Got any plans this Bank Holiday weekend? If not, get yourself down to our Bourne End store, as we will be auctioning off all our summer display tents!


Here's all you need to know about the display tent auction...

WHERE IS IT? We are based  between Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead, in Borne End on the A4251. The postcode is HP1 2RS.

HOW MANY TENTS ARE BEING SOLD AT THE AUCTION? We have fourteen tents to sell, from three and four person tents through to tipis and caravan awnings.

WHAT DAY IS THE AUCTION TAKING PLACE? The auction will run all weekend. Simply pop in, ask a member of staff for an auction bidding form, and fill it out.

HOW DO I BID? Simple complete the auction bidding form in-store with your name, email, tent choice and highest bid, then hand it back into us.

WHEN ARE THE WINNERS ANNOUNCED? The winner of each tent will be announced on Tuesday 1st September, either by phone or email.

All auction entrants will also be entered into our prize draw to win a camper inflator mat. Look forward too seeing you at the shop, and happy bidding!

We know what you're thinking. "There's no way I'm going to lug a heavy tipi around". When it comes to hiking and backpacking trips, tipis are usually a no-go area.

For the most part, tipis are heavy and difficult to carry, but we've got a few lightweight tipi tents in stock which are ideal for backpacking trips.

On a recent trip down to Cornwall, some of the team took one of the Robens tipis with them, and despite already knowing the benefits the tipi can offer, were pretty surprised by its performance.

LIGHTWEIGHT TIPI TENT

The team took the Roben's Klondike tipi with them. This tipi (or bell tent) is a decent size, and can sleep 6 people easily. So, due to it's size, you would think that it would be pretty heavy, right? Wrong. Its pack size is less than a metre long, and it weighs less than 14kg.

I know, we're impressed too. How is this tipi so lightweight? It is mainly due to the flysheet. Made of Hydrotex Polycotton, this brushed cotton waterproof sheet is the heart and soul of the tipi, and is incredibly waterproof to boot. One one night, the wind and rain lashed the tipi, and the team felt much more at ease in the tipi than they would have done a tent.

The video below shows how awesome the tipi is:

QUICK TO PUT UP AND TAKE DOWN

A six person tipi is likely to be pretty clunky to put up and take down, right? Wrong again. The Klondike tipi is very simple and quick to put up. Between three of us, we had the tipi up in less than 10 minutes.




Using a simple alloy anodised central pole system, you simply peg down the groundsheet, insert the central pole, peg out the flysheet and connect and peg out the entrance. Easy!

Don't believe us? Here's a little GoPro video as proof.

STAND OUT IN A CAMPSITE

The Robens Klondike tipi is eye-catching. Previously known as bell tents, these tipis stand out from regular tents in a campsite. Not only that, because of their height you can also stand up in the Klondike.

Photo source: Telt-camping.blogspot.de

If that's not enough, it also has a ventilation area for the Frontier stove, which can both cook food, heat water, and keep you warm in the tipi during the winter months.

GET IT TODAY

We have many Robens Klondike lightweight tipis in stock, as well as the smaller 4 person Faribanks tipi, and the larger 10-person Mescalero tipi.

When split between two families or a group of friends, these lightweight tipis are fantastic value for money.

Robens 12 person Prospector tipi - £900 - BUY NOW
Robens 6 person Klondike tipi - £479.99 - BUY NOW
Robens 4 person Green Cone tipi - £270 - BUY NOW

It's that time of year again.

Glastonbury, one of the biggest festivals in the world, is just weeks away. With tickets in hand, you look in the shed or your loft for your tent. No joy.

Wellies? You definitely need a new pair as you wore those ones a couple of years ago.

Fear not. As seasoned festival goers, the Complete Outdoors team have pulled together the ultimate Glastonbury packing list, which will get you through four days in a large field in the middle of Somerset.

Whether it's 2019 or beyond, there are some staple items you need to pack for Glastonbury. Your Glastonbury essentials, if you like.

We've created a checklist below for during the day, at night, and at your tent, where your feet will need a well earned rest.


First up, remember space is at a premium. If you can't carry or wheel it in, it isn't coming in.

So, the first tip is to keep things light. Not many people will be showering, so don't worry about endless amounts of t-shirts and shorts. Some people wear the same thing all week, but we're going to assume you like a little bit of sanitisation, and may change clothes more than once.

