Anyone used a pop up tent?

[pauljm116]

I've had my eye on a coleman cobra 2 tent after my £10 tescos tent died after 5 days in the woods, what did I expect for a tenner!

I was wondering if anyone used a pop up tent and if they were any good (or are they as flimsy as they look) basically would I be better off getting the cobra 2?

 

[rmbriar]

Pop up tents are usually considered festival fodder, I've used a Quecha two man before. They hold up okay but I doubt they'd take much abuse in serious conditions, not as well as a Vango at least. I'd recommend a pop up for use on a calm night and again, not for too long

Rab

 

[Shewie]

We've been using a Quechua four man jobby for the last couple of years on summer hols in France and Portugal. I wouldn't use one in bad weather though as they're not really built for it.

The space is good and of course they're dead easy to put up, taking it down can be amusing sometimes

 

[troyka]

ive been using pop ups with some of my youth groups for a few years, great, for summer spring, but while they stayed dry in the heavy summer wind and rain, i wouldnt choose one for myself, especially as they are so bulky.... although im sure i saw a test on some daytime tv show when i was off sick testing them with a fire hose and they did well

 

[pauljm116]

I liked the look of how easy they are to put up, think I'll be better off with the cobra 2 as they seem to be about the same price and I'll be able to trust it more in the bad weather which seems to turn up nearly every time I go out for a few nights.

Wasnt sure if anyone made a more robust pop up for worse weather. The quechua ones do look good though.

 

[widu13]

We've a Quechua 3 Air. Great in the sun, poor in the wind and when it's raining water goes straight inside from the rain itself and off the flysheet. They literally are pop up and if it's not windy no need to peg down, otherwise it's 6 pegs- that's it job done. We use ours in the woods a bit due to the lack of wind.

 

[adestu]

i have the coleman cobra 2 and its a really good little tent lots of features for the price.been out in heavy rain and wind,rigged a tarp up on the side as an extended porch.

 

[pauljm116]

i have the coleman cobra 2 and its a really good little tent lots of features for the price.been out in heavy rain and wind,rigged a tarp up on the side as an extended porch.

Is it a good choice? How easy is it to put up/take down? Ive had a few tents in the past that take ages to set up so that was why I was looking at pop ups.

 

[robin wood]

I had an early 2 man quecha for the kids. I was skeptical but it was ace. Surprisingly once the guy ropes were out it stood up to some really full on Welsh wind/rainstorms, pretty much the firemans hose kind of thing. 2 things stop me giving it a wholehearted recommendation, one there is no porch so as soon as you unzip water is inside. Second after about 4 years the zip broke so realistically it is now a scrapper. Obviously they are an odd shape when packed so good for car camping or walking into a festival but not a 10 mile backpack.

 

[Tengu]

I think the question is `How easy are they to take down?`

 

[spiritwalker]

i use one when i just take my lad camping and in summer weather they are great especially when the littlen's are under you feet its tent up in seconds. I have left it in a major downpour and despite the literature it did not leak. The door opening does let rain in as mentioned when you open it however the outwell fusion model gets around this all be it at a price (double skinned with a porch). Once you get the hang of them they are easy to put away. Is weight an issue as i just got a cubII for me and the lad kind of best of both worlds check out www.slumit.co.uk cracking little tent so far..

 

[Shewie]

I think the question is `How easy are they to take down?`

It's that bit where you have to twist and fold at the same time, I always close my eyes for that part (or get Carol to do it )

 

[roger-uk]

I've had one for 6 years and use it for camping with Scouts. Used it in all weathers and never let me down. Its an origional and I beleive present models seem to use thinner nylon. Just my opinion.

I have two and will be very very sorry when they eventually fail. I average over 50 nights a year and have camped all months, Gilwell winter Camp, snow hard frost etc etc .

For a camp longer than 2 nights I use a Decathlon tarp over the front which stops the slight rain ingress but if your careful it aint much

You either love them or hate them I love them.

Getting the up is easy espcially at 10.30 after you've sorted 20+cubs out etc

Taking them down when I first started is a nightmare. Now within 15 seconds but then I am a black belt in Origami

 

[redandshane]

Folding tents!!!!! Pah
Pointless
I mean that
lol
This is BCUK ?

 

[jeffz]

Save yourself the grief and get a poncho tarp (eBay, about £25), and a bivvy-bag (Alpkit's Hunka, £30). I promise you'll have more fun outdoors with that setup.

In the winter, invest in a sleeping-mat. Again, Alpkit do good ones at decent prices, but Sports Direct often have good Karrimor ones going cheap (£20).

You'll end up with a much more flexible system than a tent, and it'll be smaller and lighter.

 

[pauljm116]

Folding tents!!!!! Pah
Pointless
I mean that
lol
This is BCUK ?

Just thought it would save me some more time to do manly things.........Honest!

 

[pauljm116]

Save yourself the grief and get a poncho tarp (eBay, about £25), and a bivvy-bag (Alpkit's Hunka, £30). I promise you'll have more fun outdoors with that setup.

In the winter, invest in a sleeping-mat. Again, Alpkit do good ones at decent prices, but Sports Direct often have good Karrimor ones going cheap (£20).

You'll end up with a much more flexible system than a tent, and it'll be smaller and lighter.

I normally use a hammock and tarp, every now and again I fancy tenting it for a bit.

 

[pauljm116]

Thanks for all the opinions and advice chaps, think the pop ups may be a bit lightweight and awkward to carry for my needs (backpacking in), so thinking I'll invest in a cobra 2 it seems to tick all the boxes and should be nice and sturdy. Just wanted to have the quick pitch option.

 

[Shewie]

There's a Coleman Avior X2 for sale on OM Paul, might be worth a look ...

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/48690/V/8/last/1/SP/#last

 

[pauljm116]

There's a Coleman Avior X2 for sale on OM Paul, might be worth a look ...

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/48690/V/8/last/1/SP/#last

Thanks for the heads up Shewie, bit skint at the moment but will see if I can raise the funds, looks like a nice tent.