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Subject Topic: Tent -1 week - single site - July/Lakes Post Reply Post New Topic
11/4/2024 at 2:15pm
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View AnalogKid's Profile View Profile   Reply to AnalogKid Reply   Quote AnalogKid Quote  
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Hi
Ive fallen down a tent rabbit hole.

I'd really appreciate any feedback or comments

I havent camped for 20 years

I'd like to spend a week in the lake district - at a single camp site - (car camping) and head out from there for Hill walking and Kayaking

My 'essentials' - is a covered sheltered area that can take a tiny low slung folding camping chair (similar to pole/foldout Helionix) and a tiny table for cooking.
That if its pouring with rain - I can spend the 'day in' porch/tarp area - and still have a view to the outside world.
At a push - This would need 120cm of head room in a vestibule/tarp/porch

So far - This points to the Vango Omega 350 and not much else

Have I missed anything.

The Vango Beta 350 and Vango Skye 300 - all appear 'identical' designs, but likely lower grade material to reach a price

The Vango Omega 250 - could be 'tight' for 1 week

The Coleman rnage has a 'few - I think the Tasman could do

The Quechua 4.1 would be ideal - But is it 'too big' for a single person to put up etc

Also - Is there another 'option' that could be a true 2 person tent (ie smaller eg Banshee 200/300) - but I then add a Tarp/Porch

I'd really appreciate any feedback - and expertise


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11/4/2024 at 3:52pm
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the quechua is easy for one person to put up so if you feel that tent is "ideal" then get it. use a fishing shelter for a porch or cooking area, leaving you more room in the tent for sitting around

why the need to go "tiny " on stuff tho? unless your going to be backpacking, which now of those tent ideas suggest you are, your going to be there for a week take some comfort with you! thos helinox type chairs are ok, for a few hours but not an all week chair


11/4/2024 at 4:06pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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I've got a Eurohike Rydal 500 tent which is similar to the Quechua 4.1, being a 3 hoop tunnel, but slightly bigger (5 berth), I've only done a trial set up in the garden, and managed on my own without much difficulty. Would say as with most tents when erecting on your own, might have been more difficult if windier, but there was a gentle breeze 'flapping' the un-tensioned flysheet. As with many lightish tunnel tents, peg groundsheet, insert poles and anchor into receptacles, then pull up door end hoop (whilst holding an attached guy rope) and the other hoops just fall into place, then peg guy you were holding to stabilise, then just go around pegging the other guys. Done similar on my own with a pretty heavy steel poled (5/6 hoop) tunnel, but that is a bit of a struggle as very heavy to lift. To some extent it all depends on things like how windy it is, how tall you are to be able to reach, and how strong you are! - I'm 6ft and fairly strong!

All 3 Vango tents you mentioned have the same 3000mm HH fabric rating, but by differing fabric names, so some may or may not have features like ripstop construction.

Actually cooking (with gas especially) inside a tent is regarded as a bad idea, if tent is closed up then high risk of lethal carbon monoxide fumes with gas, cooking causes huge amounts of condensation which really is difficult to get rid of and tends to make EVERYTHING in the tent damp, cooking odours linger, and of course even flame retardant ('retardant' only means self extinguishing when flame source removed) tents are NOT fireproof and can catch fire. An open porch area sealable from main area of tent is best for 'indoor' cooking with a tent.

I've camped in France in a 'canvas coffin' type sleeping only tiny tent, mate and I each in our own 'coffins', we set up a large tarp as a sheltered sitting out area and kitchen, back wall of 'kitchen' was windbreaks to keep weather and wind off stove and gas fridge. It worked well, even through a rain storm and squally winds, but we were there during the squall and prepared to take down the tarp if the wind was getting the better of it. Tarps are great but weakness is susceptibility to even lightish winds getting hold and ripping anchoring guys out of the ground.

As a regular visitor to the Lake District for some 50 years, it's wise to ALWAYS expect rain and be prepared for it! I spent an 'extreme' fortnight in July just south of Coniston village 5 years back and it rained almost continuously every day, sometimes torrential, I never saw Coniston Old Man once due to the low cloud! Wasn't intolerable as in the relative luxury of my caravan, so nice and warm and dry, but a small tent would not have been any fun at all! Been there other times of year and it's been glorious weather all the time, but on average it's likely to rain some of the time, so be prepared!


11/4/2024 at 7:24pm
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View AnalogKid's Profile View Profile   Reply to AnalogKid Reply   Quote AnalogKid Quote  
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I really appreciate the response, and the sharing of your years of experience.

I'll hope for a week of July sun in the Lakes, but will plan for 4 days of rain.
Hence wanting a 'Porch'.

Looking at the tent you listed was useful - I'd gone down a Colemans, Vango, Quechua, Outwell, Robens 'rabbit hole' - but should take a look at Eurohike.

Thank you


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11/4/2024 at 7:44pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

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Forum Posts:   5106
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Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 32
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 20
Site Nights 2019: 28
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You need to be nice to yourself if you're camping alone on site - different requirements if you're doing a long distance trail / hill walking and wild camping.
I used to camp on sites solo in a 3 man (small men who don't starfish like I do...) ridge tent that had a porch - a cotton Cabanon, long ago so that's not useful information. I could sit on a seat in the open porch to cook or have my fresh coffee. If it was wet, I could zip up the porch but still have daylight because the porch had a plastic window (aye, a bit naff, but it worked well).
Well done to the OP for coming back to camping - it'll be fun!

