Lightweight Tent

[Plax]

There is probably a thread or two but after a quick search nothing that has answered my needs.

I currently have a Vango Alpha 200. It's a good tent but comes in at 2.75kg and is inner first. Not ideal as the last time I went cycle camping it pissed it down.

So any recs for a cheap, lightweight (as in under 2.75kg), outer first and highly waterproof (I am talking Welsh rain here, probably 5 days worth - I'm doing the Sustrans route 5 from Cardiff in August) tent?

Ta,

 

[Pottsy]

Hilleberg Akto (fails on the cheap bit).

 

[Crankarm]

Wild Country Zephyros 2 XL, 1.84kg, £250.00.
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/wild-country-tents-zephyros-lite-2xl-tent-72110252?id_colour=98

Vaude Ultralight 2, 1.95kg, £225.00.
http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/vaude-taurus-ultralight.html

Jack Wolfskin Gossamer Bivi 1.55kg £90.00
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/jack-wolfskin-gossamer-bivvi-tent-76110007?id_colour=98

 

[cnb]

Hi..I don't know if you read the classified section..I've just advertised (well yesterday), a terra nova laser comp 2...Its in as new condition....

 

[Amanda P]

Our Vaude Ferret ultralight goes up both layers together or fly first, and goes up very fast indeed. It's always been absolutely watertight, in serious Welsh, Irish and Scottish rain. It laughs at mere English precipitation. It also keeps midges out and, as new, weighs slightly less than 2kg. It only needs 4 pegs to get it up.

We found that several trips' use on sandy or gritty ground in Africa wore out the proofing on the groundsheet - we should have used a footprint. So we had the groundsheet replaced with a tougher one making it a bit heavier, but no heavier than carrying the footprint anyway.

(We also found that European-made kit was significantly cheaper to buy in the Netherlands when we were over there anyway).

 

[Plax]

Mmmm, the bivi one could be a possibility and at a price that won't make me cry too much. I'll probably end up with far too much weight anyway. Last time it rained all the way to the campsite, my bike weighed more than an elephant and when I had to brake my bike kept on going long after the wheels had stopped.

 

[HelenD123]

Mmmm, the bivi one could be a possibility and at a price that won't make me cry too much. I'll probably end up with far too much weight anyway. Last time it rained all the way to the campsite, my bike weighed more than an elephant and when I had to brake my bike kept on going long after the wheels had stopped.

Could you sit up in the bivvi though? It'd be pretty miserable being confined to a tent in the pouring rain if you couldn't move around a bit inside.

 

[andym]

Mmmm, the bivi one could be a possibility and at a price that won't make me cry too much.

Not as much as you'll be crying after spending any length of time in one. Especially if it's raining.

Decathlon might be a good bet but in general when it comes to tents, you can have cheap or you can have light but not both (OK admittedly 'less than 2.75 kgs' gives you some scope.

 

[vernon]

A Wild Country Duolite comes in at around 2.5kg, costs around £170 is roomy and waterproof. Goes up in one and quick to erect.

 

[Cycleops]

Wild country Zephros now comes in a "Lite" version, only 1.25kg for the one person version. From £180, but not as much space as the Duolite.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Not sure on your budget but you could consider a Mountain Equipment Ultralite 2 which comes in at 1.59kg, opens from both sides and will have enough room to be palatial for 1 person (but better for 2 if you are married to each other!)...
Used to have one (only sold it because we wernt off to cycle around the world and sold everything!) and it was excellent, but it is not a 4 season tent, but handled Scottish & Welsh weather over the years in late spring & early autumn.

Another to consider could be the Vango Force 10 Helium 200 at £194 at 1.34kg

Another is the Vango Force 10 Helium 100 though headroom is a touch limited at 90cm so depends on how tall you are - £134 for the 2011 model here weights 1.1kg.

Vango also have the Ultralite 200 which I used to have a very old model for until it died after around 10 years of use. OK tent, not great for winter use, but totally waterproof. the 2009/2010 model can be picked up for around £95 at the moment and it weighs in at 1.3kg. We used it for 2 people, again very spacious for 1.

 

[Skipper9999]

Vaude power Lizard 1-2 person, comes in at 1040g inc bags and pegs and gets a good review in this months trail magazine . The magazine also done a review of cheaper one man tents this months edition .

I must admit the Vaude does not come cheap but quality never does . This can sleep 2 at a push and only 1kg take some beating .