I'm buying a new family tent - Vango or Coleman

[Ciaran]

We are heading away for a few nights over Easter with the kids. They have never been and although I've done a few camping trips it's been years so I'm completely out of touch.

I've found two reasonably priced ones, a Vango Calder 500 or a Coleman Galileo 5 but I'm just curious as to which is the better "brand".

The Vango is £200 while the Coleman is £250 but I get the carpet and the front extension. I don't want to be spending silly money just yet as they are still relativity young so we don't need massive space.

Which one should I go for?

Thanks

[Ciaran]

I did look on ebay but most were collect in person and I live in Belfast unfortunately.

[Ciaran]

Thanks.

I think I'll go with the Coleman, I'm having trouble finding the matching footprint although I can get the 4 man one.

[Ciaran]

Ciaran said:

Thanks.

I think I'll go with the Coleman, I'm having trouble finding the matching footprint although I can get the 4 man one.

Good point on the tent pegs, I'll try and pick a set up.

[Ciaran]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't too concerned about the budget - I just didn't want to spend hundreds on something the kids and wife wouldn't get the use out of.

I ended up going for the Coleman. For £250 I've got the tent, carpet and extension - it's slightly bigger than the Vango as well which is great. I've picked up a footprint for £20 so I'm happy. Retail price was £430 apparently.

Sleeping bags are next.

Edited by Ciaran on Friday 24th March 09:44

[Ciaran]

tenohfive said:

Don't skimp on sleeping bags or (most overlooked item) sleeping mats. There's a reason Thermarest/Exped etc are expensive - airbeds don't insulate you from the ground, cheaper SIM's (self inflating mats) are often either thin or simply not as comfortable as a better mat. I found this the hard way - cheap mat. Budget mat. Midrange mat. Thermarest. It was only when I reached the last point that everyone was actually happy for any length of time; and I'd spent much more than £100 on mats prior to getting the TAR's.

Bad sleep=everyone miserable. It might seem obscene to spend £65-100 per mat, but trust me - if the family are grumbling because they're uncomfortable or cold when they go to bed you'll end up selling the tent for a fraction of what you paid for it after 3 nights use.

I've just bought 5 Vango Nitestar 350's and some airbeds. Hope they are sufficient.

[Ciaran]

Happy to report our first trip was a success, not a single complaint from anyone about the cold when asleep. It was very cold at night - 4/5 degrees but once into the sleeping bags everyone was fine. I had the footprint down under the tent then a few blankets under the blow up beds and a blanket on top of the beds.

Next trip is in June. Might invest in a portable bbq this time round and another carpet for the "bedroom".

[Ciaran]

Obligatory picture.