I'm new here and have just been reading through some old threads, which have been really interesting. I wonder if I could ask a few questions as we're looking for a new tent but have very limited expertise!
My fella and I camp in the UK and abroad (France, Spain), and we're shortly hoping to add a dog to our family. At some point kids aren't out of the question either, but that'll be at least a couple of years yet.
We went to PJ Camping, and fell in love with the Outwell Bear Lake, mostly because of the fabric, and the fact that it felt a whole lot better quality than the polyester, and the zipped in groundsheet was good too. When we get a dog, I'm a bit concerned that we'll have 30 or 40kilos of dog trying to squeeze under the flysheet after a fox, so a ZIG seems a good plan - though we could crate him I guess. But the main problem is that the BL6 is way too big for us!!
Soooo, we're now looking at the Baltic Sea L, which offers the same, quality fabric. It's a good size too. But - there's no ZIG.
The Outwell Trout Lake looks good, but it's £400 - more than we wanted to spend ideally, though we could push it to this, and it's heavy - 37kg so well over the 20kg baggage allowance on easyjet for example.
Soooo, can anyone provide me with their guru-like thoughts on what to go for? Is there a make of tent I've totally missed? Should I not get hung up on the ZIG and just spend £300 on the baltic sea?
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Firs tand formost Owlish, wellcome to UKCS. Its horribly addictiove and highly informative. I'm new to this tenting thing as well but am happy to give my thoughts (ignorance is a wonderful thing)
I get the impression that it really is a case of "you get what you pay for" in terms of tents. I've not seen much against the "polycotton" Outwells. Indeed, most seem to love them.
I see you note that it's "well over the 20kg baggage allowance on easyjet". I don't think anyone takes large family tents on a flight (someone will doubtless prove me wrong). We drive to the south of France over a couple of days - you can stop-off in hotels for a night rather en-route rather than set up the tent. And I want ot go further afield if things keep going well. I can't help thinking that making the trip part of the holiday gets everyone into the right frame of mind.
My thought - and its why we ended up with the Vermont XL for three of us - is get the biggest you can. The extra space is worthwhile on longer stays. If you're only thinking of short breaks it might not be worth it - but I'm happy with spending ~1hr putting a tent huge tent up when you get a huge amount of space. It sees to me ZIg has the benefit of SIG and non-SIG. The weather-proofing is really good - think perhaps of a baby? - no drafts etc.
So I would suggest really thinking about the Bear Lake. You say its too big, but with even the possibility of kids get the biggun now rather than ditch the small tent now and pay for the big one in a few years.
Hope this helps - but do take it as one man's views.
Hmm tough one...I think you'll probably need more than one tent. Don't be too bothered by this, many of us are multiple tent owners!
You need a tent you can use in the UK with a dog when you can sling stuff in a car. PLUS a tent that is light for a flying trip presumably without the mutt?
For foreign trips canvas or polycotton come highly recommended, the give better ventilation and don't superheat like plastic. These tents do tend to be heavy though which will eat most of your baggage allowance.
I'd be tempted to think a bit creatively, perhaps a Decathlon 3 second air which has lots of ventilation as a sleeping tent, then buy a cheap gazebo with sides when you arrive to use as kitchen living space then leave the gazebo behind. (If the sites allow gazebos and making sure it stays on the ground).
I'd also look at some of Decathlon's bigger plastic tents, some of these seem quite well suited to hitter climates.
For your UK + doggy tent, your choices are much wider, I think the bear lake is too big for two and for weekends. I'd buy a tent for now and not for any future kids, you'll want to replace a tent inside a couple of years anyway I'm sure!
Thank you loads for the detailed reponses guys I think we've decided that we'll keep our old polyester tent for going overseas by air (thanks Piglet&Tigger!). So, now we've decided to join the two tent brigade, we went to see the Bear Lake 4 today. Saw the 6 again, and it does just feel too massive, though I do see your point Mikeo (and you made me more determined to get a ZIG ;) ), but the Bear Lake 4 looks nigh-on perfect.
Has anyone else got one of these? There don't seem to be many reviews out there...
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
hi wecome we have the bearlake 6 and cabanon barbados take a look in gallery images oh forgot to say 15 and a half stone off newfy lol thats a newfoundland big bear lol and no problem at all .also grand child.
Well, we've ordered a Bear Lake 4 from PJ Camping in Romford. They matched the price of the new BL4 that I saw on ebay, and we're such a helpful, cool store that I wanted to buy it from them. It's coming from Denmark and we pick it up at the weekend. Next problem is it's bigger than our garden for putting up, but PJ said we might be able to test it on their field!
If a newfie can fit in a BL6 I think a teeny weeny little GSD will have loadsa room in a BL4
Thanks for all of your help guys, I'll let you know how we get on with our new BL4 in Scotland in the next couple of weeks!
Quote: Originally posted by Owlish on 03/7/2007
and we're such a helpful, cool store that I wanted to buy it from them.
Good call on using the store. I like to buy from bricks and mortar stores where possible. I value being able to wander around their displays and poke their tents so it seems fair to give them my business. Well done!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Hello.. and elp elp elp!
I think we've decided that we'll keep our old polyester tent for going overseas by air (thanks Piglet&Tigger!). So, now we've decided to join the two tent brigade, we went to see the Bear Lake 4 today. Saw the 6 again, and it does just feel too massive, though I do see your point Mikeo (and you made me more determined to get a ZIG ;) ), but the Bear Lake 4 looks nigh-on perfect.