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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12/4/2024 at 11:02am
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View AnalogKid's Profile View Profile   Reply to AnalogKid Reply   Quote AnalogKid Quote  
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Here's what Ive learnt (and had a change of mind)

1) I was looking at the 'smallest sized' tent that would meet needs for a 1 week, fixed base location, car camping trip - and that was looking like the Coleman 350

>> I'll now be looking at 'all' 3 / 4 / 5 person tents
(as long as they're not too unwieldy to put up solo - which means practising before getting to a camp site at 10pm at night :-)

2) Just meeting needs is not the way to do 'fixed base' camping - sitting out 3 days of rain in a tiny Helinox chair, with a tent room 3 inches above your head is the wrong way to do it

Following the above posts, Ive expanded my tent search and found some truly wonderful tents with options for
(eg the Vango Carron range and others ) - and these are far more suitable for a 'base camp' experience


'Top of the range' selling used on ebay at moderate prices
and
Mid priced selling new (with warranties)

For everyone who posted - Thank you again.


via mobile 14/4/2024 at 10:05am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View lidds0's Profile View Profile   Reply to lidds0 Reply   Quote lidds0 Quote  
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Site Nights 2024: 37
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This Outwell Odessa 5 looks like a good buy (posted by Virsec, in another thread). I totally agree with previous views; if you can accommodate the gear in your car, go for a tent / chair / bed that will afford you some comfort!


Post last edited on 14/04/2024 10:24:30


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via mobile 28/4/2024 at 2:41pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent
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Joined: 25/6/2013

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We have a tarp added to our summer setup in France. Up to counter the sun and down when we leave the site. Something similar might be suitable for you. I second what others have said on going larger to give yourself some eating/socialising space as you are camping in England and we all know how variable English summer weather is!!


01/5/2024 at 2:31pm
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View AnalogKid's Profile View Profile   Reply to AnalogKid Reply   Quote AnalogKid Quote  
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I do like the idea of a tarp, but hopefully the tent I have my heart on will fit the bill.

(I'll post back (The Tent Reveal) on Saturday once Ive picked the tent up.


In the interim, my daughter has just come back from Europe at the end of the Ski Season (she's a Ski Instructor)
There seem to be 'spring festivals' around April.
A company had 'dozens' of unused 1 person 'back packer' tents.
(Similar to an OEX Phoexx or a Vango Banshee)
So we now have 1 of those - and that 'solves' the Kayak Camping and single night camping requirement.
I'll post some photos of the 3 person and 1 person tent on the weekend







via mobile 04/5/2024 at 5:21pm
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I ended up purchasing the Robens 300 cabin.

https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Robens-Cabin-300/1455

It seemed the perfect blend of compact, with great head room and a great base camp "home" for 7 days in the Lakes in summer.
Even if it poured and I was "confined" to the tent for an afternoon, it looks a comfortable place to be


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06/5/2024 at 8:26am
 Location: North Herts
 Outfit: Monterey4 Cabanon E
View bridgeywidge's Profile View Profile   Reply to bridgeywidge Reply   Quote bridgeywidge Quote  
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That looks a great tent with great reviews... don't tempt me!

Have fun with your new friend and hope the sun shines and if not, you can sit, in comfort, and watch the view safe, dry and happy.

-------------
Do campers 'peg 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!


via mobile 08/8/2024 at 6:56pm
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Hello to All,
Here in the Lakes district in my Robens Cabin 300, and it's perfect.

I simply cannot believe I was considering a "smaller tent", but I especially one that you could not stand up in.

After 5 days walking, today is the heavier rain day. Spending a few hours in the tent is no bother and the large side windows make the world of difference.

Thank you to all who encouraged me to get a larger tent.




08/8/2024 at 8:48pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Brindisi
View Whippetlover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whippetlover Reply   Quote Whippetlover Quote  
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What a lovely thread. So nice that you got so much help, so nice that you came back and let us know what you’d gone for, and fab to hear you’re having such a good time in your new tent x

-------------
“It is great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people.”

Vango and Outwell Tents > VW Camper and various Vango and Outwell awnings dependent on stay location and duration > Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi and Vango Air Awning.
Found our Nivana ❤️


via mobile 10/8/2024 at 7:27pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Vango Kalu Hypercamp Eldorado
View DeborahTurner's Profile View Profile   Reply to DeborahTurner Reply   Quote DeborahTurner Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

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Forum Posts:   1309
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Site Reviews 2024: 0  
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Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
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Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 8
Site Nights 2019: 2
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Great stuff!

I didn’t see the start of your thread but being a camper and a fell walker it’s a lot longer ago than 20 years that I would be prepared to do a hard day on the fells and then squash myself, plus a load of damp gear, into a teeny tent.

Robens are great tents. It will serve you well as you catch up on 20 years of missed camping!


via mobile 11/8/2024 at 12:01am
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member
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Forum Posts:   5106
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Site Reviews Total: 234
Site Reviews 2024: 18 
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 12 
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 9  
Site Reviews 2018: 18 
Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 32
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 20
Site Nights 2019: 28
Site Nights 2018: 30

Thanks to the OP for closing the circle on choice of tent & how it’s working out etc. So often, folks spend time trying to help people who’ve posted here for advice or ideas or whatever, then we hear nothing. It’s a thread like this that keeps us motivated for trying to be helpful next time.
Delighted that the trip has turned out well.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.



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