An Exclusive Q&A With Vango

British camping brand Vango share their story and give us their top tips for camping in the UK.

Since 1966 we have been developing equipment that stands for quality, reliability and innovation.  Loved by everyone from weekend campers to polar explorers, we make gear that quite simply never fails to perform. Vango has been part of historic expeditions – such as the first successful British ascent of the South West Face of Everest.

The roots of our brand go back to canvas merchants Andrew Mitchell & Co, founded in 1847. Owned by the Moodie family since 1898, it passed through generations until it reached Alastair and Garry Moodie in 1955. Looking for further opportunities to diversify, Andrew Mitchell & Co acquired James Mcllwraith & Co, a tent maker based in Govan, Glasgow, in 1963.

By 1966, the company decided it could no longer continue as McIIwraith & Co as non-Scottish clients were unable to cope with the name. Therefore, Alastair scrambled the letters of Govan, home of the famous Glasgow shipyards and Vango was born.

A passion for the outdoors, for adventure and for true innovation in everything we do is why we started making camping equipment.  Our business has grown and lasted for over 50 year, simply because we never stop thinking about how to improve and we are deeply committed to getting things right. Our mission is to continue delivering market-leading brands and products in terms of quality, function and design. Our vision is to be the custodians of an international range of brands, respected by our customers, desired by our consumers and the envy of our competitors.

Vango is constantly looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and our Spares and Repairs service has been integral in this process for decades, fixing and mending tents and camping accessories.  We know how important sustainability is to our customers and we believe, like you, in the 3R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Our Camping Recycled business also reinforces the 3R’s, selling second-hand products, that have been returned to our warehouse and replaced or credited and we give them a second chance at adventure.  Rather than simply scrapping these perfectly usable items, we fully inspect and fix where necessary and find them a new home.

We are most excited by our innovations in technology, bringing a Graphene Heating Element into our Heated Radiate Sleeping Mat and Heated Sleeping Bag.

We are also very proud of the expansion of our Adventure and Weekend tent range, including the Vango Carron 500 tent.

Our top tip would be to set up your tent in the garden first to test it before your trip and look out all your kit so you know what little extras you may want to treat yourself and the family.

Also, try to pack light - many campsites have all the mod cons, such as laundry rooms and most importantly, relax and enjoy the experience as camping trips really do make memories that last a lifetime.

In the modern world we live in, camping is a means of escape and to appreciate the people and the landscape around us. It’s medicine for the mind and soul and that’s what people love and appreciate about it and of course it’s come a long way since the 90’s, it’s now much more of a home for home experience with airbeds, heated sleeping bags and AirBeam® tents.

One of our favourites is one of the Loch Lomond campsites where we do many of our photo shoots as the views are just spectacular and it has fishing, water sports and hikes on your doorstep. Loch Lomond is a great place to explore and forget about the world.