Tents

[Toby]

Can anyone recommend a good two-person tent which isn't crap yet doesn't cost a fortune?

[Matblack]

First person to make a joke about erections .......................

that'll be me than ;)

MB

[Pheebs]

What is "fortune" in your eyes?

(or rather, how much you willing to spend :p ;))

[leowyatt]

we'll be keeping a close eye on this thread too, personally I'd look on ebay for tents, always some good bargains for tents on there :)

[cleanbluesky]

Blacks are reasonable value

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/productlist/BLK-SS06-1-to-2-Person-Tents.aspx

[leowyatt]

Thanks CBS, some good tents there. Not sure about the massive MOS branding but the others look perfect.

[WotDa]

First person to make a joke about erections .......................

That'll be me then. ;)

MB

You may have been the first to make the joke, but is your job title 'Erection Specialist'? Eh? Eh? ;)

[Pickers]

You may have been the first to make the joke, but is your job title 'Erection Specialist'? Eh? Eh? ;)

Its not a job - its a way of life! ;)

As for tents - dont go cheap.. Our tent we used in France a few years back was a freebie with shell pluspoints and came without guy-ropes. Needless to say it was a sail and leaked like a seive.

Personally I've found ebay shops are a good place to get camping gear at reasonable prices, but you obviously need to read around a bit before purchasing.

[Jonny69]

It appears I need a new 2-3 man tent too. Some theiving scum nicked mine out the car. Ah well, it was knackered anyway. Shame they got my sleeping bag and 2 good chairs as well :(

[Toby]

What is "fortune" in your eyes?

(or rather, how much you willing to spend :p ;))
About £40-£50 tops really.

[leowyatt]

Would it be better to get a larger berth tent as the 2 people ones can be a bit small?

How are these?

3-4 £50 (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/3-4-Person-Tents/Aquila-Constellation-II-T/product/095056.aspx)

3-4 £50 (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/3-4-Person-Tents/Calder-Tent/product/095418.aspx)

1-2 £50 (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Tent-Pack---Starter/product/094484.aspx)

1-2 £37.49 (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Cygnus-Tent/product/095053.aspx)

[Glaucus]

I got one of these for reading, great tent, easy to put up and was very waterproof.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-MONO-3-MAN-BERTH-DOME-CAMPING-TENT-GREEN-OR-BLUE_W0QQitemZ290260978308QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 290260978308&_trkparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

You always need to get at least 1 berth more than you need.

[SidewinderINC]

Blighter can get you discount at blacks :p

[Blighter]

Blighter can get you discount at blacks :p

30% :)


I will say that Blacks are VERY VERY low on most tents this year as they underestimated the demand for this years orders.
Ones that stores do have a lot of is this one (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Tent-Pack---Starter/product/094484.aspx) which is great if you need sleeping bags & roll mats too, or an Outwell Jersey Pop up S (2xperson) or M (3xperson)... but the pop up ones are quite bulky so only suitable if your driving to your campsite...

If you need anything let me know. This is what you want in a tent (minimum):

1500mm hydrostatichead (waterproofness)
Fibreglass or Aluminium poles (Steel = very heavy)
Fully taped seams
Double skinned (otherwise it'll be damp in the morning)
Fire retardent (means it'll take 50 seconds to burn down rather then 5... gives you a chance to escape)
Polyester inner (99% of tents use this.. means you don't get "sticky" hot in it)

Think thats about it :p



If you want a more detailed recommendation, just answer these:

What will you be using for?
Where will you be using it/what time of year?
do you need it to be light/pack small?
Did you want a 2 person, or a 2 person with some room for a bag of stuff?

[Jonny69]

Excellent. This one looks almost ideal: http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/3-4-Person-Tents/Aquila-Constellation-II-T/product/095056.aspx

Even better:
If you want a more detailed recommendation, just answer these:

What will you be using for?
Where will you be using it/what time of year?
do you need it to be light/pack small?
Did you want a 2 person, or a 2 person with some room for a bag of stuff?
-It'll be used for weekends away. Anything longer I'll use a bigger tent.
-Car weekends camping on exposed flat ground during the summer so if there's one that will reflect as much heat away as possible rather than insulate it in, that would be the best.
-Prefer it to pack small, light is a bonus. I prefer a conventional tent bag because it's easier to store and carry.
-2 person with room for stuff.
-Other requirements are it must be able to be put up by one person, hook or loop in the top for a lamp is nice. As tall as possible.

