Summer Camping Essentials: Sleeping Bags, Airbeds, Lights & More for a Perfect Outdoor Get‑away

Camping in the British summer is one of life’s great pleasures – a chance to unplug, relax and reconnect with nature. Long daylight hours and mild nights make the season ideal for family holidays, music festivals under the stars or adventurous treks into the hills. Beyond the fun and fresh air, camping can reduce stress and strengthen friendships by removing everyday distractions and bringing people together round the camp‑fire. But to truly relish those magical nights outdoors, you’ll need the right kit.

This guide runs through the camping must‑haves – from cosy Vango sleeping bags to comfy airbeds, handy roll‑mats, bright camping lights and rugged holdalls – all available from Heswall Army & Navy Stores. With durable, high‑quality gear that balances comfort, packability and value, you can gear up like an expert.

Why Quality Kit Matters on a Summer Camp

A brilliant camping trip hinges on decent equipment. Imagine waking to a glorious summer dawn after a proper night’s sleep in a warm sleeping bag, on a cushioned airbed, with your essentials neatly stowed in a sturdy holdall – you’ll be raring to hike, swim or explore. Conversely, shivering through a chilly night in a flimsy bag or fumbling in the dark without a torch can turn an outing into an ordeal. Good kit ensures comfort and safety, so you can focus on making memories.

Even British summers can bring cool, damp nights, crowded festival fields and limited car boot space. By choosing reliable brands – such as Vango, Highlander, Summit and Snugpak – you’ll get kit that withstands the elements, includes clever features and offers superb value for money. Let’s dive in.

Sleep Soundly: Picking the Right Sleeping Bag

A quality sleeping bag ranks first on any packing list. Even in June or July, temperatures can dip after dark, so you’ll want a bag that keeps you warm without causing you to overheat.

Vango sleeping bags are a top choice for campers – they combine performance, comfort and affordability. For straightforward summer use, the Vango Atlas 250 is a 2‑season mummy bag ‘perfect for festival‑goers or those taking their first steps into camping’. It boasts a TOG rating of 8.5, soft yet hard‑wearing Polair® shell and lining, and is machine‑washable – ideal after a dusty festival weekend. Best of all, it delivers impressive comfort at a budget‑friendly price.

If you’ll be venturing higher or camping into spring and autumn, upgrade to a 3‑season bag such as the Vango Nitestar Alpha 250. With a comfort temperature close to 2 °C, double‑layer construction and insulated zip baffles, it banishes cold spots while still packing down small. It even arrives in a four‑way compression sack – perfect when rucksack space is tight.

Choosing tips

• Match the bag’s season rating to the coldest nights you expect.

• Mummy shapes (with hoods) are most thermally efficient; rectangular bags feel roomier.

• Look for a compression sack for tidier packing.

• Children sleep warmer in junior‑sized bags, which avoid wasted space.

• Store any sleeping bag loosely at home to preserve loft.

Explore the range:
– Vango Atlas 250 2‑Season Sleeping Bag
– Vango Nitestar Alpha 250 3‑Season Sleeping Bag

Bedding Comfort: Airbeds versus Roll‑Mats

Sleeping straight on the tent floor is a recipe for a stiff back. A sleeping pad or airbed cushions you and insulates you from the cold ground.

Airbeds

If maximum comfort is your aim – especially for car camping or family trips – an inflatable airbed is hard to beat. The Summit Double Luxury Flocked Airbed offers a thick, velvet‑topped mattress that feels almost like your bed at home. Durable PVC shrugs off campsite abuse, while the flocked surface stops your sleeping bag sliding about. A double size is excellent for couples or parents with young kids, and it doubles as a spare guest bed at home. Single versions are perfect for solo campers or festivals.

Remember a pump and pack a small repair kit just in case. Inflate firmly but not rock‑hard – a touch of give improves comfort.

Roll‑Mats & Self‑Inflating Mats

If you’ll be back‑packing or wild‑camping, weight and reliability trump luxury. A classic closed‑cell foam mat (think blue roll‑mat) is ultralight, cheap and puncture‑proof. For more comfort, opt for a self‑inflating mat such as the Multimat Trekker 25. Open the valve and the internal foam draws in air by itself; add a few breaths to fine‑tune firmness. It offers a fine balance of insulation, comfort and packability.

Some campers bring both: a foam pad for reliability and a double airbed for pure indulgence on shorter trips.

Shop bedding:
– Summit Double Luxury Airbed
– Multimat Trekker 25 Self‑Inflating Mat
– Summit Inflatable Pillow

Light Up the Night: Lanterns, Torches & Head Torches

British campsites get properly dark once the sun has gone. A mix of personal and area lighting keeps everything safe and sociable.

Head Torches & Torches

A head torch is the camper’s best friend – it leaves your hands free for late‑night cooking or loo dashes. Our Summit COB LED Head Torch offers multiple brightness levels and an all‑important red light mode that preserves night vision and disturbs fellow campers less.

Prefer a handheld option? The compact Summit Prolite 9 LED Torch slips easily into a pocket. Either way, stash spare batteries (or use rechargeables) so you’re never caught short.

Lanterns

For communal light inside the tent or under a tarp, pick an LED lantern. The Summit 600‑lumen COB Lantern is lightweight yet floods a family tent or picnic table with bright, even light. Adjustable brightness helps eke out battery life, while a hanging hook makes positioning simple. Some models double as USB power banks, handy for topping up phones.

Lighting essentials:
– Summit COB LED Head Torch
– Summit 600 Lumen LED Camping Lantern

Haul It All: Rucksacks & Holdalls

Getting kit from home to campsite demands tough luggage. Heswall Army & Navy Stores specialises in military‑grade bags that laugh off rough handling and foul weather.

Highlander Cargo Holdalls

Available in 30 L, 45 L, 65 L and a whopping 100 L, these duffels use hard‑wearing 600 D XTP polyester with reinforced seams and chunky zips. The 100 L model (75 × 36 × 38 cm) swallows an entire family’s kit yet still hoists comfortably thanks to a padded shoulder strap. Smaller sizes suit weekends away.

Kombat UK Rucksacks

For day walks or expeditions, consider a sturdy Kombat UK Expedition Rucksack (50 L) – complete with MOLLE webbing, multiple compartments and padded back support.

Tip: pop your clothes into dry‑bags inside any holdall to guarantee they stay bone‑dry if the heavens open.

Recommended bags:
– Highlander 100 L Cargo Holdall
– Kombat UK 50 L Expedition Rucksack

Quick‑Fire Camping Tips

• Write a checklist – prevent those face‑palm moments when the tin‑opener is still at home.

• Test everything in the garden first: tent, pump, stove, torch.

• Organise gear into stuff sacks – cooking, sleeping, clothes, first aid – so you can find things fast.

• Pack an inexpensive camping chair and a lightweight folding table for al fresco cuppas.

• Spare batteries and a small first‑aid kit are non‑negotiable.

• Bring a waterproof jacket or poncho – British weather can change in a heartbeat.

• Embrace the experience: stargaze, roast marshmallows, play cards and enjoy the fresh air.

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

There’s nothing like waking to birdsong and sunlight warming your tent, especially after a snug night courtesy of reliable gear. With a cosy sleeping bag, supportive airbed or mat, dependable lighting and resilient bags, you’ll be free to savour every moment outdoors.

Browse our full selection at www.thearmynavystores.com or pop into our Heswall shop for friendly, expert advice. Whether it’s your very first camping holiday or your hundredth wild camp, we’re here to help you camp with confidence and make the most of the Great British outdoors.

Ready to upgrade? Visit our Camping Equipment section today, and let the summer adventures begin!