
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping under canvas - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations

Topic: Which tent??

Post Reply

McMurphy

30/7/2014 at 6:40pm
Location: Hereford
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 3

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi everybody,
we are looking for a tent big enough for 4 with a spacious living area for weekend and possibly longer use.
we are currently looking at the vango icarus 500 but we have heard of a few issues with the poles.
does anyone have any feedback on this tent or any other recommendations?
our budget is around £300
thanks

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

bikemental

30/7/2014 at 8:38pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/6/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 33

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Yes, I have heard some people have complained about poles being a bit thin and easily broken.

They aren't the thickest poles in the world but we have never had a problem.

It's not a terribly big tent though. I think of it as a 2 berth. There are only my wife and I and 7yr old daughter and we find it too small for anything more than a weekend and are planning to buy something of the size of the Outwell Bear Lake 6.

McMurphy

30/7/2014 at 8:53pm
Location: Hereford
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 3

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Thanks for your help, there are only two of us, but want the room of a 5 berth for storage/friends to sit in the living area etc.
what is it like in the wind and rain from your experience?

bikemental

31/7/2014 at 10:24am
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/6/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 33

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I've only had one experience of bad weather in the tent. It was on the North Antrim coast last year. It was blowing a gale and chucking it down. I have to say the tent did stay dry but hard to get a decent night's sleep with the noise of the rain on the tent and the flapping and rustling of the tent fabric.
Having said that, I bought the tent in Decathlon for £150 and I haven't found a better tent for that price.
The tents I am currently looking at are closer to £1000. I just hope I get £850 worth of improvement :-)

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

Bob61

31/7/2014 at 12:55pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 10275
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	28

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

My advice would be to get a tunnel style tent with metal poles which are usually easier to erect and more stable than fibreglass poles.

My tent is a 6 man tent but together with all the clobber that one takes camping I wouldn't be comfortable with more than two people living in it although great for visitors. I would suggest getting as large a tent as you think you can handle. My tent only has 3 poles and despite it's size it is the easiest tent to erect that I have ever owned.

There are many tents similar in style to mine with a large living area and large windows, so I am not just recommending mine, but take a look at the video. A tent with a flat main door instead of a sloping one offers much more usable room in the living area and rain doesn't come straight inside when opened.

Video

bikemental

31/7/2014 at 1:28pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/6/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 33

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I would agree with Bob61 and with hindsight I should have bought the tent he suggests as there isn't a huge price difference between it and the Icarus 500.

McMurphy

31/7/2014 at 4:54pm
Location: Hereford
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 3

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Thanks bob61 that video was really helpful looks the same as the Icarus 500 but obviously with better poles and a better sleeping arrangement :)

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

Bob61

31/7/2014 at 5:27pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 10275
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	28

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

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.

5603 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026