Tents Mk. 987324853458348534945834

[Wolf616]

I'm sure this thread has been done before, but fark it I'm going to start a new one anyway as my searches didn't yield much information.

I want to buy a light-weight tent to use for cycle touring, largely around the UK but possibly also into Europe (having said that, if we ever actually trigger Article 50 the latter may become more and more difficult). I'm interested in getting a good quality tent that will a) last a long time and b) take up as little room/weight as possible. In terms of budget, let's just say throw some ideas at me and I'll see what takes my fancy (I'm not super rich, but willing to spend money on something that'll do years of service) - but I'd rather not spend more than £250-£300 and preferably far, far less. I tend to do most of my cycle touring alone so theoretically doesn't need to be big enough for more than 1, but one day I might convince someone to come with me so a little extra space wouldn't hurt.

Also, what time of year do tent sales tend to happen? Keen to get as much off of it as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Blue Hills]

cycle touring, largely around the UK but possibly also into Europe (having said that, if we ever actually trigger Article 50 the latter may become more and more difficult).

Somewhat bizzare brexit insert - since you brought it up feel entitled to ask what on earth the problem is going to be.
On the tent issue,
I'd go for a two person tent.
There are some good sales now. Prices may well be cut more at the end of the year/new year but there is a risk that your favoured tent may have sold out by then.
Check out the blacks web page - some good discounts on quality tents there plus, lasf time i looked, an extra ten per cent off if you use a code.

I think you will get a decent tent at the mo fir well under £200.

 

[mjr]

Somewhat bizzare brexit insert - since you brought it up feel entitled to ask what on earth the problem is going to be.

It wasn't "is going to be", it's "may become". We just don't know yet. If you've never tried to visit a country that dislikes the UK and imposes annoying visa restrictions, try it sometime and then maybe you'll understand. Even some supposed friends of our country still slowly photograph, fingerprint and interrogate you - and that's if they don't spot anything they don't like or select you for supposedly-random enhanced screening.

Sorry I've nothing to add on the tent bit. I intend to use B+Bs, hostels and hotels as I take advantage of the Brexit postponement to see more of the EU... and even afterwards, that probably will be an easier way to gain entry into other countries than carrying a tent and giving a campsite as my initial place of stay.

 

[Blue Hills]

I'd relax if i were you.

And buy a sale tent double quick and get out in the fresh air.

Http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/tents-camping/tents/2-person-tents/

 

[Joffey]

From a tent thread to a Brexit thread in 3 posts

 

[sight-pin]

Theirs one in Canvey Island Essex that may have something?
http://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/tents/tents-small-tents/tents-small-tents-1-2-berth-tents.html

 

[Wolf616]

The brexit comment was largely a joke, although visas and stuff will inevitably make it slightly more difficult to travel (if we do indeed abandon freedom of movement, but if want access to the single market we won't blah blah blah).

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone.

 

[Blue Hills]

Another thought wolf, apart from going for a 2 man rather than one, i would not obsess too much about weight. You won't be carrying it on your back. Any decent 2 man tent won't be too heavy. If you go for minimum weight you will pay for it and not necessarily gain toughness - may well be more delicate. Up to 3kg is fine, i think, possibly more. I'd invest the money you will save by not chasing grams in a tubus rack. A tough tent will also provide vital shelter from all those marauding brit hating euro types

 

[bigjim]

I've been travelling across Europe since the late 60s, well before the EU. I was usually just waved across a border or maybe a cursory glance at a passport. It's the fear of terrorism that will give a rise to extra security. Nothing to do with our re-established independence. About disliking us? Don't confuse politicians with the real people of Europe.
Tents? don't dismiss the secondhand route. There are often some hardly used s/h bargains about at the end of the season.

 

[Blue Hills]

Quite bigjim.

I interailed all over europe in the late 70s when europe was far less integrated. That was part of the attraction. Just waved a passport mostly. and agree about people and politicians. I'd consider any european who treated me badly because of brexit as part of the international brotherhood of plonkers.

On the tents jim, is secondhand worth the bother? What about uv degredation. Possibly hard to spot?

 

[bigjim]

[QUOTEOn the tents jim, is secondhand worth the bother? What about uv degredation. Possibly hard to spot?][/QUOTE]
I did say hardly used. I got a cracking tent off here. It was a £200 North Face even a footprint thrown in. £60.

 

[doog]

Also, what time of year do tent sales tend to happen? Keen to get as much off of it as possible.

Thanks!

In a couple of weeks so yes a good time to get looking . Vaude are a decent make for example amongst others for your budget you should be able to get a 2 person (I'd recommend even if you are on your own) around 2kg, try and get one with a porch.

Additionally look at set up time - if its easy to set up quickly so much the better when its hammering down or about to.

I wouldn't worry about brexit. We travelled extensively through Europe before the EU / common market whatever even existed and were still waved through without fuss as people are saying,never needed a visa !

 

[the_mikey]

I have not a lot of experience of tents, but in general Outwell, Vaude, Vango seem ok, I quite like my Vango blade 100, lightweight, quick and easy to erect, although it's best if you're less than 170cm tall.

 

[andym]

I wouldn't worry about brexit. We travelled extensively through Europe before the EU / common market whatever even existed and were still waved through without fuss as people are saying,never needed a visa !

You must be getting on a bit: the Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957.

Let's not forget that many of the countries in the European Union, not to mention half of Germany, were behind the Iron Curtain and you definitely didn't get waved through that (although OK it wasn't hard to go on holiday to the former Yugoslavia).

I hope you're right, but with European countries busily erecting border fences I'm not so optimistic. Add to that concerns over terrorism and security (remember the queues outside Dover last month?).

If the UK decides it wants to make it more difficult for other Europeans to come to the UK then we can't be surprised if those countries decide that they'll make it more difficult for us to get in.

One way or another I suspect travel to the rest of Europe will get more difficult rather than easier.

 

[Brandane]

I did say hardly used. I got a cracking tent off here. It was a £200 North Face even a footprint thrown in. £60.

I got a POS second hand Vango tent off here! It leaked like a sieve from day 1, and still leaked despite a thorough treatment with NikWax. Following a particularly wet night on a campsite in Henley on Thames, it took up residence in a campsite skip. Beware the second hand purchase .

For solo cycling tours I have a Vango Banshee 100. Reasonably light, if a tad compact (i.e. don't try to stand up, or even sit up straight - and at 6'00" I can only just comfortably stretch out), but it does keep the rain and midges at bay while you sleep.