Backpacking Essentials

Even for the lightest hike, you’re going to need to take some supplies with you, and a decent daypack. Daypacks are lightweight backpacks that offer storage without causing you too much inconvenience from added bulk. Of course, this also depends on what you fill your daypack with.

Here’s a list of things you might need on your next hike, or even for mountain biking and adventure racing:

Daypack – Perhaps the best place to start, the pack itself. You’ll find there are a fair few backpacks available on the market today, and the trick is to find the one with specification that are best suited to you and your planned conditions. As previously mentioned, the lightweight nature of a sports rucksack is important, but it has to be durable too. A number of external pockets are also handy when you need to get to something in a hurry. Dividers and bungee cords are also important to keep things secure when on the move. Some daypacks also have ridges which act as air channels, reducing the sweatiness across your back.

Map and compass – In these days of iPhones and SatNavs, we’ve come to rely on apps to get us about. This is great in towns and cities, but it’s not always practical in more out of the way places. Not only can GPS signals deteriorate out of range, but you’re reliant on battery life too. A map and compass are the most reliable ways of finding your way around when all else fails. Map reading is a skill that is worth knowing anyway, and will help you out when technology lets you down.

Sun protection – Sunscreen is an important thing to take with you on any jaunt. Even when it’s not a particularly bright or sunny day, you’re still at the mercy of harmful ultraviolet rays, which can cause painful sunburn or worse. Sunglasses with UV protection are also necessary, as these not only protect your eyes from the sun, but also filter out glare. Glare can be dangerous when it affects your vision, obscuring obstacles in your way.

Food and water – This might seem obvious, but it’s worth taking into account the what you need to take with you. Water is preferable to fruit juices, which can act as a diuretic, leading to increased urination and faster dehydration. Food for hiking can include nibbly food, which has earned the nickname ‘gorp’, meaning ‘good old raisins and peanuts’. Energy bars, dried fruit and granola make ideal food for hiking. You can even take chocolate or cheese and crackers. The trick is to eat little but often, without gorging too much leading to discomfort.

Clothing – A day out hiking will lead to sweating and some physical discomfort. It’s advisable to take a change of t-shirt or even underwear to reduce this discomfort. You might also need to take waterproofs, even if the day starts out fine. This is certainly true of Britain! An extra layer, such as a sweatshirt is also a good idea, particularly during rest periods.

Accessories – Not always necessary for light hiking, but you might need these other items in your backpack just in case: First Aid Kit, dry container with fire-making kit, knife and torch. The longer you spend out, whether trail biking or hiking, the more likely it is you’ll need other equipment at your disposal.

So what are you waiting for? Pack up your essentials and enjoy your adventure!

Citations:

• One lightweight daypack can sometimes be enough for two people.

Trekitt has hiking essentials, including pack and bags like the Osprey Talon daypack.

Backpacking Essentials is a post from: BIVI BAG

14 Quality Tips For Camping

Camping is a fun activity that you can do all over the world. Whether you’re staying in an established campground or backpacking it and camping outin the wilderness on your own, there are a few good tips to remember while camping to make your camping trip as awesome as it can be.

1. You can waterproof a book of matches by dipping the matches innail polish remover. They’ll still work when you go to strike them afterthe dry, even if they get wet.

2. Orange peel makes an excellent mosquito repellant. Rub the inner part of an orange peel on your legs, arms, face and hands to keep mosquitos at bay.

3. Rubbing a bar of soap on your feet before putting on your socks can help you to avoid blisters. Reapply the soap when you feel your feet beginning to hurt.

4. Zip-lock bags are great for mixing foods. Place ingredients into the plastic zip-lock bag, secure tightly, and shake.

5. Carry duct tape for minor repairs around camp. It can mend holes in tarps and tents, secure mosquito nets to your cot, patch holes in shoes and many other things.

6. If you need to bring batteries for any electronic device, stick the battery in an empty prescription bottle to keep the battery clean and dry.

