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Hi Guys

My first post so be gentle!

Ok I've been camping a couple of years, but need a new tent.

We tend to camp for long weekends, no more than 5 days at a time, or if longer usually move around.

We camp from April to October (ok so a little bit of fair weather campers, although last year we coped with the minus 2 overnight tempretures ok in April)

So I like the look of the Vango Orchy, and have seen it up at Outdoor Megastore in Bootle, and it meets our needs (2 adults and 2 dogs, quick to put up, great living space, ample sleeping room)

However, I've seen people on here talking about the Sumatra, basically the same model in Polycoton. Is it worth paying £350 as opposed to £160?  What would the advantages be? What is the drying time like? We dont have a garage at home to dry it out in!

All comments welcome

Andie x

PS This is a fantastic site, wish I'd found it years ago!

A very warm welcome to the site, Andie!

MamaBear has just bought the Sumatra, so I'm sure she'll be along soon to offer her advice.

I know she bought a 'sample tent' from Outdoor Action, at a great price, but not sure if they still have them in stock.

Advantages of a polycotton are longevity (if looked after), warmer in cold weather, cooler in hot and breathability (reduced condensation). To be honest, I've not seen (or felt) the finish on the Sumatra, and there have been some recent comments on these boards that many of the new polycottons are over-coated with waterproofing, rendering them no more breathable than their synthetic counterparts. I can't comment on that in respect of the Sumatra, but suspect it would be just nicer to live in than the Orchy. The trade-off is it will be heavier, and bulkier.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

I wish I could offer a full report but won't be camping in our Sumatra until Easter weekend (can't wait!). We did a partial pitch right after we got it and it is very nice. The fabric on the outside is soft and not stiff. It feels a bit different on the inside almost like a light coating but very movable...if that makes any sense?

As Liddenham stated above, we did buy ours as a sample tent. Initially, was 199 plus about £5 for shipping and that's next day. However, when we told them there was a toggle hook missing, they refunded us £25 so now we are down to 175 plus shipping. And I thought the 199 was a bargain.  I don't think they have any left at the moment but it pays to keep checking for the Sumatra and Orchy as they had both as samples.

We bought ours for some of the reasons Liddenham listed above.

The groundsheet is very thick and the bedrooms are permanently fixed to the lower part of the tent while you use toggles and hooks for the upper part. It is extremely quick to erect.  This tent was folded when we got it but had a very hard time getting it back in the bag so ended up rolling it and it fit. Keep in mind, the bag is oversized but even with it rolled now, it just zips without pulling. The tent is heavy as well even though the pack size is smaller than our Vermont L. For the short time we were in it, it did feel cozier and warmer but we'll find out more when we actually put it to use.

We also purchased the footprint and carpet and was suprised to see that they come neatly packed in their own bags. I think the pattern on the carpet is OK but it feels as though it has some padding in the middle and I think that will be nicer than our Vermont carpet. The footprint seems thinner than our vermont one too.

I'm going to put up a review after using it and if it rains, then we'll know how long it takes to dry.

PS Welcome to the site and we purchased ours at Outdoor Action

'Thanks for both your replies!

Does polycoton take a lot longer to dry?

I know with our old tent we can sponge it down and it is virtually dry within half an hour, and it's ok to put away for a couple of days until I can dry it properly.  Iam worried that it would ruin a polycoton tent, or take days to dry.

Mamabear, did the extra weight of the material make it more difficult to put up?

Thanks

Andie

It will take longer for it to dry but I guess it will depend on the weather and wind. Never pack away wet. It's ok to pack to take home but when you get home, drape it out somewhere in the house. We've done this with our Vermont L and and although you have a  lot of tent laying around, it's well worth it. You can drape it over your bannister if you have one as well. Just move it around so it can all air out and dry.

Even though the tent is heavier, it still only took us about 20 mins to erect it and that's what it says on all of them including the Orchy

Thanks! Off to take another look at the Orchy tent to make sure that we are happy with the size...before looking to get the sumatra on line! I hope I can get a bargain like yours!

Andie x

Hello, any updates on the Sumatra?

Regards Liam.

We have had many poly tents but now only camp in cotton and polycotton.

We dont have a garden either so we throw the tents (not all at the same time obviously lol) over stuff in a spare bedroom.

They dont take that long to dry.

IMHO, cotton or TC is much better than poly and OH actually refuses to even step inside a poly tent even in a store now !

My choice would be the sumatra every time but that is just my choice and my opinion.

Whatever you decide.. good luck and happy camping

Angie

Is polycotton actually warmer in the winter?  When we were at the Outdoor Show, the salesman (from Vango) said that they were colder and only suitable for summer or camping in France etc.

Lesley

Quote: Originally posted by lmclaff on 21/3/2009

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Is polycotton actually warmer in the winter?  When we were at the Outdoor Show, the salesman (from Vango) said that they were colder and only suitable for summer or camping in France etc.

Lesley

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I would say the salesman is wrong !

Cotton or TC are cooler in the summer and hold the heat well when cooler. Put the fan heater on and all is toasty :)

And there is a huge bonus...... hardly any condensation :)

Last summer we were in a coleman weathermaster... during mid afternoon the temp inside the tent was 51 and at nght it was chilly

That is when we decided to try TC. Never looked back :)

Angie

There is someone one here who has the canvas version of the Orchy, and the pole collapsed under the weight when it was wet....I remember discussing it with them a few months ago.

their version had the same poles as my Orchy....assuming the poles are now stronger, it should be a cracking tent....we have the Orchy 600 and love it size and pitching wise

Hello, having just ordered the Sumatra had a slight panic with the above comments.  I have been on the Vango website. The Orchy uses Powerflex fibreglass poles.  The Sumatra uses Powerflex Proshield poles which is described as being stronger on the Vango website.  I assume they have upgraded the poles due to the above described problem. Now I have ordered this tent I hope they are stronger.

Liam.

I wish I could remember who it was....se had pictures of the tent ...in full collapse....on her profile.

They must have improved the poles, they aren`t that stupid