if he was my son i would be making sure its hydrostatic head (HH) was more than 3000mm that is the level of waterproofing for the uk you would need as a minimum, so yes your hubby was right to suggest something better than a halfords one. please dont even think of a supermarket one as you may aswell give your son an umbrella to sleep under, they are more waterproof than one of them tents!
an afternoon in go outdoors, or decathlon or any of the online shops should give you a good start, make sre its going to be long enough for him plus a pillow and then about 6 inches growing room.
Pop up tents are usually single skin and suffer terribly from condensation. He will get soaked.
Go to decathlon or Go outdoors and look at their one or two person tents. Go do the OEX range which is well regarded in the budget range but have increased in price due to popularity. Decathlon are reliable.
If you can find one cheap get something like a Coleman cobra or any Vango 2 person. They are often available at reduced prices.
I'd also consider the weight. Get the lightest you can as, at 15, he may get the bug to start going out himself, carrying it. Sub 2kg is a good start.
Some to look at:
Vango nyx 50 to 80 quid.
Vango Banshee - about 150 quid but might get cheaper in the sales. Very well regarded tent and will last for years.
OEX raccoon is heavy at almost 3 kg but a good starter tent for about 100 quid.
Decathlon do the Coleman Darwin 2 for 63 pounds and their MH100 for 65. Both decent. They also have the Vango soul going cheap at £80 and the Robens arch for 110. It would seem that Decathlon are doing the best deals at the moment.
Check out the reviews on here for all these tents. Don't buy from Halfords or a supermarket. Avoid anything from sports direct. What used to be great brands for tents such as Fleet, Regatta and Karrimor are not worth the money anymore. Buy too cheap and your son will have a miserable and damp night.
It is possible to buy a good starter tent for under 100 pounds but a pop up is not the path I would take.
Post last edited on 17/09/2024 10:13:33
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag
Good advice given so far, but also to be considered, not all sites will accept pup tents on a pitch, or will charge extra for them, they may expect you to book two pitches, so don't assume they are universally acceptable.
The old 'ignore manufacturers berths claims' rule should not be ignored! Tents are NEVER big enough for the claimed berths, discount 1 berth from every sleeping space! If it says 2 berth, it'll just be OK for 1 and a small amount of baggage.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
The smaller tents usually have a vestibule for luggage so a 1 person tent is a true 1 person but a 2 person may only be a 1.5 or a very loving couple. For two people without luggage you need a width of about 105cm for the smallest mats.
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag