Talk to me about Tents
Discussion
Looking to search and purchase a tent for some weekends away this year, but it seems that there is a huge range of brands / sizes / prices and I am not sure where to start.
We need something for 2 people (but we would still like a bit of space so at least a 4 man tent), internal under cover storage area for putting bikes / cooking equipment and an external gazebo for sitting under (for when it inevitably rains!).
Any recommendations on where to start please?
We need something for 2 people (but we would still like a bit of space so at least a 4 man tent), internal under cover storage area for putting bikes / cooking equipment and an external gazebo for sitting under (for when it inevitably rains!).
Any recommendations on where to start please?
If you're car camping & going for more than a night or two I'd look at 5-6 man tents, especially if you want any storage space.
Go to GO etc as suggested & start to narrow down the many options then look for a barely used 2nd hand bargain, preferably before the season kicks off at Easter.
Go to GO etc as suggested & start to narrow down the many options then look for a barely used 2nd hand bargain, preferably before the season kicks off at Easter.
rednotdead said:
Find your nearest Go Outdoors and go and have a look. They usually have a load of tents all set up, you can get a feel for the layouts you like. Decathalon too - their tents seem good value.
Went to our local this weekend with those exact intentions. Turns out not a single tent was made up or on display, all were in bags which was no better than looking online. Wrong season at the moment.georgefreeman918 said:
Yes, a few years ago with my father. However this will be with my girlfriend and our dog - a completely different proposition!
You need to have a go at putting up a tent BEFORE you go camping.Seen plenty of couples on the brink of divorce whilst putting up a new tent for the 1st time!
What car will you be using, and how often do you plan on going camping?
Here you go - ½ price at the moment too - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-4-x...
Don't forget the pump. I've just bought one, but haven't had chance to try it up yet . . .
Don't forget the pump. I've just bought one, but haven't had chance to try it up yet . . .
It also dpends on when / where you are camping.
Summer camping has a differeent req that winter camping in the lakes.
Where will the dog sleep? Do you want a muddy, wet hound sharing a sleeping bag with you?
We camp a lot with 3 dogs in winter, so bought something that fitts our needs, might not met yours.
https://www.outdoorworldshop.com/vango-equinox-450...
Summer camping has a differeent req that winter camping in the lakes.
Where will the dog sleep? Do you want a muddy, wet hound sharing a sleeping bag with you?
We camp a lot with 3 dogs in winter, so bought something that fitts our needs, might not met yours.
https://www.outdoorworldshop.com/vango-equinox-450...
I would recomend Beghaus Air range of tents. Two of us and two dogs use these for weekend agility dog shows. Started out with and Air 8, then got an Air 4 as well. Then got the Air Porch to add external cooking sitting space.
Theay are an inflatable tent which are very easy to pitch. Can have the 8 berth up in 20 minutes now. Always on offer from Millets and Blacks.
Theay are an inflatable tent which are very easy to pitch. Can have the 8 berth up in 20 minutes now. Always on offer from Millets and Blacks.
I love our Coleman Octogan 8 - I can put it up by myself so no arguments and if my girlfriend wants to help, everything is colour coded and easy to do (No feeding tiny fibreglass poles through creased, awkward seams etc, just put the poles up, clip in the inner tent on and throw over the outer tent)
There is a porch available for extra space but it nearly doubles the price of the tent
It's 8ft high so lots of height and being an 8 man tent, pretty massive inside
https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/coleman-corte...
https://www.leisureoutlet.com/tents/tents-by-size/...
There is a porch available for extra space but it nearly doubles the price of the tent
It's 8ft high so lots of height and being an 8 man tent, pretty massive inside
https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/coleman-corte...
https://www.leisureoutlet.com/tents/tents-by-size/...
Rest assured I have one of these tents https://www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-41-... and it is superb. Room enough for two and lots of gear or a squeeze with four. Great porch for your chairs/cooking and its an inflatable tend too, so quick erection.
grumpybri said:
I would recomend Beghaus Air range of tents. Two of us and two dogs use these for weekend agility dog shows. Started out with and Air 8, then got an Air 4 as well. Then got the Air Porch to add external cooking sitting space.
Theay are an inflatable tent which are very easy to pitch. Can have the 8 berth up in 20 minutes now. Always on offer from Millets and Blacks.
Agree with this, we have the "Air 8" with the add on porch, for two of us!Theay are an inflatable tent which are very easy to pitch. Can have the 8 berth up in 20 minutes now. Always on offer from Millets and Blacks.
One room for sleeping, one for a lounge and one as a storage area, the add on porch is the kitchen area!
