Small Tent Purchase

[Dan00001]

Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a modern lightweight tent. I think I have my heart set on the Vango Banshee 200 which I can get from Go Outdoors for £120~ I was also looking at the Vango Starav 200 as Ordnance Survey are currently selling them for £100 but think I prefer the Banshee although there appears to not be a great deal of difference between the two.

Anyway, I was just wondering if there were any others I should consider in that price bracket before I make a purchase. I did also consider the OEX Phoxx 2 which is cheaper but prefer the Vango Banshee mainly as with the Vango you set up the outer skin first.

Thanks.

 

[Chainsaw]

I prefer the look of the banshee, not keen on the way the starav is flat at the ends, much prefer the limpit style of the banshee as I imagine it'd help with mind deflection. Specs wise they look much of a muchness...

 

[Dan00001]

I prefer the look of the banshee, not keen on the way the starav is flat at the ends, much prefer the limpit style of the banshee as I imagine it'd help with mind deflection. Specs wise they look much of a muchness...

Me too.

 

[Broch]

You could consider something a little different like the Robens Boulder 2 especially if you intend to use it for two people. I have always favoured a bit of access comfort for my backpacking tents - perhaps over outright weight. I still use an old Saunders Spacepacker!

The Boulder 2 is the same weight as the Vango (2.4kg) but has separate exits for both occupants so those midnight trips outside don't mean climbing over your companion . They can also be found for under £110.

OK, maybe not for the top of the Cairngorms in a blizzard but I probably wouldn't choose the Vango for that either.

 

[Dan00001]

Thank you, I will check it out now. I believe the new Vango Banshees actually have 2 openings as opposed to the older ones with only 1 opening.

I intend on using the tent for me and my 4 year old son which I think will be big enough. We are going to go to Go Outdoors tomorrow as they have a Vango Banshee 200 set up so I will take my rucksack and my son and see if it is big enough.

 

[Dan00001]

You could consider something a little different like the Robens Boulder 2 especially if you intend to use it for two people. I have always favoured a bit of access comfort for my backpacking tents - perhaps over outright weight. I still use an old Saunders Spacepacker!

The Boulder 2 is the same weight as the Vango (2.4kg) but has separate exits for both occupants so those midnight trips outside don't mean climbing over your companion . They can also be found for under £110.

OK, maybe not for the top of the Cairngorms in a blizzard but I probably wouldn't choose the Vango for that either.

I do actually like the look of that, and their other tents, which are more than what I want to pay. The only negative really is that it's an inner skin first tent which one of the things I like about the Vango is that it's outer first.

How important is it that I get an outer first tent? Taking into consideration that I do live in Wales..

 

[FerlasDave]

+1 for the Robens boulder 2! We have one as a lightweight, single person option (I know it’s an 2 person but it’s perfect for 1 to sprawl out in) and it’s fantastic. For the price I doubt you could find anything else that’s as good really.

 

[FerlasDave]

And I should add that @Broch and I also both live in wales!

 

[Dan00001]

I am liking the look of the Robens tents, I'm torn between the Boulder 2 and the Arch 2.

 

[Dan00001]

Well, I went ahead and ordered a Robens Arch 2 from Nevisport last night. I'm hoping it comes in the older red colour as pictured on the Nevisport website as opposed to the new blue colour but either way, it looks a great tent. I like that it has a larger vestibule to store kit or cook in if I had to. I was really tempted by the Pioneer but it's 4m long. Maybe that will be a future purchase

Thank you Broch for making me aware of Robens, I don't think I'd looked at them before.