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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why it's so tricky to find a good family tent?

59 replies

OhwhyOY · 30/07/2023 14:15

Looking at reviews for best family tents and every site has a completely different list, whereas for lots of products the best list usually has at least a bit of overlap.

Every one I've thought sounds good based on 'best' lists, even on reliable sites, throws up problems when you look up that specific tent e.g. one brand of very expensive tents apparently doesn't provide spare parts in the event that anything breaks. So you could spend £700-2000 on a tent that becomes unusable because e.g. a pole gets damaged. Anyone got any suggestions on a robust family tent that they really like? 4 person family but would like a good bit of space as planning some lengthy camping holidays.

OP posts:
Ohmylovejune · 30/07/2023 14:19

Our, now very old, Khyam tourer 6 is fab. Don't know if they still.make them. Ours must bt 25 years old.now. we've not used it much in past 10 years but put it up in the garden last year and it was as good as new. The poles used to be available as spares although maybe not now, after so long

WickedUsername · 30/07/2023 14:26

We've got an Outwell Montana 6p and it's a fabulous tent for a family of 4. Ours is 10 years old and still going strong.

It's steel framed and really practical in terms of space. It was considered huge when we got it, but now is an average size.

If I was buying a new one again I would look at Outwell in heart beat, and see what tge updated version of ours is.

SingingFaLaLa · 30/07/2023 14:27

I think you're over thinking op. We spent a fair amount on our last tent and the possibility of needing to buy spare poles etc never even crossed my mind. We've camped for 20 years with a variety of tents that have been put up and down dozens of times and have never had a serious breakage.

I would just make a list of your essentials. Mine would be 8 berth (for 5 of us), two seperate bedrooms, bedrooms at the back not the sides, built in groundsheet etc. Then narrow down to those with excellent reviews in your budget and pick the one you like the look of most.

PermanentTemporary · 30/07/2023 14:30

I agree with the Outwell Montana. They've been popular for a while so should be possible to get spares. In theory at least they are reasonably simple to put up and solid once up with plenty of space.

Camping really should be about good enough, not perfect.

BiliousOhGod · 30/07/2023 15:38

The reason there's so much difference in the "best", as that there's such a large variety options to meet needs /wants. First question is do you want poled or air? Then, do you want nylon or cotton / canvas? And what's your budget? I have a Berghaus air 4, and it's perfect for me / my needs. My friends have a Zempire which we all the Village Hall - it's enormous, but is perfect for them / their family. For a good all-rounder, I'd look at the Berghaus 6xl - good, solid structure, decent sized bedrooms, huge living space and if you want even more living room, there's an additional porch. But, as with all airbeam tents, it's v heavy and takes up a lot of room when packed. For any tent, consider how you will dry it if you have to pack up in the rain - it's a lot easier to dry a poled tunnel tent in sections if you have a small back garden than a bell tent, which has to be pegged "properly".....

kirinm · 30/07/2023 15:42

I'd avoid an air tent - no experience of them but I just think if you get a puncture it would be a nightmare to fix.

We have a Vango Farnham which we love but we are a family of 3 and it might not be big enough for a 4th.

I'd go with a Berghaus.

GreyStampIcon · 30/07/2023 15:44

We love the decathlon fresh and black air range of tents ⛺️ we all sleep better with blackout bedrooms and they pitch really easily with nifty little features.

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 30/07/2023 15:46

Getting a puncture in an airbeam is very rare, about as rare as a pole breaking; and you can then repair or replace, same as a pole. They are actually more forgiving in high winds, and easier to put up single-handed. But as somebody else said, they're bulky and heavy. So OP you need to work out what you want from a tent before shopping around.

There are a few really good groups on Facebook (Family Camping UK being one) as well as manufacturer/owner groups, so it would be worth joining and getting some real life opinions rather than reading (often sponsored) review blogs.

FlameGrilledSquirrel · 30/07/2023 15:46

kirinm · 30/07/2023 15:42

I'd avoid an air tent - no experience of them but I just think if you get a puncture it would be a nightmare to fix.

We have a Vango Farnham which we love but we are a family of 3 and it might not be big enough for a 4th.

I'd go with a Berghaus.

