We're relocating to Scotland shortly and recently got back to camping using a Vango Iris 500, which whilst has kept us dry in some horrendous rain is not so great in early/late season winds. Trashed a set of poles easter last year when I told the boss it was going to be too windy, but she knows best..... ;)
So, we are looking at sturdier/resilient options. I've decided the next tent will be polycotton at the least but really like the look of the Touareg tents and Hypercamp Alaska's, has anyone got first hand experience of either in torrential rain (we are jinxed with rain everytime we go away, even Australia during their summer) and high winds?
There are only 2 of us but normally have one or two relatives at some point stay with us.
I'd also be open to inflatable tent suggestions but budget is around £700. Or am I barking up wrong tree with the single pole style and we should be looking at steel poled tents?
Any guidance much appreciated.
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it doesn't matter one jot about looking for a sturdier tent if your pegging routine isn't that good! if you are having so much problems then I would respectly suggest you relook at what you are doing and where you are positioning the tent in the first place
Weve got the Kampa Croyde classic 6 berth tent we have camped out in thunder and lightening storms, windy and raining storms with winds up to 45miles an hr and haven't experienced any damage.
I took advice on this site about camping out in windy weather as we knew the 40+ winds were hitting longer guys etc.can't find the post but someone hopefully will.
I have seen loads of posts on here about the invincibility of the Alaska - there is a Hypercamp thread somewhere, but I can't find it. Alaska owners often comment on how brilliant the tents are in howling storms, lashing rain etc.
I haven't got one, I have been in various fibreglass poled Vango tents that have withstood terrible wind, but recently I have heard of more people with broken poles.
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Quote: Originally posted by duffs54 on 28/1/2017
I took advice on this site about camping out in windy weather as we knew the 40+ winds were hitting longer guys etc.can't find the post but someone hopefully will.
I will tell you what the Alaska is like after our traditional trip to our favourite windy campsite in May, You have to pitch it arse into the wind to get the storm shedding properties. Apart from that I dont think you can go wrong with an Alaska. At the end of the day any Dutch Pyramid should be good. The Dutch call them Storm tents for a reason.
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag
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Our poled vango icarus stood up in very high winds on an exposed site at st Abbs. The whole tent swayed and tables etc had to be stowed in the centre as the outer walls knocked everything over when they mived, it was very scary, but all pegging stayed put, a bit of time pegging out at the start, checked everyday and all can be fine
Thumbs up for the Alaska.
Had it's baptism of fire last Easter with storm whatever it was called.
The pegs are better than most that are supplied but I always use Rock Pegs with no problems.
The Touareg tents are also very good, a similar price to the Alaska.
The Alaska is a bit on the heavy side but I split the Inner from the main tent when transporting (flat pack it). Poles come in a separate bag.
Very easy to pitch solo and has bags of space, would accommodate 4 with room to spare.
you may also like to have a look at the other Dutch Storm Tent - the De Waard. they have many tents in the range, delivery is quick from holland and the canvas and other materials used are top notch and the tent is up there with the very best when it comes to sturdyness and longevity if looked after.
they are in a different league compared to Vango, Kampa Outwell etc, no fancy features but simple and very strong - and also very re - sellable in future, even 10 year old examples still fetch good prices long after mainstream tents will have been relegated to the skip!
and if a new is outside of your price range, it could be worth considering a used one.
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Living the Dutch Dream - Karsten 300 pod + extns in Sea Green and Pure Cotton
Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 29/1/2017
you may also like to have a look at the other Dutch Storm Tent - the De Waard. they have many tents in the range, delivery is quick from holland and the canvas and other materials used are top notch and the tent is up there with the very best when it comes to sturdyness and longevity if looked after.
they are in a different league compared to Vango, Kampa Outwell etc, no fancy features but simple and very strong - and also very re - sellable in future, even 10 year old examples still fetch good prices long after mainstream tents will have been relegated to the skip!
and if a new is outside of your price range, it could be worth considering a used one.
Couldn't agree more Hanka,
Here's our De Waard Lepelaar, bought second hand from Marktplaats. Tent was new in 2004 and we have owned it since end 2013. We paid 1000Eur which was about £780 at the time if i remember rightly....
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Tricky tree - your De Waard is beautiful - the shape and silhouetter are Iconic of the brand.
A tent that most others can only look up to and admire!.
thankyou for posting these beautiful pics of your beautiful tent!
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I am selling a brand new Outwell Flagstaff which is polycotton and comes with a front extension if needed. Just thought i'd mention it as may tick all your boxes.