CAMPING | Why Is It That So Many Campers Seem To Hate Glampers So Much?

August 12, 2015 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

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There’s a war going on, and it’s raging in the most unassuming places you could imagine. Deep in the seemingly benign rolling countryside, up in the hills and all along the coast, battle lines have been drawn and it’s Campers versus Glampers.

In fact, every time we post this article on social media we always get campers who feel compelled to comment and make their derision of glamping very clear, even flinging insults at those who choose to glamp.

Visit any camping Reddit thread or camping forum or even some social media groups, and if anyone dares admit to camping with an air bed instead of an ultralight SIM, just witness the barrage of scorn that follows! Dare to discuss the use of folding camping furniture, and be prepared for ridicule. Mention an electric hookup, and well, you’d better be prepared for outright abuse.

So what’s all this one-upmanship and snarkiness about? I mean, aren’t we all just enjoying the outdoors in our own way, so what could possibly be so divisive about that?!

What is ‘proper’ camping anyway?

Is hiking for 30 miles and sleeping under a tarp proper camping? How about driving to a wild camping location and pitching a ridge tent and sleeping on a self inflating mat? What about a family arriving at a campsite by car and setting up a bigger tent that sleeps the whole family, along with camp beds, table and chairs and decorating with some rugs, bunting and fairy lights? Or how about the couple who arrive at the campsite and opt for a tent that someone else has already put up for them that might contain a real bed and even a wood burning stove?

They are clearly all different versions of the same activity. Camping.

Taking a few extra non-essential home-comforts does not suddenly render a camping trip as inauthentic or mean that you’re somehow not camping

Choosing to take a particular piece of gear, staying at a certain kind of campsite, staying in a pre-pitched bell tent or even taking a few extra non-essential home-comforts does not instantly render a camping trip as inauthentic or mean that you’re somehow not camping. But it would seem the second someone dares hang up a bit of bunting and a few solar powered fairy lights, they’ve crossed into the dark realm of glamping and are therefor fair game.

The Oxford dictionary defines camping as “The activity of spending a holiday living in a tent.” So, if you are sleeping inside a tent, you’re camping, regardless of any other paraphernalia you choose to take along with you, and frankly I think it’s time for those who prefer a more basic, wild camping experience to wind their necks in and stop looking down on people who choose to do it differently.

Your idea of camping might differ to mine. That doesn’t give you the right to assume some kind of superiority.

I spent my teens and early adult life camping in a tiny little dome tent, sleeping straight on the floor with nothing but a cheap sleeping bag and torch. But then I got older. Then I broke my back. My desire and indeed ability to camp in that way vanished.

So call me crazy, or tell me I’m not a ‘real’ camper but honestly I’d rather be comfortable when I camp and avoid extreme discomfort, and if that means taking everything but the kitchen sink, then I make no apologies for doing so and camping in a way that I find comfortable and enjoyable.

Our current weekend camp set up

Whether you sleep on a rock under a tarp with a boot for a pillow, or sleep on an airbed with a down insulated sleeping bag and proper pillow, as far as I’m concerned it’s camping.

Backpacking wilderness loving campers need to be able to carry all of their camping gear with them. Naturally then, they are going to take less ‘stuff’ with them than a family who are going camping for a week, as their main holiday and using a car for transport.

IT’S STILL CAMPING THOUGH, and yes I am shouting, because life is difficult and instead of being kind to each other, people seem to waste their energy on being negative and vicious in a desperate bid to feel superior and it’s just silly.

Seriously, Stop. Let’s All Just Get Along!

We glampers don’t snort in disdain when we encounter backpackers choosing to head off into the wilderness with barely more than we’d take with us on a day hike.

No, we just get on with it and enjoy the outdoors with the understanding that not everyone has the physical ability or indeed the desire, to camp in that particular way.

Camping with friends at Cae Du, June 2015

Your definition of camping may differ to mine, and that’s cool, but that doesn’t give you the right to assume an air of superiority because you do it differently.

Camping, as a pastime, is whatever you want it to be. If you are sleeping outdoors, in a tent, under the stars, it’s camping.

So, to all those surly campers who look down on us glampers; know this. We’re happy, comfortable and having fun experiencing the outdoors, and we have every right to not want camping to be an exercise in endurance.

Camp however you want to, take whatever you want – and don’t be a dick to people who do it differently to you!

Now, where can I hang this bell tent chandelier from….

So over to you, what kind of camper are you? Have you experienced hostility from non-glamping campers?

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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