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I'm going mad trying to decide best tent for a first timer. There is too much choice and lots I don't know! The tent is for me and my son (9 years), so of paramount inportance is that it must be easy to put up and pack away. Probably for 1 or 2 night stays in UK (not in the wilds!). No chance the wife will go camping but my younger son (5) may come along in the future.

I like the idea of a canopy, a SIG throughout, lots of windows, room to stand up in 'living area' and the bedroom capable of sub dividing.

Dome or Tunnel? I am worried that some of the tents I like have reports about being unstable in the wind.

2000 or 3000 hh?

I don't want to spend much on the first tent but equally don't want to regret later not spending a bit more.

Help please. Any recommendations?

Hi Mr Bishi

You may have just solved the big dilema I have had over the last week.  Been looking at the Ev0lution 600 but have pondered if a canopy would fit.  Do you have one of these outwells for yours ??? Any pics to show how it fits againts the 600 ???

Cheers

Thanks for advice Mr Bishi. I was looking at the Sunncamp Evo, only put off by the lack of canopy as I didn't want an 'add on' one but the outwell universal looks good.

400 seems to be sold out in most places and I thought the 600 may be a touch too big.

I've also been looking at the Suucamp Kashmir and the Vango Yukon 400.

Anybody know much about these and how they compare to the Evo. Thanks for help, from a novice it is really appreciated.

Hello, Paulf1566, and welcome to the forum.

I am afraid that you are going to struggle to find affordable tents that come with built-in canopies - including the Yukon you mention.

You don't actually mention how much money is "not too much".  That you are looking at the Yukon suggests up to around the £200 mark.  However, do make allowances for further expenses necessary for the tent:  you should consider a footprint groundsheet (helps a little with warmth and keeps your tent's SIG clean), a fitted carpet and/or picnic rugs (REALLY makes sitting in your living area more comfortable and warmer) as well as the canopy which in rain and sun is little-short of essential.

I made the mistake of buying cheaply when I re-started camping.  The Lakeside is a good, solid, inexpensive tent but, with experience, I realised that it just did not tick enough boxes for what we "needed". 

The Evolution would probably be far more stable in the wind than the Yukon because of the semi-geodesic nature of its design; and a quick look on the web suggests that it is inexpensive and it has good reviews on this site.  One concern I have when I've seen them on display is the very severe taper of the rear corner walls in the bedroom pods which seems to reduce useable space compared with the footprint area.

In the end I went for a Outwell Minnesota 4.  It's not perfect (some of us have had issues with the side door, but these issues are easily retro-corrected).  Though a tunnel tent it is very sturdy as the poles are steel, head-height is great and bedroom and living area space is very good.  If you hunt around on the web you can get the tent, footprint groundsheet, living area carpet and extension for about £300 - maybee a little less with the canopy (but the extension is much better).

Is this too much?  It did seem a lot to me at first, but on using it this summer it is a very good setup.

Good luck.

I really like the look of the Evo but lack of canopy is a concern.

Is the main problem cooking when it's raining if you don't have a canopy?

Quote: Originally posted by paulf1566 on 06/9/2008

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Oh sorry! Forgot to add, who was doing the best offer re the Evo 400?

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First and foremost the essential thing to remember is 'That you get what you pay for', we have a 12 man dome tent with 3 x 4 man rooms (supposedly) which we purchased from Tentastic on ebay for £66 (our first tent experience).

It suited us as there is approx 3m x 3m central living space which is 6' 6" high and the 3 sleeping pods are each big enough for 2 comfortably with a bit more space left over (certainly not 4 man pods) and its a good starter tent, BUT, then after a few trips you realise that you may have other needs within your tent......for instance, we'd like bedrooms and changing areas out of view of the main living area, a sewn in groundsheet, cable entry points, more clearer windows to allow more light in and more waterproofing etc etc......BUT of course these extra luxuries have to be paid for, which is why we are currently looking at an Outwell Idaho XL for over £400.

Cheaper tents seem a bargain and generally are but you dont get as much for your money.

Our Tentastic dome is great for sunny days and zero wind but I wouldn't trust it in a freak downpour or gale, hence why we intend to upgrade!

I guess the best advice if you don't want to over commit to a large expenditure is to try before you buy.

Go Outdoors in Oxford currently have a big tent sale and loads of different sized tents outside on display to walk around and play with......a Vango 3 man easy pitch tent starts at £50 all the way up to Vango's and Outwells for £600, the best way to decide is to have a look, see what you like and then see what you can afford!! 

There must be other sites around the UK offering the same facility.

Anyway, good luck and let us know what you decided upon!

Mike and Jane

Mr Bishi

Many thanks for digging out that link of Chris.cop to see his canopy on the Evo.  It has me sold.  Just now need to persuade the wifey that this combo is the must purchase.

Cheers