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We have a Gelert Quebec and havent had any problems. Gelert is a good make not top of the range but still good. If you use the search facitly there is a long thread called somehting like "gelert appreciation" where several people have said how good gelert equipment is.

You can also use the search to look for other threads on the alaska and this should highlight any issues. I cant remember seeing any problems like some of the more expensive outwells have had.

And finally if the tent does leak take it back as its faulty the shop should replace. Test whatever tent you buy before you go on hols. 1) to practice putting it up and 2) to spray with a hose to highlight any leaks.

Good luck

Hello there Twinspired - and a big welcome to UKCS.

Having looked at the Alaska and thinking about your babies, the problem I can see is that the loose groundsheet in the living area means that once mobile they can easliy slip out under the flysheet! You may be better off geting something with a fully sewn in groundsheet (SIG). A tunnel is perfect shape for you though as they are generally the easiest to erect. We have a Vango QUest 6 berth and I can manage it solo (as long is its not blowing a gale!)

I would suggest that you look at the Vango Oregon either the 4 or 6 berth here as they have been updated for 2007 and now have a full SIG, and are in the same price range as the Alaska. Another similar tent is the Khyam Ontario 6 here.

We have a smashing tent it is easy to put up (only 4 main poles) and it gives you loads of room.  I have pictures of the setup in my gallery.  It has two good sized bedrooms that do have sewn in ground sheets.  Although I think the 2007 model has a sewn in ground sheet throughout now.  I bought a tent without a fully sewn in ground sheet because I have a clumsy fella and a big dog and groundsheets are easy to replace.  As there is only the two of us I do not bother to put bedrooms up and just have the bed up in the middle.  We can do this though because I have no fear that a 6ft 2 builder will crawl out of the tent during the night (Although!...) but you could put the bedrooms up for the childrens security. Or if you are sharing for your friends modesty.  The only downside to sharing in this tent is that the bedrooms are side by side and this may mean you being prodded in the night be the folks in the bedrrom nextdoor.

We did loads of research when investing in our tent.

We looked at the alaskas but the decided that for added warmth and to be draft free we wanted a sewn in groundsheet, so then went on to look at the kyham ontarios, we had decide on the ontario 6 as it has the flexibility to be able to remove bedroom pods to give a larger living space, but the for some strange reason we decided on having the ontario 8, puerly beacuse of the extra living area and also the bedroom arrangments.

So i would say give thees 2 a look see what you think.