We wouldn't go for one of the largest Kampa tents unless they add pvc to the front windows (and preferably a sloping front). If the weather is so fowl you want to retract the canopy, the windows would be a blessing... Love our smaller Kampa Bude 4 though...!
helen
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Quote: Originally posted by pitchperfect on 15/8/2010It does seem like they may have room to improve on the polycotton tents' groundsheets though. Not quite sure about the logic behind that one.
I think its because its lighter, the polycotton groundsheets are very heavy
Do you think that's it? It seems like the wrong choice to me ... I would have thought a heavier PVC groundsheet isn't that much heavier in terms of total pack weight, but its expected useful lifespan is much more in line with the canvas.
I went to Camperlands three weeks ago for some tent pegs and ended up buying a Kampa Minnis 4. I'd never thought about getting a new tent, and the pros and cons of various makes an models don't interest me - a tent is a tent - but there was something about that one which attracted me, and the more I thought about it the more I realised it would really suit my particular camping lifestyle. I haven't had chance to use it yet so I've got that pleasure to come.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Sloping fronts on tents(especially sigs) are never a good idea in my opinion. They just drop water into the front of your tent whenyou open the door,wether its in the rain or early morning dew. To combat this you have to add a sun canopy?? at extra cost!!!!
Also you can never walk up to the front of your tent and lose a lot of space. Looks good on a website but no good in real life.
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Quote: Originally posted by nkosia on 16/8/2010
Sloping fronts on tents(especially sigs) are never a good idea in my opinion. They just drop water into the front of your tent whenyou open the door,wether its in the rain or early morning dew. To combat this you have to add a sun canopy?? at extra cost!!!! Also you can never walk up to the front of your tent and lose a lot of space. Looks good on a website but no good in real life.
People's opinions differ - thank goodness or camp sites would become very boring.
IOHO - For the same number of poles you get more space with a sloped front and where you don't walk is excellent storage and play space for the children (away from your feet!). The sloped front also provides far better wind shedding properties for the tent reducing the pressure on the poles (hence why the back of tents are sloped). If you have a second more shielded entrance, the slope in wet weather isn't such an issue and its quite nice sitting in the tent looking up at the stars of an evening whilst shielded by the tent sides from the wind. As most people cook outside a tent, it would appear that accessories such as tarps and canopies are part of the kit these days anyway.
Having seen some wicked dances done by upright front tents and those with attached canopies over the years - we personally wouldn't touch them with a barge pole (couldn't afford the weight, size and/or purse crunching price of those strong enough to cope with the wind pressures). At least most of the Kampa canopies are retractable in windy conditions and they have produced the vestibule - but it just makes the tents so big!!! At least a £20 tarp is only a couple of minutes to put up and take down.
After many, many weeks of tent-searching we've recently bought a Kampa Carbis from kool Kamping in Blackpool (decent out-door tent display). Tha main reason for this one was the removeable door at the front, to give you a sun canopy or bigger space inside. We love our tent for the light (four huge windows inside and 2 on the canopy), bed-rooms are big enough to get dressed in, and we can sit and eat inside if we need to. It was the top of our budget but will last for years (hopefully)!