Anyone have one of these cheap tents?

[wakou]

Does anyone have any experience of these?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_836755_langId_-1_categoryId_236907#tab2

1.7 Kg And with web-only discount £20.00

 

[HovR]

I personally wouldn't bother with it as it's a single skin tent (hence the lower weight). In any kind of cold weather you'll wake up damp with condensation dripping from the roof.

 

[wakou]

The chance of me setting out with a tent when there is even a remote chance of 'cold weather' = slim to vanished

 

[HovR]

If you're going to be camping in summer (or late spring/early autumn) then a single skin tent may be ok for you. The only issue with pop-up tents is that many pack away in to a fairly awkward shape if you're planning to carry it on a bike.

 

[steveindenmark]

In a single skin tent you will wake up wet regardless of the weather. Unless you stop breathing and then the problem is solved.

You cannot skimp on tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Everything Else you can, even the bike.

Steve

 

[andym]

What HovR said. You'll see gazillions of people in campsites around Europe so I suspect the prophets of doom are overegging it a bit. Although while we're prophesying doom and disaster there's mosquitoes to think about as well.

 

[bigjim]

You cannot skimp on tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Everything Else you can, even the bike.

Yes you can. Ask this guy.
http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Gravity Aided]

I've a little tent called a Wenzel Starlite. Barely bigger than a bivy bag, and fits in a small stuff sack with its poles . Collapses into about a 15" long sack complete . Very basic. Good for cycle camping and touring. As for the sleeping bag, a cheap one is okay, as you won't be touring in freezing weather, but the pad should be as good as you can buy. A good pad evens out the bumps and lets you sleep at night. Invaluable.

 

[puch]

Yes you can. Ask this guy.
http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/

He also probably carries $10,000 in cash and an American Express Platinum Card.

 

[bigjim]

He also probably carries $10,000 in cash and an American Express Platinum Card.

Not read it then?

 

[jjb]

Great blog, the ultralight one (above). I bought the same toblerone-shaped tent as mentioned in it, for a bit of fun. My goodness, what a small, light tent when packed. £18 or so, iirc. Of course that blogger is fit as a whippet (he took that tent across more than one continent) and would shake off the odd damp night no problem. I went off and bought a £400 tent instead. The ultralight toblerone tent will get me the third off some future Terra Nova if they're still doing the trade-in deal.

But Bigjim is right, that blog is all about the enjoyment of toying with the challenges of the low weight approach, and often poo-poos the expensive consumerist options by exploring things like home-made plastic gloves (for descents, 2 grams per hand). It's a million miles from a Platinum Amex experience, or even from the bulk of the latest-purchase ultralight shopping/climbing blogs.

The OP tent has good headroom, looks like. I'd be wary in midge areas though.

 

[Bodhbh]

Not read it then?

It's a great blog and even if it's not your style it's always useful to read how things can be done differently - and it really helps lateral thinking. But to be fair I can't find from a quick browse what his daily spend is, other than he's not shy of eating out and sleeping in when he has too.

The OP hasn't said what he plans to do with the tent, if it's just summer in Europe - why not, it's only 20 quid. If it's crap then cycle to a camping shop and get another one.

 

[bigjim]

He has been asked somewhere on the site about daily spend. If I remember correctly it was 20 to 30 euros.
He buys food at supermarkets. Has a meal out if it is cheap enough and wild camps quite a bit. You would need to read his trip reports to get more detail. I like much of his philosophy. I too will ditch the tent and head for a roof if the weather is that bad, so I don't need something expensive that will stand up to extreme weather.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I saw a tent like the OP's in my grocery store, next to some fireworks. (between hair care and dog food.) Try this here on for size-http://www.topeak.com/products/Tent/Bikamper

 

[vernon]

I saw a tent like the OP's in my grocery store, next to some fireworks. (between hair care and dog food.) Try this here on for size-http://www.topeak.com/products/Tent/Bikamper

That's fine and dandy but it's a single skin tent and will suffer from condensation problems. I have yet to read a positive review about it. I have only ever seen one 'in the wild' and I was not particularly impressed with the lack of room.