Good time to nab a bargain family tent?

Orch

Orch

Orch

Associate
Joined
11 Apr 2013
Posts
1,741
Location
Nr Salisbury
For once thinking about sensible and buying a family tent for next year, must some bargains about at this time year? Anyone spotted anything?

Only three of us at the moment, lad will be 2 next year tho so will need space for him to play when weather isn't great.

Looking as cheap as possible between £100-£200.

So far best I've found is the Coleman Galileo 5: http://www.campmania.co.uk/Item-7-28-cat-0-brand-3121-Coleman_Galileo_5.aspx#prettyPhoto
 
There were some really nice tunnel tents in the Tesco Home store in Staines for around £100. They looked like the good ones with decent diameter poles.
 
Yeh Vango was the other brand I was looking at actually, struggling to find a decent size in my budget though at the moment.

Good tip on the poles, thanks
 
If the following is a TLDR then tough but don't moan when you are cold and wet and miserable at 2am.

Nothing wrong with fiberglass poles, they can split if the tent is badly erected or in very bad weather but equally are cheap and a doddle to replace. Fiberglass poled tents also tend to have a much smaller and lighter tent bag. larger family tents with alloy/steel poles can take up loads of space. Pack size can be a pain with kids as its like mobilizing an army as is, so you either need huge boot space and a roof box/trailer or a small pack size tent.

Assuming you want an average family tent at a budget of £100-£200 then there are quite a few options. Got £400-£600 and want and easy life buy a Vango Airbeam from this season (previous seasons had some issues). With young children the ability to inflate your tent is pure win.

Which ever tent you choose for UK use you want a hydrostatic head of 3000-5000mm+. Less than 3000mm is still technically waterproof but these tend to be found on lesser quality tents so manufacturing issues like poor seams become more apparent.

1) Go Outdoors own tents (Hi Gear) are ok for dry summer use but I would not trust them in the rain having seen how many leak or have manufacturing defects on sites.

2) Coleman are ok and good value but I prefer Vango.

3) Cheap Argos/Halfords/Tesco/Adsa/Field & Trek tents are fine for the odd dry nights camping in mid summer but I would not trust them for anything else.

4) Outwell make great tents and the 4/5 mans can be had for good prices at the moment but if you damage their alloy/steel poles you tend to have to buy replacement sets which cost a fortune, sometimes nearly as much as the whole tent.

5) Vango make great tents with much easier spares supply chain and repair options. If you don't need a sewn in or zip in gourndsheet (tend to be better for family camping though), then the best value and quality family size tent for 2-3 nights camping is the Vango Omega 600XL imo. It is a technical DoE rated tent, properly water proof, very light weight alloy poles and the whole thing packs away into a 9kg small pack http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-omega-600xl-large-trekking-tent-p261536.

The most important element of camping though is your sleeping system. A good thickness 3-7cm self inflating mat (not camp air bed) and quality sleeping bag is worth having infinitely x more than any tent. For UK camping, either a Vango Nitestar 350 or 450 sleeping bag for you and kids (adult sized is fine for kids just tuck the bottom under to fit) and a decent self inflating mat. If it is really hot in the evening then you can unzip the bag. They are really soft inside due to the lining which helps. I am yet to have a bad night sleep in the 450 regardless of temp, I have had some dire nights in other bags even high spec lightweight ones which are fine until the temp drops. http://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/vango-nitestar-450-black.html

Do not be fooled by a lot of the Blacks/Argos/Halfords/Go Outdoors own brand or special deal sleeping bags. Many will be fine for the very warm/hot summer nights but as soon as temps start dropping then it can make the whole experience miserable.

There are loads of other tent options and brands. Some cheap some hugely expensive. I like Outwell and Vango. Again with sleeping systems loads of options and my views above are just opinion. If you do buy a tent this time of year, make sure you erect it and get the hose pipe on it to test for leaks and issues.
 
