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We are on our fourth tent in as many years,icant help it, hubby goes madSo i bought one a few months ago,thinking this is the one cost me an arm and a leg.So why oh why do i have to go to as many tent displays as i can.so my advice is take your time,dont rush in,because it does become addictive,soon we will have to buy a bigger house to store all the tents

It is true that in an ideal world you would have different tents for different occassions. But for most people they would manage with just one.  Perhaps if they were a family and sometimes just a few went a way there might be a second smaller tent for the weekenders.

We currently have 2 tents ( well 2 tents that we actually use ).  One which we use for our main family camping trips where we all go.  This suits us throughout the year in all different weathers and we feel no need to have more than one to accomplish that task.  We also have a smaller cheaper one for when just the OH and I go away for short trips.

I don't think you will find that any tent will be perfect in everyway you imagined ( even our favourite, there would be a couple of small things we would change if we could ), but with the ranges around at present you should be able to find one that meets 99% of your requirements. Speaking from experience, I know how easy it is to buy a tent and then see something better and then something better and then end up with loads of tents that you try and justify using.

A good tent makes a lot of difference to the comfort of your stay.  I personaly would go and look at a few displays and spend a lot of time shortlisting the tents you like and find out about weight and pack sizes etc.  Once you have your shortlist, there are plenty of people on here that could give you advice as to whether there have been any major problems with you choices. 

Eventually you will find the tent that meets your needs and should suit you for all your camping trips if your party size doesn't change.  You can then buy it with the confidence that you have done your homework knowing full well that you are always going to see one later on that looks better ( but that's life ). I wasted money on loads of tents before I got the one that now seems ideal for us and that was basically because I always saw one I liked and bought it and then a little way down the line decided it wasn't for me.  Whenever I have sold my tents they have always been less than a year old ( sometimes just a few months old ).  If I had done my homework properly in the first place I would probably be a bit richer now and not have my garage cluttered up with stuff I will probably never use again.

Initially, just concentrate on buying one tent. 

So a i guess the ulitmate tent is one that;

can have SIG and also not depending on the mood i am in.

is light and airy in the summer

is warm and cosy in the winter

Can withstand gales and rain, but also has an SPF 30.

Is massive but lightweight and folds up small.

can but put up and taken down in 30 secs.

Self drying.

Any suggestions anyone....

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Packs away all the kit

and unpacks it again at home and puts it all away!!

Oh yes and ensures the best weather!