Tent advice needed
Discussion
Recently started doing a lot more camping and our current tent just isn't up to scratch. We've got a 3 person Vango Beta 350 XL and it's not the most waterproof, it doesn't tension enough and it's really just not a good tent.
There's two of us and one dog, we're really looking for a dome style tent that is quick to pitch, preferably with a porch and good in all weather conditions. The weight of the tent isn't really a factor, as we generally drive with all our gear and pitch up, there's no real hiking with a tent involved.
I'm willing to invest a bit of money in a good tent, so any advice on good brands, or any particular tents would be appreciated.
There's two of us and one dog, we're really looking for a dome style tent that is quick to pitch, preferably with a porch and good in all weather conditions. The weight of the tent isn't really a factor, as we generally drive with all our gear and pitch up, there's no real hiking with a tent involved.
I'm willing to invest a bit of money in a good tent, so any advice on good brands, or any particular tents would be appreciated.
How much space do you want when erected? How much space do you have for travelling?
We have an outwell bear lake 6 which is fantastic for two of us and our dogs. We also own a van though. Useful as we have the polycotton version which weighs a ton.... It has been the most waterproof and weatherproof tent I've ever owned. But may be OTT for your needs. We also have an inflatable 3 man tent from Decathlon which is great for chucking up for a dry weekend but again packed it's really quite heavy and bulky and is only weather proof if the weather approaches from the rear!
Sorry that probably hasn't helped but if you can narrow your requirements down a bit you'll find one to suit I'm sure. Are there any places that have tent shows near you? Our local go outdoors has quite a few pitched inside. Would it be worth going to see some so you can work out what you want/like?
We have an outwell bear lake 6 which is fantastic for two of us and our dogs. We also own a van though. Useful as we have the polycotton version which weighs a ton.... It has been the most waterproof and weatherproof tent I've ever owned. But may be OTT for your needs. We also have an inflatable 3 man tent from Decathlon which is great for chucking up for a dry weekend but again packed it's really quite heavy and bulky and is only weather proof if the weather approaches from the rear!
Sorry that probably hasn't helped but if you can narrow your requirements down a bit you'll find one to suit I'm sure. Are there any places that have tent shows near you? Our local go outdoors has quite a few pitched inside. Would it be worth going to see some so you can work out what you want/like?
I just bought an Outwell Montana 6 from SK Camping
The Montana is probably a bit big for you (its a 6 berth, but ideal for four really)
Worth going to SK or somewhere similar if you can because you can look at a load of tents erected in the display area - it's much easier to work out what you like/don't like when you see them "in the flesh". Prices are also cheaper on site than online.
Things I discovered by spending an hour or so looking around tents:
I don't like fibreglass poles on big tents, they're too flexible and the tent moves a lot in the wind
I don't like tents that are nearly all floor-to-ceiling window - because I felt like a goldfish, and window plastic isn't breathable so i guess it will be a greenhouse in the sun
Polycotton tents are lovely, but expensive and heavy and take longer to dry out. Heart wanted one, head said no.
Airbeam tents are improving, but not really any quicker to put up than a conventional tent.
Some sort of covered porch/extension is a good idea for boots/wet coats/cooking.
Ventilation is important. You need big vents at the rear to get a through-draught in hot conditions (if we ever get some)
The Montana is probably a bit big for you (its a 6 berth, but ideal for four really)
Worth going to SK or somewhere similar if you can because you can look at a load of tents erected in the display area - it's much easier to work out what you like/don't like when you see them "in the flesh". Prices are also cheaper on site than online.
Things I discovered by spending an hour or so looking around tents:
I don't like fibreglass poles on big tents, they're too flexible and the tent moves a lot in the wind
I don't like tents that are nearly all floor-to-ceiling window - because I felt like a goldfish, and window plastic isn't breathable so i guess it will be a greenhouse in the sun
Polycotton tents are lovely, but expensive and heavy and take longer to dry out. Heart wanted one, head said no.
Airbeam tents are improving, but not really any quicker to put up than a conventional tent.
