Good to go – 5 star comfort in Alpkit Nest

Amanda Travis and partner Chris borrowed the Alpkit Nest – and found the perfect mix of comfort, flexibility and good sleep in nature’s finest places.

My partner Chris and I have camped our way along the Tour du Mont Blanc, spent a month trekking in Nepal, and slept on a glacier in -250C . But as much as I enjoy waking up in some remote mountain location, I’m also a firm believer that you don’t need to rough it for the sake of it. We’ve been using the Nest for a few months now. It offers a balance between sleeping in natural places while maintaining a bit of comfort - exactly what we enjoy most!

Our first outing was a bit of a shakedown trip to the Great Langdale Valley where we stayed at the National Trust campsite. Aside from the Nest, we brought a tarp to cook under in case it rained and a small table and camp chairs. Some days, we kept it simple and didn’t set up anything other than the Nest itself. We loved the versatility.

We were then ready for our week-long trip to the Outer Hebrides. The Nest was ideal; we didn’t have to navigate small roads in a large vehicle, we didn’t have the cost or stress of booking hotels and, more importantly, we got to stay in some of the most stunning places that the islands have to offer. The beach-side spots were especially stunning in the morning with all the doors and windows fully open. With sea views and a coffee, the hardest part was getting up as it was so comfy!

With the days getting longer again, we're planning our trips for the coming year. It's exciting to have the freedom for a spontaneous, “Should we go away this weekend?” trip, or the option to turn a day trip into an overnighter should the mood take us. We already have everything we need packed away on the roof! And we’ll definitely be starting the camping season earlier this year as we don’t need to worry about the rain!

10 things we liked about the Nest

1. Quick to set up (and pack down) – easy for late-night arrivals, just unclip the buckles and the built-in struts do the rest

2. More comfortable – with a thick mattress and insulated roof, I found the Nest far comfier and warmer than a ground tent

3. Leave your bedding inside – no need to keep moving sleeping bags or blankets in and out, you can leave it inside when you’re on the go

4. Wet weather, no problem – it’s easier to stay dry with a hardshell roof tent, plus you avoid having to pack up and carry a wet flysheet

5. Cheaper than a campervan – the cost is a fraction of a decent campervan, yet you get the convenience and comfort. And, as and when you change your car, you can just swap your roof tent over

6. Darker nights – the dark fabric keeps the sun out in the early hours of the morning – something we definitely appreciated in our area of Scotland where the summer sun rises around 3:30am!

7. Off the ground – there’s something about being off the ground that feels safer and, when it comes to ticks and other beasties, you most definitely are! I wasn’t sure whether I’d like using the ladder, but I actually found it easier to get in and out of than a regular tent

8. Camp anywhere – from fully-serviced campsites to the middle of nowhere, the Nest allows you to camp in almost any place

9. Go anywhere – unlike a campervan or motorhome, you can go wherever your car will take you, including narrow lanes (think of parts of the NC500!) or even off-road if you have a 4x4

10. The views! There’s nothing like waking up somewhere beautiful, unzipping the Nest’s flaps and enjoying stunning views over a cup of coffee.

Amanda Travis is Deputy Editor at Trek and Mountain and Festival Director at Basecamp Festival