DofE 3 man tent recommendation

mylofitz

Member
Apr 19, 2012
31
4
Cheshire
I've been tasked with sourcing a 3 man tent for my daughter and friends to complete their Bronze award. It may also be used by my other daughter when she does her Gold Expedition later in the year.

Really needs to be as light as possible. Expect it'll be cramped. I've been looking at the Vango Scafell 3 and Nero as easy to put up tunnel style tents but also like the Wild Country Hoolie 3. These seem quite spacious and look easy enough for a few teenagers to put up quickly. My old tent was a geodesic tent that was brilliant in awful weather. but likely to be outside the £150- £200 budget.

Really would like recommendations or advice.
 

Tony

White bear (Admin)
Admin
Apr 16, 2003
24,328
1
2,041
54
Wales
www.bushcraftuk.com
Are they allowed to use Tarps? Some tarp configurations are nearly as protective as a tent and they can weigh a lot less and be easier to carry. DD Hammocks do a few tents now, although I think only the big one at umm, £275 I think would fit 3 people in, I think it weighs in about 2.5kg all in..
 

leaky5

Maker Plus
Jul 8, 2014
752
49
Basildon
My sons cadet unit splashed out on some OEX tents a few years ago and they are still going stong. They get used for D of E and other weekend activities by lots of cadets
 

slimshady

Tenderfoot
Oct 29, 2014
75
15
Oxfordshire
I recently bought a Vango Ostro 300 for £150. A friend has had one for over a year and took it all over the place.
Not a current model but still available from Ebay or others. Weighs 3780 grams & fits 3 adults.
Wife is liking it more that the Hoolie-3-ETC that she usually uses for Scouting camps.

Alex.
 
Jan 13, 2018
356
248
67
Rural Lincolnshire
It may also be used by my other daughter when she does her Gold Expedition later in the year.

.

Some of these tent suggestions are not particularly lightweight - 3.7kg is over 8 lbs.
Is it a realistic alternative to expect your elder daughter to carry this on her Gold ?

Surely a lightweight one (or two man) tent would be more suitable.
My Gelert 1-man (complete with everything) weighs in at 1.6kgs (3.5 lbs), and my Wolfwise 'full-up 2-man & gear' tent with everything including a 'footprint' weighs in at under 2.2kgs (4.7 lbs)
 

leaky5

Maker Plus
Jul 8, 2014
752
49
Basildon
Some of these tent suggestions are not particularly lightweight - 3.7kg is over 8 lbs.
Is it a realistic alternative to expect your elder daughter to carry this on her Gold ?

Surely a lightweight one (or two man) tent would be more suitable.
My Gelert 1-man (complete with everything) weighs in at 1.6kgs (3.5 lbs), and my Wolfwise 'full-up 2-man & gear' tent with everything including a 'footprint' weighs in at under 2.2kgs (4.7 lbs)
I am not sure how other organisations run their D of E. In cadets they are normally paired up and I know the OEX tents come in two seperate bags so you split it between the two of you.
 

jonquirk

Tenderfoot
Sep 24, 2007
60
2
Guildford
Have you looked at the Berhaus Peak 3.3? I have the single person Peak 3.1 and it seems well made. There is a Pro version (light green instead of red) which is 2.91kg instead of 3.25kg
 

The Cumbrian

Full Member
Nov 10, 2007
2,079
34
52
The Rainy Side of the Lakes.
I picked up a Wild Country Hoolie 3 from the Blacks eBay site for £128 this week. The price was actually supposed to be £166, but they applied a 20% discount that I hadn't seen at the checkout.

Cheers, Michael.
 

mylofitz

Member
Apr 19, 2012
31
4
Cheshire
That was a bargain. Wish I'd see it that cheap. Hoolie 3 is £199 on Blacks. Thanks for all your suggestions. Mistral looked a great buy but lack of privacy an issue unless could make windows opaque.
 

mylofitz

Member
Apr 19, 2012
31
4
Cheshire
Bought a Vango Meteor 300 2017 model last night for £100 split 3 ways between the parents. Hopefully given it's simplicity of 2 poles of equal length and sub 3kg it shouldn't be an issue to pitch and carry for three inexperienced teenage girls. Time will tell.
 

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