Tents - I Know, Again. For me and my Boy

[scraynes]

Evening,

I know that this year isn't out yet, but I'm already turning my attention to next summer.

I am planning on a short (5 day) tour with my older son (now 5) on a tag along bike.

I currently use a banshee 200 which is ideal for myself but with him, I would prefer to have a bit extra space. Whilst that costs weight, I would like to keep it down if possible. I've got an omega 450 too, but that is simply too heavy with all the other gear - ideal would be about the 3kg mark or less

I am looking at the Spirit 200+ from vango. Has anyone got any ideas of alternatives. The one issue that is a shame is the headroom.

Thanks in advance for your ideas..

Spencer

 

[Cycleops]

Not that I have any practical experience, but I have also been looking to buy a one/two man tent and after a lot of research have settled on a Wild Country Zephyros 2 £150 rrp and can be found for less.http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/search/...[]=Wild+Country&keyword=keyword&search=search Seems like a good buy for the moneyand less than 1.8 kilo, there is also a "lite" version if you want to save more weight.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

useful site for information on lighterweight tents - link takes you to ultralightweight tents, also look on the left for lightweight tents

http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/ultralight-tents.html. I did find my tent cheaper on another site but this was a really useful source of information - obviously not covering every single tent, but there are quite a few covered.

Have you considered a MSR Hubba Hubba HP Ultralight? 2 entrances and loads of room, but also quite lightweight. It was our 2nd choice for myself and my OH (6 foot 0) and comes in around the 2kg mark.

We had the Vango Spirit 200+ previously and headroom was an issue for my OH, but there was also plenty of space, but he would end up sitting up in the extension. We ruled it out immediately on previous experience of the tent.

 

[Crackle]

Talking of banshee's, I have a Coleman Cobra 3, big enough for two plus gear, cheap and is 3kg. Not the best out there but adequate. There are so many tents to choose from it's difficult to decide. if it's next summer, look up when people like Cotswold are having Tent displays, seeing them in the flesh is the best way, after that Youtube reviews are pretty good.

 

[scraynes]

Thanks for the ideas so far. The Zephyros is a great tent - but idealy that would replace the Banshee when it's finished and would be my solo tent.
Good feedback on the spirit - my concern is that the headroom is about 10cm too low!!
Nallo GT2 would be ideal except the price!!
The Omega 250 is 4.2kg, aside from the weight it's ideal - which I know is a Nallo GT2..

Keep the ideas coming, I will keep on looking on here and CGOAB for ideas and will check out the cheaptents link.

Thanks again..

 

[andym]

If you have a Decathlon near you, check out what they have available. (Although they do mail order).

I know he's still only little (now), but I'd be cautious about tents billed as a 2-person - as sometimes this means 'two people at a pinch if you really have to'. I'd look at a 2-3 person tent.

 

[steveindenmark]

How about the Banshee 300. Excellent tent and loads of room for the two of you.

Steve

 

[Sara_H]

I've got a terra nova laser space 2. Standing height (for me at 5'42, OH at 6'1" has to stoop slightly.) Massive porch, so fab for sitting in with a board game. We love it!