A 'what tent' thread for ease of use and no leakage!

[Vladikar]

I am looking for a tent which is easy to assemble and will not leak, I have bought cheap tents for festivals in the past and they have been a nightmare. I was going to go for a Coleman instant tourer 4 but I'm worried about condensation and wetness inside as it will be used for long weekends.

Criteria:
- Spacious for two people (so pretty much looking at 3/4 berth for the best space, I'm 6"4 and my girlfriend is just under 6 foot so bear that in mind
- Preferably able to stand up in it at some part (not essential though)
- Has to stay dry, really up to bad weather is a must
- Relatively easy to pitch and pack

Anybody who has any links or personal recommendations that would be great, there seems like so many mixed reviews across different tent brands and ranges I'm having real trouble finding one which seems right!

[tenohfive]

I've got a Gelert Horizon 6 for the missus and I - it's easy for the two of us to put up and the extra space is just handy. The sleeping compartments are at either end so we just put one up leaving a 4 by 2 metre kitchen/dining room/living area. Probably sounds excessive but if I'm on a campsite I want to be comfortable and it's no more expensive or difficult to put up than a smaller tent.

And it's waterproof, had no issues in torrential downpours or camping on boggy ground. I'm very happy with it. Amazon are selling it for £150:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Horizon-Person-Tent...

[Happy82]

The Vango Icarus sounds ideal for your needs

[RosscoPCole]

I have bought a Vango Icarus 800 for 3 people. Can convert two bedrooms into one for myself and Mrs RosscoPCole. One of the other bedrooms is for RosscoPCole Jr and the third for storage. This leave a large living area. Also got the canopy so all the dirty boots, etc. can be kept out of the tent but in the dry.
Having a built in groundsheet is essential as I discovered with our old tent which did not have one.
Also a canopy is desirable as this means rain will not leak into the living area.

[SSC!]

I have always gone with khyam tents. Had an igloo one for years when touring with the bike. I now have a highlander but I would say it would be too small for you as I'm only 5foot odd. Igloo one bought in 1997ish and still have but use it for a play tent in garden. Link to site... http://www.khyam.co.uk/products.asp?s=Quick%20Erec...

[billzeebub]

my brother bought that Coleman purely as a tent to whack up at an overnight staging post on long distance camping trips. It is so good we have now both taken to using it the entire time!..keeping the Outwell packed away!..excellent 3 season tent

[rjobyr]

We have a Robens Double Dreamer, which ought to suit what you are after. We have used it in some pretty foul weather and has never let in a drop of rain. It has two bedrooms which can be combined into one ( fits a double air mattress) and spacious living area with plenty of height to stand. Love it to bits!

[Chrisgr31]

We have a Gelert tent that has an annual outing to Le Mans where it has gone through some fairly horrendous weather without leaking, and used to have an Outwell, but thats been replaced by an old caravan.

My Gelert was basically chosen on the same grounds as you I wanted to be able to stand up in part, nothing worse than when its tipping down with rain, having to crawl into a tent without all the water pouring in at the same time!

I would try and get to a number of the large camping stores so you can see the selection of tents up and tak your choice, the various options are all above, basically bedroom(s) at one end, on to sleep in, one for storage or bedrooms either end, again one for sleeping one for storage, and then tall living area in middle or opposite end.

[jep]

Picked up a Hi Gear Windermere 5 tent for Carfest last year. Plenty of room for a large double air bed and the separate day area allows for separation. Was easy enough for me to put up on my own, and high enough to stand up in.

Got it from Go Outdoors and paid for the membership card to get a really good discount.

[Vladikar]

Thank you for all your comments - really appreciated.

I am going to Go Outdoors next week so I will report back on my findings as I think I need to see some of them in the flesh! Happy New Year all.

[Vladimir]

Our Vango Equinox 450 is nuclear bomb proof (very high weather rating) and four man (sort of 3 +1). Really good but been a bit shoved out by us buying a camper!

This isn't the most useful shot but it gives an idea of size:

[a340driver]

This is the tent you are looking for: http://www.rei.com/product/827787/rei-quarter-dome...

[tenohfive]

a340driver said:

This is the tent you are looking for: http://www.rei.com/product/827787/rei-quarter-dome...

Never heard of the company (not that that's saying much) but at 2kg that's not aiming for your typical glamper - that's a backpackers tent. In fact it says that in the description. And space is the first sacrifice backpackers generally have to make in order to have a portable tent.

For backpacking though I've got my eye on this little baby:
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-t...

But whatever you go for, if you're not carrying it on your back or repitching every other day then go big - 5-6 man minimum for 2 adults. It really does make all the difference not to have to crouch and squeeze past one another, and to have a bedroom, living room and kitchen within the tent - particularly with the weather we endure in this country.

This is the Gelert Horizon 6 I mentioned earlier. It's massive and takes 10 minutes to put up. Can't fault it.

[a340driver]

tenohfive said:

Never heard of the company (not that that's saying much) but at 2kg that's not aiming for your typical glamper - that's a backpackers tent. In fact it says that in the description. And space is the first sacrifice backpackers generally have to make in order to have a portable tent.

For backpacking though I've got my eye on this little baby:
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-t...

But whatever you go for, if you're not carrying it on your back or repitching every other day then go big - 5-6 man minimum for 2 adults. It really does make all the difference not to have to crouch and squeeze past one another, and to have a bedroom, living room and kitchen within the tent - particularly with the weather we endure in this country.

This is the Gelert Horizon 6 I mentioned earlier. It's massive and takes 10 minutes to put up. Can't fault it.

It is indeed perfect for hiking but we've used it at festivals ant the space is incredible for a two man tent. They also do a fat boy version(being American). REI are a hugely respected brand in the USA and make some great kit. If you're using the festival as a camping opportunity then "go large" is probably a good idea, but if you just need a place to sleep and change I'd always go light. You still have to wheelbarrow it across several fields along with your picnic tables, foldable wardrobes and Waitrose ready meals before you can pitch it! ;D

[V8mate]

If dryness is key, you must check a tents 'mm' rating. The higher the number, the longer it'll keep water out.

My research round camping shops seemed to suggest that 3000mm is the average rating for a 'good' tent, so that needs to be your minimum if you think you're going to be camping in the rain.

I took a 5000mm tent to the N24 this year (it rained all week bar one day) and it performed perfectly.

[205alive]

The polycotton Outwell Montana Lake, if you can find one - think they only do a nylon version now. You will never need, or want, another tent. *sigh*

[Fitz666]

Try a Gelert Cabana, basically ateepee style tent so loads of head room.

I have the 3 man (1 mand in reality) version I take on the bike with me, 3000m hydrostatic head means it is really quite waterproof....

[prand]

After having spent unneccessary cider drinking time wrestling with poles, and then longer taking down, plus those coiled spring up tents frankly scare me too much, I'm really liking the look of an inflatable tent:

for example:
http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/products/vango-kin...


Problem is, £600 is a hell of a lot compared to the £150 I spent on an Outwell 6 man instead.

Edited by prand on Thursday 11th July 11:21