Tent for a trip round Norway on the motorbike

[Speed addicted]

I'm planning a trip around Norway, Finland and Sweden on my bike in the summer


I'll mainly be staying wherever I end up that day, and there are loads of campsites on route. A lot of these have little cabins you can rent out but in case thye're full I'll need a tent as backup. I may also stay in hotels depending on availability.

As I haven't been camping in the last 20 years I need some advice about what's best to get!

After doing some looking I found the Coleman tatra 2 http://www.coleman.eu/uk/p-26287-tatra-2.aspx as it packs up small enough to get it into the topbox, and I'll be going alone.

Another option is something like the Vango stelvio/tour http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/171687-tour...

That won't pack into the top box but offers much more room for getting changed etc.

I won't be staying anywhere for more than one night so I'm thinking a small tent is probably best?

Another question is what to bring regarding sleeping bag and materess. I'm thinking that an air mattress is likely to be the most comfortable and I can pump it up using the bike as a power supply, sleeping bag will need to allow me to go into the arctic from summer in the lower parts.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune as on most trips we stay in hotels, but I'd also like to avoid sleeping in a leaky tent while freezing my arse off.

Edited by Speed addicted on Sunday 10th January 08:21

[Dave_newcastle]

My suggestion to consider is the Vango Pulsar 300

http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/duke-of-edinburgh-recomm...

I have the previous version of this tent - the Vango Spirit 300 and have been very impressed with the combination of quality, weatherproofing, strength and lightness. I have spent some very stormy rainy nights in this tent and been bone dry inside.

From the specs the Pulsar 300 is 3.87kg and packs to 48cm x 17cm diameter with alloy poles. I see they are on sale for £140.

[Chicken Chaser]

I have a Vango Banshe 200 which is very light and very compact but there's not really any storage room except for the space beside you. You can sit up in it but that's about it...

[Speed addicted]

Cheers, I wen't for the Coleman tatra 3 as it packs down smaller than the others. Length became the biggest issue as the topbox isn't that long.

[tenohfive]

Speed addicted said:

Another question is what to bring regarding sleeping bag and materess. I'm thinking that an air mattress is likely to be the most comfortable and I can pump it up using the bike as a power supply, sleeping bag will need to allow me to go into the arctic from summer in the lower parts.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune as on most trips we stay in hotels, but I'd also like to avoid sleeping in a leaky tent while freezing my arse off.

Air matresses offer no insulation from the ground and your sleeping bag insulation - being compressed by your bodyweight - will offer none underneath you either. So don't rely on just an air mattress.
Either add a closed cell foam mat (the old foam roll mats) underneath, that'll offer insulation whilst an airbed offers comfort - but it'll be a bulky combo. The cheapest option mind. You can also look at a self inflating mat (SIM) which has a foam inner structure and is supplemented by air for comfort, so you get heat retention and comfort. As a general rule the thicker they are the more comfortable, but obviously the thicker ones are also bulky. It's a good compromise. 2.5cm is fine for the odd night, but 5-10cm thickness will offer more comfort if you're anticipating a few nights at a time slept on there.
The ideal tool for the job is an air mat which is also insulated - they don't rely on bulky foam for insulation so roll up to no space at all, and are also comfortable. The trade off is cost. I have to say though that I have something in this category (Thermarest NeoAir XLite) and it's the most comfortable mat I've ever slept on, whilst also being the lightest and smallest. Pricey though at around £100.

Sleeping bag wise, again - the most expensive option is the best. Down filled bags are warmer, lighter and compress down smaller (weight for weight) than synthetic equivalents. They're also more expensive. Weight isn't a huge issue for you but space might be. That being said I'd still see about finding a decent synthetic filled one if you've got the space, the price difference is significant. Mountain Hardwear do some good synthetic bags that can often be picked up on sale. But take comfort ratings with a pinch of salt; buy something that's rated a good few degrees warmer than the temp you intend to sleep in.

I really would caution against skimping on bag and mat though; a proper nights sleep makes a lot of difference to enjoying a trip.

For tents the Vango Banshee 200 or 300 have great reputations at the budget end of the spectrum and can often be found for £60-80; I know a few people who've had theirs stand up to horrible conditions up high in the Highlands. But if you want something with more storage room, you could consider something like the Wild Country Hoolie 2 ETC for around £150-160. Whatever you go for make sure that (assuming rain could be a factor at some point) you've got enough porch space to leave boots and wet clothing with enough space left over to cook in (unless you don't plan on doing any cooking.)

ETA:
Just realised you've bought the tent already, but have a test pitch etc when it arrives and check your happy with it. If not then you still have options.

[NordicCrankShaft]

There is a right to access law here in Norway, so don't restrict yourself to campsites as you can pretty much pitch a tent anywhere you like in the country.

http://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips/right-of-access/

[tenohfive]

Not sure if it's of any use to you OP but SportsPursuit have the Mountain Hardwear Lamina 0 sleeping bag for £70. (You need to sign up to go on their website but it's just an email address, no subscription fee.) A decent synthetic bags and at a very good price there.

Money no object down is the way ahead, but if you can live with a bit less compressability and a bit more weight they're very good value bags. I'd double check summer temps where you're travelling but I suspect that it'll be fine, even allowing for the fact that 'comfort' temps tend to be a bit generous.

http://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/i...

[Speed addicted]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been offshore and just had my gallbladder removed when I got back!

I managed to try on a couple of sleeping bags before getting chopped up.

There may be a problem, I'm 6'2 and quite broad (wide shoulders plus a fondness for pies) and I couldn't get into any of the sleeping bags in the shop.
Looks like I'll need an XL bag or some sort of warm blanket!

I'm now thinking that I may end up spending more time in the tent just to get my monies worth out of it and the sleeping stuff...

The Vango Omega was the tent of choice for quite a while, but the length of the pack would have been too much for the panniers. The Coleman Tatra is a lot shorter and fits in. I'll put it up in the garage when I get a chance to try it out.
I bought a cheap mat but it's huge when packed, how small are the thermarest ones when rolled up?

Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 25th January 00:14

[tenohfive]

Speed addicted said:

I bought a cheap mat but it's huge when packed, how small are the thermarest ones when rolled up?

Depends which one you go for, but if you look at the NeoAir XLite (the lightest) then you won't find much more compact. I have the womens version as it's warmer and lighter but narrower across the shoulders (it sounds like you'll need the regular or large) but as a point of reference that rolls up to slightly larger than a 1L water bottle. I think for your size it may be closer to a 2L bottle.

Whatever you end up with test it by sleeping on it for a few nights consecutively if you can. I've found some mats okay for 1-2 nights but ended up with back pain after 4.