Next question is what is the warmest sleeping bag range they do? :)

[Pebs]

I love Outwell tents, I've had a few and rate them very highly :)

[Toby]

If you want a more detailed recommendation, just answer these:

What will you be using for?
Where will you be using it/what time of year?
do you need it to be light/pack small?
Did you want a 2 person, or a 2 person with some room for a bag of stuff?
Mainly going to be used for crashing in at LANs at any time of year really.
Doesn't need to pack that small as it'll only get chucked in a car although I supposed something that would pack down enough to be carried might be useful at some point.
Ideally I'd like a two person one that I could fit a double air-matress in so a little extra space for a bag would be handy but not essential.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Was looking at popups like the Outwell Jersey S but not sure if it's a bit of a gimmick and you're paying for the convenience whilst it doesn't pack down as small so probably stick with something no-popup.

[Glaucus]

seriously get the tent I posted above. It is very good qaulity and did not break with lot's of abuse. The high ground sheet gives added protection. and a 3 berth is what you need for a air bed and a bit of space.
I go through several tents a year and it has been the best one I've had and yet is probably the cheapest ever.

[Toby]

Hmm, interesting but I tend to subscribe to the "cheap things are cheap for a reason" philosophy. How can something that cheap be as good as the ones costing getting on for £50?

[Blighter]

Hmm, interesting but I tend to subscribe to the "cheap things are cheap for a reason" philosophy. How can something that cheap be as good as the ones costing getting on for £50?

Because Blacks are all own brand (obviously) so there are no added charges for middle men, transport, ordering, etc.

I will admit that some own brand blacks stuff is shockingly ****, but the tents are one thing Blacks are good at :)

[AboveTheSalt]

The "Confidence MONO 3 Man Tent" is also available from Amazon @ £14.99 (Link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Confidence-MONO-3-Man-Tent/dp/B00111V94S)) - it doesn't get wonderful feedback although it might be a good place to grow mushrooms ;)

[Blighter]

Good tent makes:

The North Face
Outwell
Vango
Blacks*
Eurohike*
Vaude


I have spent at least 1 night in each one of the above and always get good feedback from customers that have used them.

The North Face spend LOTS on research of design, shape, materials, etc which is why they are pricey.

Blacks/Eurohike* are the same thing, just labelled differently. (Blacks is Blacks own brand and Eurohike is Millets own brand - both owned by Blacks Leisure Group)

Outwell and Vango rank very well and are very popular. You can buy these at virtually any camping store.

Vaude aren't so popular and have a funny name.

[Blighter]

Add Coleman to the list above

[Mark]

Eurohike and Vango are the two I've had experience with. Had no problems with either and I can certainly recommend the heavier Vango sleeping bags if you want warmth (to the point they're actually too warm for me, but then my body is stupid). It should be obvious where I got Eurohike from. The Vango stuff came from eBay (credit Feek for the find).

[Blighter]

Sleeping Bags... that's another story :D

[SidewinderINC]

Sleeping Bags... that's another story :D

Snugpak all the way with sleeping bags for me.

[Toby]

Because Blacks are all own brand (obviously) so there are no added charges for middle men, transport, ordering, etc.

I will admit that some own brand blacks stuff is shockingly ****, but the tents are one thing Blacks are good at :)
I was actually referring to the serious cheapness of the Mono one AcidHell recommended :)
Sleeping Bags... that's another story
Well funny you should mention that as I really need a new one of those too.

Was originally looking at this:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Tent-Pack---Starter/product/094484.aspx

But then I don't need two sleeping bags plus I'm a bit concerned that, for the price, the bags would be cheap rubbish.

I then found this:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Cygnus-Tent/product/095053.aspx

What do you reckon to that one?

Also, what bag would you recommend? Has to be capable of keeping me alive in winter climates although not -10C or anything stupid like that. :)

[SidewinderINC]

My opinion on sleeping bags would be to get yourself a light weight sleeping bag and a silk liner if you don't plan on sleeping in below zero degrees outside.

That way you don't carry much weight around in the summer and if you do go camping in the winter you just need to take the liner.


Same goes for if you DO plan on sleeping below zero, get a nice 4 season bag that has a comfort zone of around 0c and then add a liner to that.

[Glaucus]

I was actually referring to the serious cheapness of the Mono one AcidHell recommended :)


All I can go by is personal experience. It took heavy abuse, was the simplest tent I have ever put up and did not leak one bit, despite some seriously heavy rain.

