Good quality, well priced freestanding tent?

[b1ke]

Having stayed in a Hubba Hubba for a couple of months last year, I now want to own something similar myself. I'm looking at getting rid of the Terra Nova Laser in favour of something more akin to the MSR. Thing is I don't want to pay big money. Does anyone know of a good quality alternative to the Hubba Hubba (1 or 2 person) with a keen price-tag?

Thanks in advance.

[PH]

The Big Agnes tents look interesting and good value, though it's not clear just how much you're thinking of spending.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/ProductFinder/Tent

[Sweep]

Despite my issues with a Vango's poles (a thread on here somewhere if you do a hunt) I must say that I rather like the look of the Vango Mirage.

Available through several places - two size variants I think.

Semi-geodesic just seems like a better idea than a tunnel tent.

And so it is self-supporting.

I'd also be interested in others views on this tent.

[b1ke]

I rather like the look of the Vango Mirage.

Me too. Not a tent I was aware of but looks very good and versatile for the money. Also interested to hear other opinions.

[Sweep]

Ended up being a short thread!

Two of us have an interest in views on/experience of the Vango Mirage 200 or 300.

Anyone got any views?

[Sweep]

Ps, don't know how usable for solo camping the 200 is compared to the 300 but it can be had for £109 at

blacks.co.uk/

Using the save10 voucher code.

[fluffybunnyuk]

i've got a lovely view from my mirage 300 thx!!!!
Ah that time of year when the winter bargains have gone and everyones tent hunting
i'm still in 2 minds whether this post is contributing something. hope it is

Emma

[Sweep]

Isn't £109 a decent price for the 200?

Even though i know you got your 300 for less,

[fluffybunnyuk]

a decent price is always the one an individual is happy with. for a brand new tent i think its rather good.

[Sweep]

I think this was a really good question posed by the OP.

Particularly as the hubba hubba whatever its merits has i know been critisised for certain things, including strength and longevity.

Also of course cyle tourists don't necessarily need its super light weight and can maybe carry something tougher with all the freestanding advantages.

Might also be cheaper if not limited to the most hightech light materials.

So, anyone got any alternatives to the hubba hubba ?

[b1ke]

So, anyone got any alternatives to the hubba hubba ?

I've been doing a lot of window shopping and I like the look of the Terra Nova Voyager, MSR Hubbas (1 & 2 person), Vaude Hogan, North Face Tadpole and the North Face Stormbreak 2. The latter is available for £127, which I thought was alright. http://www.exploreoutdoors.co.uk/the-north-face-stormbreak-2-t0c101.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwgoKqBRDt_IfLr8y1iMUBEiQA8Ua7XfhbB1kXPPi3RGaRirejJ2-bihZqlfrnvKb2TUI31EgaAvrg8P8HAQ

Incidentally, I've got a Saunder Jetpacker Plus 'A' in unused condition that I'm looking to swap for a good quality freestanding tent, if anyone's interested... http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=96326

[ikenbikeit]

Try this one.

I haven't but it looks like a Hubba copy
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelters-1/WF102-3.html

[fluffybunnyuk]

hmmmm msr hubba...40 denier floor n fly. mesh walls.
Although the Hubba Hubba is a well-designed, versatile, and attractive tent, it has a series of drawbacks that, when taken in aggregate, significantly reduce its functionality. First and foremost, the tent is not strong. Only the lower portion of the tent ends remains stable in wind. The top and sides catch wind and push the tent in very far. In several storms our testers had to sit up and support the tent with their arms to prevent it from breaking. The Hubba Hubba lacks adequate guy points; there are only two and both are on the ends of the tent. This leaves the entire middle and upper area unsupported. A lack of stability restricts the Hubba Hubba to well-protected areas, but even then its less storm worthy that all other tents tested here...
sounds like a tent for american summers.
ummm i'll stick with my mirage thx stands up in an 80mph gale, torrential rain without any serious breeze inside.i forgot to tie it down with the guy ropes lol but still no problem. easy to erect, freestands, and easy to sit in and play board games with a friend. doesnt leak when the ground turns into a stream either...mmm dreaming of mesh walls now :p

[Tangled Metal]

Try this one.

I haven't but it looks like a Hubba copy
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelters-1/WF102-3.html

Mesh inner so not very warm in wind or at colder times of the year (drafty). It is an American style of making it light through used of mesh inner walls. Also the fly has a high gap around the bottom which can allow wind through and also wind driven rain if in exposed location (down to the ground is better if wild camping in the hills). Should have good ventilation though.

Mirage looks good for the money. 3,65kg although likely to be heavier as I think Vango plays tricks with weights by not including pegs and even poles I think. Vango do some nice tents for the price, we have used a lot of them over the years and rate the brand but quality is the only negative. Stitching and other things are not always the best. I have sent tent back for holes (single skin too so an issue indeed). They took ages to sort out the complaint, talking months purely because the retailer needs to fill in the right forms and the reps never provide the right forms (delaying tactic perhaps).

They also do the Apex which is a 2 entrance dome IIRC but I found the top fo the zips if left open in rain will leak straight into the inner tent - protection from even vertical rain since the top of the porch is above the inner tent. About the same weight as this but bigger for the 3 man tent.

[b1ke]

hmmmm msr hubba...40 denier floor n fly. mesh walls.

I read the review that you're quoting from. I was surprised by it to be honest, although when we used the MSR en route to Gambia we didn't really test it in harsh conditions. It was more about where it could be pitched, and I loved it's versatility - we 'camped' in hotel rooms (hiding from cockroaches), on tarmac, rocky desert terrain, etc.. But, clearly what I really loved was the geodesic design and subsequent freestanding capability. The same article, (I think), also talks about the shelf life of the Hubba Hubba being fairly short, which disappointed me.