

Reductions on Multi-Tools
Reductions on Pocket Knifes
Reductions on Torches


Still at a loss? We also have Gift Vouchers available so you can let that special someone buy exactly what they want. Vouchers available in £5, £10, and £20 values.

So if you're stuck for what to buy this Christmas then head over to the GO Outdoors website or your nearest GO Outdoors store and take a look around and be inspired to buy the Outdoor enthusiast in your life exactly what they want this festive season.

That's all for now

Happy Shopping