Tent/sleeping bag advice for a newbie

[RickH]

I live in Reading and we have a fair few decent outdoors/camping stores - however, I think the nearest Go Outdoors is in Oxford - I went through a

for a minute I thought you said 'decent outdoors/camping stores' then mentioned Go Outdoors

take a look here for a 'real' outdoor shop https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

A bit of a trek to Darlington to try out some tents though!

[drossall]

I don't think there are many traditionally-shaped tents around. The classic Force Ten is still available, but it's not exactly light.

The point is well made that you don't really need that shape. You only need headroom at your head... The rest is just space to heat up with your body warmth, so it might as well be lower.

However, there is a decision to make over whether you want a really small tent, to minimise space to heat, packed size, and weight, or something bigger to give space to sit up - when you still don't really need full length, because you're (partly) vertical, and therefore not as long as when you're lying down! Your original post implies that you'd favour the latter - so room at one end to sit up, but who cares about the other?

[Phil Bishop]

Thank you, good points. I'm learning all the time. I'm working my way through the tent photos thread for inspiration too

Cheers

Phil

[foxyrider]

I live in Reading and we have a fair few decent outdoors/camping stores - however, I think the nearest Go Outdoors is in Oxford - I went through a

for a minute I thought you said 'decent outdoors/camping stores' then mentioned Go Outdoors

take a look here for a 'real' outdoor shop https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

A bit of a trek to Darlington to try out some tents though!

Not as far as my favourite outdoor store, Globetrotter in Koln!

Guess all things are relative, if the bike I wanted was at the other end of the country i'd still make the journey so why not for camping gear?

[drossall]

Yes, but not for the chance to look at some bikes that were probably stocked somewhere nearer home, and you might not buy anyway...

[foxyrider]

Yes, but not for the chance to look at some bikes that were probably stocked somewhere nearer home, and you might not buy anyway...

Call your self a cyclist

If the bike was closer i'd go closer but if it wasn't, that was my point. I still might not buy but that applies equally to a more local source (if there was one)

[pjclinch]

You will want a comfortable self inflating sleeping mat.

Will he? My Neo-Air doesn't self-inflate, but when it's blown up it's more comfortable than my self-inflator and when it's packed down it's much smaller and lighter. Don't use the self-inflator much these days...

One man tents are for people without equipment, 2 man tents are for one person with gear.

That very much depends on the design criteria. There's no shortage of 1 man tents with plenty of space for gear in addition to its owner.

I don't think there are many traditionally-shaped tents around.

With the number of trekking pole supported tents and tarp/tent hybrids about these days that's not so much the case as it was 10 years ago, and if you don't have trekking poles with your bike for some reason most have an optional collapsible pole set available. For example, http://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/17-stealth-tent-15.html

The point is well made that you don't really need that shape. You only need headroom at your head... The rest is just space to heat up with your body warmth, so it might as well be lower.

However, there is a decision to make over whether you want a really small tent, to minimise space to heat, packed size, and weight, or something bigger to give space to sit up - when you still don't really need full length, because you're (partly) vertical, and therefore not as long as when you're lying down! Your original post implies that you'd favour the latter - so room at one end to sit up, but who cares about the other?

How space is laid out and how people work with it is, as has been noted, very personal. I like more than one place I can sit up, and I like twin entrances/porches even just for one. And I like big porches, and I don't really care if the inner is in my face lying down, so that makes the old Saunders Spacepacker just the thing for me, but my wife hates it.
So we're back to crawl around pitched examples and see how they float your boat.

As well as shops, "honeypot" campsites (e.g., Langdale in the Cake District) will have lots of examples to see. Ask their owners what they think and if you might take a quick look.

Pete.

[Phil Bishop]

Thanks Pete, those Stealth tents you posted a link to look potentially just what I'm looking for, particularly the Stealth 2.

Cheers

Phil

[Sweep]

It's quite possible to get a decent sized/weight tent and bag that'll all go in one 40l pannier with space to spare without spending a fortune -ar

You have a pannier which is 40 litres? Can I ask which one it is?

[Sweep]

I live in Reading and we have a fair few decent outdoors/camping stores - however, I think the nearest Go Outdoors is in Oxford - I went through a

for a minute I thought you said 'decent outdoors/camping stores' then mentioned Go Outdoors

take a look here for a 'real' outdoor shop https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

Go outdoors is not bad at all in my opinion, though their prices are not always as keen as they might seem and their discount card system is irritating.

In short i think them decent and well worth checking out. I have spent a fair few hours happily browsing their outlets and also buying some stuff, camping and cycling.

[robing]

I use a Vango Blade 100 tent and has served me very well. They don't make this model any more but you can find one second hand. Only 1.5kg but surprisingly roomy as the single pole goes lengthways. I carry it on the back rack lengthways - I have lower mounts for the panniers so can carry them at the same time. Sleeping bag is a Robens Caucasus 300 down bag. My tip is make sure your bag is warm enough. I tried two Vango ones that weren't but was able to return them. If you're too warm you can always unzip it. Nothing worse than being too cold.

[pjclinch]

Go outdoors is not bad at all in my opinion, though their prices are not always as keen as they might seem and their discount card system is irritating.

In short i think them decent and well worth checking out. I have spent a fair few hours happily browsing their outlets and also buying some stuff, camping and cycling.

As with Halfords for bikes, they stock some dreadful tat and they stock some very nice kit too. Staff may be, or may not be, very good. If you know what you're after, well worth checking out and far more likely to have bargains on more general stuff than a small specialist.

Pete.

[Vorpal]

Tents to some extent will be space versus weight. You are unlikely, for example, to find a reasonably priced two person tent that you can stand up in, and pack small enough to carry on a bike. If your only criteria is 'not claustrophobic, you can probably accomplish that simply by going up to a two person tent. I have a Vango Spectre (3 person) and a Helsport (2 person). I much prefer the Helsport because it is more comfortable, warmer at night, never had any condensation (I have had a little in the Vango), it's lighter and packs smaller by more than you would expect.

If I were buying another new tent, what would I buy? A Helsport because the difference in comfort is worth to me than the price difference. But that said, there's nothing really wrong with the Vango, and for trying out cycle camping, would probably be a good choice.

I second the recommendation to look for used equipment. You can do much better for the same money if you purchase carefully.