Best tents

[louise2014]

Hey guys, just wondering what tents people would advise to get based on past experience.

I was contemplating going for a double skin pop up but can't find the thread from 6 months ago.

And tips would be much appreciated

[topmarksbri]

I have a four man Quechua that I share normally between 2 (greedy I know sorry everyone) which is a pop up and I adore it. Survived 4 festivals and is still in pretty much brand new condition, the carrying is a bit of a hassle but not a major issue as long as you remember to pack light on other stuff.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I have a 4 person double skinned pop up tent which is fantastic for setting up - out it pops, a few tent pegs put in and you are done. You can enjoy a drink while watching your mates put up their tents. That's what I did last year anyway.

There is a downside though. Getting the bastards back in their round hold bag. Very easy to do when you know how, but a tad difficult when you don't. Anybody watching me try to do it last year would have had anice laugh to themselves. In the end I attacked it and gave it what for - the dirty non compliant bastard. I managed to get most of it in the bag and get half way across the site before the whole thing burst out of it's bag and exploded into fully formed tent on the ground. I then had to have another major tussle with it to get most of it back in it's bag. There are videos on Youtube which show you how to get them in the bag properly. I even watched them, but it still didn't help me on the day.

[jeffie]

Hi Yog, what's your 4 man? Love a bit of tent porn. I've got a 3 man Vango Dart DS, nice for one....

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Hi Yog, what's your 4 man? Love a bit of tent porn. I've got a 3 man Vango Dart DS, nice for one....

It's like this one but a 4 person one (the one below is a 3 person)

Pretty certain it's made by Quechua, but could be mistaken on this. There was loads of room for the two of us and all our kit. In fact we occassionally had a guest or two snorting in there and it wasn't a problem.

[John_P]

Would highly reccomend a quechua tent myself, had one since glasto 2011 and it's done 5 festivals now, it cost 60 quid but has been worth every penny.

[louise2014]

Ah Quechua, that was the make suggested few months back and couldn't remember name.

Haha, sounds like fun times trying to put the thing away! I'm trying to learn from last year, and look at things which makes life that bit easier. I got a cheap double skin for 30 quid last year which did the job perfectly, but was hassle putting it up by myself...especially when sleep deprived on wed morning and people going crazy trying to get a good spot on pennards. I'll be looking for a different spot this time round

[louise2014]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/2seconds-xxl-ii-tent-id_8205983.html

Just found this, has a discount on. What do you reckon?

Glastonbury excitement has just kicked in lol

[A13]

I have a 6 person gelert one, for 3 last year, gonna be just for 2 this year by the look of it.

[tjamest]

Quechua gets my vote too, I've had a three man popup since 08 and done nine or ten festivals without any problems apart now doesn't quite spring out of its bag and needs a little help 'popping up'

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/2seconds-xxl-ii-tent-id_8205983.html

Just found this, has a discount on. What do you reckon?

Glastonbury excitement has just kicked in lol

If it's just for you then I'd say go for it. If there's two of you then I'd be tempted to go for a 3 person tent, if not a 4 person. That way you have loads of room for your rucksacks, bags, clothes etc. If you have all that stuff then it'll be a tight squeeze for 2 people in that tent - in my opinion.

[Meatball]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8oItrTukQ

How not to do it

[Bisque]

Quechua are the best pop up tents. Mine I got from Reading festival someone had left behind last year so haven't used it much but I can tell its well made.

Although never had a problem with my single skinned Gelert expect perhaps a bit of condensation in the morning.

I still use my other half's Eurohike as it has a pirch for our shoes, wellies & rubbish plus a bit more privacy if you want to stay in your tent & still air it out.

Practice in the garden folding with a fiend, I had it nailed in five minutes... The Quechua has a pull a bit of rope & it self folds.

[Bisque]

I've even managed to fit two Gelert tents into one bag, the same could probably be done for most pop up tents.

[louise2014]

If it's just for you then I'd say go for it. If there's two of you then I'd be tempted to go for a 3 person tent, if not a 4 person. That way you have loads of room for your rucksacks, bags, clothes etc. If you have all that stuff then it'll be a tight squeeze for 2 people in that tent - in my opinion.

Yes it's just for me the one I have is a two person, was really cramped and had to fit bags inside tent which took up a bit if space. I also had a guitar with me. Got a much better sense of items a can cut back on, so packing much lighter...is it just me or does everyone take the kitchen sink with them the first time lol.

Also looking at a decent trolley with proper tyres on seem to be some around the 20-25 mark, to take pressure off my back as know there's a trek from car to camping. Also seen the flimsy ones with plastic tyres fall apart on people 100yards in haha

[louise2014]

How not to do it

Not quite the 2 seconds it says on the label the commentary was hilarious. surely if you had any sense you'd practice before you got to the festival!

[guypjfreak]

these ........http://inhabitat.com/suspended-tentsile-hanging-tent-provides-a-portable-safe-haven/.............i want i want

[Player]

Got one of these as an alternative to Quechua:-

4 man and just about manageable to fold up (Outwell Fusion 400)

[incident]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/2seconds-xxl-ii-tent-id_8205983.html

Just found this, has a discount on. What do you reckon?

Glastonbury excitement has just kicked in lol

It's worthy being aware of the weight (6.7kg is a lot for a 2 man tent), but otherwise that's a cracking price for a tent with more headroom and porch space than you'd normally get in a pop up.

[kalifire]

My tent arrived yesterday. I bought a Coleman Coastline (compact) 3-man from Amazon, who have them on sale for about £77 at the moment (I managed to pick mine up for £65). There's only me in it, so there'll be plenty of room, a nice little porch and great reviews.

[rischbrit]

Hi Yog, what's your 4 man? Love a bit of tent porn. I've got a 3 man Vango Dart DS, nice for one....

Same here. Love the porch in it too for boot storage. To fit 3 in there with kit for a week will be very very cosy and you need to be very good friends but for one it is great. I'm sure amazon sell them in the cheap

[rischbrit]

We've had a leaflet come through from go outdoors. They have got a big tent sale on until 4th April. May be worth having a look in there cos at least you can see the tents put up so you at least can get some idea of the size.

We went and hubby decided to try one out for size. He laid down on the floor in the tent to see if there was plenty of room. Quite embarrassing really but at least we know which one to go for

[louise2014]

I headed over to decathlon this morning, they had a 3 person version up so got a sense of the lay out. Also had a demonstration and then a go myself of putting up and taking down tent. Plenty of room for me, one big backpack and medium size rucksack. The case has two straps so can carry it on front or back...however, I'm looking at solid trolleys with proper tyres that can handle 30kg. Will post if find anything decent and reasonable price

Thanks for the advice

[kaytee...]

The Vango Ark was the first tent I bought that didn't leak whatsoever or cave in with the wind. I barely pegged it into the rocky grounds of Bestival and when the winds came it didn't budge.

Shame I had to leave it when someone threw up all over the side and I decided I was too hungover to clean it and pack away (Yes I felt bad about that).

I've used this one http:///1hxYHOm for the past couple of festivals, I'd say it's a squeeze for four people though. Very waterproof minus the groundsheet separating the rooms.

[kaizr]

Got one of these as an alternative to Quechua:-

4 man and just about manageable to fold up (Outwell Fusion 400)

+1 for Outwell.

The Fusion 400 is the best quality pop-up I have used and loads of space/head-height.

Edited March 27, 2014 by kaizr