Tent Types

[mark a.]

Hi again everyone. I'm just back from a 2 week camping trip to Scotland - a fantastic holiday, despite the weather . It was my first proper camping trip for ages, and it went really well for the most part, with plenty of fresh air and lovely scenery. Even Trangia cooking was great - so convenient, especially in the weather we were having.

Our tent (a 10-year old 2-man Coleman dome) performed remarkably well, although I must admit that we did have to do an emergency stay in a B&B when we pretty much got blown off Skye - the tent was fine in rain, but rubbish in gusts. So we're looking for a new tent, preferably one with good wind capabilities. We have our ideas on features, and will probably look in the direction of Terra Nova and Hilleberg, but the thing is, which type to go for?

What are the main reasons for choosing a dome vs tunnel, and the pros/cons between them? Also, on the campsite were 2 more interesting types: a classic A-frame (presumably a Force-10 or similar), and a quasi-tipi (one vertical pole, but the tent was long rather than conical), both of which were essentially unflappable in the strong wind. Any thoughts on these (especially the tipi-type, which seems very interesting)?

Many thanks,

Mark

 

[leon-1]

Never heard or seen the tipi, if you can get pictures it would be interesting.

On the other side (ridge tents) I used a blcks 2man in South Georgia with winds in the area of 100 mile an hour during winter and it stood up very well. As long as it is sighted properly a ridge tent is a very good peice of kit.

Currently I use a Terra Nova Ultra Voyager, it is one of the best tents that I have ever used, it is a 2 man tent, but I would say it maybe a little small for some. Having spoken to Terra Nova about getting spares I know that the current ones are actually larger han the one that I have so that may well of been remedied. but essentally it is bombproof when it is set up.

Even better is the Quasar, but both tents are not cheap in any way shape or form. (I have used the equivalents of these tents made by TNF as well so I would say that it is design that makes them good).

 

[daved]

Of the ones you mention, I have only used a Force10. Very robust, hard wearing and reliable but also very heavy and bulky. That was a few years ago so they might have updated things since then. The storm porch was nice and big - plenty of room to use the trangia when the weather is bad.

 

[Abbe Osram]

Hi again everyone. I'm just back from a 2 week camping trip to Scotland - a fantastic holiday, despite the weather . It was my first proper camping trip for ages, and it went really well for the most part, with plenty of fresh air and lovely scenery. Even Trangia cooking was great - so convenient, especially in the weather we were having.

Our tent (a 10-year old 2-man Coleman dome) performed remarkably well, although I must admit that we did have to do an emergency stay in a B&B when we pretty much got blown off Skye - the tent was fine in rain, but rubbish in gusts. So we're looking for a new tent, preferably one with good wind capabilities. We have our ideas on features, and will probably look in the direction of Terra Nova and Hilleberg, but the thing is, which type to go for?

What are the main reasons for choosing a dome vs tunnel, and the pros/cons between them? Also, on the campsite were 2 more interesting types: a classic A-frame (presumably a Force-10 or similar), and a quasi-tipi (one vertical pole, but the tent was long rather than conical), both of which were essentially unflappable in the strong wind. Any thoughts on these (especially the tipi-type, which seems very interesting)?

Many thanks,

Mark

Hi Mark,
I cant tell you which tent to buy but I want to tell you a little story which might help you. Yesterday I was asking my neighbour if he and I should go this winter into the fjälls to hunt, drive with the snowmobile and sleep in my tent.
My neighbour liked the idea but not the idea with sleeping in a tent, he told me that he spent a terrible night on the fjälls in a snowstorm where the tents middle pole broke and the entire tent came down on them. He voted for a fjäll cabin instead. When I ask what kind of tent he was in he told me that it was a Moselkåtan type of tipi. When we where talking about the problem he stated to me that they never had the problems with the old type of kåta (tipi) build with several poles as the pressure of the storm wind would be only on the small sections between the poles and not on the face of the entire canvas as it happend to them with a single pole tipi.

just as a thought
yours
Abbe

 

[Stoker37]

If weight is not a consideration for your style of camping then a Force 10 is virtually indestructible, even my scouts have been unable to destroy them and that’s saying something! Having hauled F10's all over the country for a number of years I’ve never had one let me down. It does go without saying that you get what you pay for and f10s are far from cheap but they last. Ok the traditional A frame is no longer fashionable but they do the job.