GLASTONBURY PACKING LIST ESSENTIALS

• Your sacred Glastonbury ticket
• Cash and a bank card
• Tent – try this Coleman Cortes 3, or this bigger Coleman Cortes 4. 
• Camera – some people use their phone, some people use disposable cameras, others use a fully fledged SLR. The choice is yours.
• Sleeping bag – check the weather before you go, but we would generally recommend a light, simple two season sleeping bag, such as the Vango Nitestar Sleeping Bag
• Printed Clashfinder - your holy grail when you don't know which venue to go to. Plan in advance. We even once got it laminated so it would survive the mud and rain!
• Phone - if you're going in a big group, it might be worth swapping out your precious iPhone for something a bit more simple, like an old Nokia. Save the numbers beforehand, and you're good to go.
• Beer trolley / sack truck / wheelbarrow - with your pack, your booze, your tent(s), your chairs...that's a lot of weight. Make it easier on yourself and buy or borrow something on wheels.

PACKING LIST DURING THE DAY, AT THE TENT

• Carrier bags / bin liners - collect your rubbish and empty beer cans as sometimes the main bins get overloaded
• Flip flops
• Tea bags, coffee, sugar, squash, milk cartons and anything for breakfast
• Plastic cups - it's nice to take a break from drinking warm wine out of a Camelbak
• Sunglasses
• Camping chairs - light, easy to fold, important for resting the feet and posing. We can't stress this enough - other than lying down or standing up, there aren't many places to sit. Rest your legs when you can!
• Camping stove - how else are you going to make tea, coffee and maybe a bacon roll on the first morning?
• Portable phone charger - if you're using your phone for photos and videos, the battery will drain. We recommend carrying one around with you, and storing another in your tent. That should see you through the long weekend.
• Sun tan lotion - keep reapplying whenever you can
• Duct tape - if anything goes wrong with the tent, this will be your saviour
• Waterproof stuff sacks - if it pours down and your backpack isn't waterproof, this will keep things dry

PACKING LIST DURING THE DAY, AWAY FROM THE TENT

• Various clothes for day wear (pack lots of socks and underwear, and longer pairs of socks so your wellies don't rub). Shorts, walking trousers, and a few tops and shirts.
• Sun cream - carry this everywhere you go
• Toilet roll and baby wipes - your most important items
• Camelbaks / hydration bladders of wine, other alcohol and / or water
• Hand sanitiser - better safe than sorry
• Rucksack - plenty of compartments for various items. We would suggest a simple 20L rucksack (depending on how much booze you want to carry around)
• Sunglasses (a cheap second pair)
• Jumper for the evening - if you're planning on being away from your tent all day and night, pack a warm, lightweight jumper.
• Waterproof jacket - just in case. Keep it light. We would suggest the Mac In A Sac Neon Series, and the Mac In A Sac Poncho.
• Wellies - Glastonbury wouldn't be Glastonbury without rain, mud and wellies. Go for a pair of iconic Hunters
• Sun hat - handy if it's sunny, handy if it's raining.
• First aid kit - specifically plasters, blister plasters, paracetamol, Immodium and Ibuprofen
• Cash and bank card 

PACKING LIST AT NIGHT

• Sleep Mats - the ground is cold, and this will keep you warm. We recommend the lightweight Vango Trek Mat or the Outwell Sleepin Single.
• Ear plugs - if you're a light sleeper
• Basic wash kit - Go for travel miniatures to save space and weight: miniature shower gel, miniature toothpaste, miniature moisturiser, toothbrush, miniature deodorant. Sorted.
• Head torch - keep this in your backpack during the day too, just in case. You'll want to inspect those toilets before sitting down, especially on Saturday and Sunday
• A clean bag of clothes to go home in – if you're driving, leave these in the car. Otherwise, leave them in your tent. Trust us, they will feel amazing.

There are plenty of shops within Glastonbury that should stock anything else you need. Remember, stay safe, drink responsibly, and have fun!

Have we missed anything from our ultimate Glastonbury packing list? Please feel free to comment below and we'll add it to the post.

For more information, visit www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

Having travelled, lead expeditions and lived for several months at a time in some of the worlds most primitive jungles, a reliable, safe, dry, lightweight and comfortable sleeping system in tropical jungle environments is essential.

Our weapon of choice? A jungle hammock.

When choosing a hammock it's important to consider the environment you are travelling to, and the type of wild camping you will be doing. In most cases, you will want insect protection, particularly if you are visiting an area in a Malaria zone.

The Snugpak Jungle Hammock is a one stop shop, with a mosquito net built into the design. This saves setup time, and reduces the need to find additional supports to hang your net from.

The Snugpak Jungle Hammock

If you're not spending all your time in the wild, you will want to consider a separate hammock and net option, which will allow you to use your net whilst sleeping in hostel beds or hut floors. I usually travel with a Thermarest Slacker hammock and separate Life Systems Boxnet for flexibility.

