Matty..The phad X3 is a quality tent. Good enough to use 3 seasons...that's low mountain use! The semi geo design gives it good strength in strong winds. They are very well designed...but maybe a little small? I'm afraid all synthetic tents suffer in the hot sun and get well hot...not good for hangovers I'm afraid. If you really want a cooler tent for sunny days and warmer at night and better breathers...synthetics don't breath...you need to look at all cotton canvas or the newer poly/cotton skinned tents. Have a look at this...I think it's a cracker and may get one myself for touring...
www.tent-tents.com Look up the FASHION GOLD MALLORCA. Its about £85 + p/p. Its poly cotton mix, with a nice high porch and enclosed bedroom. More room than the Phad by a long way. Packs down in a bag 2 foot x 10". weighs 20lbs. Comes with the groundsheet for the porch area too! Fashion Gold are respected brand in Holland...we don't get many of them over here.
Poly/cotton and cotton tents are heavier for obvious reasons.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
ps...the phad is a 2 skin tent...if you look carefully you can see the bedroom compartment highlighted in white. Handy also that the groundsheet for the porch is zipped on, so you can leave it off if you want for a bit more ventalation. The bedroom pod always have a permanent 'sewn in groundsheet' (SIG)
I`ve done about 12 biker rallies (normally 2 to 4 days long depending on where I go) & I`ve had a fair few couple of long weekends away at bike race meetings with it.
It is superb. Fantastic build quality & so easy to put up.
The last but one time I used it was at a biker rally at Easter. It snowed big time but the tent coped with it all in its stride. Its always been waterproof even in some torrential downpours.
The sleeping area is very generous & the living area porch is spacious. It also has 2 doors which is useful.
would I have another ? You bet I would but to be honest there are years left in this one yet.
I was so impressed with Vango I`ve bought a large Vango family tent which again has top notch build quality.
I've still yet to decide. I think I'm probably starting to look for the perfect tent a bit much now. I went to the camping shop th other day though and saw a 4 man vango alpha. I quite liked the way it didn't seem to take up too much room but had masses of space inside! would prefer a little more cover on the porch area.
The vango beta seem to take up too much room and I'd prefer a bucket groundsheet in the porch.
somewhere between the 2 would be perfect but I don't think it exists. Maybe I'll just go for the alpha for now as it is a decent price.
After the help I received on here, I went for the Alpha 400 matt. Be sure to check stock levels before you order, a few of the places where it is cheaper are out of stock. I ordered mine from Summits in the end...
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Topic: 2-3 man tent advice - gen use/festivals
