We have a 1990's canvas-and-steel-pole tent, years old, gifted to us by a friend. It is fantastic and could withstand any weather, I'm sure. Problem is, it is huge and heavy and takes up half the car. It also takes a long time to pitch. We may have to downsize our car, and won't be able to fit this monster tent in with 3 kids, 2 adults and all the kit and caboodle.
For main holidays, we will still use Itldoous (that's it's name) but we are looking for something sturdy and roomy for long weekends. We currently have a sewn-in groundsheet dome tent from Go Outdoors, which is great but LOADS of condensation and very stuffy as no vents, plus it gets cold. We have a teeny-tiny Orla Kiely (?sp) A-frame tent but literally only fits me and hubby.
We are looking for a 4-6 berth tent that is durable, sealed unit but vented and that will withstand wind, as the campsite we go to is seafront and very windy (it's eaten 3 of our tents to date)
I have read and researched all the posts on here, but there's so much info so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for us?
Many thanks
J
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Hi..sounds like a large belltent or a dutch pyramid would work for you.Unfortunately with tent strength comes a large pack size.With the two types mentioned you dont have a huge bag of poles to carry and both are relatively easy to pitch compared with a large tunnel tent.I have an Obelink Alaska and its a great sturdy tent -but would be very "cosy" with 5 or 6 sleeping. Have a look at the "dutch pyramid appreciation society"thread under tent talk--page 3 atm--plenty of photos and ideas on there for you.Even with the poor exchange rate-I reckon the dutch tents are still good value for money.Let us know how you get on..we all like to know everybodys business on here
Brill, thanks Bryandmitch, off to check out Dutch pyramid tents now :-)
We all love camping, but I find it hard to relax and enjoy the evenings, as the bad weather comes in at 10 or 11 pm from the sea and I'm just lying there with baited breath, waiting for the rips, the broken poles, the leaks...
Agree with all the above (amongst several tents, I have a bell tent, love it for space simplicity and durability amongst much else (see review Blacks Solace), and definitely prefer cotton/canvas/polycotton for some of the reasons you've mentioned above. Prices will be more than plastic tents.
Apart from bell tents, Dutch (Robens, Obelink, Esvo for example) tents, also perhaps look at a ridge tent range, but maybe a little small perhaps for your spec.?: the highly regarded BCT Task Force range?
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Im an angler and hate condensation and know from experience if the inner is mesh and a second skin is polyester it greatly reduces this problem. Not quite as well as 2 full seperate skins but not far off. Downside is it will be a little cooler than a sealed tent.
Ive not used my Octagon yet but from experience as soon as i saw it, the obvious air flow benefits, i was sold on the design. I put it up at the weekend. The poles are metal, its pretty sturdy (whether sturdy enough for your needs, only you will decide). It goes up very easy, relatively lightweight and good packdown size. Its not top end quality, its nowhere near the quality of my Relum canvas tent, but at just over £200 i wasnt expecting it to be. I see it as a summer tent, a very comfortable/large couples tent and depending how much stuff you have inside will easy sleep 4 adults or family of 5 i think.
Second the Alaska. Mine has already stood up to gusting winds.
It will take 3 kids in one bedroom. The original literature for the tent shows it as a 6 man.
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Topic: Which tent?