 

[mark a.]

Thanks guys. I wish I could let you know what I'm talking about with the tipi-type tents, but I don't have any photos. I'll talk to my wife to figure out the best way of explaining it. There were actually two of these tents - one that was standing height at the pole and housed 4 adults, and a much smaller and lower one, probably a 2-person. I think both sets of owners were Dutch or German, so I don't know if they'not available in the UK. But they were pegged down with millions of pegs, so the tent was equally taut all the way round, and wasn't going anywhere!

I don't think weight is too much of a problem - to be honest we'll be mostly camping by car. But it should be easy to set up, water/wind proof, have good ventilation, and have decent-sized vestibules.

 

[lardbloke]

I have used the F10 on quite a few expeds over the years and found it bomb proof for harsh weather conditions. It has draw backs, mainly its weight (bulk, if you have a car or a friend to share then this isnt usually a problem.), the cost of the setup is still not cheap and there isnt much room.
I bought a Jack Wolfskin 'Infinity' a good 10 years back and this is also a very good exped type of tent. Its not quite a severe weather tent but has stood up to its fair share. I bought a German tent as most of the tents at the time did not conform to fire safety standards and once you have seen a tent go up up you would know what I mean. Most of the wolfskin stuff is tested out in extremes by people who live it and therefore fits into my realm.
I like the geodesic type of tents, extra porches (cooking in) and can take a good dump of snow or gale to say the least.
For me I need a variety of tentage depending where I am off to (and cost) and what I am doing.

 

[baggins]

Hi Mark, i have used all sorts of tents, cheap domes , fce10s, geodesic and so on. My favorite until now has been the quasar, solid, reliable, enough space for two and light enough to carry. Thats right, i want to sell mine.
Seriously though, they are great tents. Its just that its now a tad cramped for the family and am tring to save up for one of the tentipi katas.
Mine is in very good condition (its one of the slightly older models, but i havn't used it to much as i always manage to borrow one from a local school were the old man runs the cadets).i'd be looking for about £250 for it if your interested.

 

[g4ghb]

I'll ditto the Quasar as well mate! - or if you wan tsomthing with a tad more room the Hyperspace (have one myself and it is bombproof!)


The benefit of a geodasic is that it is self standing whereas tunnels tend to flap and arn't as stable. If you get one with the poles on the inner it pulls the inner out (making the living area larger as the 'canvas' is taught) and the fly over the top then pushes down making a very rigid structure

You really do get what you pay for with tents though! - personally id stear well clear of Kyham tents though!! - up in 5 mins (can put up my huperspace in almost that in the dark/rain etc) but at least mine stays up when it gets windy!

 

[mark a.]

Looks like a few votes for the geodesic domes. Are they hard to erect and put down? Just looking at them seems to imply squeezing poles through tight, criss-crossing holes that are bound to get caught up... or am I wrong? One of the things I find good about the Coleman is that the inner clips onto the poles, which to my inexperienced eyes seems easier and quicker than threading it through the fabric.

Cheers for the offer, baggins. It's still early days for me, but I'll let you know when the wife decides for me!

 

[leon-1]

Geodesic designs are genreally very strong and yes you do have to feed poles through sleeves on the Quasar.

It takes me about five minutes to set up the ultra voyager, maybe a little longer for the Quasar and once you have set one up once you'll never forget. Generally they are very quick and easy to pitch.

Tunnel tents are good, but not self supporting, if you need to re-site your tent for any reason you cannot just pick it up and move it as you would with a geodesic.

Someone mentioned Jack Wolfskin tents, they are very good kit, when my old one required retiring I was most upset, but there are a few people here who use them (Neil1 has a wolfskin tent and so has Womble to mention a couple).

