Over the summer I like to take off with my pony and do various clinics and camps. Normally kipping on someone's floor, sometimes paying for B+B. I used to enjoy camping, so I'm thinking of investing in a tent and doing that instead this year. My old tent was a bit of a wotsit to put up on my own, lots of slotting poles together in the right order and trying to be in two places at once. Can you experts recommend me a tent that would be easier for me to deal with on my own?
If possible I'd like to be able to stand up, and I would like to have a bit of room as I might be away for 5 or 6 nights at a time. A "porch" on the outside for wet clothes and boots would be nice, but not essential if the main tent is large enough.
Oh, and budget is a bit of an issue!
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Myleetlepony · 07/11/2010 19:57
Oh blimey, it's confusing isn't it? I think I'm narrowing it down a bit. The Vision is cute, but a bit too small for me to live for up to a week in, particularly if there's bad weather. So I think I need:
Sleeps 4 - I know there's only me, but I'd like a bit of comfort
Storage space for wet clothes
Built in groundsheet
Easy to put up
Budget of around £200 (or less obviously!).
DP thinks I'm sad getting excited about camping, he does not understand the lure of the great outdoors. 
how heavy can you take?...and is carry space an issue as some 4 man can be bulky... have you considered a pop up
www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/seconds-base-4-2-74200814/
supposed to be really easy to put up - but folds into a disc shape. get great reviews on uk camping site
love tent shopping even if for someone else
That's nice, but I only need one "room". My friend has a Quecha, but she takes it back to the tent shop every time she uses it, because she can't get it back in the bag. Carry space shouldn't be an issue, because I'm either driving my car, so it can go in there, or I'm in the lorry with my pony so can find a place for it to go.
What about this do you think? I'm inspired now because I've realised there is a Decathalon near where I live. www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/2-seconds-xxl-iiii-117139448/
Then I found this... soulpad.co.uk/sanctuary/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,132/category_id,38/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/
Which is totally above budget, doesn't have a place for wet muddy stuff, but looks beautiful!
I used to have a Khyam quick-pitch tent when I used to go off on my motorbike for the weekend. It was like this. You'd probably want a bigger one but the principle is the same.
It took no more than ten minutes to pitch and to strike and was really easy to do by yourself. All the poles are already in place in the flysheet (the frame is a bit like an umbrella but without the central pole) as is the inner. You just walk around it two or three times unfolding each pole joint in turn and then whack half a dozen pegs in. Job's done.
When I used to go away with mates I'd have my bike parked and my tent pitched and be enjoying my first beer while the rest of them were still trying to get the poles in the right way round
I think that first pop up might be a bit low if you want comfort and are more than 5' tall
khyams fantastic quality - Freelander looks good..
If you dont mind not having SIG then there are a few other good ones at decathlon like this..
www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/t4-1-3225458/
SOulpad v pretty though think pita to try and put it up yourself also much as i love canvas packing it down and moving on if wet is not fun
but if you do fancy sig then this is a good tent- saw a couple out and about this summer -looked pretty straight forward to put up..
www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outwell_Arizona_L_Dome_Camping_Tent.html
good luck and my dh thinks i'm even madder tent shopping for someone else but it is cheaper
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