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Hi new here although have camped a few times.

We've had a cheaper tent from costco that ripped at the may BH bad weather.

So anyway we have two trips for August (both weekends) and we need a new tent, we are 2 adults with a double bed and a 3 year old in a ready bed.I thought about an Outwell, firstly the montana 6, this seems quite big tho....

I have narrowed it down to the minnesota 4 will this be big enough for us?

TIA

It really depends on your needs. I'm in the process of changing out my Neb. XXL due to leaks for the Vermont L.  I have my husband, a 13yo and a 2 yo who never sits still and has to be busy busy busy at all times. So a larger tent was needed for us. We also had to keep in mind the amount of rain the UK gets and wanted some good living space to play and eat and just chill out.

I like the Minnesota 4, you have plenty of room for an air mattress in each and looks like a good living area. I think if you are limited in size, this would be the one to go for. Probably much more lightweight than some others. I also like the cover over the door, good to get under and remove muddy boots. I would just take into account how often you will use it and what you need to put in it.

Best wishes

Hi Polly

My wife and I  have a Minnesota 4 and we love it. We have endured some really bad weather in France this year and it stood up just fine. We are also going back in September for 10 days and cant wait!

That said the M4 is not a big tent so I guess the answer to your question is that it depends on how much equipment and clobber you intend to take with you. Personally I think you would find it ok with a 3 year old but to be honest there would not be much growing room for you in the tent as your child gets older, and so maybe in a couple of years you would be looking to upgrade. 

We have the front canopy which provides usable extra space and are thinking about the universal side canopy that Outwell sell to also give a little extra space. But my mind is already moving in the direction of the Outwell Bear Lake 4, admitedly this is a much more expensive tent but it offers some distinct advantages over the M4.

The M4 has quite steeply raked sides giving it a nice "pyramid" effect in section but cuts down dramatically the amount of usable indoor space. The BL4 covers exactly the same space on the ground but the front of the tent is vertical, and not raked, which I believe would make quite a difference in practical use terms. The BL4 front canopy is also integral and longer than the optional M4 canopy.

Bottom line we paid £229 for the M4 with carpet (plus another £65 for the canopy) whilst the best price I have come up with on the BL4 is £475. To further cloud the issue for you my son and his fiance have just bought a Montana 6. This is a great tent and can be bought at a good price from many places. It is however huge compared to the M4, but my son has bought it in anticipation of the patter of tiny feet !

Final point the size of the packs they come in. The M4 is in one bag weighing approx 25 kg., whereas the BL4 comes in 2 weighing in at 41 kg., and the M6 also in 2 packs weighing  34 kg. The choice is yours !

www.outwell.com

p.s. then again there is also the Minnesota 6 to consider ...

We have the Montana 4 which is the predecessor to the Minnesota 4, same size though and used it last weekend for the first time.

There are four of us uncluding a seven and a three year old and found that the sleeping compartments were just perfect (couldn't imagine the kids sleeping in a separate pod away from ours as in some tents though).

The living area is not huge but when you compare the 4 to the size of the Montana 6, which is a lovely tent too, there's no comparison. The Montana 6 is huge so if you plan on staying inside the tent for any length of time that's the one to go for but for now, for us, the Montana 4 fits the bill perfectly.

Great tent, especially with the optional Canopy. (should come as standard in my opinion)

Thank you for all your replies.

You were all more than helpful.

After lots and lots of thinking (needed it to be right as you guys will know) I did go and buy the minnesota 4 from millets.

I am so looking forward to pitching it tomorrow when hubby is around, If I thought I could do it myself I would:-)

Roll on my 2 camping trips and lets hope for some better weather.