Event shelters and camping

[WelshMoth]

We have a 4-6 man airbeam tent (Airgo) and are contemplating the extension to it. That said, loads of the review are pretty negative so instead of an extension, we are contemplating an event shelter that DH can cook under and we can sit on our table to eat under should the weather be bad/too hot and therefore needing shade. We are camping for 4 weeks in the summer around Northern Spain and France and we won't bother with the faff for short stops but for the longer stays, we'd put it up. We could even have zip in mosquito side nets so that we keep the bugs out.

Does anyone do this?

[TestTubeTeen]

Lots of people do this!

I much prefer this sort of set up than an extension porch, and it will be cooler.

[Wolfiefan]

Just check pitch sizes. Will there be room for both units?

[perhapstomorrow]

We do this. Also have a vango airbeam tent but an 8 man. Some pitches wouldn't be long enough to have an extension on front. With an event shelter you can move it around to suit your pitch.

[flibflab]

We have a Robens and a Coleman event shelter and it works brilliantly.

[Hourglasswinter]

Love our decathlon gazebo/shelter with sides. Used it as our camping kitchen in france.really useful and good for the kids to get some shade in the hot weather (cooler than the tent).

[Hourglasswinter]

We also have a large vango airbeam.

[PotteringAlong]

Just got home and lots of people did this. I'm thinking about buying one!

[jellyshoeswithdiamonds]

I have the Coleman 10x10.
For cooking under it was fine.
For shade it was ok but I found it too hot as it seemed to hold heat (no air curculation). It was hot mind as we were in France.
Natural shade from trees more cooling as there was air.
Also our polycotton canopy was cooler than the ES.