Poster: A snowHead
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I need a tent. Will be used for a ten day kayaking trip round the UK in a week, general overnight stuff in Austria this summer (my dissertation research will happily involve spending lots of time hiking around mountains and glaciers), hopefully a hiking/touring weekend in Italy this summer (Gran Paradiso area if there's enough snow), other general early/late season touring trips in the Alps and Scotland, and maybe the odd winter Scotland trip too. Will usually be aiming to camp somewhere sheltered/in the valley, rather than somewhere super exposed way up a mountain mountaineer style.
Must:
- Sleep me and my gf, with some room for gear inside
- Be light enough and pack small enough to carry in/on a backpack for reasonable length hikes (fitting in the back of my kayak could be an advantage at some point too)
- Cheap
- Handle reasonably adverse weather/wind
- Porch for (wet/damp) gear preferable but not essential, as long as there's room for kit somewhere.
- Robust enough to last
I've just ordered a Vango Tempest 200 (2011 model) which I think fits pretty well (having the porch outweighs the weight saving on the Banshee/Spectre models for me).
http://www.winfieldsmegastore.com/vango-tempest-200-2-man-tent-p-tempest-200-c-pine-green.html
I won't see it until I get back to Aberdeen the day before I go away. I could potentially send it back then. Does anyone have any thoughts on this tent, or other recommendations?
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Vango looks good, both for price & weight and specs look OK: external poles/pockets may not be so good in strong winds however???
Mines a TNF Westwind: more expensive, but excellent 4 seasons tent - I've used it winter camping in Canadian Rockies & Scotland amongst others
Reviews here: http://www.trailspace.com/gear/the-north-face/westwind/
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've not used the 200, but have several of the 300 model for work. They're a good balance between paying megabucks for a ultra-lightweight flysheet without poles and a £20 festival tent that you'll struggle to use for more than one night.
We have a previous model that has been used for about 8 years in Scotland and has always stood up well in the summer floods, winds and snowflurries.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Cheers.
geoffers, I hadn't thought about the external poles + wind - I don't really know anything about tents lol. Do you think that could be a big problem, or will poles be too low profile to catch much wind? Presumably I could customise the sleeve bits if they do end up catching too much wind...
The Westwind looks ace! Turns out one went on ebay for £150 a couple of days ago, and another person listed one twice at £75 recently without selling, so I've emailed her as that seems pretty perfect (fingers crossed). Can't find any for sale anywhere else atm though...
moffatross, that looks like a good tent too - Quecha right? I'm not sure if the extra price and (especially) weight over the Vango would be worth the (presumable) advantages of better wind resistance for me or not... Big turn-off is that I can't find anywhere online selling it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Lol! They had the T2 (I assume this is just the two-man version?) on the Decathlon website, but only to buy instore.
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We've got the Banshee 300 for tandem trips - so had to be small and light. Very good in that respect, and quick to erect. A bit cramped though - certainly wouldn't have wanted the 200 for 2 people, especially with my hubby who produces megawatts of heat when he sleeps. Your option with more porch looks good.
Low profile will mean is fine in wind unless typhoon. In which case it would feel too small and claustrophobic anyway ;o)
Need another 2/3 person tent and although would consider another Banshee or your one, I'kl have another good look round for alternatives.
Like the look of the ones mentioned above - I'll look into them myself. Thanks!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Not familiar with the Tempest 200, but assuming it's similar to Tornado 200 (which I think is from the same family), then it'll be rather cosy for 2 people. Mine only really fits 1 person, with pack, and even then, only 1 way round (but it's more of a long wedge shape). Might need the 300 version.
Pitching it in the wind is "fun", but tempest might be easier (Tornado has 2 really long poles which go longitudinally and cross twice under tension. Once it's up, it's rock solid and doesn't move.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hang11, Looks good, but unfortunately well out of my price range lol.
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