by WideWorld
03.08.2009
Despite the dismal weather this summer there will still be many people hitting the fields for their annual holiday. Whether you're a mountain adventurer or off to a festival, our comprehensive guide of the best bargain tents on the market should help you ensure you stay dry, safe and reasonably solvent.
Best for Festivals
Sunncamp Blackout Tent - £29.99
A single-skin tent/shelter perfect for festival use when all you want to do is sleep. This is ideal to take along with you on your camping trip for use as a storage/kitchen area or as a play tent for the kids. It's also a single-skin tent so it pitches in no time.
Flysheet: Polyester, 2000mm Hydrostatic Head, Flame Retardant
Poles: Fibreglass
Groundsheet: Sewn-in
Height: 135cm
Pack Size: TBC
Weight: 2.8kg
Geodesic Design
Front 'D' door
Two berth area
Rear ventilation
Best for Adventures
Aztec Rapido Tent -£59.99
As part of the performance range from Aztec, the Rapido is designed to meet with the more adventurous camper who demands higher performance whilst still getting value for money. With fantastic waterproofing and excellent quality Ripstop material, you can rest assured that this tent will not fail you.
Flysheet: 210T PU Coated Diamond Ripstop Nylon, 5000mm Hydrostatic Head, Fire retardant, taped seams
Inner Tent: N/A, single skin
Groundsheet: Inner tent groundsheet 5000mm Hydrostatic Head
Pitching: Flysheet First
Poles: Lightweight Alloy, Colour Coded
Pegs: Lightweight Alloy
Doors: 1
Vents: 2
Weight: 1.6kg
Pack Size: 40x10x10 cm
Best for Backpackers/Cycle Campers
Perfect one-person tent for backpackers or cycling campers thanks to its lightweight and compact size. It is quick and easy to erect after an energetic day and is constructed using UV Pro-protected, polyester Ripstop fabric and pre-bent aluminium poles to stand up to the extremes.
Lightweight aluminium poles with high tensile strength
UV PRO for fabric protection from UV rays and increased fabric longevity
Flysheet: Polyester ripstop, 4000mm Hydrostatic Head PU coated, taped seams, UV PRO
Inner Tent: Breathable polyester and no-see-um mesh
Groundsheet: Nylon, 5000mm Hydrostatic Head PU coated, taped seams
Poles: Aluminium 7001-T6
Capacity: 1 Person
Pack size: 44 x 15cm
Weight: 1.65kg
Best All Weather
Force Ten Classic CN MK3 Tent - £219.99
The Force Ten Classics have been used by expeditions, adventurers and youth groups for over 40 years. So brilliant, the design is as recognisable today as it was then. Easy to erect yet tough and durable, they perform exceptionally well in all kinds of weather and provide welcome respite from even the most savage conditions.
Flysheet: Protex® 70D TPU 3000mm HH Polyester
Inner: Protex® DWR cotton, breathable, no condensation
Groundsheet: Polyester/PVC laminate 15,000mm HH
Poles: Powerlite Alloy
Weight: 6.3kg
Pack Size: 54 x 27 x 27cm
Colour: Green
Sleeps: 2
Best Pop-Up Tent
Gelert Quick Pitch DS 2 Tent (Marine Blue/Grey); £59.99
A superb two-berth tent. The additional fibreglass poles give this tent stability and strength. Still extremely easy and quick to pitch, this tent is suited to weekend or festival campers.
Flysheet: Polyester, 3000mm, taped seams
Inner: Breathable polyester
Groundsheet: Polyethylene
Poles: Fibreglass, 2x 6mm, 3x 9.5mm
Height: 120cm
Weight: 4.15kg
Pack Size: 82 x 82 x 5cm (disc shaped carry bag)
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
Doors: 2
Vents: 1x Roof mesh vent, 1x mesh door panel
Other: Bright guylines for extra visibility, excellent ventilation
Best for Families
The Falcon range offers an abundance of living and sleeping space. Easy to put up and very stable in design, they are also ideal for that extended family camping holiday.
Flysheet: 185T PU coated fire retardant polyester, 4000mm hydrostatic head, taped seams
Inner Tent: Breathable polyester, fire retardant
Groundsheet: Sewn-in living area polyethylene groundsheet (3000mm HH)
Poles: Steel, colour coded. Steel Canopy Poles (1 Set)
Weight: 42.9kg (approx)
Pack Size: 74 x 40 x 46cm (Approx)
Bedrooms: 2x 3 berth
Doors: 2, 1 mesh
Windows: 12, 1 skylight
Vents: 6
Other: Electrical hook up access, mudwalls, storage hanging hooks
Best for Quick Pitching
The Gelert Quick Pitch is a two-person tent that can be easily pitched in a matter of seconds. Equipped with bright guy lines for extra visibility, a carry bag and much more.
Sleeps: 2
Length: 225cm
Width:105cm
Height:110cm
Weight: 2.05kg
Fabric: Outer: 190T Polyester with waterproof PU
Inner: 190T breathable Polyester
Groundsheet: Polyethylene
Great pop up tent that pitches in just a few seconds
Instant cover from the elements
Carry bag included
Pre attached guylines aid pitching
Best Dome
Coleman Rock Springs 4 Tent - £75.99
Spacious four-person dome tent with an integrated groundsheet offering that secure home-like feel at the campsite. The front porch area with large PVC view windows is perfect for storage and lets you check out the conditions before you step outside in the morning. This tent also offers maximum convenience thanks to its two doors (front and back).
Flysheet fabric: Polyester, 2000 mm PU coated, taped seams
Inner tent fabric: Polyester breathable and no-see-um mesh
Groundsheet: PE, inegrated on front porch
Poles: Fibreglass
Carry bag type: Compression carry bag with V-shape opening
Colour: sage/Laurel
Pack Size: 62 x 20 x 20 cm
Headroom: 135 cm
Weight: 6kg
1 set of porch poles included
Best Four Person
Coleman Mackenzie X4 Tent - £219.99
With the luxury of separate living and sleeping areas, this four-person tunnel tent is so simple to pitch that it will set up in minutes, before the other occupants have time to get the tea on the boil. Extra headroom offers a more spacious feel and the panoramic windows provide adjustable light and privacy thanks to covers.
Flysheet fabric: Polyester, 4 000 mm PU coated, taped seams
Inner tent fabric: Polyester breathable and no-see-um mesh, zip bedroom divider
Inner room groundsheet: PE 110 g/m², welded
Living area groundsheet: PE 140 g/m², welded and fully sewn in
Poles: Wrapflex™
Carry bag type: Compression carry bag with V-shape opening
Colour: sage/black
Pack Size: 70 x 34 cm
Headroom: 215 cm
Weight: 20kg
Best Lightweight
Coleman Bedrock 2 Tent - £39.99
Quick and easy to erect two-person tent; a lightweight companion that is perfect for multi-stop holidays. The inner first construction means that in warm conditions it can be used separately as a ventilated shelter. Additionally, the tent features one door and storage area on each side.
Flysheet fabric: Polyester, 2000 mm PU coated, taped seams
Inner tent fabric: Polyester breathable and no-see-um mesh
Groundsheet: PE
Poles: Fibreglass
Colour: Laurel
Carry bag type: Compression carry bag with V-shape opening
Pack Size: 54 x 14 x 14 cm
Headroom: 93 cm
Weight: 2.5kg
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