 

[Phil562]

I have a "Wild Country Ultra Trisar" still going strong after 12 years

 

[Sickboy]

If you want ultimate strength then a geodesic(?) is the best option, the more crossover points the stronger the tent will be, but off course this means more poles and thus weight. Best feature is that they can be pitched on very uneven ground without a significant loss of strength. Only problem being that most go up inner first (al la quasar) and this means if its really racking down the water resistant coating will leak! and you'll get wet putting it up , My own mtn tent is the TNF MTN 24(northface ripoff of the tn quasar), stunning tent thats never let me down.
Tunnels on the other hand are lighter, quicker to pitch (mostly outer first) and plenty strong enough for most people if put **** end into the wind. Problem's come when the wind changes direction (like it has a habit of doing) and comes side on and in confined spaces with uneven ground. The other problem with tunnels is that most are cheaply made and have no internal tensioners, important if the wind does shift

Given the choice of any tent on the market i'd go for a hilleberg tunnel, build quality is superb (everyone is checked before it leaves the factory), plenty strong enough for all but alpine climbers, very fast pitching (3 poles) and much, much lighter, oh and they've got a MASSIVE porch, best tents ive ever used.
You know it makes sense

 

[Squidders]

I have a Vaude space III and It's beautiful in its simplicity and more than able to handle bad weather. There's no feeding poles, the inner and outer pitch as one and there's loads of room inside for myself, my girlfriend and all of her luxuries.

I got mine a while ago after seeing it pitched at the outdoors show next to all the Mountain Hardware, TNF, Hilleberg ones and it really impressed me (and continues to do so)

 

[lardbloke]

My old JW infinity, uses the outer sleeve design for the tent poles. It uses three ultra light poles, so it can be a bit tricky get the outer skin up, but doesnt take more than a couple of minutes at a plod. There are no clips as such, it uses sleeves and plastic cups for the poles to sit in. The advantage then it that it can be readily moved to another pitch and the inner can then be attached or is already connected thus keeping it dry. The wolfskin tents also have propper no-seeum mossi netting that has stood up well over the years to the Scottish midge and mossi. Again most geodesic designs employ these nasic features, but it is the small things that matter.
As with most things in life, you pay for what you get and a tent is a virtual second home when you are out there.
I would make a list of features and from the suggestions on here and then make an informed descision. Try and get out to a camping show later in the year to actually get inside some of these tents and test them for yourself....

 

[gregorach]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned anything about materials yet... There are many tents to choose from, but a consideration of materials can help narrow the selection down.

Avoid anything with fibreglass poles. They are pants - far too brittle. Gotta be aircraft alloy, and preferably the T9 if you want it really bombproof.

As for fabrics, your main considerations are weight, durability and strech. If I remember right, nylon streches less when it gets wet, but tends to suffer more from prolonged UV exposure. UV is more of an issue if you do high altitude stuff.

Personally, I swear by my Macpac Microlight, but that's just a one man number.

 

[jason01]

Vango do some nice Geodesics now as well as the classic old bomb proof but not very spacious ridge tent.

Heres my Force Ten Spindrift up in Scotland in March this year, we'd been on Skye in it a couple of days before, full snow valances, lots of technical bits and windows dunno who that funny looking bloke is

If I'm car camping on my own I tend to reach for the old cotton Force Ten, cant be beaten for reliability and ease of use, pitch it with your eyes closed no trouble. Geodesics are relatively a pain to pitch, but you get loads of space and a very stable design.

If I need to carry it I'd go for something much lighter than either of the above!

 

[mark a.]

Thanks for the continued excellent information. A camping show is definitely a good plan, as we'll need to see them in the flesh, really. Anyone know any good ones in the London or Midlands areas?

 

[Rod]

Anecdotally, geodesics have been known to 'hedgehog' under severe snow load or in prolonged gusty conditions. 'Hedgehog' = poles snap and burst through the fabric in all directions Not good if you are in residence

Tunnels are far more stable, and relable; and the Vango TBS tunnels are about the best. The internal bracing system copes fantastically with changeable wind conditions and will guarantee a comfortable refuge in any situation

Sorry, I'm a bit late getting in on this - our internet connection has been down at work. Hope it helps

cheers

 

[gregorach]

I could imagine that happening with fibreglass poles, but T9 alloy?

Anecdotally, the only tent I've ever seen completely flattened by wind (all poles snapped) was a tunnel...