7. Instead of lugging along a large tarp to cover the ground under your tent, roll up a shower curtain liner. It serves the same purpose, but is normally thinner and less bulky to carry around.

8. Bring plenty of water along on your trip. You never know if there will be drinkable water where you camp.

9. Don’t feed any wild animals, and never leave any food in your tent. Animals will be attracted to the food, so secure it in your car or hang it from a tree to avoid having any unwanted visitors to your campsite.

10. Liquid soap on the outside of your pots and pans will reduce smoke and fire damage when using direct heat from a camp fire.

11. Keep a bar of soap clean by putting the bar of soap in an unused sock and hanging it from a tree branch. Take down to use when necessary.

12. Bring high protein dry snacks to eat between meals. Granola, driedfruit, beef jerky and nuts are all great snack options.

13. Use baking soda mixed with water to get odors out of your camping cooler.

14. Prepare as much food as you can before getting to your camp site. This includes any chopping, mixing or marinating that needs to bedone.

Have fun camping!

Jess, Events Organiser at Chillisauce Ltd. who specialise in organising hen weekends and stag dos.

14 Tips For Camping is a post from: BIVI BAG

Gelert Solo One Man Tent

Proving highly popular due to its low price and effectiveness providing excellent value for money the Gelert Solo one man tent is crafted from a waterproof PU outer with a breathable polyseter inner.

A great alternative to a bivi bag the Gelert solo tent is very easy and quick to put up. Absolutely perfect for single man camping in the wild or for the campsite.

Both compact and lightweight the Gelert Solo one man tent is incredibly easy to pack and takes up only a small space in your pack.

Providing protection from insects with its mesh inner, along with its windproof and waterproof capabilities means that you will be sure of a decent nights sleep even through some of the more persistent bad weather.

Well worth taking a look at and a great option for those not sure whether a bivi or tent is the right option. Check out the latest prices for the Gelert Solo tent buy clicking on the link above!

Gelert Solo One Man Tent is a post from: BIVI BAG

Rab Alpine Bivi Bag

The Rab Alpine Bivi is a  lightweight and compact all round bivi bag that offers a high level of performance in a variety of testing conditions that would push some of its cheaper competitors beyond their capabilities.

The implementation of side walls in the Rab Alpine bivi prevent your sleeping bag from becoming over;ly compressed and uncomfortable allowing for heightened loft and keeping you warmer.

A U shaped zip at the entrance combined with a Velcro storm flap helps to keep the elements out as much as possible and keep the occupant warm and dry.

To view the latest prices for the Rab Alpine Bivi simply click on our shopping link at the top of the page!

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Military Issue Gore-Tex Bivi Bag

£49.95

This genuine military issue gore-tex bivi bag is a highly sought after item and regularly out of stock due to its popularity so hurry up and order yourself one to avoid missing out!

The bivi is 100% waterproof and breathable meaning that there is no need to lay down a groundsheet.

It’s 8 foot, 8 inches long so there is more than enough room to put your sleeping bag inside and stash your kit away at the bottom, even the tallest of us should have no problem getting comfortable.

To close up there is an easy use draw cord which will keep everything nice and tight. Unfortunately the sleeping bag in the picture doesn’t come with the bag but this is still a great buy and if you use our special code you can get 5% off your orders just quote “BIVI” , couldn’t be easier.

Use Our Voucher For 5% OFF  – Just Type “BIVI” at Checkout

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Terra Nova Bivi Tarp

RRP: £190.00     OUR PRICE £161.50

The Terra Nova Bivi Tarp is ideal for summer trips and for sheltered winter camping. The package includes a waterproof tarpaulin, mesh sleeping compartment and sealed groundsheet. Lightweight at only 730g you’ll barely know you’re carrying it.

Benefits of the Terra Nova Bivi Tarp

• Lightweight at only 730 – 710 grams
• Great for summer usage
• Insect netting keeps the bugs away
• Waterproof groundsheet + tarp
• 8.5mm reflex poles
• 10 x 2g titanium pegs
• Reflective guy-ropes

Shop Now at Venture Sports

Use Our Voucher Code – VOUCOVS08 - and Save 5% !

