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We have the Bude 4 - I think you'll find that the Kampa materials used in the Fistral are thicker and more hardwearing than the 75D polyester used by Outwell. Kampa's Ultimate range use 100D polyester which is thicker, more tear resistant and significantly more UV resistant (so you'll potentially get much longer wear from the Fistral). According to several retailers the Kampa ultimate tents outlast most other makes in outdoor displays . You'll also find that Kampa include many top end features in this range of tent. Their sleeptite finish to the inner and inside of the flysheet around the inner also make the inner significantly darker and more insulated as we've found already with the Bude.

Take a look at the reviews for their other "ultimate range" tents.

The only criticism you'll find is with their footprint groundsheets for under the SIG of the tent, but I think this is because they may be breathable. We actually used a Vango PE one instead.

Helen

The only problem with the Fistral in your case, is that you can't (or shouldn't! ) cook in it, as it's polyester. You would need to get a tarp or canopy to cook under - which I prefer anyway as I never cook inside a tent.

If you really want to cook inside a tent, then you would need to get a canvas one - and if you're camping in all weathers, this may be a more comfortable option for you anyway.

Quote: Originally posted by splendidisolation on 12/6/2010

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The only problem with the Fistral in your case, is that you can't (or shouldn't! ) cook in it, as it's polyester. You would need to get a tarp or canopy to cook under - which I prefer anyway as I never cook inside a tent.

If you really want to cook inside a tent, then you would need to get a canvas one - and if you're camping in all weathers, this may be a more comfortable option for you anyway.

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This does, however, depend on your risk taking. With a large tent, a well maintained cooker and sensible precautions (including an escape plan, fire blanket, bucket of water and an exit open) you can cook in the tent or under its awning. Anything attached to the tent or within wind-blowing distance of a tent would be equally as bad to cook under. Just make sure that you check for gas leaks if using in a SIG tent as the gas sinks to the lowest point and burn off excess in the gas pipe and turn off any gas cannister when not using it. Make sure that you are well away from the sides, nothing can drop into the cooker (or run into the cooker - i.e. the kids) and that you are not cooking fatty items inside the tent. Its a case of being sensible and if something does happen you all just get out straight away and stay out. Its only a tent and burning polyester is very nasty if it drips on you. Flame retardant is very different from flame proof and tents burn remarkably quick!

Its best to cook outdoors whenever the weather allows....

There is one advantage of the Fistral - it has the insulated inner tent, so among polyester tents it has the edge in colder or warmer weathers.

Helen

Quote: Originally posted by Speedcamp on 12/6/2010

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The only criticism you'll find is with their footprint groundsheets for under the SIG of the tent, but I think this is because they may be breathable. We actually used a Vango PE one instead.

Helen

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Got a Frinton 4 today in exchange for a faulty Easycamp Boston 500.  Put the new Frinton up but one of the guy ropes was frayed through and the webbing on one of the inner tent hang straps was nicked through.  Will have to exchange it because of the defects but wil get another Frinton as I like the quality of the tent. The price difference is £50 but the quality on the Kampa is as good as an Outwell. The stitching on the Boston was like a Halfords tent!

We were talking to the camp shop bloke about the Fistral but he talked us out of it as they have had 4 returned this year with leaking seam problems.  They were all sent back to Kampa but hadn't had the report results back yet.