The Scout Group I volunteer with went to air tents last year and they've been absolutely brilliant so far. A hell of a lot easier to drop than poled tents on a sleep deprived Sunday morning. They did spend a fair bit on them though for that reason.

kirinm · 30/07/2023 15:51

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 30/07/2023 15:46

Getting a puncture in an airbeam is very rare, about as rare as a pole breaking; and you can then repair or replace, same as a pole. They are actually more forgiving in high winds, and easier to put up single-handed. But as somebody else said, they're bulky and heavy. So OP you need to work out what you want from a tent before shopping around.

There are a few really good groups on Facebook (Family Camping UK being one) as well as manufacturer/owner groups, so it would be worth joining and getting some real life opinions rather than reading (often sponsored) review blogs.

I think they look like an absolute dream to put up but I've read a couple of reviews mentioning punctures and just the thought of it is off putting - plus they are mega pricey.

Dazzylazzy · 30/07/2023 15:58

We have a 6 man air beam tent for 4 of us plus two dogs. It’s fabulous so easy I can put it up or down on my own. It’s very very heavy but we always drive to wherever we’re camping so that doesn’t matter. It’s not too heavy to lift but I wouldn’t want to carry it far. I can’t remember the make but it’s got two bedrooms at the back, a middle lounge bit then a porch as an optional extra. We store all our stuff in the porch then live between the bedrooms and lounge.

sendismylife · 30/07/2023 16:02

We used to have a family hobby that involved camping out most weekends from April to September, whatever the weather. Went through Vango air and poled and a couple of other tents. Never did find one that lasted unscathed a whole season! But we were unusually frequent users if our tents, so in one season they probably did as many ups and downs as the average tent does in several years!

kirinm · 30/07/2023 16:05

I read on a camping forum (I know, I know) that the life span of a tent is 6 weeks! I expect that is several years for most people but surely that can't be right?

AngelsWithSilverWings · 30/07/2023 16:05

Air tents are fantastic. We've had one for years and never got a puncture. We've camped in very high winds on two occasions where it's only been the air beams and the large bell tents left standing the next day.

Ours is a kampa studland air 8 berth - it's very big and perfect for the two week camping trips we do as a family.

Daftasabroom · 30/07/2023 16:07

We have an Outwell Montana 8. It's awesome but the 6 would be great for 4.

(There's a bit of a trend starting!)

winewolfhowls · 30/07/2023 16:09

Our six man Outwell is only now showing signs of wear after ten years.

Just bought a four man Coleman to try just for weekends, were on offer in Costco a few weeks ago.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 30/07/2023 16:13

@kirinm we've done 10 weeks in our air tent over the past 6 years plus a number of weekend trips per year on top. Even after surviving two very severe wind storms we only had to get some of the ropes stitched back in.

Our previous pole tent was still
Going strong after 5 years use and we only sold it because we wanted a bigger one and an upgrade to an air beam.

I think if you look after it , have a dry space to store it and always dry it out before packing away it should last longer than 6 weeks of use.

Harrythehappypig · 30/07/2023 16:15

I think mine is also the Outwell Montana 6p. Haven’t camped in a while and don’t think we will again now (not with the kids) but it was an excellent tent.

birdling · 30/07/2023 16:17

6 weeks! I hope not 😱
We bought a third hand Outwell Maryland 8 person tent a few years ago. It is still going strong. Was only £350 on eBay.

LunaLoveFood · 30/07/2023 16:20

Would definitely recommend our vango airbeam tent (especially with electric pump) ours is 6 man but dbro has a massive one and that's amazing too.

funtimesahead100 · 30/07/2023 16:24

Family of 4 here and have had the Outwell Montana 6p for over 10 years, annual camping trips and it's still going strong. We also got the front extension which we used as the kitchen etc.

Ionacat · 30/07/2023 16:31

We have a Vango Stanford 8 man poled tent. It’s fibre glass poles and has stood up to high winds. We’ve also had an Outwell in the past.

Air beams seem to be marmite! We’re in the won’t go near category and would rather have poles. I’ve seen quite a few sad looking ones in the morning and that’s in good weather so it’s put us off.

Perfect28 · 30/07/2023 16:33

Bell tent with separate small pop up sleeping tents.

MsMartini · 30/07/2023 16:42

I think you are right to think about spares. We camped for years as a family and had poles break. They were all decent makes but Decathlon were the only company we encountered that seemed to take spares/repairs seriously.

Rainbow1901 · 30/07/2023 16:48

We had an Outdoor Revolution 6.0s - it was an airbeam tent and had loads of space. They do say though that if you want space for 4 people go the next size up so a 5/6 man tent.
Depending on where you shop and if you buy a bundle you can get some deals for around £900-£1000