Thermarest Slacker Hammock

Life Systems Box Net

When finding a spot to rig your bed, you'll need to find suitably strong supports at a good distance apart to allow your hammock to pull tight and flat, unlike 'lazy' curved hammocks. Check for loose debris and signs of potential 'dead fall' above your chosen sight. This biggest killer in the jungle are large branches or rotten trees falling in the daily storms.

You'll also want to watch out for wildlife, as you won't want an army of ants matching across your hammock in the night. You particularly wouldn't want leaf cutter ants, which have a habit of nibbling hammock cords!

Get protected from the next downpour by first hanging your Basha. Again, you'll want to consider the kind of jungle you'll be staying in. Dense forests will allow for the Terra Nova Competition tarp, which can be hung high between your two main supports and pulled out at each corner to four smaller trees.

The Terra Nova competition tarp. Photo by Chris Townsend Outdoors.

In more sparse locations, the Snugpak All Weather Shelter is shaped so that the edges are held out in the centre on each side, which with long enough para cord can be pegged into the ground in the absence of tie off points. You can later support your separate mosquito net from the corners of the basha, keeping a good distance between the net and yourself.

Snugpack All Weather Shelter

Next, the hammock. The Thermarest Slacker Hammock Suspender Hanging Kit ensures that the trees you select aren't harmed by tight thin cords, and allow for very quick setup, which is handy if you're suddenly caught in a tropical downpour.

Simply pass the straps around the two trees and hook on your Hammock no need for complicated knots.

Don't forget your drip stops! The Exped Smart Karabiner Drip Clips stop rain from the trees dripping along the cords and soaking your hammock from both ends - a very unpleasant way to wake up!

Snap the carabiners onto your hammock cords and tighten the straps to keep the hammock tight and flat. It's best to check your chosen trees are up for the job before jumping into you hammock, there's nothing worse then having to relocate in the dark because one of your trees was a bit too 'bendy'. The hammocks will flex a bit but provide a very cosy cocoon.

Finally, make sure you store your hammock and net in a dry bag. The SealLine EcoSee will keep your house nice and dry even if you've had to swim across a river to reach camp.

This is a guest post from Nick an Expedition Leader and customer of Complete Outdoors. Nick has been leading expeditions in various parts of the world for the past 5 years.

You'll find it as no surprise that we love the outdoors. We stock a wide range of kit designed to help you make the most of your camping adventure. Some items you may be very familiar with, while others may be a bit more of...a mystery.

The Frontier portable camping stove is new to our range and may not seem like your average piece of camping equipment. Why would you want to take a wood burning stove camping with you? It may seem rather impractical, but we’re pleased to tell you that far from the truth.


The stove is surprisingly portable - it only weighs 10kg. The flue comes apart and is stored inside the belly of the stove and the legs fold up. There is also an additional carry bag which makes transporting it around even easier.

In fact the Frontier portable camping stove is the perfect addition to a family holiday. If, like us, you have fond memories of sitting around a campfire, chatting and cooking dinner, you may also have memories of getting smoke in your face every time the wind changed direction.

Using a Frontier stove enables you to recreate those memories but without the smoke-filled face shot.

It has a long flue which transports all the smoke 2.5 m into the air - way out of face range.


You can also cook a wider range of food on it, it has space for two pans, and its removable hot plate means you can cook directly on the flames when required.

Think of all the exciting meals you could create - the kids are no longer forced to just eat burnt sausages on a stick!

Using the Frontier stove is also more cost effective than using an open fire, as it is much more fuel efficient, meaning you burn less fuel.

Another big benefit is their ability to dodge campsite laws. You may be aware that most UK campsites don't allow open fires anymore...however they do allow you to use a Frontier Stove. Wood is such a good fuel to use, it smells amazing, it is readily available and it’s a sustainable fuel. 

Therefore you can be happily kept warm without having to worry about negative environmental impacts. The Frontier portable camping stove is great for use outside, however it is also able to be installed into certain temporary structures such as bell tents, tipis (like the Robens Klondike tipi) vans, and even your garden shed!

If a Frontier stove sound like something you would like to look at, do please get in touch and we can help you find the right accessories. You can also come and check them out in our Bourne End store.

Buy online for £159.99 - www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Anevay-Frontier-Portable-Log-Burning-Stove

New range of Hunter Wellingtons including the Hunter Norris Field Boot, and Huntress Ladies Wellington now in stock online and in store as well as accessories such as the Hunter Rubber Care Kit and Luxury Hunter Insoles.