I’m new to backpacking, did my first trip this year with a hammock and had a great time.
Trying to get my wife into it with me. We’re planning on going to Iceland in September, no trees. Plus she sleeps cold so she’ll probably be more comfortable if we’re in the same tent.
I’m looking to spend as little as possible, we’re really not sure this will be our thing going forward, it might just be something I do solo. And we already have a big six person tent for glamping with a big air mattress.
I’m hoping for under $200, less if possible.
But I also don’t wanna buy garbage, or carry something excessively heavy.
Suggestions?
Edit: this seems popular and well liked? https://www.rei.com/product/185632/rei-co-op-half-dome-sl-2-tent-with-footprint
There are a LOT of waterfalls in Iceland, that much is true, there just wasn’t any point on that trip where I had the slightest inclination to go camping - a lot of it is very exposed with very little in the way of natural shelter or facilities. Our typical day when we went was four or more hours of driving with maybe two or three amazing points of interest en route. The vast open space in between was stunning in it’s own way too, but there’s a lot of it.
There may well be some part of Iceland that’s ideal for backpacking, the West Fjords maybe now I think about it, but then you’d be missing out on what the rest of that incredible place has to offer if you hop in a car.
Most of my camping experience is in the UK. If you’re lucky with the weather, wild camping in the west of Scotland is extraordinary. After a two day drive and a ferry crossing we once had the most magical night camping at a white sand beach on Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides on what was supposed to be the first night of an epic bikepacking adventure… The next day the rain was so bad we aborted the trip. Back on the mainland the NC500 is legendary.
Alternatively, we had a great backpacking trip once interailing around Europe. No camping, just cheap accommodation in towns/cities en route. If you’re young an interail ticket is quite economical. We did Paris, Zurich, Milan, Nice/Monaco, Barcelona and Toulouse among other smaller towns on a 10 day trip.
On my bucket list is to bikepack mainland Europe. There are some quite famous routes and the vycle paths in countries like Netherlands and Germany are very good quality.
Boat hopping and wild camping around the Croatian islands is another one a friend of mine has done and enjoyed.
So many options, not enough time - even for us based closer!