Tent for Africa and Europe
 

greetings everyone,

I am planning 3-4 month trip up east coast of africa from about May 2017 onward with an idea of ending up some place in Norther Europe :)

I am in need of tent that would be :
a) lightweight since i am going on the bike (bike's already heavy, R1200GSA)
b) packs neatly - space is of premium on the bike
c) durable
d) likely 3 seasons since i don't expect to encounter heavy snow or heavy sub-zero temps
e) readable cost wise ( MSR Elixir 2/3 sort of price range - around 200GBP - 250SD ... perhaps a little more
f) I am not married to the idea of free-standing tent , but keeping in mind that Africa will get hot i don't know if there are goo alternatives (in terms of ventilation and coolness for anything other than free standing/inner-only tents)
g) needs to accommodate me (190cm , around 97kg, riding gear and panniers/top box etc when needed) do perhaps a big 2 man tent of 3 man tent really?

If i can buy one of the good tents in South Africa it would be great help, otherwise i might be able to ask someone to bring one from UK let's say.

I've looked at Vango range, they seen to have wayyyy to many options (like too many choices at restaurant :)) , although i like their designs and they seem to be durable for long term use. Unless i am wrong.

Thank you in advance for all your help and suggestions

I used a Vaude Terratrio 2P for the same trip and camped over 100 nights in it from +43C in Sudan to around -5C in Norway. Free standing, inner and outer erect together and under 3kg. Price was around £200 when I bought it. I'm sure there are many other suitable options out there but it met my needs.

I'm still traveling with it but have recently bought new poles (£60 posted to Australia) after a couple of "fatigue" breakages towards the end of the trip - otherwise it's wearing well. Only downside of it is it does not have great ventilation but it's not bad and is air bearable even in hot climes. Hope this helps.

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Martin,

thank you very much. lack of air flow in hot/humid climates is what's worrying... as you obviously know :)

I'll check out your tent suggestion asap.

I've been looking at MSR Elixir 2 ... then price goes up for Huba Huba ...
perhaps One of the Vango range - Zephyr 200...
It is hard to make heads or tails of it :)

thank you once again.

p.s.
whilst i'd love to get something in UK, shipping and taxes prohibit this. However if i could find someone traveling south and wanting to bring some gifts from santa to cape town .. it would be grand.

I might end up getting something like Vango Zephyr 200 here ...

Do you have thoughts on inner-first/mesh type of free standing tents as far as their longevity overall? was that the reason for buying the tent you got?

thanks a lot

Hey

I researched this and found that European brand tents tend to work for cooler, wetter weather and for instance have fabric all the way to the ground. American tents are for warmer drier weather and stop slightly short allowing airflow.

I bought an Elixir 2 and found it great in all weather. Two up with bike kit gets a bit cramped so thinking of buying the 'shed' to add on when necessary.

Chris


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Hi,

I have recently replaced my Vango, 25 years old, it finally fell apart. After a lot of research I came up with this

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co...ootprint-p3818

On an extended Spring trip around the Balkans it went from not much above zero in Eastern France to 42 degrees in Greece. It packs down very small , comes with a footprint, is quick to erect, well made and close to your budget. I am 6ft 2 in and I fit easily, width is generous, comes with two entrances and enough room to stash gear under the flysheet.

At the same time a friend who is even more nit picking than me went through the same tent selection process and independently came up with the same one and also rates it very highly.

Could be worth a look ?

Yep.

To some extent the fly going down to the ground or not depends on the pitch you make - make it tend to the ground by making the peg attachment points at the ground, or make them high off the ground to try and make the fly off the ground.

Leaving the door partially open helps with ventilation - an extra peg and line can fasten it in the desired position.

Placing the long side of the tent towards the midday sun will make it hotter too. If you want cooler then long side towards the setting sun is best. Using the bike to cast its shadow onto the tent will help keep it cool too. Trees can be a problem dropping branches onto the tent and killing people, try a shrub - smaller branches.

South Africa has great camping gear. If you are starting there, buy in AS.

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S.A. not AS!

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I've been very happy with the performance of our Vaude Space. It pitches inner and outer together, outer only or inner only. Is freestanding, except for the porches. Good ventilation. Wide side doors in stead of head entrance. And the 3P version is spatious enough for 2 people and luggage. There's also a 2P version. Packs up nice and compact. My only gripe with it is that the pole sections are just too long to fit into my Magadan bags where we keep the rest of the tent and ground sheet.
The Vango Halo 200 is also a pretty nice design for 1 person and luggage.

Definitely worth a look. It does look like Elixir 2 dear i say? cost similar too. Elixir 3 is right there in terms of price, obviously Elixir 3 is a bit heavier.

I haven't seen this available in South Africa. We get few Vango range, couple MSR and then this or that. :)

this tent appears fairly reasonable in terms of weights too.

i wonder how their floor holds up since they are selling protective mat.. and it's 3000mm on ground sheet where Vango is like 6000mm (heavier but less prone to leaking)

thank you for sharing your findings and offering an option, i appreciate it.

Nice feedback, thank you

Seems Vaude Space 3person tent is north of 3.5kg... that's a bit on heavy side :) although i suppose i could carry less scotch :)

also Space is expensive , compared to say 200USD range or so.

unless i am a bit off here. I'll look into deeper though.

thank you

Goffdrop,

i don't know if i;d go as far as to say SA has great camping gear :)

what do you have in mind in terms if retailers or perhaps tent options? Would love to hear your thoughts. Cost in SA for the same tent is +30/40% compared to say UK/US.... crickey :)

Chris.W

How long have you used Elixir 2? Honestly, for the price difference and options , i might as well go with 3, then i can pack much gear and/or second person no trouble ... and it's not too much difference in terms of size/weight really.

i have read some concerning views about Elixir , perhaps it was about earlier editions ... seems like they may not have as long of lifespan as say Vango tents... my only concern with most Vango tents that they cannot pitch inner only ... or fly only ... i think there is like 1-2 options for that. Might need to dig deeper there :)

thank you for your feedback

True, the Space isn't cheap. The Vango equivalents (Halo 200 our 300) are more affordable.
On my motorbike I tend to care more about pack size than weight. I am prepared to carry an extra kg if in return I get compact pack size, quality finishing and materials and ease of use. The Space certainly offered that during 5 months on the road this spring and summer and on shorter trips on the years past.

There are probably Decathlon stores in the UK. They have a wide selection of tents at low price. To me, anything over 40 Euros is too much. I'd pick a small dome tent for 3 persons. In term of weight, 1,5kg is my goal.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-819467-3-man-tents

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-...d_8347890.html

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/83...6be77a43d0.jpg

Actually, they have outlets in South-Africa too ;-)

http://www.decathlon-sports.co.za/