Camping tents

[chip*]

Hi

I confess, I know next to nothing on what are the top brands/model/features for a tent. So for a budget of £60, what is the best tent that sleeps 2 on the market for this price, and where can I buy it?

It's planned to be used for late May/early June in the South of England,so I won't need any heavy duty Artic type!

Thanks
Tom

[ewenm]

chip* said:

Hi

I confess, I know next to nothing on what are the top brands/model/features for a tent. So for a budget of £60, what is the best tent that sleeps 2 on the market for this price, and where can I buy it?

It's planned to be used for late May/early June in the South of England,so I won't need any heavy duty Artic type!

Thanks
Tom

Good job too with that budget Go to Millets/Blacks and see what they can do for you.

[Wolff]

Guess it depends on the reason for going camping, but something like this would probs be good:
http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/vango-beta-350-tent-...
Defo go for something a little bigger than you need - 2 people in a 2 man tent is a tight fit unless you are both dwarfs Also, a storage area out the front is invaluable - able to leave wet/muddy shoes & clothes there rather than in the sleeping area for starters, not to mention heating water for a cuppa when its peeing down in the mornings!!

[James_N]

Quechua pop up tents are nice. No pratting around with setting it up, although taking them down requires a few practice runs!

[Simon Brooks]

Try Decathlon

Carry on camping

[chip*]

thanks, some useful advice e.g. 3 persons size for comfort, storage area.

Re: tent purpose. I need the tent for a weekend Ray Mear course (the option of staying in my man-made shelter did not appeal to me, especially if it rains..).

Rgds
Tom

[joncon]

going back to camping this year, recently bought a new tent at go outdoors.
discount card £4 then away you go.
check out the website

[Bill]

If it's just for a weekend in a sheltered spot then buy whatever you can find that's cheap. If you're likely to use it again then Vango are a good budget brand and it's worth trying to find a sale as they change colour each year and last year's model is usually much cheaper.

[Pints]

Halfords do a range which should include something in your budget.

[Rude-boy]

TK Maxx also tend to start to sell then in about April time and you can pick up a load of stuff from them for good prices.

May sound a little pikey but you can always have a look at the car boots and free ads for used ones. We bought a 4 man tent with living area from Snetterton Market for £10 and it has done 3 Le Mans trips so far. Only issue we had was a small leak last year through one of the seems, but given the water was 2" above the groundsheet level at the time and it only took a roll of Bounty to solve we still chose to pack it away for next time rather than leave it there as we had planned to do 3 years ago...

Most important thing to look at IMO is to have a living area you can stand up in like this :- http://www.outdoors.co.uk/acatalog/Coleman_Waterfa...

Without that it can be very miserable if the weather is against you and you are trying to pull on tight fitting damp jeans, soggy socks.

It is well worth spending an extra £10 or so if you need to to get a bigger tent than you think you will need.

[Bonefish Blues]

Bill said:

If it's just for a weekend in a sheltered spot then buy whatever you can find that's cheap. If you're likely to use it again then Vango are a good budget brand and it's worth trying to find a sale as they change colour each year and last year's model is usually much cheaper.

Good advice.

[CHIEF]

Another vote for Decathlon.

Make sure you also have plenty of storage and your tent has a big bell end.

[Agrilla]

Another vote for Decathlon & the Quechua pop up tents.

Cheap & reliably dry, easy peasy to put up, and easy peasy (after a lesson from the chaps in Decathlon) to put down again.



I'd probably go for the 2 Seconds+ III since it's around your budget, has enough room inside for 2 people and all their stuff, and also a porch to put any muddy shoes etc.

HERE's a video of a smaller one (but same principle) going up & back down again.

Edited by Agrilla on Tuesday 4th January 21:45

[Laplace]

I've had the 3 man Vango Zetes 300 for a couple of years now, it's easily seen over a dozen outings and still in perfect condition even after standing up against some fearsome winds in Glencoe last year. There's tons of room inside for two plus all your crap and has a porch for your boots and cooking equipment. I paid about £60 for this tent at GoOutdoors a few years back but a quick google has revealed it can be had for £35 from here, a steal!

Gl with whatever you go for!

[chip*]

Thanks everyone. Lots of great info. and tent choices to read up tonight. Time to get my credit card out later tonight.

Thanks
Tom