2-man tent
Author
Discussion

Wardy78

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

76 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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I used to camp lot, but not in recent years. However, I'm going on an extended family weekend at the end of next month but not with my wife & daughter.

We've got a large 5 man tent, but I just want to take something small/quicker to erect, so looking at a decent 2-man.

I'm driving so packed weight/size isn't critical. There will be 60 of us, some in caravans, some motorhomes, other with larger tents plus a jamboree cover, so it is just a sleeping set-up, plus space to store stuff. We'll also all have electric hook up.

Fairly open on budget, Ideally below £500.

Any immediate ideas?

Thanks.

athomp04

176 posts

186 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Visit the terra nova website you can’t beat a wild country tent - they have an outlet/discounted section

RizzoTheRat

27,185 posts

210 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
While I agree with the above (I've had my Terra Nova Quasar for over 30 years, and they still make a near identical one), they're quite expensive as they're generally designed to be lightweight.
I also have a Khyam Biker and thier quick folding pole system makes it really quick to put up and down, but is a lot bulkier than the terra nova. I tend to use the Khyam a lot more.

Harpoon

2,277 posts

232 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
That's a heck of a budget!

If you're a) car camping (so weight / pack size not massively important) and b) valley camping (so not using in winter winds / blizzards / etc), £150 will get you a Vango Beta 350XL

https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/vango-beta-35...

We've got a Beta 350 (non XL) purchased in 2009 which continues to see annual use. Cost us £49.99 biggrin

Edited by Harpoon on Wednesday 23 July 15:57

Michael_B

1,249 posts

118 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
I use this two person tent for "me plus motorbike gear." Inner can be pitched at the same time as the outer, lots of pockets/vents, kept me dry through pouring rain, and IMO pretty good value for money at £119. Spend the remaining £381 on something else smile

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15980944/oex-jackal-i...


Steve Kimberley

164 posts

88 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Another vote for Wild Country (in my case Compact Helm 2).
Superb bit of kit and well within budget.
I just don't get to use it enough nowadays frown

Bill

56,340 posts

273 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
Agree with the above. That's a big budget for a 2 man tent. I've just got an OEX Rakoon which is brilliant for the money (I paid £99.) if a bit small for 2. I use it as a good size 1 man. I help with a scout group that uses Vango tents which are well made as well. Go somewhere like Go Outdoors and see what looks the right size.

greend

3 posts

17 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Vango really do make strong tents - we've been using them for about 5 years now, and they're still holding up. I especially like their quick-assembly models.

GuigiaroBertone

273 posts

23 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Ignore the teaspoon brigade showing off their tent knowledge.

You absolutely do not need a Durtson X-mid or Big Agnes for a weekend in summer in England.

Just get a £30 Eurohike from Go outdoors and spend the remaining £470 in the local boozer.

TheInternet

5,035 posts

181 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
Bill said:
I've just got an OEX Rakoon which is brilliant for the money (I paid £99.) if a bit small for 2. I use it as a good size 1 man.
Same here, but all tents are n-1 in reality aren't they? It was faultless for my 'weekend in summer in England' a few days ago; the amber weather warning was just peachy.

Freakuk

4,133 posts

169 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
I bought a Eurohike 2 man blackout tent a few years ago was around £50 to camp the TT, it's the only time it gets used and has served me well for 3 years and counting.

No need to spend anything more than that IMO.

Faust66

2,312 posts

183 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Mate has got a Vango 2 man dome tent: had it for years and it's still going strong. It's seen off some pretty wild weather as well.

Nature Hike also do some fine tents for a couple hundred quid. Cloud Peak 2 has pretty good reviews - I'd probably be looking at one of those.

POIDH

2,197 posts

83 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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Hit Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. £50-100 will see a line of Vango tents. Pick one.
Keep the rest of your money.

StoutBench

1,415 posts

46 months

Wednesday 23rd July
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I'd recommend anything Decathlon for the level you are looking at. It's fantastic gear tested in the Alps and works really well.

Perfect for 2

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7297036?istCompany...

But with your budget if you have the boot space I'd go for this

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7276246?istCompany...

HardtopManual

2,749 posts

184 months

Thursday 24th July
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I've had a few tents around that size for trips with my two eldest kids...

Coleman Chimney Rock 3 was generally poor quality and moved around too much in a breeze.

Vango Alpha 400 was a good tent but with just one "room" not very usable when you have people going to bed at different times.

Outwell Earth 3 is a great tent, still have it but it's a little small for us now, but would be great for 2.

We are now in a Vango Beta 450 which is very good.

I go bikepacking in a Wild Country Zephyros 2, which is good quality but would be very cosy for 2, despite the name. Whatever tent you go for, get a 3-man.

You don't need to spend £500 btw. If you want to splash out, put the money into a good sleeping mat and bag.

Edited by HardtopManual on Thursday 24th July 00:50

Bill

56,340 posts

273 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
TheInternet said:
Same here, but all tents are n-1 in reality aren't they?
yes

Although I did various multi day hikes with my wife using a Wild Country Trisar and we're both 6ft+. The rucksacks had to live outside...

NH-0

644 posts

114 months

Thursday 24th July
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I like Alpkit light weight and packs down small.

Lefty

18,660 posts

220 months

Thursday 24th July
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Thought about a tepee?



I use this - it s light, small, loads of space - no way it’s a 6 man as advertised, we use it for two with camp beds and a stove. You could get 3 camp beds in maybe but it would be tight. It’s a generous 2 bed job in my book if you are leaving g space in the middle for a wood stove.

It’s really quick and easy to put up. Click pole together and insert it. Peg out tent, peg out guys. 5 minutes.

Being able to stand up is great (I’m 194cm).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OneTigris-Fortress-Backpa...

You ll get that and a little stove for your budget. Nice and warm, get a flue water jacket to have constant hot water.

I have one of these cheap stoves and whilst the concept is great it’s very cheaply made and I would not recommend this particular one.



Next time I think I ll get something like this, stainless or Ti but with with a window for some more firelight




Edited by Lefty on Thursday 24th July 10:14

indigochim

2,015 posts

148 months

Thursday 24th July
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A mate has a couple of these Decathlon 2 second pop up tent the 3 man "fresh and black" is great for 1-2 people, sturdy and so fast to pitch. Takes a little practice taking it down but you could do the practice before your trip. I prefer to take my family style 4 man even when I go solo for a weekend. It takes a while to pitch but I like being able to stand while I'm getting dressed or if it's raining have some place to sit. It sounds like you'll have plenty of options for communal shelter so the latter won't be an issue for you.

Or if you really want to spend the money they do a different style pop up 3 man for £250

They have a 2 man version of the above for £130 but that looks a little tight on space I don't know why the 3 man is almost twice the price.

Awning for the last 2 tents

Whatever you go for I'd highly recommend getting the black out style ones they keep the temperature more reasonable and I can never sleep when the sun comes up and is blazing through the side of teh tent.

monthou

5,113 posts

68 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
We've just been looking for similar for my son, we ended up with an oex phoxx 3 - genuinely 2-man size with room for gear, 2.3kg if that matters (it does to him as he's carrying it!).
I think we paid about £80 with a code from HUKD.
https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/19674176/oex-phox...