Newbie: Ideas for a suitable tent.

[SMSAlmer]

Hi! First post here so I'll introduce myself:

I am a 22 year old student from Malta. Last summer my girlfriend and I got a small Easycamp (Bari) tent...and we really enjoy camping!

However, I am relatively tall (5ft11), and feel like I would appreciate a bigger tent.

I did a search here and while I discovered some good tents, I thought I would post a thread for any tips you would have.

So my requirements would be, in order of importance:

Lots of space for 2 + gear.
Durable! (we camp almost every other wkend!)
5kg Max (<4kg even better!)
Good in windy conditions and can take some rain.
Circa £120

Also, I am a keen cyclist, and would like to get a tent that with space for a bike under the porch. But I suppose that is too much to ask at this price and weight?

So far, in order of preference I found the following which I think are good:

Vango Spectre 300:
Light, stable, and quite spacious, although I would like a good sized porch.

Vango Shadow 200+:
Light and good sized porch. However, I cannot find any reviews and information. 2009 Model.

Vango Alpha 300:
Spacious! And reasonably light at 3.65Kg. However, perhaps not as weather proof as others? And it has fiberglass poles, not aluminium alloy.

Coleman Phact X3:
Spacious, and looks very secure, but at 4.8Kg, it is heavier than the Alpha, and almost 3 times the price!

I know there are lots of other brands, but I am not very familiar with them. So please, I am open to any suggestion!

It seems to me that Vango do have quality products, which is why I may seem biased!

Sorry for the long post, but I hope that others can benefit from this.

Finally, thank you very much, this is an excellent forum!

SMSAlmer

[Boris]

Coleman Phact X3:
Spacious, and looks very secure, but at 4.8Kg, it is heavier than the Alpha, and almost 3 times the price!

Hi and welcome

The Phact has 2 small porches so I suspect you mean the Phad which has one big porch. It's weight is published as 3.95Kg. My review of it is at Coleman Phad X3 Backpacking Tent and Jenna has reviewed the 2 man one. She may well have some for sale if you ask. Coleman Phad X2 (and Coleman 'dog' tent!)

[SMSAlmer]

I actually meant the Phact. Am I correct in saying this has more interior space than the Phad?

I only want a big porch for my bike, otherwise I might as well go with more berth space. I think a small porch would do for cooking and getting out of wet gear?
The Phad looks very nice indeed, but I do not think a bicycle can stay in the X3's porch?

Thanks!

[Boris]

There is little difference in internal sleeping space between the Phad and Phact.

The 2 porches on the phact are low and seem to be of little use except for storing bags and such like whereas you can sit and cook in the phad porch as its almost full height. In saying that I don't think you would get a bike in the phad's porch without removing the wheels.

The phact should be the stronger tent in the wind as it has an extra pole.

[SMSAlmer]

It never occurred to me. I was just looking at the plan..
It does seem the phad is more practical.

Is there any good online stores worth mentioning?
It seems to me it's down to either the Spectre 300 or the Phad X3.

[Ian Porter]

you may have problems finding a Phad X3 as they are out of production but Go Outdoors have them at £144.

I ordered one a bit back from somewhere else that then didn't have any stock in the end so the order was cancelled.

I have to say though that having seen one in the flesh now I don't think the porch is big enough for me at 6'3" to be trying to get out of wet cloths.

I currently have a Spectre 200 and am looking for something a bit bigger with a porch area and it looks like either being the Omega 350 or the Khyam Biker for me

Ian

[SMSAlmer]

Go Outdoors do not post to Europe.

I currently have a Spectre 200 and am looking for something a bit bigger with a porch area and it looks like either being the Omega 350 or the Khyam Biker for me

Ian

It seems that there aren't many tents with a large porch area which are lightweight, at least not under £200.

I like the Omega and the Biker, but personally would like something lighter, as we do quite a bit of hiking.

Ian, you tour with a motorbike, I believe?

[Ian Porter]

Ian, you tour with a motorbike, I believe?

you could be right

I'm keeping the Spectre200 for light weight travel

[Boris]

I have to say though that having seen one in the flesh now I don't think the porch is big enough for me at 6'3" to be trying to get out of wet cloths.

I like the Omega and the Biker, but personally would like something lighter, as we do quite a bit of hiking.

And that's the problem to get a big porch the overall pack size of the tent goes up. I wanted a tent to fit inside a pannier as opposed to strapping it on and risk it getting nicked when parked up and for that I needed a small (short) pack size. I looked long and hard and there were other tents in the frame but even excluding pack size the alloy poles and the easy way of single handed pitching (the poles fit in blind sleeves so its a doddle) and a good sized porch made it the best man for the job.

As for porch size I can get the wet gear off in the phad porch but it's a bit of a squeeze but nevertheless It can be done without getting any wet in the sleeping area. An I'm 6'2"

[chris grace]

I use a vango tempest 300 with a tarp over the front for a living area.I'm over 6 feet tall and have a problem finding a tent big enogh whilst being small and light enough.So like I say I use a tent for sleeping with a tarp for the living area.Often I leave the tent at home and take a bivi bag instead,