Virgin camper looking for a tent

[IloveDMs]

After talking about it for a while we've decided we're going to purchase our first tent. After much reading on here and some of our own research we are veering towards an Outwell tent.
We don't want to spend a lot of money now in case we don't like it and we want something fairly easy to pitch. I think the Outwell Oakland XL looks about right for us - does anyone here have one or used one?
There's so much choice - polycotton/nylon, zip in groundsheet or not? I fell in love with the Outwell Hawaii yesterday at a tent shop, but that's really too expensive for us for now.
Any advice will be gratefully received. My DH keeps asking me to check this forum to see what you're all saying :)

[poppyboo]

[IloveJudgeJudy]

Looks like a lovely tent. My DB has a Go Outdoors one of the same style. It's great. Much more practical than a bell tent, imo.

[IloveDMs]

Poppyboo the bell tent looks lovely. However, DH's face pailed at the thought of putting it up!

[YellowDinosaur]

Apparently bell tents are actually very easy to put up - sure there will be someone along in a min to tell you all about it!

I'm with the tunnel tent brigade though - I think their shape and different rooms is much more practical for us and our needs. I'm wanting an Outwell too as they are fab tents and certainly much better than the one I have at the mo! Go for it

[poppyboo]

Like YellowDinosaur said they are so easy to put up, they take about 15 to 20 minutes and one person could do it alone pretty easily too in the same amount of time.
You simply lay the tent out on the groundsheet, spreading it out carefully, then you peg the groundsheet down. Then you upzip the door, crawl in with long pole, stand it up in the centre of the tent (the tent is almost up now!) then you pop the door frame in which takes about a minute, then you peg out the guy ropes and then peg out the 'skirt' of the bell tent. You're done! It's a shame you can't see one before you make your mind up? They really are stunning to sleep in. You can have one inner tent if you want to,or two sections of inner tent or not if you want one large area.
We got our one from Soulpad with a zipped in groundsheet.
There is so much space too move around in them and they have a gorgeous atmosphere inside too.

[IloveDMs]

Thanks Poppyboo and Yellowdinosaur for the advice. We are trying to see tents before we buy one. We have a dog which is why the tunnel tent appeals. Rest assured I'll be posting here once the pruchase has been made and for more camping advice :)

[Bradsmum]

Thanks to input from here and weeks hours of dithering I've just bought a Queshua base seconds 4.2 pop up tent and it's absolutely fantastic! Practised putting it up - easy peasy, putting it down almost got swallowed alive when it closed around me but second attempt perfect! Check it out!

Now onto the Icey Tek...

[IloveDMs]

Thanks Bradsmum. I have also read about those on here. And the Icey Tek!! I have also told DH we will have bunting and fairy lights around it!

[MonkeyChicken]

Just came back from my first family camp with a Wynnster Montpelier 8. I basically bought the same tent as my mate, as she's a seasoned family camper and was helping me put it up as DH couldn't make it. I don't have much to compare it with, but it was easy to put up and take down, didn't leak (we had a lot of rain) and had plenty of room.

[IloveDMs]

Thanks MonkeyChicken. I will check that one out too. It is helpful to get recommendations.

[CaptainNancy]

bradsmum - is your quechua the brown/green shogun looking tent?
I was just wondering how condensation was in it please?

[Bradsmum]

www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/seconds-base-4-2-74200814 is the one - brown/green shogun is a very apt description! Condensation has been minimal so far due to the design.

[CaptainNancy]

DH and I agree it looks like a samurai helmet!