Tents

[GeoBloke]

Ummm..yeah. Getting back on topic here. Terra Nova or, if you can find one, a Moss, are the absolute best nylon homes you could wish for(in my books anyway). I've had the latter for 14 years, set it up every night for over a year on an extended bike trip from London to georgia(not the US state), and it's still going strong. In the cold(northern Norway) it retains heat so after 15 mins or so you can sit around in a T-shirt while it's snowing outside.I My record so far wtih that tent is -25 in Maine(US) and we were toasty inside. Without the fly, it has a mozzie netting ceiling and lower sides so it sheds interior heat as best as possible (though at +44 in northern Iran, it was just too hot to sleep full stop). Also had it in every sort of storm so I know it's practically bombproof. I've only had the TN for 2 years but it's gained my confidence after several extended trips. Both are pricey but well worth the dosh if you want something that won't let you down.

[Phoenix]

Hi all I have to agree with Geobloke. Terra nova is the only way to go as they say. Bomb proof and just brill, yes they are not cheap but you get what you pay for. Ive used mine in -30 in force eight winds in the artic circle.... the dogs bits. And they pack small. Having worked in outdoor centres throughout the uk and Ireland I am a firm believer of buying as good as you can afford. If things go pear shaped you'll know the gear will not let you down. Having said that if you only ever camp in mid summer for 1-2 nights then you dont need £600-£700 worth of tent.

[Rubberchicken]

Having said that if you only ever camp in mid summer for 1-2 nights then you dont need £600-£700 worth of tent.

A bit more than 1-2 nights, but yeah that's me allright.

Guess I could do worse than the coleman, 'specially coming from this one:


Which isn't exactly storm proof. Or even "light breeze" proof...

[Pete Rock]

Guess I could do worse than the coleman, 'specially coming from this one:

Hey, I had one just like that one, only green, and it handled a few stormy nights pretty well, summer storms though, not blizzards or anything.

One particular time me and a friend decide to put it up right on the edge of a cliff, in the best camping spot, that curiously nobody wanted, we even pointed the door to the ocean, which was 50meters down, so during the night we found out why nobody wanted that spot, as we were the only thing preventing it from becoming airborne

[FatFergie]

everyones' tent is cooler than our 3p vango tunnel which is too big'n'heavy and a pain to get up if it's windy. Loads of room however and a huge porch too.
How much does that tipi weigh Paddy? It looks great but can you bring anything else? the idea of lighting a fire in a tent would freak out my wife!

[cbrpaddy]

It weighs about 11 kg's but it's the big un, and the canvas is heavier than the alternative material you can also go for. However, I'm not backpacking the thing so I don't mind the weight.
I either sling it over the rack in it's own bag, or I recently found I can stuff it into the larger Touratech Zega (while slinging the collapsible pole over the rack). People are always amazed when they see this huge yoke coming out of nowhere

[FatFergie]

I'll have to see it for meself, it does look a bit mad, and very unusual for this part of the world, children must love it!

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Jeez, a whole new section I've never noticed before!!!

Had a couple of Vango tents, seem a bit of a hassle to put up.

Now got a Coleman X2, new from ebay 40 quid delivered.

It's totally waterproof, quick and easy to errect, can use it inner only, unpegged if it's stony and the generous porch is removable - I thought it abit of a gimmick before I bought it, it's fabulous, porch on for moderate weather/wet gear/cooking in, porch off for nice hot summer weather and quick erection.

Sleeping two, with bike gear in the tent would be a squeeze, snug with bike gear in the porch.

Only slight negative is it only has fibre poles - but then never had one splinter yet and what do you expect at the price?

Phil

[peterb]

The lightweight Vagga 7 ( Plenty big ) Weighs about 4kilos packs small ,One pole no groundsheet but seperate ones are cheap and do the job , £300, Canvass £600. The Nibba 7 light Slightly heavier and higher spec (Still no groundsheet) £600 , Canvass £900+. Stove not practical for bike £500, but a small fire box home made from a cake tin does the job kids will and do love it. Never leave them alone if the stove is on it gets red hot and they will (And your arse if getting dressed )Stick to it with horrendous results ! You will certainly get lots of people chatting in the campsite .

[Chad]

I have recently bought my second Kyham tent (Biker model, more cooking in the rain room), I was so impressed with the Igloo model I've had since 93. Be first at the bar, as they used to say in their adverts.

i got my igloo on the reco from yen and im well impressed with it