Message Forums

I know what you mean. The Montana 6 one is too narrow as are most others. Since getting our Columbia 600, I've had a weather eye open for things that would go with it - although we can't see the point of a canopy given that the whole front opens and we can use our tarp when its wet. So far, only the old Vango Wide Canopy and the new Sungari 600 one will fit and as you say - they are just so long.

We basically use the small Vango Adventure Tarp that is generally sold for low level tents. The elasticated side is actually longer (by about 36cm) than the roof pole of the Columbia 600 and when you combine it with a longer set of guyropes and the king poles from the tent it does an effective job at keeping the rain off the front door. Add a windbreak if the weather is coming in at an angle. We put the shorter pole it comes with on the side the weather is coming from and slightly offset the tarp in that direction too. It works very much like the cream coloured canopy that used to be sold for the Montana. It extends out about 1m from the base of the tent.

Have you gathered yet that the small section to the right of the front door (looking from outside) can be rolled up when the door is open - so you can have the whole right hand side of the front of the tent open - enough to sit at the entrance to the tent and be protected by the tarp/windbreak.

We actually use the tarp with all our tents - it is so flexible, only 1.3kg, £20 and is waterproof and flame retardant - we can't really see the point of using anything else. Just put it up when the weather is wet and you need it. If the weather is that bad, just pull up the drawbridge and enjoy the tent. If its nice, just enjoy sitting in the sunshine in the mouth of the tent. Saves the effort of having to pitch and then take down a canopy when wind is forecast. A canopy seriously removes the wind-shedding characteristics of the tent, so when wind is forecast its best taken down.

Helen

I'd mis-calculated then - the tarp extends out 1.2m (if the overlap with the tent is only 80cm) ...

Helen