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 Topic: Need advice on which canvas tent to get.
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27/1/2016 at 10:18pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered
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Joined: 24/8/2009 Diamond Member 
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As avid, long-term Cabanon enthusiasts (and used to their quality of canvas, zips and overall finish), we bought a Bell Tent some years ago (identical to those made by Hypercamp, who cannot supply to the UK market because Bell Tent have the franchise), so I hope I can comment on the quality of Obelink/Hypercamp canvas tents:
I could tell the difference in quality; the canvas felt softer and the stitching wasn't as good, but I have to say I still found it a massive step-up from any synthetic tent on offer, in that it wasn't like camping inside a plastic bag and there were no condensation issues etc.
I've also been able to assess De Waard quality (before they moved their manufacturing from the Netherlands) and that, frankly, was second to none. It was amazing, rugged, wonderful. But also heavy and the packs were extremely dense. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used De Waard, if things seemed to add up in terms of use and storage etc. Just don't buy something too ancient or too much used, or stored in an outhouse.
Regarding your other questions: this tent has a SIG, so no zipping away the groundsheet if you pack up in wet and / or muddy conditions and no splitting the tent up to make carrying easier. That said, we've been camping for thirty odd years and have never had to carry our family tent more than a few yards from the car, so 32.7kg is definitely doable if there are two of you to lift and carry. Just bear in mind that it'll be significantly heavier if you have to pack up a wet canvas. It still wouldn't worry me if there are two pairs of hands. Solo camping might be more of a challenge, but it depends on how fit you are.
Pyramids are one of the easiest tents to pitch and strike, with pegging out taking most of the time. You can reduce pitching times on shorter-stays by limiting how much stuff you take to put inside the tent, because I think that can take as long - or even longer - then the pitch itself. On the other hand, if you buy a tiny tent plus tarp, you might find it a bit claustrophobic if and when poor weather keeps you inside and, given my own experience of setting up a tarp (which takes me longer than pitching a tent), I'd rather go for a larger tent, any day!
At 4m x 4,5m, I'd describe the Alaska as a medium-sized tent. We used to have a Cabanon Barbados pyramid which, at 5.2m x 3.5m, isn't far different in size. We had no qualms about pitching it for short trips of two nights, and equally it was good for longer stays. I reckon, for the money and for your first foray into pyramid tents, you could do a whole lot worse than the Alaska, which seems like a great starter pyramid. If you do find you're hooked and want to try an alternative make, then you surely won't lose too much - if anything at all - becuase there's always a market for used pyramid tents in the UK.
Best of luck, whatever you decide.
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28/1/2016 at 12:05am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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OP, have you considered ESVO tents, such as the Bedouin 340?
I just placed an order with Camping Travel Store for a ESVO Bedouin 340 to replace my trusted Hypercamp Escala 4.
The Bedouin 340 has the following advantages over the Escala 4:
i) It has about half the number of pegging points compared with the Escala 4
ii) The front frame is made up of 3 poles, two vertical and one horizontal, compared with two upside down U shaped frames on the Escala 4
iii) The scallop edging is more pleasing to my eyes
iv) The build quality is better than the Escala 4, with better stitching, zips and heavier canvas
v) It is larger inside, living space as well as sleeping area
(i) and (ii) are the main selling points, as I have high hopes that the Bedouin 340 will take less time and efforts to pitch than the Escala 4.
Apart from the number of pegging points, I found pulling the heavy canvas of the Escala 4 over the second spike on the U frames difficult at times.
With the Bedouin 340, I shall not need to do this as the front frame poles come apart.
Looking forward to my first trip with the Bedouin 340 over Easter.
I shall not have the opportunity to test-pitch the tent before the trip. However, I arrive on the camp site on Thursday and it should be relatively quiet for me to make mistakes without too many onlookers about.
Good luck with your choice.
DK 
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