Thanks to your help I have a Yukon 600 as a main tent but I am now looking for something suitable primarily for festival going and perhaps as a weekend quicky tent - I can handle the Yukon fine solo but have yet to pitch it in under an hour (who was it that originally warned me the biggish tunnels I was looking at might be a bit much for weekends)...
So now my priorities are different
-Definitely under £100
- Light enough to be carried from the parking to camping field without too much pain - sometimes just me again.
-Small enough not to look uncool on a festival field
-But big enough for me and my two boys for a weekend (when I can't be bothered with the Yukon)and if my partner joins us he may have to use his pop-up...
-The quicker the pitching the better
-Would be nice to have somewhere to sit and put our stuff if it rains.
- Although only a weekender would still prefer it to be able to withstand pretty bad weather because what else is there these days?
OH would like me to go the 4 man Gelert pop up route but not keen on not being able to stand up at all and where would I put my stuff..
I think my best options are likely to be Vango Venturer 500 (£60 to £99) or Suncamp Evolution 400 (£99) or Vango Idaho 500 (which I have spotted for £89 - by the way is this the predecessor of the Orchy?)
Would love to know what you would go for - even if its I should listen to my OH...
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
NB I haven't camped in either of the above tents but found them when I was looking for a similar spec tent for my son. I have seen a Shrike 6 up and in use on a campsite and it seemed like a decent, honest tent. MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
To get something significantly quicker to pitch than the Yukon I think you would either have to get something like the Khyam Wayfarer (which blows your budget and your weight limit and you still have all the pegging to do) or something much smaller like the Vaude Mark III (which blows your budget and you certainly can't stand up in it). Dome tents that you can stand in are harder to put up solo than tunnel tents, especially in windy conditions. The Vaude (which has become something of a classic) can withstand severe weather and would be my suggestion.
Unless of course you live near a Decathlon in which case you could try their Quechua Base model
I was just thinking about this while walking the dog.
Even 8 kilos is a lot of weight to be carrying, before you start adding on sleeping bags etc etc etc. So if this really is going to be a "carry across a field" tent, then presumeably you won't be carrying tables or chairs and will be sitting on the floor?
In which case it might be seriously thinking about how important it will be for you to be able to stand up, particularly as buying a lower height tent would save you several kilos. Something like a Gelert Tornado 4 might be good compromise http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51101901&desc=MAIN_DESC . £36, dome height 140 cms, 5+ kilos. Or there's a Tornado 5 which is a bit bigger, higher, heavier and expensive. MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Thanks all so much for your suggestions, especially Merry!!. I am beginning to wonder whether what I really need is 3 tents. Starting to understand why people seem to collect them now
(1) a main holiday tent (my Yukon 600)
(2) a weekend tent I am thinking now perhaps the Shrike 6- thanks Merry!!! or the VV500 or the Gelert Stratus 4 ordinary or 4DXL (only £80 delivery included...) - I am only 5ft 5 so all of these should be standing room for me
(3) a festival tent - one of the low level cheap, cheerful and light suggestions with a porch for stuff or the ultra quicks - Gelert 4 man pop up / Twister or even the air tent...
I think what I need to do is go to a show room and pick up a tent pack of around 12KG to see how much of a problem that will be to lug from field to field. The distance doesn't tend to be that far and I would expect to make at least 2 trips to the car before being set up. For festivals I will be keeping equipment to a minimum but will prob still have sleeping bag, self inflating mat, single burner stove, bottle of water, paper plates etc and perhaps a chair and yes some clean clothes...
In respect of (2) which do you think would be easiest / quickest to put up - the V V 500 (expect the Shrike 6 would be similar) or the Gelert Status...??
Just thought I would let you know I brought my festival/weekend tent and so far I think I made the right choice and got a bargain.
I brought a Lichfield Creek 4 from nearlynewtents on ebay (a risk I know) for £49.50 including delivery. It said used once or twice but all the labels were on, the pegs still in a sealed bag and the poles clean as a whistle.
Anyway I think it was the 2007 version of the the one that was discounted a while ago in the Argos catalogue. Just practice solo pitched in the garden with a stop watch and from opening the bag until everything was in and properly pegged out was around 40 mins which is definately quicker than my Vango 600. Was really easy (as soon as I remembered to losen the tension tighteners anyway),even the getting the dome bit up which I did wonder about beforehand.
At just over 10kg I could carry it across a field or two with no problems and is small enough not to look foolish on a festival field.
It has plenty of sleeping room for me and my two boys and loads of living space. Standing height for me (at 180cm) in the dome - but I am only 5ft 5 -don't think it would be that comfortable if you were 6 ft. I think it would also be perfect for a couple or perhaps a couple and a toddler but don't think 4 adults is realistic. I quite liked the "raised" groundsheet as alternative to a SIG - can see the advantages
Anyway after it was pitched the heavens really opened and so far no leaks at all. I am going to leave it up until Friday and then leave feedback on ebay.
Nearlynewtents have quite a few of them on ebay (eg see Item number: 250281475772) in mutiple auctions and at £50 to your door I think its going to be a great choice if you have similar needs to mine. Don't let the description as caramel put you off either as its actually a very subtle taupe and light green. Might even but a review in these terms up when I get round to taking a piccy
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: Festival poss weekend tent
