Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
First impressions of a low cost tent for bike travellers First impressions of a low cost tent for bike travellers
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Jul 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,033
I use expensive tents (Black Diamond, Hilleberg). The question is not, "Will it last 20x longer than a cheap one?" The question is, "What are the likely consequences should my tent fail....in high winds with rain, possibly snow, in a strange country where I don't speak the language and where help is a long, long way off?"

I once had a tent collapse under snowloading with me inside. This can be: a. exceedingly uncomfortable or b. fatal (due to suffocation). After that, I started paying closer attention.

Not everyone needs an expensive tent, and not all expensive tents are in any respect worth what they cost. But when you need quality, only quality will serve.

Mileage varies.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jul 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
I use expensive tents (Black Diamond, Hilleberg). The question is not, "Will it last 20x longer than a cheap one?" The question is, "What are the likely consequences should my tent fail....in high winds with rain, possibly snow, in a strange country where I don't speak the language and where help is a long, long way off?"

I once had a tent collapse under snowloading with me inside. This can be: a. exceedingly uncomfortable or b. fatal (due to suffocation). After that, I started paying closer attention.

Not everyone needs an expensive tent, and not all expensive tents are in any respect worth what they cost. But when you need quality, only quality will serve.

Mileage varies.

Mark
Agreed.. You wouldnt go crossing Mongolia with a cheap supermarket tent but 9/10 people will never need the strength and design that their super expensive tents can provide...


I had an "all bells & whistles" £250 tent and it was no better made than some a FRACTION of the price. They just put a fancy name on it and some colourful guide ropes and charge you £££££££££££££s more.

I'm not saying that your expensive tents arn't worth their cost, but for most travellers, money is best saved for gas
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Jul 2009
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
I've bought all sorts of things from Decathlon and never had a poblem with any of them whether it's the boots I bought 13 years ago and wear for at least half a year every year, the sundry fleeces, shorts, shirts, trousers, the 2 Seconds pop up tent I bought for festivals/car camping/kipping in people's gardens after bbqs, or the Ultralight Pro I got for bike (and bicycle) camping 6 years ago.

There just seems to be something about Decathlon's own brand products, they're inexpensive, no nonsense things and the only reason I can see for them being cheaper is their lack of "brand" and their buying power. Certainly Decathlon is first port of call for everyone I know in France when they want reasonable sports/camping/cycling/outdoor gear. The service has always been good, the staff generally seem to be young people keen on their chosen department who use the products themselves, and they'll even put up with you testing every sleeping bag and popping-up every pop up tent on their shop floor without complaint.

Well worth it IMHO.
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Jul 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: West Mids, UK.
Posts: 27
After looking around for a cheapish tent recently I opted for the T2 Ultralight from Decathlon also.

I've only used it for 1 wet weekend in the lake district so far, but I liked it, it held up to the wind and rain and was easy to erect.

I've added a groundsheet for extra protection and so I can erect the flysheet first if its raining.


Nick.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jul 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Almeria, Andalucia
Posts: 185
Another advantage of the T2 Ultralight is that, the morning after you get stupidly drunk and break one of the poles of the tent when trying to get inside..



.. you're probably only a short ride from the nearest Decathlon, where you'll find a ridiculously cheap spare part. Absolutely my favourite shop in the world, but boy did my head hurt that day.

--Mike
__________________
www.BesideTheSeaside.eu
---I'm back. Now what?---
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: france
Posts: 109
I agree, decathlon is worthy gear, often, ive looked at brand name models and dec models next to them in the shop, and gone for the dec model. Often 3 times less expensive and still lasting long. I'm interested in the T2 ultralight, for biking its perfect me's calling.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
My 15 euro supermarket dome tent has served me well for the last five years. It has survived torrential thunderstorms in the Pyrenees and ice in Northern France and Germany. It paid for itself after the first nights use, as most B&b's are double or more its price.
From choice I only camp in good weaher and my priorities are:=
It has to be insect proof but well ventilated.
It has to be able to be erected and used without pegs.
It has to be waterproof.

I would like some kind of awning for cooking, and the overlap shown on the decathlon tent would stop any wetness entering when you open the door. Which is probably my tents only failing.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 4
Vango Alpha 200?
Long time lurker, first time poster.....

Thought I'd add that I use an Vango Alph 200, which has been superb. It has stood up to gales on the Atlantic coast in Cornwall, and served well throught Morocco last October.

It was £29.99 from the internet, weighs about 3kg, packs up nice and small, and is quick to pitch.

Fair enough, at 6ft tall, my head touches both ends, but that's not the fault of the tent.

I'd like to replace it, but my criteria were that it should be 2 man size, light weight, and stand up on it's own for pitching in the desert. I was prepared to pay as much as necessary for those attributes, but the Alpha was the only one which fitted the bill. It is sheer coincidence that it was only £29.99.

In short, Vango Alpha 200 is great.

B
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how much should a 250cc bike cost in bolivia tomsontravels Which Bike? 4 12 Oct 2008 00:51
Which Bike? (Moved from Travellers Seeking Travellers) bigus4 Which Bike? 4 2 Jun 2007 10:01
Transalp questions & impressions Howiezowie Honda Tech 2 9 Jan 2007 23:06
cost to get bike out from airport in Argentina morana South America 2 21 May 2005 20:18
Guide aside, rough cost daily cost for LIbya Geoff van de Merwe North Africa 2 13 Mar 2003 16:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:01.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top