Some sort of covered porch/extension is a good idea for boots/wet coats/cooking.
Ventilation is important. You need big vents at the rear to get a through-draught in hot conditions (if we ever get some)
chrisga said:
How much space do you want when erected? How much space do you have for travelling?
We have an outwell bear lake 6 which is fantastic for two of us and our dogs. We also own a van though. Useful as we have the polycotton version which weighs a ton.... It has been the most waterproof and weatherproof tent I've ever owned. But may be OTT for your needs. We also have an inflatable 3 man tent from Decathlon which is great for chucking up for a dry weekend but again packed it's really quite heavy and bulky and is only weather proof if the weather approaches from the rear!
Sorry that probably hasn't helped but if you can narrow your requirements down a bit you'll find one to suit I'm sure. Are there any places that have tent shows near you? Our local go outdoors has quite a few pitched inside. Would it be worth going to see some so you can work out what you want/like?
It's been really helpful, thanks! We have an outwell bear lake 6 which is fantastic for two of us and our dogs. We also own a van though. Useful as we have the polycotton version which weighs a ton.... It has been the most waterproof and weatherproof tent I've ever owned. But may be OTT for your needs. We also have an inflatable 3 man tent from Decathlon which is great for chucking up for a dry weekend but again packed it's really quite heavy and bulky and is only weather proof if the weather approaches from the rear!
Sorry that probably hasn't helped but if you can narrow your requirements down a bit you'll find one to suit I'm sure. Are there any places that have tent shows near you? Our local go outdoors has quite a few pitched inside. Would it be worth going to see some so you can work out what you want/like?
We don't need standing height, ideally looking for something domed, with a porch that is 3 person. We've visited our local go outdoors, but the selection was a bit limited and they veered towards lots more big 6 person tents. We have a pick-up, so while we have lots of space, we don't want anything too huge when packed down. I've seen lots of dome tents, but they seem to have an emphasis on trekking/backpacking and so are very lightweight and I wonder how durable they are.
boyse7en said:
I just bought an Outwell Montana 6 from SK Camping
The Montana is probably a bit big for you (its a 6 berth, but ideal for four really)
Worth going to SK or somewhere similar if you can because you can look at a load of tents erected in the display area - it's much easier to work out what you like/don't like when you see them "in the flesh". Prices are also cheaper on site than online.
Things I discovered by spending an hour or so looking around tents:
I don't like fibreglass poles on big tents, they're too flexible and the tent moves a lot in the wind
I don't like tents that are nearly all floor-to-ceiling window - because I felt like a goldfish, and window plastic isn't breathable so i guess it will be a greenhouse in the sun
Polycotton tents are lovely, but expensive and heavy and take longer to dry out. Heart wanted one, head said no.
Airbeam tents are improving, but not really any quicker to put up than a conventional tent.
Some sort of covered porch/extension is a good idea for boots/wet coats/cooking.
Ventilation is important. You need big vents at the rear to get a through-draught in hot conditions (if we ever get some)
Yes, you're right that probably is a bit big, but I will check out SK Camping. You're thoughts are really helpful and I really agree with a lot of them. Will watch out for ventilation too, as I hadn't thought of that. I agree, it has to have a porch, we're definitely leaning towards a 3 person dome tent with a porch, but I don't know which are the best, or at least recommended.The Montana is probably a bit big for you (its a 6 berth, but ideal for four really)
Worth going to SK or somewhere similar if you can because you can look at a load of tents erected in the display area - it's much easier to work out what you like/don't like when you see them "in the flesh". Prices are also cheaper on site than online.
Things I discovered by spending an hour or so looking around tents:
I don't like fibreglass poles on big tents, they're too flexible and the tent moves a lot in the wind
I don't like tents that are nearly all floor-to-ceiling window - because I felt like a goldfish, and window plastic isn't breathable so i guess it will be a greenhouse in the sun
Polycotton tents are lovely, but expensive and heavy and take longer to dry out. Heart wanted one, head said no.
