touring tent recommendation

"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> writes:

> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?
>

When I looked into this last year I thought that Hilleberg tents
looked pretty good. <http://www.hilleberg.se>. In the end I didn't
buy anything. (Possibly they're a bit more expensive than you specify
above.)

Hello,
Ah well..............Terra Nova Solar, Vaude Hogan, vango Phantom 200, loads
of good quality tents available. In my own experience the best way is to pay
more than you want and reap the benefits. Hilleberg make some very good
tents which are ver light in weight. I use a Hilleberg Akto for solo camping
but its not for two persons. The Terra Nova Solar is suitable for two and
very good quality. Avoid lower end tents as they flatter to deceive.
Good Luck!
Regards,
John.
--

"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
newsan.2005.01.26.08.29.53.420461@delete.to.avoid.spam.nscycle.org.uk...
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Tom

http://www.findmeatent.com/

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/

Using those links should answer your question. The latter one is a forum and
your question is answered there if you look.

Good luck.

In message
<pan.2005.01.26.08.29.53.420461@delete.to.avoid.spam.nscycle.org.uk>,
"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> writes
>Hi there,
>
>I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
>people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
>little space.
>
>All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
>the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
>storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
>anybody?
>
>Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?

I still reckon that the Spacepacker is still one of the best designs
around for cycle touring - I must have had mine for at least 15 years
and it's still going strong. I have looked at more recent designs, but
still reckon I'd buy one again. Though I also like the Hilleberg range.

The Spacepacker is a transverse single hoop design - you sleep
perpendicular to the hoop, with bell ends in the fly at each side.
Plenty of storage in the bells, plenty of pitching/useage flexibility
with the doors at each end. Though because of the design, some people
don't like the way the inner tent material slopes down near the head,
worse of course for taller people. It's an outer first pitching tent so
the inner does tent to hang a little loose anyway. Me and my wife are
both about 1.75m and never found this an issue for us.

My experience of a night on Dartmoor in December is that it will
withstand a good storm as well. OK, the single hoop design does mean
that it bounced about and got 'squashed' a bit, but it stood up very
well to the punishment, though sitting in the tent it felt a bit hairy
at times. With more normal 'strong' winds it's handles with no problem.

For 2 the Spackepacker Plus version is better unless you are really
trying to keep the weight down.

Saunder's service is very good as well, when I broke a pole once it was
fixed by retrain of post. Note the pole didn't fail while erected, it
was really my fault in that I took it down in strong winds in the
Scottish highlands without enough care - the wind took the tent, sort of
blew on end, then 'sqaushed' it such as to snap the pole at a joint. a
bit of a freak accident really.

<http://www.robertsaunders.co.uk/index.html>
--
Chris French, Leeds

I have used a Coleman Cobra2 for two seasons now, in all weathers and never
found it to be wanting in any way. Also very good value for money.

--
Regards, Kenneth.
www.kmiles.co.uk
"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
newsan.2005.01.26.08.29.53.420461@delete.to.avoid.spam.nscycle.org.uk...
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Tom

"Tom @ NSCycle" wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?

You are lucky if you are a CTC member.
The latest issue of Cycle has just dropped through my door and it has an
8-page camping section which covers the leading makes.

I can personally recommend the Saunders Spacepacker, one of the lightest
available and a favourite with many cyclists. It has excellent porch
space for storage and cooking. As the tent can be opened from either
side, it doesn't matter which way the wind is howling, you will always
have a protected cooking area..
Mine has has extensive use for around 15 years in all kinds of weather
and if requiring a new tent I'd probably go for the same again.

Saunder's service is excellent as I've had zips and other repairs
carried out efficiently and quickly.

John B

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:29:37 +0000, citizen142 wrote:

> http://www.findmeatent.com/
>
> http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/

thanks, those look like exactly the resources I was looking for!

> I still reckon that the Spacepacker is still one of the best designs
> around for cycle touring...


Cool, thanks for that recommendation. It wasn't a tent I'd looked at
before. Added to my list of possibles.


Thanks!

In message
<pan.2005.01.26.15.12.00.726907@delete.to.avoid.spam.nscycle.org.uk>,
"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> writes
>
>> I still reckon that the Spacepacker is still one of the best designs
>> around for cycle touring...
>
>
>Cool, thanks for that recommendation. It wasn't a tent I'd looked at
>before. Added to my list of possibles.
>

I think Saunders marketing must have gone to pot somewhere down the
line.

They were stocked pretty widely, and in the big mail order catalogues.
Nowadays you hardly seem to see them about.
--
Chris French, Leeds

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, Tom @ NSCycle wrote:

> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?

One thing to think about is whether the poles will fit comfortably in
panniers. Mine stick out of any set of panniers I've ever tried and other
positions - such as on the rack - have never really seemed ideal to me
either.

Any suggestions?

Kit

"Tom @ NSCycle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
newsan.2005.01.26.08.29.53.420461@delete.to.avoid.spam.nscycle.org.uk...
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Tom

These people speak highly of the Hilleberg, but quality costs. If it lasts a
long time then annual cost can be low.
The tent they use has a good size storage vestibule and poles that pack down
well.
http://www.cycletourer.co.uk/cycletouring/cyclegear.shtml

Paul.

chris French wrote:

> They were stocked pretty widely, and in the big mail order catalogues.
> Nowadays you hardly seem to see them about.

