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Riff, my son is still looking for a festie tent and turned up the Relum Noventa: 150 cms high, 3 berth, 7.5 kilos, £80. http://www.onlinetents.com/cactushop5_1/product.asp?numRecordPosition=3&P_ID=134

Don't know whether it floats your boat or not but thought I'd mention it. He is more interested in the Sunncamp version which is lower, but sleeps feet to the door -  a priority for him as they will be a group of three lads sharing.

He also likes the Gamma 450 but someone has said to him that a downside of tunnel tents at festivals is that they are more reliant on good guying, and guyropes can be an issue. Would appreciate any thoughts on that. Cheers.  MT

7.5 kg is a bit weighty but if it is split between 3 it should be ok. Agree the point about tunnel tents though MT.......some years ago a friend was SO proud of her new tunnel tent, until we went to a local festie and the bl thing kept falling in because people kicked the guyropes or pegs and caused the ropes to ping off.

That tent looks like a good all rounder too - the shape suggest good stability.

(Dammit MT this is an occasion where I CAN'T recomend the Wynnster Mallard....humph!)

Hi MT

It's a nice looking tent and I know that they are trying to avoid having anything too big and too heavy BUT I don't think it's big enough for three lads.  It's only 60cm width for each of them and I wouldn't fancy snuggling up to my two best mates like that!!   They'd probably have a bit of room for kit at their feet but I reckon it's gonna be tight for them.

Plus as you say the "feet to the door" configuration would be much more suited to them as at the moment the poor sod on the inside is going to have a face full of tent and isn't going to be able to get out without walking on his mates .

If the Gamma is out, I wonder whether the Vango Venture 400 might be better?  It's another few kg's of weight and is quite a bit bigger but I think might give them much more comfort.  BUT perhaps that's me showing my age!!!

 How about Sunncamp Evolution £65 8.25kg

or Vango Delta 300+ £49 6.9kg

or the slightly smaller Vango Delta 300 £42 5.4kg

What about those 2 second tents from decathlon, why do they all have to share one tent (sorry never camped at a festival).

These tents pop up so the guy ropes are really only to stop them blowing away and even though the pack is quite big it does have rucksack straps on the bag. they are quite spacious inside but you cant stand up in them they're not that tall.

Marie 

Foggers, thanks for confirming that tip about tunnels and guyropes. So that's a strike for the Gamma!

Hi Piglet. Thanks for your interest. Its actually the Sunncamp Evolution that I think he's going to go for, as you point out the sleeping inner is slightly bigger and a better shape for three teenagers sharing. On the other hand, I thought Riff might be more interested in the Noventa as she is looking for a tad more height and the tent would be for her and her o/h, I think.

My son is used to small tents, as his backpacking tent is only 165 cms wide for three (yuck!) but that is an expensive tent and I don't want it getting trashed at a festival.

We've looked at the Deltas, as they're neat, lighter and less money but look less practical in the event of festival monsoons .

Marie, a pop up tent each! That is thinking outside the box. Unfortunately I think it could work out more expensive to buy. But I will pass the idea on.

NB they won't be going until the summer but are quite keen to snap up any 2005 bargains that are still hanging around. Hmm, now who could have given them that idea ... !

Cheers everyone, all advice and suggestions appreciated. MT

Hi MT,

Haven't tried mine 'in the field' yet, but i've just bought a Sunncamp Voyager 5XL for £60 (common price). It's v. compact in the bag (42 x 22 x 22cm) at 7.5kg.- that's about daysack size- and is  purportedly a five berth. I put it up in a spare room in 10 mins on my own (exc. pegging!) first time. Fair amount of room, & at that price nearly disposable! (3 young folk will spend more on lager on a festival weekend...)

Hope they have fun

Steve 

Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 17/2/2006

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Marie, a pop up tent each! That is thinking outside the box. Unfortunately I think it could work out more expensive to buy. But I will pass the idea on. 

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Id recommend getting the cheapest tent you can find as from my experience tents used for Festivals get a tough life and dont last long, so I wouldnt recommend spending too much

They pack them in so tight, basically you'll end up with you pegs underneath somebeody elses flysheet and people end up trampling all over the side walls of your tent.

I almost consider my festival tents to be disposable. If I end up taking a tent home in one piece....... its a plus.

Cheers again everyone! Yes, it seems to be a question of getting the cheapest tent possible, but one that will still keep the rain out. And minimal need for guys ropes!

I've looked up the Voyager 5 and it does look like one to add to the shortlist, so thanks for that suggestion. I'll pass it on.

I looked up 'pop ups' on Ebay and they are listing a Quechua type one, but describe it as a Gelert. A mistake or someone else getting in on this act? The problem with individual popup tents  is that 3 x £35 is a lot of money to be potentially binning at the end of a weekend. Well, so is £50 I know but there you go.  MT

Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 17/2/2006

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PS Foggers. You sign in as 'Foggers n Dick'. but I've never actually heard Dick say anything. Is he alright or have you got him bound and gagged in the corner? MT

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Well it's quite simple really MT. I am the one who is obsessed with camping, therefore I am on here on a daily basis. D is more your strong silent type (he does exist, and was sighted last year at a couple of UKCS meets so a few folks on here can confirm that I have not invented him). Here he is on the far right of this pic in the Men's BBQ Area at the Settle meet here

 And it is very clever of you to guess that I do in fact keep him cuffed and gagged most of the time - but only because he LIKES being treated that way................

..........in fact it's time for his "special" treatment now so I am off to find me rubber hose.....