Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping under canvas - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations

Topic: Bell / Tipi Tent Info

Liztd

04/2/2015 at 10:04am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/5/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 16

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

I am looking for a new tent I can put up on my own with 2 young kids but that dad could join us for too later in the trip and had my eyes opened to the idea of a bell tent or tipi tent from posts on here.

Does anyone have anything they think is really important to have (or not have)?

For example I've had a look at a few online and fancy one that is sturdily waterproof but can also have the walls lifted up to provide ventilation and a sunshade area in the summer (optimistic I know!).

Is it also worth having an inner tent like in a traditional tunnel tent? I've never slept in one and know in our other tent the living space is much colder than the cosy sleeping area and adding an inner tent means getting a much larger tent which I worry I may not be able to put up on my own!

Are they also easy to take down and pack away (our biggest gripe with the airbeam we have).

Any thoughts and words of advice greatly appreciated as I'm thinking of getting one instead of paying for a yurt stay over the holidays. If it's really that easy it won't mean most of a day wasted taking the thing apart and we can use it lots more during the summer :o)

Thanks in advance

Post last edited on 04/02/2015 11:15:30

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

robnchar

05/2/2015 at 1:18am
Location: Notts Derbyshire
Outfit: Soulpad 5000tribe Vango 450

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/5/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2005
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

Hi. Personally in this country i would always go for sewn in ground sheet. having woken up to the feeling of being on a water bed because of the amount of rain that fell in the early hours but knowing all your gear is dry is priceless. A zip in ground sheet is a good option if packing or drying space is an issue. depending on the size you go for they can be very heavy when wet and being able to split it up would help. An inner tent can be very useful for keeping bugs out and keeping a little warmer. Our Solpad tipi doesn't have an inner tent we have never thought we needed one though. We use a woodburning stove in ours so very cozy. in the summer its equally cool with both the shape and top vent helping to draw cool area in an warm air out.
We've had ours 5 year and had no problems apart from the original pole snapping in 60mph + wind at newyear a couple of years ago. We replaced the pole with a huge wooden one but the original pole had done well considering the type of use we have put it through.
Ours Tipi is probably the last big tent we will buy. With the right care i can see it still in use in 20 years.

quilly101

05/2/2015 at 3:00pm
Location: Herts
Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/7/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 335

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

We have a 5m bell. Easy to put up and down, my wife can do it on her own, we also have an inner, only used it once, but haven't been away in any temps less than 10 degrees, so haven't needed it. Inner takes up a lot of space, but if you have any heating I wouldn't think you'd need an inner.

chrisinhove

08/2/2015 at 8:56am
Location: Sussex
Outfit: Macpac Vango Outwell Coleman Robens

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/6/2010

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 22
Tent Reviews: 7

Site Reviews Total:	9

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	11
Site Nights 2019:	0

We have both an Outwell Indian Lake tipi (now discontinued but offered by Robens, with a lighter ZIG) and a Robens Klondike bell tent.

Both are excellent, but the big tipi is a handful to erect. The Klondike is far easier, being lower and lighter, whilst still having loads of space/volume, and much easier for trips of shorter duration.

Being treated polycotton, the outer doesn't wet-out / saturate like conventional cotton canvas allegedly can, and is much lighter. Also, never underestimate the advantages of a zip-in-groundsheet.

The inner is by no means essential, but I would recommend it for cooler weather or if privacy is important.

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

geoffprinter

08/2/2015 at 9:18am
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/6/2012

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2230
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	12

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	12
Site Nights 2019:	0

5 metre Bell here. Karma Canvas with zig and my wife can erect it on her own even with the zig attached, Hopefully getting a front awning this season, which should give us our ideal set up.

foggers

01/6/2015 at 10:01am
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/5/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3891
Tent Reviews: 12

Site Reviews Total:	22

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	4
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

I really like the look of the Robens Klondike. My partner is disabled so we need a tent that I can handle alone, which is warm and snug. Does anyone know what the dimensions of the inner are? Would need to fit a double mat in there.

CharlieD123

01/6/2015 at 3:10pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/6/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 2

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

What's your budget? I guess the main attraction for a tipi tent is that the kids will love it.

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

PaulaMB

01/6/2015 at 3:58pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Albatros-Safir 7-Trisar 3-Octapeak F8

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/8/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 472
Tent Reviews: 3

Site Reviews Total:	19

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

We have recently bought a Tentipi - I presume that pitching the Robens one works on the same principle.

I can put it up alone in 10 minutes but then have to add the groundsheet.

Think about the weight, not sure about anything other than the one we have but we chose the Tentipi for ease of pitch and weight amongst other things, the 4.5m one weighs 7kg.

batgirl007

26/7/2016 at 2:49pm
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/7/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 5

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0

Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm interested in chrisinhove's mention of having both an Indian Lake and a Klondike. We are on the brink of buying a Robens Kiowa, which seems to be very similar to the Indian Lake but with the fiddly roof/chimney bit pre-attached. We have a decent tunnel tent, but it takes close to an hour to pitch/strike single-handed (and one of us needs to be on toddler chasing duty at all times) so we are looking for something quicker to put up, that still gives us plenty of space.
How long does the Indian Lake take to pitch? Is the Klondike large enough for a family of four for a week? Any more hints or tips?
Thanks

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

3142 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2025