Hi all,

Some good information - thanks a lot. I've almost decided on a MSR Hubba single man tent. Seems lightweight, solid, well-designed and most of all, is completely free-standing... but not cheap. If anyone has any other solo or two-man free-standing tents suggestions I would love to hear them!

?c?

Vango tents... Look at the Halo 200 for just you or a 300 for two people..

Their tents are very well made, well designed and last well.

There is little need for spending more than £150 on a tent. Unless you're going up Everest or heading up to the North pole in winter.

I can't understand why people spend £500 + on Expeditions tents when they're just pitched on camp sites.

bier

The warm feeling that the bundle on the rack must be better because it cost more. Safety type kit (shelter can be very important) is a marketing mans dream. Kiddy seat at £30 from Netto - hard to sell. Same lump of polystyrene £250 in Mothercare - Shows you are taking things seriously.

Vango 200 has done me proud too.

Andy

have a look at the Coleman Phad X2. Two-man (or 1+luggage), completely freestanding, pitches fly first or all-in-one, has a nice porch area, packs pretty compact and is significantly cheaper than the MSR Hubba.

Just been doing a similar search for a free standing 2 man tent. I needed another one as my previous cheapy has given up the ghost (gone porous, plus poles have broken due to fatigue twice in the recent past). For me I decided the extra features I wanted in my new tent was a free standing facility and flysheet first erecting. I've always managed without these features in the past - but not always gracefully.

The two tents I ended looking at seriously were the Vango Mirage 200 and the Vaude Terratrio 2P because these were the only available at reasonable price at the local outdoor shop (Cotswold Outdoor) - 115 pounds and 175 pounds respectively. I ended up choosing the Vaude despite its extra price as (i) its poles seemed better quality and importantly (for me) were in slightly shorter segments that fit my luggage better and (ii) it was noticeably lighter.

Only usage has been test run in the garden - but that was in the UK storms of the last few days - and it has performed well. Now to take it on a trip to see if it continues to do so.

Hope this helps.

I've got a 2013 Mirage 200... Very nice tent.. However, the porch area is pretty small. No way big enough for any luggage if you want to get in and out too as it only has one door. I'd only consider it if you leave your luggage on your bike. It's low too. Not big enough to sit up in.

However, it's very compact and erects very quickly and easily. It's design makes it very aerodynamic too. I think I want a Halo 200. Two doors so more porch space..

My Mirage has been used for literally 2 sleeps... Yours for £80 (plus postage) if you want it.

Ted

Thanks all, good suggestions. The Coleman looks fantastic for touring.

Martin,

The Vaude Terratrio 2P looks good, although perhaps a bit heavy. Is it free-standing? Did you consider the MSR Hubba by any chance? Only 1.4k, but is a one-man...

The Vango's look like good, sturdy tents but are way too heavy for me, since a; weight is always a consideration when you travel, b; I prefer smaller bikes, hence lightweight gear paramount, c; I'd like to park up the bike and go backpacking.

Anyone else used the MSR? Get's pretty good reviews but would be interested in hearing form anyone who tried it in Patagonia? :)

Have you seen tarptent? There are also similar other shelters. Perfect for lightweight stuff. I agree that bike camping kit should be able to be hiked with. With heaps of affordable lightweight gear around there is no reason it can't be done. Most things last forever if cared for. At least if you begin with lightweight gear you don't constantly have to change over.

Amen to that Tim.

What is the thing with the fourth season?