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Quote: Originally posted by DougH on 22/6/2013

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Hi Basichendo,

What size Cabanon are you looking at – the 440 is a much different beast to pitch than the 370? Also the additional canopy on the Awaya is full length with windows and can’t see why it would be inferior to the Biscaya’s canopy.

Don’t be put off the De Waard range of tents based on the perceived pitching times from the number of guy ropes. Having previously owned a Karsten, Awaya and De Waard (I know I have a tent problem) they are all big heavy canvas tents, that all need a fair amount of space to transport; the same care to look after them, and all three have a technique to be learned to pitch them. What does differentiate them for me are their layouts...

For info - the UK distributers for Karsten tents are not far from you and have a number of displays in your area; Cabanon can be seen at the Forest camping centre and (at least last year) Attwoolls in Gloucestershire, and like Tricky Tree mentioned you won’t be too far down the road from the best of the bunch in July

Francais - lovely pics of your cotton Biscaya. What a shame Cabanon stopped producing this model and the all-season-polyester.

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Quote: Originally posted by racey1979 on 23/6/2013

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We have the Stratos trailer tent which has both. The cabin is Cotton and the awning is All Season Polyester. The Cotton is definitely the nicer material, though the ASP awning seems very tough and much lighter. It would be a real handful if the awning was cotton. I would say ASP feels less like Cotton than say the Outwell Polycotton range of tents but definitely tougher.

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Quote: Originally posted by grumpysimon on 04/7/2013

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Just seen this post so late off the mark. We have a Biscaya 440 all season polyester. We also have a Barbados which is cotton so can easily compare.

The all season is much tougher than normal poly tents and feels like canvas. It is quite course to feel and certainly thicker than polyester. It is lighter but don't be fooled, this is not a lightweight tent! We have used in 40 deg heat in southern france and it's great. Not cool like cotton but not a sweatbox like poly. Echo other comments, it is extremely good in wet british weather. We camped in the most horrendous conditions last year and the Biscaya was fab.
So, for an all rounder it is hard to beat which is why we bought that and not the awaya. Also like the vertical wall on the Biscaya 440.
We then indulged and bought the Barbados in order to have a cotton tent!
Pitching time for the Biscaya 440- I can do it solo in 20 - 30 mins depending on weather conditions. With a helper it's a 15 minute pitch.
It is very easy. Be warned it takes up a lot of space when packed. it's 3 large bags; 1 for tent, 1 for ZIG and another for poles. We too purchased a trailer when we bought this tent.
GS.

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