A tent this size would be comfortable for 4 people, any more than that and it would become crowded.
The number of people tents are rated at is only applicable if you like playing sardines.
For two people to be comfortable, for more than a night or two, you should be looking at tents rated at an absolute minimum of 4 people!
Having the extra space also comes into it's own when the usual British weather makes an appearance!
Now there are many different tents for any budget and for different needs. My friends use a tent for 3 seasons. I'm go to nature only in the summer, so I choose not tooverpay money for functions that I don't need. When I choose a product, I read reviews of various models and brands on the Internet. I know that here https://hikezone.org/ is a good portal with amazing reviews for outdoor recreation. I saw there a review of 10 different tents, maybe this can help you. There are described in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each tent. I would advise you to make a list for what you need a tent, what is most important for you and what isn't. This will help save money on your purchase.
What's you budget OP? That is key.
We mostly caravan now, but still have a rnge of tents in various sizes. Before we bought our caravan I was on the cusp of buying a Berghaus Air 8 as recommended up the thread, they really are superb, spacious, loads of features, easy to pitch but on the downside they are relatively expensive, heavy and bulky.
These are fine if you are car camping and have a big boot to put the tent and all your stuff in, not so good if you need to carry it a long distance once you reach your destination. You also need a decent sized garden to dry it out in, should you have to pack it away in the rain as inevitable will happen in the UK at some point. Last thing you need is 700 quid's worth of quality tent going mouldy in its bag because you can't unpack and dry it at home.
Hydrostatic head is important, al the info you need is here: https://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-tents/h...
My 'must haves' on any tent these days are:
1) full standing height (which usually means a 4 man+ tent)
2) a porch lip covering the main entry doorway, so that you can enter/exit the tent in the rain without getting a torent of water
3) built in groundsheet
We mostly caravan now, but still have a rnge of tents in various sizes. Before we bought our caravan I was on the cusp of buying a Berghaus Air 8 as recommended up the thread, they really are superb, spacious, loads of features, easy to pitch but on the downside they are relatively expensive, heavy and bulky.
These are fine if you are car camping and have a big boot to put the tent and all your stuff in, not so good if you need to carry it a long distance once you reach your destination. You also need a decent sized garden to dry it out in, should you have to pack it away in the rain as inevitable will happen in the UK at some point. Last thing you need is 700 quid's worth of quality tent going mouldy in its bag because you can't unpack and dry it at home.
Hydrostatic head is important, al the info you need is here: https://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-tents/h...
My 'must haves' on any tent these days are:
1) full standing height (which usually means a 4 man+ tent)
2) a porch lip covering the main entry doorway, so that you can enter/exit the tent in the rain without getting a torent of water
3) built in groundsheet
I replaced a dome Outwell tent (didn't survive a windy day in Skye) with fibreglass poles with a 4 man Vango Airbeam and it has turned out to be one of the best camping purchases I've ever made. It is a breeze to put up (but not so easy to put away - like any 'Air' tent). Vango are a tried and tested UK brand so I would start there. The likes of the Icarus 500 is good value (simple tunnel design and plenty of room and cheap) but I would look at something like this:
https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/964-amalfi-air-40...
Mine resembles this one: https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/963-santo-air-400... but the sloping door allows rain to get in when you open it, hence my recommendation above. I could put a tarp up over the door but I've lived with the odd drip getting onto the groundsheet.
You'll need some decent mats to sleep on or else you'll be miserable and if using the car, the thicker the better. Alpkit are a good place to start. If you have plenty of room in the car, duvets and normal pillows will keep you warm and comfortable. Otherwise, look at Outwell for square shaped sleeping bags or the likes of Decathlon for cheap mummy shaped bags. I would always get a 3 season bag, particularly if you're going to Scotland as although it might be warm in the daytime, the temperature can drop quite considerably at night.
https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/964-amalfi-air-40...
Mine resembles this one: https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/963-santo-air-400... but the sloping door allows rain to get in when you open it, hence my recommendation above. I could put a tarp up over the door but I've lived with the odd drip getting onto the groundsheet.
You'll need some decent mats to sleep on or else you'll be miserable and if using the car, the thicker the better. Alpkit are a good place to start. If you have plenty of room in the car, duvets and normal pillows will keep you warm and comfortable. Otherwise, look at Outwell for square shaped sleeping bags or the likes of Decathlon for cheap mummy shaped bags. I would always get a 3 season bag, particularly if you're going to Scotland as although it might be warm in the daytime, the temperature can drop quite considerably at night.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff