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Hope this answer isn't too long!

Just looked at all of these tents in detail over the past few weeks and after a lot of deliberating we purchased the Arkansas 5. We put it up for a test run on Sunday and it is fantastic, 35 mins to erect for the first time. It was very simple because of the curved metal poles. Why did we go for the Arkansas over the Montana, or Ohio?

We've had a four man dome tent for the past two years and one thing that we didn't like about it was the fact that so much of the living area was wasted space because of the sloping sides, also the lack of any kind of porch/canopy.

Originally the Montana was winning our vote, however there were a few things that we weren't 100% happy with. 1. The sides and front of the Montana slope inwards again meaning that tables/storage has to be away from the walls a bit eating into the living space. 2. The tent is typically £399 and there is no front canopy, you have to buy this which takes the price up another £70-£120 depending on whether you buy a canopy or extension. 3. The Montana is quite dark inside.

We then flirted with a Bear Lake 6, we prefered the straighter sides and included canopy but didn't want the extra weight, even darker interior, and the hefty price tag. Around the same time we saw the Ohio XL, £379 at GoOutdoors. We initially liked the look, but didn't like the interior layout, or the lack of windows.

Then we saw the Arkansas 5, it was the right size {very similar to the Bear Lake 6/ Wolf Lake 5), had the canopy included, is well vented with three mesh doors, a good size living space with a straight up front wall and near vertical side walls. It basically ticked all the boxes. There is the extra bonus of hanging rails in the porch and good sized windows all round. We got the carpet as well, which should be good on these early summer/spring trips. Maybe one draw back the steel pole bag is very heavy!

We go away this weekend for the first time, so I'll be able to give a proper 'lived' in review then.

The only place we could find one on display was at Winfields in Feckenham, Worcs, they have other branches elsewhere so there might be one near you. Good luck with your hunt.

Hi, Winfields display is OK but no polycotton tents. They have a load of Vangos, some Outwells; Montana, Idaho, Arkansas and Maryland(?). Plus a load of other tents which I didn't think compared to the Outwells.

The Arkansas when up is bigger than the Montana. Flimsy wise we've only had it up in the garden but it seemed pretty stable.

Good luck

I notice a couple of you have remarked that the Montana is too dark inside, can I ask if the curtains were closed when you viewed the tent? I ask this because I'm surprised really as having just sold our Montana 6 the main thing that I really enjoyed about it was how many windows it had and how light it made it inside!

Though I suppose that since we upgraded to the Montana from a Black Vango Oregon 600 it would have seemed very light inside! lol

Hi,

We have just bought the Outwell Arkansas 5 and its EXCELLENT!!! The canopy comes with it which is an added bonus as most of the others you need to buy separately.  We also like the Outwell Montana 6 but although it has the space, there is no canopy.  The Arkansas has a built in canopy which is brill for outdoor cooking and extra shelter in the rain.  There is also a hanging rail each side of the canopy for handing wet gear etc.  It is a very sturdy tent and an excellent size.  Although the Montana has a side door with small overhead shelter I still don't think you can beat the Arkansas.  It is easy to erect only 45mins (first attempt!) with two of us.  I think it is value for money as the Montana you need to buy the canopy seperately .  The floor space is similar in both but the Arkansas has the added canopy bonus!   

Quote: Originally posted by Kyms on 01/5/2009

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The only thing that put us off the Arkansas is the fact the windows don't open.

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