Airbeam tents are improving, but not really any quicker to put up than a conventional tent.
Some sort of covered porch/extension is a good idea for boots/wet coats/cooking.
Ventilation is important. You need big vents at the rear to get a through-draught in hot conditions (if we ever get some)
We have a bear lake for longer trips and a decathlon inflatable for fine weekends as above really........ This being PH - the answer is that clearly you need two tents!!!
I have Some friends that have a zempire and although I had not really heard of them before I have b
Been mega impressed by theirs - its a Hubble, really nice peice of kit compared to the more common brands - properly robust.
Last august in Snowdonia we had a gale, On the campsite we were on many tents got mullered and the zempire didn't break a sweat or get a flap on, and we were mega exposed having pitched for the view a few fine days earlier!!
Seriously worth considering if your after a plastic fantastic
I have Some friends that have a zempire and although I had not really heard of them before I have b
Been mega impressed by theirs - its a Hubble, really nice peice of kit compared to the more common brands - properly robust.
Last august in Snowdonia we had a gale, On the campsite we were on many tents got mullered and the zempire didn't break a sweat or get a flap on, and we were mega exposed having pitched for the view a few fine days earlier!!
Seriously worth considering if your after a plastic fantastic
We have a Vango Equinox 450 - 2nd one in 10 years.
Excellent tent, aluminum poles, strong fly sheet, never leaked and enough room for 3 people + 3 dogs (2 separate bedrooms).
I've camped using this tent in gales, floods, snow storms (normally in the lakes or wales) without any issues.
Worth a look.
Excellent tent, aluminum poles, strong fly sheet, never leaked and enough room for 3 people + 3 dogs (2 separate bedrooms).
I've camped using this tent in gales, floods, snow storms (normally in the lakes or wales) without any issues.
Worth a look.
For sheer speed of pitching, I've been properly impressed with the Kyham range. I've got a Highlander which is smaller than the OP needs but the quality is first class and it kept out a Lake District deluge with no fuss at all.
Maybe this would do the job as it has the porch and more space;
https://www.khyam.co.uk/tents-c174/berth-c175/3-4-...
Maybe this would do the job as it has the porch and more space;
https://www.khyam.co.uk/tents-c174/berth-c175/3-4-...
Pigdoguk said:
We have a Vango Equinox 450 - 2nd one in 10 years.
Excellent tent, aluminum poles, strong fly sheet, never leaked and enough room for 3 people + 3 dogs (2 separate bedrooms).
I've camped using this tent in gales, floods, snow storms (normally in the lakes or wales) without any issues.
Worth a look.
2nd vote here for the equinox. Bought my first some time late 20th century, replaced it with another one in about 2002. One of the poles is slightly bent after a storm in the Lake District, but it still works fine, it's stood up to gales when other tents have been shredded. For about 10 years I was using it maybe 30 nights a year, and other than a liberal annual waterproofing / UV proofing it's had absolutely no maintenance.Excellent tent, aluminum poles, strong fly sheet, never leaked and enough room for 3 people + 3 dogs (2 separate bedrooms).
I've camped using this tent in gales, floods, snow storms (normally in the lakes or wales) without any issues.
Worth a look.
Mave said:
2nd vote here for the equinox. Bought my first some time late 20th century, replaced it with another one in about 2002. One of the poles is slightly bent after a storm in the Lake District, but it still works fine, it's stood up to gales when other tents have been shredded. For about 10 years I was using it maybe 30 nights a year, and other than a liberal annual waterproofing / UV proofing it's had absolutely no maintenance.
You just reminded me about gales. We camped on the side of Coniston one year, lovely site but letdown by chavs with music, letting rubbish blow around, loud noise etc etc.
One night it rain extremely hard, followed by gale force winds. I was quite chuffed in the morning to see most of the loud people packing up and moving on as there £99 quid tent from Halfords could not stand the winds. Our little Equinox had not even moved.
