Just wanted to ask a couple of quick questions. I was originally intending on investing in the vermont L for our longer family holidays as it seemed to have the space that we were looking for. However, after some wider reading around I am starting to possibly sway more towards the kampa filey. I haven't seen one pitched though.
I understand that the quality of the fabric is better in the kampa with 100D fabric. I know this is longer lasting, but is the difference significant in terms of the life of the tent? I also LOVE the idea of the sleep tight sleep pods. Our kids were a nightmare this week and woke up at stupid o clock due to the light beaming in our mocha colour super light nevada m! Can anyone tell me if it makes a significant difference to light and temp in the sleep pods?
Also - does the 2011 filey allow for complete open access in the sleep pods so we can sleep with our 3yr old and 5yr old (double airbed and 2 singles) - I have read that many tent reviews my eyeballs are rolling!! I am sure it is fine, but wanted to check they did not have a raised bit in between the pods when zipped down.
I do also really like the vermont L (and this sounds a bit nutty but I prefer green tents to blue lol!).
Decisions, decisions........!!
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Hi, I got a Kampa Filey fairly recently after seeing recommendations on this site. I must say I love it - there is bags of room, it's pretty easy to pitch (though heavy) and stands up well to the weather. The Sleeptight system really does make a big difference - last week my friends' kids were all up at the crack of dawn in their tents, while my two slept till 8. The bedrooms were nice and snug at night but not too warm during the day as well.
Mine is a 2010 model and wouldn't fit the beds you want, as the 4 pod and the 2 pod are completely separate, but I believe the 2011 model has a 3 + 3 arrangement so might work better. There is a raised bit where the divider zips away in the middle of the 4 pod. If you got a 2010 model I think you would be able to fit in two doubles next to each other if the kids could share.
Hope I've been a bit of help - I know how hard it is to make a decision!
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Thanks for that Cookie, its really helpful. The 2010 models seems to be around 100 cheaper than the 2011 model so I need to get my head around which sleep pod system would work for us. I think probably the 3 + 3 is better in the long run as we can zip off from the boys in a couple of years when they are a bit bigger.
I wish I could see a vermont L and a kampa filey pitched side by side as it would make this decision making lark much easier!!
Just back from a week in the new forest - our first trip in the kampa filey - the quality is great, and the sleeptite fabric is great - not blackout, that's for sure, but significantly darker that 'normal'...our 3 year old slept til gone 7.30!!
We have a 2010 '2+4' sleeping arrangement..there's no way you could get a double and two singles in - we squeezed the three kids in on 2 single airbeds and a toddler ready-bed type of thing..I don't think it would ever fit more than 3 single airbeds (poss 4 sleeping mats if you were very close family...)
Also you can't join the '2' and '4' pods to make a big '6' pod, if you see what I mean..totally seperate compartments - it worked for us as the kids wanted to sleep with each other but not us, but it won't suit everyone, especialy with younger children.
I really recommend the tent - great quality, easy to put up etc etc, but of course all that is useless if you can't get the configuration that suits you!
Goos luck!
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Thanks star girl. So it seems that the filey 2010 model is not going to be suitable for us. However, can anyone tell me how the 2011 3 plus 3 pod arrangement works. I am assuming that we can have our double airbed in one and the kids 2 single ones in the other. Can they be zipped down to make one larger compartment? Is there a raised bit in between the pods. If so, that may not be a huge issue as such as long as we can actually see the kids.
Failing that Vermont L it may well be (and I am gutted as wanted to price match on GO and they have sold out now! Next cheapest is 625).
May have to keep on with our nevada M this summer and keep an eye out for a good deal towards the end of the season perhaps.
The other bonus with the 2011 Filey is big windows at the Canopy end compared to just the meshed windoes on 2009 and 2010 models.
The bedroom arrangement is same for 2009 filey, and the now discontinued Holkham(well renamed Filey classic with a new colour) so check out the reviews for both these on the bedroom splits.
I have a smaller kampa tent from the ultimate range and they are qulaity tents
Hi Pink Panther, just want to clarify some information for you.
The 2011 Filey 6 compartment's are 3:3, rather than 4:2, from the 2010 model.
There is the slightest raised area in between the two compartments, where it zips up to seperate the two compartments, but these can be easily flattened by an airbed, or similiar product.
You also asked about the sleep tite system, but I believe the reviews have already answered that for you.
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We have a 2010 Filey6 with two different inners - both the 3+3 (2009 version) and the 4+2 so we can choose! As we have 3 young boys we are using the 3+3 inner at the moment. It works perfectly for us. We have the area unzipped to have one big space. Our two older boys (6 & 4) are on single airbeds in one side, we have a double in the other side and my toddler (1) is in a camping cot in the middle on top of the raised divider bit which just flattens down easily.
Lovely tent, we are really pleased with it. Only downside which is probably the same as the vermont L is that with 3 young kids to contend with we find it a bit of a struggle to pitch, particularly recently in high winds. For this reason we are looking to get a Bell tent for weekend camping, but will definitely keep the Filey6 for 4+ nights as it is worth the effort once it's up.
Thanks so much for the feedback everyone. Sounding like the 2011 Kampa Filey would be perfect for us. We are after a tent for 4 night plus stays and it is looking increasingly like the filey is ticking more boxes.
e-claire I am with you on the bell tent option. Would love one, simply because I think that they look so cosy!
Now, come on - where is team Vermont L? No comments on it so far lol!!
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Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
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