Tents - any advice please

[miked1e]

Hey, looking for a family tent for the occasional camping trip (2-3 nights).

Only 3 of us at the moment but looking for something sleeping 4-5 people to give space and when the family grows.

Reading a little bit and seeing Outwell and Vango as 2 of the key players in the tent market.

Does anyone have any advice... which brand... which type... what features... approx price etc

Not hardcore campers...

Thanks in advance

[mskitty]

We're not campers at all but the kids were pestering to sleep out in the garden so I got this one second hand off Facebook

argos/product/6017358

It's so easy to put up and take down and packs really really small. It also held up really well in strong winds the other day.

If you've never done it before maybe something like this which won't cost the earth could be a good starting point for you.

[Weddingnyc]

The air tents are popular, easy to put up and down, but can be heavy. We have a vango, and bought an extension for it, then I got a cotton bell tent so I could take the kids away on my own, so easy to put up and down and fab in winds.
You want something over 4000 rain protection
Join the Tent Talk page on FB, loads of info and best places to camp with kids.

[Morty]

We have had a couple of outwell tents, both were great tents. The key things we were looking for were enough head height to be able to stand up in the main area, a doorway which was positioned to not let rain straight in when you opened it in bad weather plus a built in groundsheet. We found the built in groundsheet made it feel more weatherproof and cosy. The only other thing is somewhere in the tent to hang a lantern.

[Hollyhobbit]

Hi , Don’t spend too much on a tent straight away in case you don’t enjoy camping as it tends to divide people like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. Also make sure its big enough, a 4 man tent will sleep 4 lined up like sardines . When our kids came on camping holidays we had an Outwell Montana 6 ( for 2 adults/ 2 kids) it was a fab tent and saw us through loads of camping holidays up to 2 weeks at a time . Now its just the 2 of us we have a Vango Solace 400 air tent. Have a look on ukcampsite forum there are tent reviews , camp site reviews and loads of info.
We should be sitting by our tent in France now sipping a good vin rouge

[miked1e]

Thank you all... forgot to update this.

We purchased a Vango Avington 2 - 5 man tent. Took us a little while to get it set up yesterday (instructions not the best and as I said very much a novice). Had our first night in it and loved it... especially DS (was birthday treat for his 3rd birthday yesterday). Doing again tonight as my birthday tomorrow.

Yes, it’s only in the garden but giving our first little taste of ‘camping’. Also get the camping chairs out tonight for the space shuttle launch... hopefully if still on.

Going to check that U.K. camping site to look for good locations... and hoping to maybe get some proper use out of it before the end of the summer.

Thanks again

[pritch]

got an hi gear zenobia 6 tent for £60 on gumtree a belter
had an hi gear Mojave before
go outdoors have a good range, have a look and se if you can get a decent 2nd hand one, try ebay for camping joblots you could get a full set up for £200
if you like it you can upgrade later.
got kitted out for this summer as odds getting to california in july zero

[holidayforever]

Air tents are the way to go , it’s amazing how quick they go up , see if they have any on YouTube it will give you idea what they are like . We have a Motorhome but have watch lots of tents going up .

[cysmith16]

We had never been camping since I was a kid, but wife and kids were desperate to give it a try. We got this one and love it. The front ‘porch’ bit is great for sitting outside but sheltered, as indoors it’s roasting hot in the sun. It’s not blackout though so if you’re sensitive to light you’ll wake up early(but tbh you’ll be woken up by the birds anyway lol). Needs 2 people to setup but it’s not that difficult. Loads of room inside. We bought an electrical hook-up to use at campsites so you can have electric blankets :-). We’ve only used it at camp sites a few times, but we have it up in the garden loads and the kids love it. We bought a groundsheet to keep the base clean but didn’t buy the internal carpet. Cheap air beds and an electric pump. Camping in style :-) gooutdoors/1590023...-tent-15900234