I have to agree about the spacepacker, I've had my spacepacker plus for
15+ years and I can't really fault it. I've never used it for cycle
touring but I've used it for wild camping in Wales and the lakes in all
seasons and it's never let me down, lots of room and light. They do two
vresions the mark one and the mark two, the mark two is cheaper,
slightly heavier and I think has only two doors instead of four. They
also do the Triton now which is a three man version of the spacepacker.

As for the marketing I thoink they deliberately moved out of the mass
market to concentrate on the specialist market. They only a small
company as when I phoned about a minor repair I was told Bob was at the
post office and would call me back, when Bob called it was Robert
Saunders himself.

BTW the poles on a spacepacker plus are about 17 inches long when
folded, not sure how that fits with your panniers.

Apologies for rambling but I really like Saunders tents and always
recommend them to people.

In message <[email protected]>,
Kit Wolf <[email protected]> writes
>
>One thing to think about is whether the poles will fit comfortably in
>panniers. Mine stick out of any set of panniers I've ever tried and other
>positions - such as on the rack - have never really seemed ideal to me
>either.
>
>Any suggestions?

I looked into his when I bought my Spacepacker, ISTR that few if any
tents had poles that folded down short enough - least ways I didn't
find one I wanted to buy (things might be different now of course)

TBH, I don't find it problem, I can just about fit mine at an angle into
my super C panniers, - well enough to get the lid shut over them
anyway., but I've not found problem strapping them to the rear rack
either
--
Chris French, Leeds

Bill Scarab wrote:

> I have to agree about the spacepacker, I've had my spacepacker plus for
> 15+ years and I can't really fault it.

My first one was nicked in a burglary after 7 years, its replacement is
now about 8, and if it went I'd probably replace it with another. IMHO
about the best combination of lightness and space there is, small enough
for solo use while being cosy, but not unsupportably so, for two.

One caveat though, and that's it doesn't really do "tall" very well:
much over 5'10" if you're using it two up and it starts losing its
shine... Some people that sleep on their backs find the way you're head
is up to a sloping wall phases them a bit, though it's never bothered me.

Roos and I used mine for our Tour du Nord last summer, and it did fine.

> BTW the poles on a spacepacker plus are about 17 inches long when
> folded, not sure how that fits with your panniers.

Just extract the poles and lash them to the rack.

> Apologies for rambling but I really like Saunders tents and always
> recommend them to people.

I like 'em too! (I also have a Snowcat): the designs are good and so are
the materials. Hilleberg's materials are slightly better IMHO, and
their standard of workmanship is certainly better from what I've seen,
but while Saunders' stitching may not be the neatest it holds together
well and the tents are cheaper than Hillebergs. And Hilleberg don't do
anything quite as neat as the Spacepacker for two person use, the Nallo
being a little heavier and only a single entrance, while the Spacepacker
has a porch for each camper and two doors /each/ so you can usually
arrange things to get in and out without letting the weather in, no
matter how the wind swings round.
They're pretty tough: I've had one in a gale high on the Ben which
flattened it from time to time, but after the gust passed it just sprang
up again! Not the most fun I've had camping, but for a tent less than 2
Kg with two people in that's better than can reasonably be expected!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Tom @ NSCycle wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to pick up a tent to go touring this summer, it is for 2
> people and so needs to be a 2-3 person tent, ideally for 2 people with a
> little space.
>
> All the usual touring conditions apply. While it isn't fundamental that
> the tent is '4 season', it is important that it can withstand a good
> storm! I've been looking at the Vango Equinox 250, any experiences,
> anybody?
>
> Any recommendations, in the price range 150 - 300 UKP?
>
> Or does anybody know where I can find a recent tent comparison
> specifically aimed at tourers?

The current issue of Cycle (CTC rag) has an article on touring &
camping. They mention, rather than review, a handful of tents.

I have used a Terra Nova Solar Minor. This would probably be a bit small
for your needs but the Solar2 itself would probably be okay. A glance at
an online shop:

http://www.cheaptents.com/
(which despite the dodgy name is a real shop in Warrington)

suggests the Solar and Solar Minor may have been superseded by the Laser
and the Laserlite. The Laser might be worth a look.

http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/Product_Catalogue_Products_28.html#lsr

but they also have the Solar2 on sale as well as a decent selection of
other tents.

Colin

Kenneth Miles wrote:

> I have used a Coleman Cobra2 for two seasons now, in all weathers
> and never found it to be wanting in any way. Also very good value
> for money.

That's promising as I've just ordered a Coleman Viper. This is the
smaller 1 person version. It's not the lightest, but reasonably so at a
shade over 2kg fully packed or a shade under using the lighter bag.
There seemed to be some favourable comment on it from various users and
it's at a bargain price at the moment, so I went for it. I'll let you
know how it goes.

I briefly considered Argos' new £14.99 tent, the Sydney, but this
doesn't look anywhere near as good as their previous amazing bargain,
especially with the Viper at under £40.

--
Dave...

On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 23:04:13 +1100, tomjw
<[email protected]> wrote:

> <snip> and the original
>pegs were too soft - a baby could have bent them with its bare hands !
>In fact I am still trying to find tough, light pegs that don't bend.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=28688055&memberId=12500226
Very difficult to bend, light, but somewhat expensive. I usually only
carry a couple to "pre-drill" holes for regular pegs.
They've also done double duty as chopsticks when I forgot my
cutlery...

Mark van Gorkom.

P.S.: another vote here for Hilleberg tents (have two).