Ah Old Hall no doubt. We used to camp at Hoathwaite farm before it was royally ruined by the National Trust. Often wondered why people went to Old Hall to be squeezed in next to each other with all the noise and charged per tent/per person/per car/per bike/per dog/per boat/per cat etc etc.
chrisga said:
Ah Old Hall no doubt. We used to camp at Hoathwaite farm before it was royally ruined by the National Trust. Often wondered why people went to Old Hall to be squeezed in next to each other with all the noise and charged per tent/per person/per car/per bike/per dog/per boat/per cat etc etc.
I remember camping there in the snow, pretty much had the place to ourselves. Landlord of the local pub (can't remember it's name!) kindly filled our hot water bottles :-) We have a Vango Kalu - great design, although weirdly they only made them for a couple of years (maybe there is an inherent flaw we've yet to find...yikes!)
I would personally recommend having one with standing room & 'room+bedroom' style just in case of wet wet days (& more space for doggo!)....http://tinyurl.com/y9kjq25e as a basic style.
Vango/Coleman/Outwell are all good brands.
Look for at least 3000HH for waterproofing (4-5000 pref), with 6000+ for groundsheet.....and we prefer a SIG - sewn-in groundsheet, much nicer when you discover you are pitched on a small ant-hill, etc!
A footprint will help it last longer.....and a carpet for the room area makes that way more comfy too ;-)
I would personally recommend having one with standing room & 'room+bedroom' style just in case of wet wet days (& more space for doggo!)....http://tinyurl.com/y9kjq25e as a basic style.
Vango/Coleman/Outwell are all good brands.
Look for at least 3000HH for waterproofing (4-5000 pref), with 6000+ for groundsheet.....and we prefer a SIG - sewn-in groundsheet, much nicer when you discover you are pitched on a small ant-hill, etc!
A footprint will help it last longer.....and a carpet for the room area makes that way more comfy too ;-)
We have a Zempire Drift and love it! It's a great size for two people: tall enough to stand in and a good sized porch. Really well made, sturdy and easy to put up/take down. We've used it all over Europe in all weather conditions and it's very water and wind proof. We have the Zempire awning too which provides a dry/shaded outside space.
Here it is in the Algarve:
Here it is in the Algarve:
chrisga said:
Old Hall or Hoathwaite? Old Hall local would be the Ship and Hoathwaite Farm closest to Church House Inn but we preferred the Wilson Arms in Torver.
Would have been hoathwaite, but it's been a while. When did the National Trust take over? I think it must have been about 2003-2005 when we were there, then we seemed to spend more time in Snowdonia.Mave said:
Would have been Hoathwaite, but it's been a while. When did the National Trust take over? I think it must have been about 2003-2005 when we were there, then we seemed to spend more time in Snowdonia.
It probably wasn't long after 2003-2005 to be honest. I went every year from about 1985 to 2003/5ish from age 8 to about 22/23. It used to be a fantastic gem that hardly anyone knew about. We'd just knock on the farm door and the lady would say camp anywhere on our fields as long as you have your own chemical toilet. Then gradually over time the national trust introduced a line of posts marking edge of camping area to keep you back from the edge of the lake, then that turned into woods to block off the views from the lake. Then when the tenant farmer died they basically apparently kicked his wife out as his son had died previously so there was no-one to run it even though she had lived there all of her life and had nowhere else to go. All hearsay of course but I wouldn't put it past them. It used to be a couple of pounds a night to stay but the NT re-opened it as a campsite and now its expensive (think £13/night for tent, plus extra £6 per night per adult, £3 per night per extra child, £7.50 per boat per day, £1.50 per dog - max 2, so for us would be 2 adults/tent/poss 2 boats / 2 dogs @ £37/night and we couldnt take all of our dogs) and I don't think you can camp anywhere near the lake anymore. Have to be up top near the farmhouse I understand. We used to launch our dinghies there and no-one batted an eyelid. We'd sail down to the sailing club and take part in their regattas and have a fire on the beach afterwards. Now their rules say no fires too :-(We got fed up of what the lakes has become and we have only visited once since. We have ended up mostly in snowdonia like you.
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