Tents

Dennis1234567 · #1 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 12:03 AM

I'm six and a half feet tall, and carry a mountain of camera stuff as well as the normal camping kit in a 120 litre army Bergen. I like to sit up and move around and have all my equipment inside my tent with me. Anyone recommend a decently sized one person winter tent that doesn’t weigh a ton? One that isn't in a bright fluorescent colour.

There are thousands of them around the net but not many backed up by independent reviews that cover winter performance.

honeybee · #2 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 02:10 AM

Bigtop?

paulthomas · #3 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 07:37 AM

Saunders are about as good as it gets in lightweight tents.

Dennis1234567 · #4 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 02:11 PM

A couple of years ago i tried to take the awsome beauty of Dartmoor in winter and had to give up after two days because the tent wasn't up to it, it had a ventilation problem that caused condensation. This winter i'm going for it again with the right tent, but finding the four season one up to the job is a problem. Every tent seems to have a review that was taken in the summer.

carlj · #5 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 02:57 PM

High Peak leisure in Stoke are a small indie, that have tent shows throughout the year. Wonder if it may be worth getting in touch with them over your requirements?
Hi-Peak Leisure - Camp Backpack Climb Ski Hike

DL · #6 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 03:38 PM

The MT one on this site - Needle Sports Mountain Technology is holding up to some fairly serious abuse for the price. The Terra Nova tents also available on the same site are more or less unburstable but a good bit more expensive.

Mr Mag00 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 04:59 PM

VAUDE-The Spirit of Mountain Sports
all the details can be looked at online for this tents, they also have a number of slightly smaller and slightly larger tents.
i have been using this mark2 for a number of years and think it is great, can be put by one person in about 5-10 mins max, it will take an absoilute beating from the weather and as yet has yet to let me down,
the two vestibules can be opened at the top to allow a through tunnel, as i too find condensation a problem, but i think all tents do in cold weather, well i have yet to find one that doesnt.

lewisa · #8 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 08:06 PM

Im currently using the Lightwave T1 Trek (2.1mtr long inner), this might be slightly too small for yourself, although there is a larger T2 model (2.25 mtr long). (and also extended vestibule models)

My T1 Trek is a green, 2-MAN, four season tunnel type weighing 2.3Kg, with lifetime gaurantee.

Ventilation is good so long as there is at least a light breeze. In total still conditions the flysheet inner does get condesation. I dont own a mountain of camera stuff, but I own a mountain of climbing gear and it accomodates that OK.

Setting it up is easy, but setting it up properly taught can be a little trickier, especially on non-peg ground.

It uses silicon coated nylon 6 and is non-seam sealed (can be done afterwards if you are expecting real extremes). The rain runs off it like a heavily polished car. The worst ive experienced in it has been a long(several hours) storm with heavy rainfall on Irelands atlantic coast. It held up well, the only leak being a slow drip in the porch area coming through the door tieback elastic after about an hour of heavy rainfall. Over the course of what seemed like a full day, the drip filled a cup with about 1" of water.

I now think England or Wales will struggle to break it and the thought doesnt even cross my mind whenever im out with the Lightwave in any season including Lakes winter. Its had a few good hammerings in Scotland but Ireland put up the best fight, and it still walked away with 1st prize. They are a bit pricey though.

eeyore · #9 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 10:05 PM

Check out this review by boddie http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/re...uct/310/cat/48

Hes quite a tall lad too so you shouldnt have any bother with this one,

the tent review section could do with some more content so if you guys get a moment perhaps you could pop over and review some of the kit you have recomended here ?

lewisa · #10 (**permalink**) 20-10-2006, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

the tent review section could do with some more content so if you guys get a moment perhaps you could pop over and review some of the kit you have recomended here ?

just added one, is that what your looking for?

eeyore · #11 (**permalink**) 20-10-2006, 04:51 PM

nicely done lewis , ta

menno · #12 (**permalink**) 04-11-2006, 05:02 PM

I've put up a review of our latest tent purchase, a super lightweight Terra Nova Laser. We used this in the last month in the Yorkshire Dales & Galloway Scotland.

Dennis1234567 · #13 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 11:25 PM

Ended up getting a Ferret 1 made by Vaude in the end. On monday when all the kids are at school i'll pop it up and take a few shots and stick a review in.

disidiosus · #14 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 06:16 PM

Did you ever write a review for that tent? I was considering purchsing one for 4 season use in Scotland.

gopher · #15 (**permalink**) 16-02-2007, 01:41 PM

I have a Terra nova ultra quasar which has stood up to a real pounding.

A couple of points I would look for in it's replacement would be:

1. A wider viewing space whae the door is open
2. Space to stand up

Obviously the reason this tent is so strong is because it is small and wind resistant, and the above would probably mess that up.

This is a great tent, you can also get it with snow flaps and extra strength mountain poles (or you used to be able to)?

I still fancy a 'campfire tent' and mostly use my canvas tentipi.

G

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