Mate, that is awesome advice, thank you very much. Exactly the sort of info I needed.

I was looking for Vango initially but got swayed by Coleman deals, think I might go back to Vango though. A friend of ours has the Orchy500 (which funnily enough became my steam and origin username name) and I was very impressed with it.

Great tips on the bags too!
 
No probs.

Shops I have used a fair bit ££££ and have had great service from;

simplyhike.co.uk
outdoorworlddirect.co.uk
Costwold Outdoor (my favorite)
Blacks which now part of sports direct group iirc (often have silly in store sales at this time of year on camping equipment and this is store specific depending on their stock)
Go Outdoors (can't knock them on service and price if you know what you want and make the effort to use their price beat)
 
Orch said:
Ok been having a browse about and spotted the Vango Diablo 600 here for a bargain: http://www.jrleisure.co.uk/products/vango-diablo-600-2012-model-in-moss/1307/#tdesc_7

What do you think? Love the fact is has seperate bedroom and a central social area, plus a covered porch for wellies/trainers etc.

Bit over budget but that seems a lot of tent for £215
Click to expand...

Orch said:
Or the Tigris 600XL maybe? http://www.jrleisure.co.uk/products/vango-tigris-600xl-true-navy-2012/1327/
Click to expand...

The Tigris is the better tent in terms of layout and interior space. The Diablo looks big but actual living area isn't that large.

However, if you want space then the Vango Calisto deal here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VANGO-CAL...re_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item58a3cac1b4 is pure win. Steel poled tent with a full front canopy / awning which gives you a separate enclosed area for storing and cooking. The value of a front extension for storage, cooking and eating is immeasurable if the weather turns.

The Calisto are a great tent and the steel poles make it rock solid.

If you just want a cheap value tent that is more than up for the job the Icarus 600 here is a bargain http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VANGO-ICA...AZING-PRICE-/380716435618?hash=item58a477c8a2

If you don't get a tent with an extension, you may or may not want one of these http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tarp-hiking-shelter-dark-green-id_2363223.html as a tarp shelter for cooking and eating or with a bit of clever, you can use it as an extra tent canopy.

The Calisto deal is pure win though imo.
 
Really appreciating your help on this mate. That Calisto is tempting! My concern with that is that I've been reading lots of reviews and it seems a common complaint that extension like this don't join well and often result in a puddle between the two.

I was therefore also looking at the Icarus 800 2012 model here http://www.jrleisure.co.uk/products/vango-icarus-800-moss-2012/1313/

I like the simplicity of it. Fibreglass poles but has the vango tension system. Some reviews have reported a night in heavy rain and gales with no issues.

Looks nice and roomy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr42RShKdg8

I'd prefer a 4000hh sheet but 3000 seems ok i guess.

What do you think on that one?
 
Oh forgot to say, cooking wise, I have a gas stove that I cook out of the boot of the landy. My plan there in bad weather is to back it up to one of the side doors them run a tarp over the top between the two.

The idea of cooking inside the tent always worries me.
 
I have one of these:

www.a2zcamping.co.uk/4-5-berth-tents/sunncamp-kashmir-400-4-berth-tent.html

It's about the same size as most 5 man cheapo tents but is a 4 man. It's plenty big enough for 4 blokes and their kit and has a divider to split into a 2+2. It's survived some truly foul British weather without any trouble at all, no leaks whatsoever and it looks pretty flash too. It's quite an old model but I imagine they do something equivalent.

You may be able to find a Kashmir 400 somewhere and IMO it'd be worthwhile as it's so much better than the cheap Coleman and Vango tents.

/edit

Just seen you're looking at an 8 man tent now so perhaps ignore my post. Although that Sunmcamp weighs about the same as that 8 man...
 
