First post. My Wife and I want to get our first tent for us and our two small children. We cannot for the life of us decide between the above tents. I know the Bear Lake's polycotton material is better quality (quieter and cooler in hot weather etc..) but the Montana just seems a little more practical for short breaks away at the weekend (2 nights away).
Will we be happy with the Montana or is the Bear Lake the one to go for, even if the majority of our trips will be at the weekend?
Just for weekends, the monty 6 will be fine, lighter and easier to dry too.
Pro Campers will disagree but polyester is normally fine for weekend outings with the kids.
I have a 5m bell myself which we use for all our camping trips, cotton canvas and polycotton is nice, but not always the most practical of materials for a quick dry out before leaving camp.
If you can come home from a weekend camp with a wet / damp tent and hang it straight in a garage or big shed to dry, fine. Draping your tent over the bannisters / dining room table once a year after a summer holiday camp is one thing, but I wouldn’t want to do it regularly.
good afternoon, i haven't been on here for age!!!! we had loads of tents when our kids were young, all makes and models, including the monty and bear lake, i can honestly say the bear lake was the best tent we ever owned. all the best .GARY
------------- "sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy"
I have had a monty 6 too, great tent, but I really aren't a fan of the rustling that polyester makes in the wind, but the op has asked for advice for weekend camping, I personally don't use polyester as I now have a bell tent as my sole tent, but come packing away, I wish it was polyester, even the morning dew stays on the bell tent for an age, which means dropping it to the floor and wiping with towels just to get off site!
You could always look for a Montana Lake (same material as Bear Lake) if you prefer that layout. Probably rarer than hens teeth now. We had one and it was excellent, but if you can't find one its a no brainer, get the Bear Lake