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Needs to be cheap (under £50) and very light for DofE I want a 4 man so that there is room for all the bags with three sleeping. SIG a necccesity but being able to errect the outer before the inner is preferable. For use in exmoor.

Thanks

... or maybe one a bit LIGHTER

Spike, if you're going to be doing DofE backpacking with this tent then you should really think about getting the smallest tent possible. 3 person size maximum for three people, maybe even a generously sized two person one. You're only going to be sleeping in it! 

If you can up your budget then I'd suggest you look at something like a Coleman Phad 3 for just under a £100 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Phad-X3-Family-Tent/dp/B000PEN1VG  . If you're going out into moorland conditions you won't want a tent any heavier or less robust than that I think. MT

Suppose your right MT......... I'm just a bit more fussier at my age on my comforts 

I reckon it's worth looking at this: the Coleman Adrenaline 3 at £59.99. It's a three man tent, not a four man, but there is room to stow some gear in the storage areas. It's a four season tent with lightweight, but strong, aluminium poles, and weighs in at 4.9kg, but it can be split and carried in two bags (supplied).

I had one and it is easy enough to pitch, poles and sleeves are colour-coded, and it is a good space (though irregular). Only sold it because I am getting too creaky so never used it, and we only do family camping nowadays.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

When I did my DofE (also did my Silver expedition on Exmoor) we crammed 3 of us into a 3-man low tunnel affair wit the tiniest of porches.  Over the three nights we took it in turns to sleep in the middle so at least one of us got a good night's sleep with warmth on both sides.

Anyway, what I was going to say is that the rucksacks went under our feet or heads  and then the teeny porch housed boots and trangias overnight.  You really want to be carrying the lightest equipment you can and save weight-space for food!

in that context I like the look of the Vango Tempest 300.

http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1428744-10475506?url=http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Tempest_300_Mountain_Tunnel_Tent.html

Quote: Originally posted by spike1 on 23/2/2008

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Na got to be a 4man otherwise the other two will wake up each morning grumpier than anything. .....

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Perhaps your DofE leader(s) can offer you some advice about balancing the need for a good nights sleep against the need for a manageable pack weight to be carried during the day?

Many backpackers get to the point of even cutting the handle off their toothbrush to save weight - I kid you not! - so it would probably pay to think carefully before adding on a couple of kilos for, basically, an overnight shelter to crash out in when you're exhausted. MT

Hmm. I learnt alot from the Bronze DofE and wash kits will be missed out this time and I alot more consideration will go into the food i take too.

As for a tent I have got a florida B, i carnt find one online but its a 4 man with a very large porch its more like a second room with a ground sheet and a window. The bedroom part has a SIG. Once split up each person will cary about 2kg. Thanks for your advice though.