Tent for touring.

[R-evans]

Need a tent for a month of touring.

Been looking at http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0047T69S2/r ... B0047T69S2

Good price, is it a good tent?

Open to recommendations. Preferably <£100.

Cheers

[vernon]

it's perfectly fine though I don't think that you will be able to sit up in it.

I'd also treat it as a solo tent.

[andrew_s]

A recommendation:
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/wild-zephyros-2-tent-783174 (£105)

[MLJ]

This would do but does not have any inside wet storage area: a large vestibule is very useful for storage of panniers, etc, which may be wet!

[willem jongman]

Not quite true: it has a small vestibule. It is big enough for something like two panniers, shoes, and a wet jacket. This is probably the 2012 model. The 2013 model will be lighter, with better material, but also a somewhat higher price. If you are looking for an affordable solo tent, these are about as good as it gets, I think.
Willem

[foxyrider]

what a terrible design, no decent storage space, nowhere to cook and looks a bitch to pitch too.

-1 here

[willem jongman]

It is a budget version of the much liked Terra Nova Laser. It is a very light design, and all the more so in case of the 2013 model that will be about 1.3 kg (or 1.5 kg?) if I remember correctly. Its inspiration is the classic Hilleberg Akto. Of course, these are not spacious palaces, but solo tents, and such Spartan style is obviously not for everyone. As for cooking, one should not do that inside, given the very real danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Willem

[R-evans]

Probably should have mentioned, needs to be for two.

The recommendation above says, 'item not found'

[pjclinch]

As for cooking, one should not do that inside, given the very real danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

CO poisoning is a real danger, but the above is like saying you shouldn't cycle on the roads given the very real danger of being run down by a truck. If you make sure your cooking space is well ventilated then it's not an issue, or expeditions doing serious mountaineering or polar work where cooking outside isn't really on the agenda would end up with numerous fatalities from cooking tea.

The "do not cook in your tent!" notices that come with tents and "don't cook inside" notices that come with stoves are more about legalities and making sure the manufacturer doesn't get sued in the event of a tragedy. So "one should not do that inside" is for some values of "should not" in the real world. Probably a more significant danger, though less likley fatal, is burning the tent down if you don't take care. Moral of the story, cook outside when reasonable to do so and always take care, inside or out.

For the OP, you can get reasonable tents for two that cheap but personally I'd raise the budget. Something like the Vango Spirit 200+ is ~£250 but gives you far more space and I suspect that after a month you will really appreciate spending the extra money.

Or there's eBay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nanok-Domus-D ... 3a7d569087 looks like a bargain if it's all it appears to be, for example (no connection with it, btw).

Pete.

[cjs]

Hi,

Coleman Axior 3 works for me fine. 2.8kg and plenty of room.

Quite a few other tourers here who like the extra room use them too.. Will be fine for 2 and of reasonable quality.

Managed to get one last year fairly cheap, £69 mail order from Outdoor Experience... quick search shows you can pick them up on the web currently around the £100 mark - further research could be even cheaper...

Outdoor Experience are doing the Vango Banshee 3 (about 3kg) at £99...

Either will be fine but of course you get roughly what you pay for..

[al_yrpal]

+1 on the Avior X3. Excellent tent with a unique side entrance as well as conventional end entrance. Lots of space, with a very convenient design. Definately not a coffin like so many.

Al

[tripwire]

As for cooking, one should not do that inside, given the very real danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

CO poisoning is a real danger, but the above is like saying you shouldn't cycle on the roads given the very real danger of being run down by a truck. If you make sure your cooking space is well ventilated then it's not an issue, or expeditions doing serious mountaineering or polar work where cooking outside isn't really on the agenda would end up with numerous fatalities from cooking tea.

There have been a number of cases of campers suffering CO poisoning in the last year or two. That said, all the information I've seen has pointed to them being family groups who've brought BBQs inside the tent or porch, and then left them smouldering there overnight.

Back to the original question, and I'd join in with the recommendations for a Coleman Avior x3. I've been using an x2 for the past four years and I'm very happy with it. In some ways I think it's more of a cyclist's tent than a backpacker's, being a little heavier but with a small packsize and short enough to go inside panniers if required. The fabric is heavy duty and the stitching and seam taping is neatly done. I bought mine expecting to replace it with something more spendy if I caught the camping bug, but so far I've not found another tent which I've been tempted to retire it for...

[andrew_s]

CO poisoning is a real danger, but the above is like saying you shouldn't cycle on the roads given the very real danger of being run down by a truck. If you make sure your cooking space is well ventilated then it's not an issue, or expeditions doing serious mountaineering or polar work where cooking outside isn't really on the agenda would end up with numerous fatalities from cooking tea.

Not only did we cook right inside the tent, but we had a Tilley lamp running as well, for heat as well as light.
The main thing is to make sure nothing is left running or burning overnight.

[andrew_s]

The recommendation above says, 'item not found'

They seem to have sold out since I posted the link. There's a new, lighter version for 2013, so I expect the good price was stock clearance.

[simonineaston]

Or there's eBay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nanok-Domus-D ... 3a7d569087 looks like a bargain if it's all it appears to be, for example (no connection with it, btw).

Pete.

That Nanok does look like a good tent to me, too...
Norwegian-made, similar to the Hilleberg Nallo GT, which is an excellent tent, something of a benchmark for touring couples, but out of most peoples reach at over £600. There's more info about the Nanok on their website:
http://www.nanok.no/engelsk/page37/page3/page3.html
I'd be rather tempted myself, if I didn't already have a Nallo...