Talk to me about why Outwell tents are so good...

[YellowDinosaur]

OK so dh and I are looking for a new 'forever' tent that has 2 decent sized bedrooms (for 4 of us but would like at least a 6 berth to give space) and big living area plus porch for cooking in bad weather.

Outwell Montana 6 plus front extension (or similar outwells) seem to give us all the space we want. Some other brands have similar spaces but are a lot cheaper - why is this? Standing in them they subjectively feel cheaper but I need ammo to convince dh of the extra expense!

Are they REALLY better or are we just paying like mugs for the brand name?

By the way we're not after a bell tent as although I think they are lovely dh is 6ft 4 so the tunnel shape will suit us better for him

[GingerWrath]

If looked after properly you won't have to get a new tent for years! They are definately better quality (Proud owner of a brand new Montana 6)

[oranges123]

Are they better quality than Coleman Ginger? Our frinds have Coleman tunnel tent and it looks pretty good to me [ignorant but curious bell tent owner]

[troutpout]

Mmm they are good tents ... But there are lots of good tents out there !
I have an outwell Monty 6 and rarely use it. Nearly all the big brands make equally good tents IMO . I just think people tend to go for the less risky option...when splashing out....and people do love their Outwells and shout about it.
We all prefer our Wild Country tent... (Which was 180 quid from go outdoors a few years back) and the Monty is now a bit unloved tbh.Same layout as l the Monty and with steel poles, smaller in dimensions with smaller bedrooms, with built in large canopy/porch and just a lot cleverer somehow.The doors/ windows are really clever. Also it is even taller than the Monty and it's double skinned so stays cooler/ warmer.
Had I got it first I probably wouldn't have looked at the Monty. It is smaller..but then we just spent 2 weeks in it and it was ok.
I do think Outwell are good tents though... Just bought teenage ds an outwell pop up that I'm really pleased with...
I just think it's about finding the right tent for what you need to do iykwim.... I personally don't need large bedrooms but I do like a covered area to sit under without having to bother about setting up/ buying an extra bit.
So in short..I wouldn't say we are mugs, no... But there probably is a bit of a herd mentality about them.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Kampa are very good, cheaper than outwell, very high spec and get very good reviews. We have the kampa Filey 6 which ticks all the boxes you have requested and has the added bonus of a toilet annex.

We got a bargain because ours was a seconds with some discolouration on the roof, it was £300 instead of nearly £600 butbit's fab.

Tbh I am put off outwell a bit by the sheer numbers of them on every campsite. I would be climbing into bed with the wrong person

[YellowDinosaur]

Thanks all thats helpful! pmsl at the thought of climbing into bed with the wrong person though . I'll check out the Kampa ones too.

Think the big bedrooms are a must for us though as dh isn't small! But I'll chekcout the Wild Country ones too...

[GingerWrath]

We had a highgear Black Rock 5 and it was really cramped in the living area when we were zipped down in the rain evening.

I didn't buy mine for herd mentality but hours and hours of tent envy research.

Using it for the first time this weekend so I'll let you know how it goes

[nobodysfool]

hiya we have recently bough this beauty www.jrleisure.co.uk/products/khyam-montreal-tent-2010-model/617/?source=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=comparison_shopping_feeds&utm_nooverride=1#tdesc_1 My is of similar height to your DH so along with the need for a large living area we went for this tent.It has a high HH and has a lovely open feel to it.
FAB!!!! We bought the footprint as well but couldnt find the right size carpet for the living area (4.2 m x 4 m).I have finally found a place that will make one to order but not cheap so that will have to wait till next year.

[YellowDinosaur]

I'll look forward to hearing how you get on ginger!

More tents more food for thought... That Khyam looks pretty good too - only thing that doesn't is the fibreglass poles - my understanding is that steel is much more hard wearing. Is that really right? Because otherwise the Khyam looks like you get a lot of tent for your money!

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm currently on a windy cliff top campsite and the tents that are collapsing are ones with fibreglass poles.

[GingerWrath]

Steel poles bloody heavy but you need them in this country!

[YellowDinosaur]

Steel poles it is then!

[kitbit]

Outwell don't flap and rustle as much in the wind as some others, apparently. I'm writing this from inside a Nevada M in a high wind :)

[GingerWrath]

agree kitbit put our Monty up in the garden on the weekend, twas blowing a gale outside but was calm and peaceful inside, even had a bit of an 'empty room' echo going on!

[nobodysfool]

not sure i totally agree with the steel pole thought......my friends went camping in a Khyam Montreal and the winds really were fierce.The only tents left standing were the bell tents (swwooonnn) and her Khyam.

[anyabird]

Hi there, after a load of tent envy/research we opted for an Outwell Vermont xl ( I swear it is nearly bigger than our house!) So far it has been an absolute joy to put up ( even with DH grunting and swearing at me) and the kids love the space, it has a built in wardrobe / bathroom!! and you can sit out in the porch under canopy with a whole wine box and nobody (small child) to annoy you!! We tried many other types of tunnel / bell tents and this is def the best by far! and we got it off ebay for a snip of the cost of a new one!!!

[glitterkitty]

We have an Outwell Hartford L and it is lovely- high roof, 2 bedrooms, lots of windows, nice big porch. 2 doors so can have breeze blowing through when hot. Cost a lot but I love it!

Love look of Bell tents but I am a one woman tent. And this is it.

[MilaMae]

We have the Vermont XL just spent 10 nights with 3 dc(which include 7 year old twin boys)and seriously it's like having your own portable holiday home,it even has space for over excited time out!!!!!

Last year we camped in a huge windy monsoon type storm.We slept through it due to wine and having gone to bed on a site full of various colours woke up(I kid you not)to a site by and large just Outwell green.

Our fellow smug Outwell neighbour said they'd come back from the pub and had seen people bailing out water.Honestly not a drop entered our tent.

When I camp I want to sleep in a dry/windproof tent otherwise it's just miserable.Sil scoffed at us when we spent a small fortune on said tent,they're now on tent 3 of their cheaper brands and I'm pretty sure they must have spent more than us by now.

Whatever you buy read as many reviews as you can and deffo not fibreglass poles.When Bil was putting up said Sil's 1st tent he broke everyone of it's fibre glass poles when putting it up the first time. You'll curse steel when you heave them into the car but during a storm you'll sleep much happier.

[glitterkitty]

Its true. No rain has ever come in. Ever. No wind has smashed it down.

Its like the Tina Turner of tents.