Last edited:
We had a Vango Samara 600 but it was just to big for the 3 of us (son is 10) so this year we down sized to a Vango Woburn 500 with a Vango adventure tarp with extra kingpoles to create a canopy area on the front and a large windbreak to ,,,errr keep the wind out :).
We tent to cook outside or under the canopy, just don't feel safe cooking in side.

It was a much better size for the 3 of us and packs up about a third of the size and weight of the Samara 600.

Also some sites don't like large tents (over 7m).
 
Orch said:
Really appreciating your help on this mate. That Calisto is tempting! My concern with that is that I've been reading lots of reviews and it seems a common complaint that extension like this don't join well and often result in a puddle between the two.

I was therefore also looking at the Icarus 800 2012 model here http://www.jrleisure.co.uk/products/vango-icarus-800-moss-2012/1313/

I like the simplicity of it. Fibreglass poles but has the vango tension system. Some reviews have reported a night in heavy rain and gales with no issues.

Looks nice and roomy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr42RShKdg8

I'd prefer a 4000hh sheet but 3000 seems ok i guess.

What do you think on that one?
Click to expand...

You don't need 4000mm hh, technically 2000mm is fully waterproof. What lets lower hh tents down is it tends to be found on cheaper tents and the build quality is what suffers rather than the technical waterproofness so water gets in through seams etc.

That Icarus 800 is a good shout
 
Scrutinize said:
You don't need 4000mm hh, technically 2000mm is fully waterproof. What lets lower hh tents down is it tends to be found on cheaper tents and the build quality is what suffers rather than the technical waterproofness so water gets in through seams etc.

That Icarus 800 is a good shout
Click to expand...

Ah that's great news, thought we might be compromising but obviously not! Think we may have found our tent then :)
 
Attu90 said:
We had a Vango Samara 600 but it was just to big for the 3 of us (son is 10) so this year we down sized to a Vango Woburn 500 with a Vango adventure tarp with extra kingpoles to create a canopy area on the front and a large windbreak to ,,,errr keep the wind out :).
We tent to cook outside or under the canopy, just don't feel safe cooking in side.

It was a much better size for the 3 of us and packs up about a third of the size and weight of the Samara 600.

Also some sites don't like large tents (over 7m).
Click to expand...

Yeh I think we will downscale in future as the kids get older, but for now would be nice for him to have space to stretch his legs if the weather is bad.
 
danza said:
I have one of these:

www.a2zcamping.co.uk/4-5-berth-tents/sunncamp-kashmir-400-4-berth-tent.html

It's about the same size as most 5 man cheapo tents but is a 4 man. It's plenty big enough for 4 blokes and their kit and has a divider to split into a 2+2. It's survived some truly foul British weather without any trouble at all, no leaks whatsoever and it looks pretty flash too. It's quite an old model but I imagine they do something equivalent.

You may be able to find a Kashmir 400 somewhere and IMO it'd be worthwhile as it's so much better than the cheap Coleman and Vango tents.

/edit

Just seen you're looking at an 8 man tent now so perhaps ignore my post. Although that Sunmcamp weighs about the same as that 8 man...
Click to expand...

Cheers for the tip mate, could do with a bit more room but that certainly looks the part doesn't it!
 
Scrutinize said:
If the following is a TLDR then tough but don't moan when you are cold and wet and miserable at 2am.

Nothing wrong with fiberglass poles, they can split if the tent is badly erected or in very bad weather but equally are cheap and a doddle to replace. Fiberglass poled tents also tend to have a much smaller and lighter tent bag. larger family tents with alloy/steel poles can take up loads of space. Pack size can be a pain with kids as its like mobilizing an army as is, so you either need huge boot space and a roof box/trailer or a small pack size tent.

Assuming you want an average family tent at a budget of £100-£200 then there are quite a few options. Got £400-£600 and want and easy life buy a Vango Airbeam from this season (previous seasons had some issues). With young children the ability to inflate your tent is pure win.

