If you're thinking Canvas/polycotton I'd seriously consider a day out to Holland to have a look at some of their canvas/polycotton tents. They do some fantastic full SIG tunnels that are often much cheaper than the Outwells and their equivalents. Many of these had huge headroom and were really nice tents (if you like that sort of thing - I don't like SIGs so not for us!). I thought they were perfect family tents.
The other option which fails to tick a number of boxes on your list is the good old fashioned frame tent. My 6ft 2 hubby refuses to camp in anything else, they are easy to pitch and the straight sides give good headroom all the way around. I think people get way too caught up in the idea of bugs and a decent frame tent with good mudflaps will keep out all manner of wind and rain. The biggest bonus is that you can pick them up very cheap pre loved, so you can have a couple, one for when it's two of you and one for perhaps longer trips with others.
You are doing entirely the right thing by looking at tents in the flesh though, so many people get caught up in only looking online and then discover they've paid £500 for something that doesn't work for them.
------------- Piglet
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The cotton tents are really good, but be warned - they are heavier and more bulky than their polycotton and polyester alternatives and can take longer to dry, although will last longer if looked after properly. We have actually moved away from cotton for these reasons - we can get more living space for the size of the package - our current set up is bulky enough and comes with additional features that we personally like.
Helen
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Older style frame tents are definitely bigger and heavier than many of the modern equivalents, I'm not sure that there is a significant difference between the premium type polyester ie Montana etc. and the equivalent polycotton models
Montana - Capacity: 6 person
Pack weight: Tent 22.70 kg, Poles 16.70 kg
Pack size: Tent 78 x 35 x 37 cm, Poles 19 x 75 cm
Bear Lake - 6 person
# Pack size: Tent: 40 x 101 cm / Poles: 24 x 100 cm
# Weight: Tent: 25.9 kg / Poles: 28.8 kg
There clearly is a difference between the two and both are much bigger and heavier than something like say a Vango Icarus but if you're looking at a tent with big solid poles rather than flexi poles then IMV the weight difference between the polycotton and the polyester isn't significant to outweight the many advantages of polycotton (and/or canvas).
I'm not convinced that cotton/polycotton takes longer to dry, that's not really been my experience although it was easier to hang our poly day tent up to dry but I suspect that the weight of that polyester is very different to the weight of a full SIG like a Montana.
Quote: Originally posted by MrsMacP on 22/8/2010
Managed to discount the Yukon River 6 as OH felt enclosed with the sloping sides & we've also discounted polyester.
Yeomans had a Bear Lake 6 on display which we love apart from the front canopy so let's it down IMO. Had the canopy been to the floor our search would be over. The compromise maybe two windbreaks as looked at the WL5 but it's just to small.
Very interested in the Kampa Holkham 6 which appears to have everything apart from the zig & I've read a review to say the zig, footprint & carpet are not as good quality as Outwell but need to see one first before deciding.
Has anyone got a Kampa? What are your thoughts?
Had a few enquiries for our Adria 542UK so hoping that sells soon.
Mrs MacP
WL5 too small ? Is the WL7 too big then? ...
I had a good look at the Kampa polycottons and they're really nice. Be aware that the ground sheet is a ligthwieght variety though, not the usual heavy PVC. And if you want to go big they do an 8 berth!
Another option of the same ilk would be the Royal Winnipeg 6. Maybe that's worth considering. I've not seen one up close, but on paper it has many of the things you're asking for.
Have you checked out the Cabanons? Their trailer tents are far too tempting. If you're changing from a caravan to a tent you might like to give these consideration.
All the dutch tents look very interesting - I would have loved a tour around the Obelink show rooms before buying our tent, but it's just such a long way to go, and I wouldn't have felt happy about buying a tent without seeing it first.
Piglet's suggestion of a frame tent may be the perfect solution for you. And there are many people on here who know about buying them second-hand at bargain prices. They might even let you know about a good one going for a song on ebay (if you're lucky ).
Well ended up driving 290 miles from E Yorkshire to Newcastle & back as every supplier on Kampa's site in Yorkshire, Manc or Peak District did not have any on show.
Ended up at Tyne Valley Garden Centre (Camping on Tyne) who had the Filey 6 & the Polzeath 8 on show so we could compare product quality. Was very impressed, the only disappointment was the groundsheet but as they are currently selling the Holkham 6 at £599.99 which is £100.00 cheaper than everywhere else & £140 cheaper than the Outwell BL6 we decided we could live with the GS so did a deal for tent, footprint & windbreak for £659.99.
We decided against buying the carpet as the quality of the Kampa is not as good as Outwell so hoping to find an Outwell carpet that will fit our Holkham.
Very pleased with price & service.
Thanks to everyone for the advice & recommendations.
Mrs MacP
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Well ended up driving 290 miles from E Yorkshire to Newcastle & back as every supplier on Kampa's site in Yorkshire, Manc or Peak District did not have any on show.
Ended up at Tyne Valley Garden Centre (Camping on Tyne) who had the Filey 6 & the Polzeath 8 on show so we could compare product quality. Was very impressed, the only disappointment was the groundsheet but as they are currently selling the Holkham 6 at £599.99 which is £100.00 cheaper than everywhere else & £140 cheaper than the Outwell BL6 we decided we could live with the GS so did a deal for tent, footprint & windbreak for £659.99.
We decided against buying the carpet as the quality of the Kampa is not as good as Outwell so hoping to find an Outwell carpet that will fit our Holkham.
Very pleased with price & service.
Thanks to everyone for the advice & recommendations.