Best Weekend Family Tent
Discussion
I'm in the same boat - 2 young kids & fancy a spot of easy camping.
Mate gave me a Decathlon pop up & it's a nightmare to put away, you need a Degree in Origami to fold it properly! I can see why he gave it to me
Just want a simple, easy tent for a family of 4 that does not cause a near divorce come going home time. We're camping in France this summer for 2 nights & I genuinely will leave that tent there!
Mate gave me a Decathlon pop up & it's a nightmare to put away, you need a Degree in Origami to fold it properly! I can see why he gave it to me
Just want a simple, easy tent for a family of 4 that does not cause a near divorce come going home time. We're camping in France this summer for 2 nights & I genuinely will leave that tent there!
Went searching for my tent as I bought it for £140 between 4 friends for festivals etc but it's now £400!!!! http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/112914-eurohike-... - a fantastic tent but not sure I'd pay £400.
The 6 man is a pretty good price though (and probbly enough space) - http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/112911-eurohike...
The 6 man is a pretty good price though (and probbly enough space) - http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/112911-eurohike...
... the 8 man is £200 in millets.. don't know why I searched for it using blacks, are they not gone and buried now?
http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/112914-eurohike...
Should warn that the tent is 20KG - we split it up and carry bits of it in our bags as it's not nice to carry on it's own
http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/112914-eurohike...
Should warn that the tent is 20KG - we split it up and carry bits of it in our bags as it's not nice to carry on it's own
Given it's a bit of a vague OP, here are my tips for getting a tent good enough for a pleasant weekend away. I am assuming you will be driving to your campsite and can park/unload reasonably close, and that you would like a modicum of luxury rather than not. If you are wild camping or hiking, then ignore!
1. Get one you can stand up in. Having to do stuff bent over or stooped gets tiresome really quickly.
2. Look at the different sleeping styles. Vis-a-vis (end to end) suits families with more grown-up kids as there is a bit more space between the sleeping pods. A sleeping compartment that can fit a nice big air bed is also a bit of a nice to have.
3. The tent material significantly affects the pleasantness of the camping experience. A dark polyester tent in the sun is going to warm up quickly to uncomfortable levels, whereas a polycotton tent will have a more gradual and consistent inner temperature.
4. Tunnel tents are just as easy as dome tents to erect, possibly more so if there are only 2 hands. Practice putting it up and packing it away before going hols is always recommended!
5. Put a couple of groundsheets or picnic rugs down to help insulation at night.
6. Invest in a good tent and it will last. Secondhand tents are good options if you don't know how your family will take to it.
I've had a number of tents over the years, and now there is an other half and a 4yo, I've ended up with this which is far far better suited for my needs than my other 4-man tents.
1. Get one you can stand up in. Having to do stuff bent over or stooped gets tiresome really quickly.
2. Look at the different sleeping styles. Vis-a-vis (end to end) suits families with more grown-up kids as there is a bit more space between the sleeping pods. A sleeping compartment that can fit a nice big air bed is also a bit of a nice to have.
3. The tent material significantly affects the pleasantness of the camping experience. A dark polyester tent in the sun is going to warm up quickly to uncomfortable levels, whereas a polycotton tent will have a more gradual and consistent inner temperature.
4. Tunnel tents are just as easy as dome tents to erect, possibly more so if there are only 2 hands. Practice putting it up and packing it away before going hols is always recommended!
5. Put a couple of groundsheets or picnic rugs down to help insulation at night.
6. Invest in a good tent and it will last. Secondhand tents are good options if you don't know how your family will take to it.
I've had a number of tents over the years, and now there is an other half and a 4yo, I've ended up with this which is far far better suited for my needs than my other 4-man tents.
Not sure where you are in the county but I just bought a new tent, from UK outdoor clearance in rotherham.
Coleman Galileo 5
http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-7-0-cat-17-bran...
I got.
Tent itself
Footprint for extra insulation / ground protection
Carpet for the living area
Front porch extension (great for storage / someone to keep the bikes atc in the dry)
£305 which i thought was a pretty good deal (50% off rrp)
the only issue with family use is its a single sleeping area with a removeable divider. You could easily put a camp bed in the living area for the kids and use half the bedroom as storage.
Coleman Galileo 5
http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-7-0-cat-17-bran...
I got.
Tent itself
Footprint for extra insulation / ground protection
Carpet for the living area
Front porch extension (great for storage / someone to keep the bikes atc in the dry)
£305 which i thought was a pretty good deal (50% off rrp)
the only issue with family use is its a single sleeping area with a removeable divider. You could easily put a camp bed in the living area for the kids and use half the bedroom as storage.
+1 to the 'get one you can stand up in'. We do loads of camping at all the major music festivals, when the weather is bad the last thing you want to be doing is scratching about on hands and knees.
We've got one of these, with an extension and carpet, it's brilliant.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Gelert-Beyond-...
Alas out of production now but you can pick them at bargain prices online. 'Beyond' is Gelert's higher end branding, great quality and loads of neat design touches but was overpriced at £429 RRP, so I don't think they shifted many. I paid half that.
Otherwise, Vango Icarus are great tents for your requirements.
We've got one of these, with an extension and carpet, it's brilliant.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Gelert-Beyond-...
Alas out of production now but you can pick them at bargain prices online. 'Beyond' is Gelert's higher end branding, great quality and loads of neat design touches but was overpriced at £429 RRP, so I don't think they shifted many. I paid half that.
Otherwise, Vango Icarus are great tents for your requirements.
http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/112914-euro...
With the extra 20% using code TENT20, this is £160 Really good value
With the extra 20% using code TENT20, this is £160 Really good value
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