Which ever tent you choose for UK use you want a hydrostatic head of 3000-5000mm+. Less than 3000mm is still technically waterproof but these tend to be found on lesser quality tents so manufacturing issues like poor seams become more apparent.

1) Go Outdoors own tents (Hi Gear) are ok for dry summer use but I would not trust them in the rain having seen how many leak or have manufacturing defects on sites.

2) Coleman are ok and good value but I prefer Vango.

3) Cheap Argos/Halfords/Tesco/Adsa/Field & Trek tents are fine for the odd dry nights camping in mid summer but I would not trust them for anything else.

4) Outwell make great tents and the 4/5 mans can be had for good prices at the moment but if you damage their alloy/steel poles you tend to have to buy replacement sets which cost a fortune, sometimes nearly as much as the whole tent.

5) Vango make great tents with much easier spares supply chain and repair options. If you don't need a sewn in or zip in gourndsheet (tend to be better for family camping though), then the best value and quality family size tent for 2-3 nights camping is the Vango Omega 600XL imo. It is a technical DoE rated tent, properly water proof, very light weight alloy poles and the whole thing packs away into a 9kg small pack http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-omega-600xl-large-trekking-tent-p261536.

The most important element of camping though is your sleeping system. A good thickness 3-7cm self inflating mat (not camp air bed) and quality sleeping bag is worth having infinitely x more than any tent. For UK camping, either a Vango Nitestar 350 or 450 sleeping bag for you and kids (adult sized is fine for kids just tuck the bottom under to fit) and a decent self inflating mat. If it is really hot in the evening then you can unzip the bag. They are really soft inside due to the lining which helps. I am yet to have a bad night sleep in the 450 regardless of temp, I have had some dire nights in other bags even high spec lightweight ones which are fine until the temp drops. http://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/vango-nitestar-450-black.html

Do not be fooled by a lot of the Blacks/Argos/Halfords/Go Outdoors own brand or special deal sleeping bags. Many will be fine for the very warm/hot summer nights but as soon as temps start dropping then it can make the whole experience miserable.

There are loads of other tent options and brands. Some cheap some hugely expensive. I like Outwell and Vango. Again with sleeping systems loads of options and my views above are just opinion. If you do buy a tent this time of year, make sure you erect it and get the hose pipe on it to test for leaks and issues.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the last time you went camping, you ended up coming home early because of a little light wind and rain......ie, you've never camped for longer than 2 nights in a row :D

To the OP, Outwell tents (good ones) will outperform almost every other type of tent in terms of comfort, ease of erection (teehee) and quality, but they are heavy and will come in multiple bags. Most other gear is an "as you need it" purchase and you'll find stuff lasts ages regardless of what you actually buy if you are sensible with the initial purchase.

All of the sites are much of a muchness, but:

www.campingworld.co.uk
www.campingandleisure.co.uk/
and now,
www.decathlon.co.uk/

are all good places to start, or continue your camp shopping experience :)
 
Last edited:
Django x2 said:
Pretty sure the last time you went camping, you ended up coming home early because of a little light wind and rain......ie, you've never camped for longer than 2 nights in a row :D

To the OP, Outwell tents (good ones) will outperform almost every other type of tent in terms of comfort, ease of erection (teehee) and quality, but they are heavy and will come in multiple bags. Most other gear is an "as you need it" purchase and you'll find stuff lasts ages regardless of what you actually buy if you are sensible with the initial purchase.

All of the sites are much of a muchness, but:

www.campingworld.co.uk
www.campingandleisure.co.uk/
and now,
www.decathlon.co.uk/

are all good places to start, or continue your camp shopping experience :)
Click to expand...

Yer my fault for not taking the tarp or extension. Still warm as at night though. Although I seem to recall last time you went camping you ended up in a hotel for the final few nights.

Outwell tents do erect very nicely, but you need a whole boot spare to pack a wet polycotton away.

Nothing erects as quickly or easily as the vango airbeams though, small pop ups excluded.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom