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We've recently switched from the montana 6 to a Montana Lake. We loved our old tent- was perfect for us as a family but had an unexpected windfall so decided to buy a new tent wilst we could.

Camped for the first time over the half term and we are extremely pleased with it. It withstood torrential rain and very windy conditions. We weren't camping in the worst of the weather though as we came home on Weds.

The Lake was far steadier than the Montana 6. No noisy flapping about. It was also warmer inside and less draughty. No leaks at all. The porch area was good too- bigger than th old tent so easier to use when it was raining.

I know it's quite a lot of money to spend but £600 ish is a good deal compared to what its's been. We payed £730 just before xmas.   Very happy with it though. Wemnt up easily even in the wind and rain and packed away well.

I have just bought a Nevada M.  From what I have read.  They are stable upto a certain wind speed.  Maybe you encountered up and above that wind speed.

Tunnel tents are usually perform the best in wind conditions, because of their design to shed wind. From what I have read.

Ordinary dome tents,  may have the tendency of buckling, when the wind hits the sides.

That's why true geodesic tents, are better than the domes. The extra poles gives it more stability. 

Large family tents are not designed to stand severe weather and strong winds.  Many members on here over the years have advised to collapse the tents.  Possibly pin it down with a car wheel.

When I take my tent down in the wind.  I keep some of the pegs insitu, preventing the the tent turnining into a giant kite. 

mcguire,  I absolutely adore my new tent.  I shalt not part with it, no matter what.  I find it very sturdy.   Performed well, reguarding  torrential rain.   

I hope it performs well against North Wales weather  can throw. ( It has had one outing in Wales far)  Like my old Vango did.

heath63

A tent is only as secure in the wind as its guy lines allow it to be. Correct pegging and adjustment of the guy lines is critical and the manufacturers claims are sure to be calculated from a tent that is pitched pefectly from the start.

The Outwell video clearly shows a tent that is pitched on a perfectly flat and solid base, unlike most site pitches.

However, we can only make the best of the pitch we are on so the guy lines need to be as perfect as is possible, ie: they must follow the line of the pole that they are suporting, they must be at about 45 degrees to the tent and they must be correctly adjusted, not over tight yet not too slack as it is a slack guy line that causes the most damage as it allows the tent to shift in the wind and then it is snatched back as the slack is taken up.

The guys on most factory supplied tents are ok for fine weather camping but it is well worth upgrading them and more importantly the lock plates as it is these that hold the line in place. Most factory lock plates slip, especially when the line gets wet, and a simple upgrade to ClamClaet Line Loks will make a massive difference to any tents stability.

 LINK: http://www.cleats.co.uk/home/details.asp?id=2

It is amazing how much a guy line changes when it gets wet with the line becomes slack very quickly. Also when it dries out the same line can become over tight and pull on the flysheet and poles which again can cause them to bend, snap or tear.

In the winds that we have had just recently most tents will struggle to some degree but a bit of pre planning about where and which direction we pitch and some ongoing guy line adjustments will help ensure the safety of our tents.

Positioning, correct guying out, LineLoks and Deltas is a must in strong winds for any tent no matter what shape it is.