And outperformed much more expensive tents I have had over the years.

if you sleeping out the back of a car, just take your duvet.

[vix]

I'd also like to throw Gelert tents into the mix.

I had a 'Blue Ridge Tunnel' for ages - peice of pee to put up and take down (3 poles) and has a seperate sleeping area. Upgraded last year to the larger version, so we could stand up fully, still just as easy to put up but slightly more pricey.

[Blighter]

I was actually referring to the serious cheapness of the Mono one AcidHell recommended :)

Well funny you should mention that as I really need a new one of those too.

Was originally looking at this:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Tent-Pack---Starter/product/094484.aspx

But then I don't need two sleeping bags plus I'm a bit concerned that, for the price, the bags would be cheap rubbish.

I then found this:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/1-2-Person-Tents/Cygnus-Tent/product/095053.aspx

What do you reckon to that one?

Also, what bag would you recommend? Has to be capable of keeping me alive in winter climates although not -10C or anything stupid like that. :)
Just did a stock look up and it seems plenty of stores have them in. (The Blacks Cygnus).

As for the Starter Tent Pack, the sleeping bags are basically these (http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/Sleeping-Bags-and-Liners/Quad-2-Sleeping-Bag/product/095480.aspx).

Edit: Just read your post again, as you don't need the sleeping bags, go for the cygnus :)

[Blighter]

Oops..

As for sleeping bags, http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/Sleeping-Bags-and-Liners/Quantum-300-Sleeping-Bag/product/094527.aspx is a very nice bag, and very warm. Also got some good reviews in Country Walking (Or TGO.. can't remember).

It may look pricey but remember it's down filled so will be really warm, light, and packs down small.

[Goose]

Blighter, you work in a camping shop? Will you marry me? :D

[Blighter]

Only if our wedding clothes can be Gore-tex lined :)

[Toby]

Well I could do with a decent sleeping bag really as my currently one is old and knackered but 50 quid is far more than I want to pay for one really.

In light of this, would I be better going for the starter offer with the two bags? How does the tent included with that compare to the Cygnus?

(Sorry for all the questions)

[Blighter]

Well I could do with a decent sleeping bag really as my currently one is old and knackered but 50 quid is far more than I want to pay for one really.

In light of this, would I be better going for the starter offer with the two bags? How does the tent included with that compare to the Cygnus?

(Sorry for all the questions)

It's up to you really depending on how much you want to save compared to how long you want it too last.

If you want something cheap that'll last you a few times out in the rain, go for the tent pack (only has 1500mm hydrostatic head), if you don't mind spending extra and having it for a longer period of time, go for the Cygnus + another sleeping bag.

[cleanbluesky]

It's up to you really depending on how much you want to save compared to how long you want it too last.

If you want something cheap that'll last you a few times out in the rain, go for the tent pack (only has 1500mm hydrostatic head), if you don't mind spending extra and having it for a longer period of time, go for the Cygnus + another sleeping bag.

Indeed, also go for the rust-proof coating and payment protection plan

[Blighter]

Indeed, also go for the rust-proof coating and payment protection plan

**** off you :p

BTW, the cygnus has slightly more room in it.

[Toby]

Cool, most things I wear could do with "slightly more room" :)

[Toby]

Oops..

As for sleeping bags, http://www.blacks.co.uk/Camping/Sleeping-Bags-and-Liners/Quantum-300-Sleeping-Bag/product/094527.aspx is a very nice bag, and very warm. Also got some good reviews in Country Walking (Or TGO.. can't remember).

It may look pricey but remember it's down filled so will be really warm, light, and packs down small.

Contemplating that bag but I'm concerned that something that's nice and warm in winter will be intolerably hot in the warmer months and I'd need another, less warm bag?

[SidewinderINC]

Contemplating that bag but I'm concerned that something that's nice and warm in winter will be intolerably hot in the warmer months and I'd need another, less warm bag?

Tis why I do the "3 seasons bag + liner" as it means in the summer you don't wake up with a sweaty sleeping bag and feeling rather dehydrated.

[Tysonator]

It appears I need a new 2-3 man tent too. Some theiving scum nicked mine out the car. Ah well, it was knackered anyway. Shame they got my sleeping bag and 2 good chairs as well :(

I have a 3-4 man tent for sale ?

[Jonny69]

I'll get a new one locally but thanks for the offer :)

[Tysonator]

I'll get a new one locally but thanks for the offer :)

No problem, happy hunting !