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Rab Ridge Raider

RRP: £200.00 £169.99

The Rab Ridge Raider incorporates all three components that go to make a good bivi bag. It’s lightweight, waterproof and breathable and most importantly it is affordable. For the price tag the Ridge Raider provides high quality and acts as a great investment. Effective as an emergency shelter or as a practical sleeping option on longer trips.

Features of the Rab Ridge Raider

• Weighs in at less than 1kg (944g)
• Glow in the dark zip pulls
• Waterproof and breathable
• Mosquito net to keep the bugs at bay
• Side walls provide extra sleeping loft
• Laminated nylon waterproof bathtub base
• Internal pitch Eastern pole

Shop Now at Venture Sports

Use Our Voucher Code – VOUCOVS08 - and Save 5% !

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Rab Ranger Bivi Bag

RRP: £150.00 Our Price £127.99

The Rab Ranger bivi bag is the lightest of Rab’s exchange lite fabric bivouacs. Weighing just over half a kilo you will barely notice this in your backpack.

Benefits of the Rab Ranger

• Chest zipper and tapered design reduces weight
• Glow in the dark zippers
• Laminated nylon waterproof base
• Side walls maximize space
• Weighs in at 570g

Shop Now at Amazon

Rab Ranger Bivi Bag is a post from: BIVI BAG

Treating Blisters On The Move

The correct treatment for blisters is still a controversial subject with some contrasting ideas being put forward. However, here at Bivi Bag we believe in a common sense approach, and so if you have a small blister whilst on the move, which has not yet burst, we recommend that you do not pop it, take whatever steps you can to stop any rubbing or friction on the point of the blister and if possible cover it with a plaster or bandage to provide an extra barrier. If you have access to them then the circular pads with a hole in the middle are ideal as they will let the skin continue to breathe.

Special Forces - Anti Blister Sock £9

For larger blister, pop them, make the incision as small as possible and try to use a sterile knife or needle. For sterilization tip some of that whisky you’ve been saving for emergencies over the blade or heat it briefly with a lighter to kill off bacteria. Don’t peel off the skin of the blister, this provides a nice barrier. If available put some antibiotic cream on the area to stop infection and wrap a clean bandage around it. Then get back to whatever it was you were doing, inevitably after some time walking the pain wears off in most cases.

Just remember, that at night you should take off the bandage as this will hasten the healing process and if possible put on a fresh bandage every day to keep chances of infection at a minimum.

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Blisters On The Move is a post from: BIVI BAG

Prevention of Blisters – Some Quick Tips

Blisters can be a real annoyance and have the potential to hinder movement and take the enjoyment out of your bivi bag adventures. First of all it is important to address the problem of blisters before they arise, this is done by wearing in boots and taking care of any potential areas of friction prior to setting off on a trip.

Special Forces Anti Blister Socks £9.95

Wearing breathable boots made from a fabric such as gore-tex will allow your feet to breathe while remaining dry, which in turn decreases the chance of blisters as any area that it damp for a prolonged period will become a strong candidate for developing a nasty case of blisters.

Don’t ever wear socks that are made from too much of an abrasive material as this will really wear the skin on the feet, this is often found in thicker socks. SAS trooper Chris Ryan was unfortunate enough to have on an army issue pair of socks at the time of his heroic escape from behind enemy lines in Iraq, and sites this as being a major cause for the horrendous state his feet eventually got in.

Clearly you will not be facing anything of this magnitude but it is a point to keep in mind. Some studies also show that 100% cotton socks are most likely to cause blisters as they do not allow the skin to breathe, so perhaps looking to avoid these may be a good idea.

Some also say that soaking the feet in white spirit every day for a week or two before any major hike can harden them up nicely and help prevent blisters, although the choice is entirely yours.

However if blister do apply then there are various ways to treat them to reduce the pain and help you get on. This will be discussed a future article.

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Preventing Blisters is a post from: BIVI BAG