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Subject Topic: Buying a Bell tent..Soulpad or Bell tent? Post Reply Post New Topic
Bobach
26/1/2011 at 8:11pm
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Hello, Im going to treat myself to a 5m canvas bell tent with a sewn in groundsheet, can anybody tell me which are the best? Im looking at the Soulpads, mainly because they are a tad cheaper.. Are the tents from the Bell Tent website better than the Soulpads??
Would be very grateful for any advice really.. Thank Yoou x


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Margo + Jerry
26/1/2011 at 11:03pm
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I was in the same position as you last November. I was after a 5m ultimate with zig from belltent but they don't have them in stock until May. I couldn't wait that long as I'm far too impatient so after lots of umming and arrghing for a few days and listening to the great advise on here I went for exactly the same tent from Soulpad (5000-hybrid).

Can't fault the service I had from Soulpad as they delivered within 48 hours. Haven't been able to pitch it yet though cos of stupid weather but it looks and feel lurverly!!

I don't think there's much between the two brands but then I'm not an expert. Enjoy whichever brand you choose. I can't wait to get out there in mine!

-------------
Sarah


PersonLibrasam
26/1/2011 at 11:35pm
 Location: Yorkshire coast
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Limousine 5m Bell Tent View Librasam's Profile View Profile   Reply to Librasam Reply   Quote Librasam Quote  
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Hi Bobach

And firstly let me welcome you to ukcampsite, a throughly knowledgeable and helpful site for all your camping needs!

I'm sure you will find that which ever bell tent people have bought, either from Belltent.co.uk or Soulpad or Canvas and Cast you will find they love their bell tents. Don't think there's much in it between the quality of the tents from Belltent and Soulpad, although the Canvas and Cast ones are more heavy duty.

Got mine from Soulpad after a friend had got one from there and was impressed, and yes, fast delivery and lovely helpful customer service.

Best wishes Sam


PersonMark Royal
27/1/2011 at 1:14pm
 Location: Germany
 Outfit: Alot of Cotton Tents! View Mark Royal's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mark Royal Reply   Quote Mark Royal Quote  
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Hi Bobach

Most bell tents are, to be honest, much of a muchness but there are a couple of questions to ask yourself:

1. When do you intend to camp? If it's just the normal season then 285g will do you fine and a SIG or separate is just personal preference. If you want to camp out of season then as heavy a cotton weight as you can afford is the general rule and think seriously about either using cheap tarps or an extra groundsheet underneath the tent on wet ground - you lose more heat through the floor than the air.

2. How often do you intend to camp and for how long? If you camp alot and for extended periods i.e. a couple of weeks at a time, then you want to look again at the heavier weight of cotton 320g,400g or 450g 50/50 cotton-poly mixs as the lighter tents do have problems with extended use or constant putting up and down.

Bear in mind that a heavier weight of cotton equals a heavier bulkier tent which can be a factor if you're not that big or strong!

There are a slew of other things to think about; cotton country of origin, how it was manufactured, when and how the cotton was treated against rot, mildew and for water resistance, whether the supplier recommends pre-watering or regular retreatment (generally a sign that the cotton was treated with the chemicals after it was manufactured and this type wears off under rain and UV) and probably most important of all, how nice and helpful they are to you if you contact them! Very important if you have a problem so check out the returns policy each company has too.

Mark


-------------
The Cotton Tent Company - Europe's largest selection of modern cotton tents and home of the world's most versatile tent.


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Personharryhallsdad
27/1/2011 at 10:04pm
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hi, we are also mulling about in the 'shall we buy a bell tent ' stage of life. I'm pretty sure we will but am also not sure from whom or what size to go for. There are five of us so i naturally assumed the 5 metre, although with guy ropes thats a seven metre pitch required?ummmm

-------------
dave


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Bobach
27/1/2011 at 10:33pm
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Thank you for your replies lovely people..    Wow Mark Royal , thank you for your great advice.. Hmmmm now thinking about getting a heavier weight, I was hoping to use it for extended periods, and possibly over easter , darn, that means Im going to have to save some more £££ ..500 was my budget.   hi harryhallsdad we are 4 plus a dog, we arent very good at travelling lightly , especially with two daughters haha, I think we will have to stick to the back to basics campsites due to the 7 meter pitch , which I much prefer anyway


PersonMishw
02/3/2011 at 7:34pm
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 Outfit: Bell Tent View Mishw's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mishw Reply   Quote Mishw Quote  
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I think that it has to be 5m really, my preference is for the ZIG as you have the choice of being all sewn in (OK well zipped) but being able to roll the sides up on a warm day (it will be warm again won;t it?!) Also with the ZIG the groundsheet is thicker.

My brother in law got his from Soulpad and seems very happy, I went to Obelink in Holland, and have only managed to put it up in the garden so far but loved it and can;t wait to go camping!

I think Belltent charge more for delivery and Soulpad have orange ropes but thats the only difference as far as I can see!


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PersonZenobia
03/3/2011 at 1:10am
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Hi Bobach

I don't want to make things even more complicated, but Canvas & Cast are now doing a 6m bell - may be worth considering seeing as there are 4 of you! Here's the spec for all the sizes....even my favourite 'The little Big Top' which I may be tempted by............





Tracey



PersonMishw
04/3/2011 at 9:46am
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Am I the only one that hates those round windows?!


PersonSharlene
04/3/2011 at 10:36am
 Location: Buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Karsten 350 Esvo Stolp View Sharlene's Profile View Profile   Reply to Sharlene Reply   Quote Sharlene Quote  
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Is what I am getting next year, something I could easily pitch on my own if I went with just one of the kiddies! OH doesn't know yet, but hey ho!!

Lovely looking tents and oh what a joy being able to make it look all pretty


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Personnachos
27/6/2013 at 4:21am
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I'm after a 5m bell tent too; I really want an inner that I can split in two but only Bell Tent seem to make these.

I asked campingunderthestars.co.uk and they seemed to think the fittings (aka loops!) are universal on all bell tents so the inner should fit on any Bell tent.

Does anyone know whether this is the case?


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Personautopilot
27/6/2013 at 8:25am
 Location: Earth
 Outfit: Karma Bell Tent (5M ZIG) + Robens Tarp View autopilot's Profile View Profile   Reply to autopilot Reply   Quote autopilot Quote  
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Generally speaking, accessories are universal, including inners. I really would not worry about is. We got ours from Karma, but have bought stuff from Belltent.co.uk and other places.

I strongly advise getting the belltent, putting I up and then deciding if you want an inner. We chose not to, as they dominate the tent and reduce living space. The luxury open plan living is one of the bell tents core feature IMO. When our children are old enough that they (and we) need more privacy, they will have there own tent (3m bell or canvas ridge).


Personnachos
27/6/2013 at 10:44am
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Thanks autopilot, that's very helpful. It's really for the kiddiwinks (3 months and 3 yrs) to feel cosy so we'll get the tent first and maybe consider the quarter inner for them. Love the idea of them having their own 3m when they're older!


Personautopilot
27/6/2013 at 1:46pm
 Location: Earth
 Outfit: Karma Bell Tent (5M ZIG) + Robens Tarp View autopilot's Profile View Profile   Reply to autopilot Reply   Quote autopilot Quote  
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Ours are 3 months and 5 years, so I understand where you are coming from and we had to make the same decision ourselves. But we are blessed with kids that settle well and sleep heavily right through till past 7am. In fact if they wake up next to us in the tent they tend to stay in bed longer, perhaps with the older one on my iphone and the little one being breast fed without mum having to get up. I guess if you have kids that don't settle so well it might be worth it though and you can also get 1/4 size inners too.



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