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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca




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  #1  
Old 19 Dec 2011
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Best tent
Hi All.
Im looking for suggestions as to what tent might suit me best for my future RTW. The criteria are: 2 man; free standing; four season; 2 porches; sitting height inside; £200-300 price range. I'm UK based so a UK supplier would be best. Even better if I can go and see it at a store somewhere in the south east.
Thanks,

Geoff
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  #2  
Old 19 Dec 2011
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Hi Geoff - I can't recommend the EXPED range enough.

In particular this is a great tent

Exped-Auriga Mesh

This is the 'mesh' version - which isn't the best one - you can also get a normal version from TravelDri

Tents & Tarps: Auriga from Traveldri Plus

I think it ticks all of your boxes and is incredibly well made - it should see you around the world quite easily. If you want to take a look at it Les (from TravelDri) normally has one up outside his stand at the shows - or you can take a little trip down to see him towards Dartmoor.

If you want to have a look nearer to home I'm sure I could get one for you to take a look at and play with - I'm in Buckinghamshire.

m
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  #3  
Old 19 Dec 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattcbf600 View Post
Hi Geoff - I can't recommend the EXPED range enough.

In particular this is a great tent

Exped-Auriga Mesh

This is the 'mesh' version - which isn't the best one - you can also get a normal version from TravelDri

Tents & Tarps: Auriga from Traveldri Plus

I think it ticks all of your boxes and is incredibly well made - it should see you around the world quite easily. If you want to take a look at it Les (from TravelDri) normally has one up outside his stand at the shows - or you can take a little trip down to see him towards Dartmoor.

If you want to have a look nearer to home I'm sure I could get one for you to take a look at and play with - I'm in Buckinghamshire.

m
All useful stuff Matt, thanks. I'll have a look at them and I might even take you up on your offer.
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  #4  
Old 19 Dec 2011
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Is that a four season tent? Doesn't look like it.

Mark
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  #5  
Old 19 Dec 2011
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A four-season tent for motorcycling? Gonna be riding in the snow? LOL

Four-season tents are more expensive, weigh a lot more and can be broilers in warm weather. If you can make do with a three-season tent, take a look at this Big Agnes. This is just about the lightest 2-door, 2-man tent out there. Good luck & enjoy.

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De.../CopperSpurUL2
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Old 19 Dec 2011
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The OP asked for a four season tent recommendation. FWIW, I watched quite a few three-season tents collapse with broken poles and/or shredded fabric in Patagonia: no snow involved, just wind.

Ability to withstand snow-loading is not the only distinguishing feature of a true four-season tent. Strength aside (see: Patagonian winds), the use of net fabric makes a three-season tent far less weatherproof as well as significantly colder to sleep in. This can be viewed as an advantage (in hot weather) or not (in cold weather).

It's usually necessary to decide whether to buy for one or the other, or to strike an unsatisfying balance between the two.

Mark
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  #7  
Old 20 Dec 2011
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It's interesting how often this type of query comes up - the elusive best tent.

It comes down to, basically, "horses for courses" but one feature of an earlier thread of similar nature ( http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ble-tent-59315 ) that I thoroughly endorse is to use a 3 person tent for 2 persons, for instance, and a 2 person tent for 1, all when living in a tent for long periods of time, and especially so when the weather is at all inclement.
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Old 20 Dec 2011
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Walkabout - as ever - hits the nail on the head. In this case I think Geoff is being quite specific and has clearly done the research and knows what he wants.

@markharf - the mesh version is not a 4 season tent - the normal version will be more than adequate, however, it is not a true 4 season tent in that it doesn't have snow skirts etc. The build quality of the Exped is amazing - really tough tents that will do everything you want of it.

m
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  #9  
Old 20 Dec 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattcbf600 View Post
Walkabout - as ever - hits the nail on the head. In this case I think Geoff is being quite specific and has clearly done the research and knows what he wants.

@markharf - the mesh version is not a 4 season tent - the normal version will be more than adequate, however, it is not a true 4 season tent in that it doesn't have snow skirts etc. The build quality of the Exped is amazing - really tough tents that will do everything you want of it.

m
Thanks to Walkabout, Markhaf, Ridefar and Matt for the comments. I will be alone (as far as I know anyway) so a 2 man is ideal. I would go for the normal version anyway even though it's dearer and a bit outside my upper budget limit. But I don't mind that as I'm only going to do it once. Quality is what counts here so I'll willing look at all suggested tents especially if they come with a recommendation based on hard experience.
Geoff
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  #10  
Old 22 Dec 2011
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Brother Man of Kent,

Personally I'd have a good look at VANGO tents in the UK. I have used a variety of these tents over many years and they appear to be great value for money. With the money you have available it will be perfectly possible to get a 3 man tent which will be large enough to camp in relative comfort. Forget the lightweight versions and go for something capable of withstanding adverse wind/weather. You will appreciate the extra room in a 3 man tent compared to a 2 man one.
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  #11  
Old 22 Dec 2011
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Originally Posted by kentfallen View Post
Brother Man of Kent,

Personally I'd have a good look at VANGO tents in the UK. I have used a variety of these tents over many years and they appear to be great value for money. With the money you have available it will be perfectly possible to get a 3 man tent which will be large enough to camp in relative comfort. Forget the lightweight versions and go for something capable of withstanding adverse wind/weather. You will appreciate the extra room in a 3 man tent compared to a 2 man one.
Hi Kentfallen.
That's definitely something to consider and I've been looking at Vangos already. They do seem to have a good range. For the best compromise of weight over room I'll probably stick with a two man, especially as I'll be alone so should have enough room. I'm not in a rush to make a decision just yet so lot's of time to look and think.
Thanks for the advice.
Geoff
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  #12  
Old 23 Dec 2011
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Hello Geoff,
I have used a Kyham Igloo for many years,now i have a Kyham Ranger. A bit large on the packed down size but good tents and very quick to put up.
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Old 23 Dec 2011
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Hello Geoff,
I have used a Kyham Igloo for many years,now i have a Kyham Ranger. A bit large on the packed down size but good tents and very quick to put up.
Thanks for that info keroders. I'll have a look at them.
Geoff
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Old 23 Dec 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kentfallen View Post
Brother Man of Kent,

Personally I'd have a good look at VANGO tents in the UK. I have used a variety of these tents over many years and they appear to be great value for money. With the money you have available it will be perfectly possible to get a 3 man tent which will be large enough to camp in relative comfort. Forget the lightweight versions and go for something capable of withstanding adverse wind/weather. You will appreciate the extra room in a 3 man tent compared to a 2 man one.
Erm, what he said ! You can't go wrong with Vango IMHO. Proven tents and parts are also obtainable. I've had Vango's for the past 28 years and am just about to purchase a Vango Halo 200 and the Adventure Tarp to go with it, for my lightweight off road excursions next year.
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  #15  
Old 23 Dec 2011
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I have tried and tested various tents over the years...

The winnner is the Vango halo 3

3 ali poles all the same length.. vestibules at both ends, free standing (almost you have to pull the vestibules out).
pitch with inner or if taking down in rain, climb inside and detach the inner keeping it dry.

great pack size

worth a look

Cheers
Geordie aka Will
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