HELP! I need to choose a weekend tent

[HerecometheBelgians]

Hi All

I need your collective wisdom as I'm starting to drive myself mad by making a decision and then just checking there's nothing better out there - the end result being I can't make a decision at all!

DH, DCs (5 & 2) and I need a tent to take away for weekend breaks where I may need to put it up on my own and for when we don't want to take our monster tent.

We've looked at the Hi-Gear Gobi, Wynnster Faro 5, Vango Orchy 400 and Green Wing/Icarus 500. SIG is a must, as is a quick (under 1/2 an hour) pitch time and we'd like to be able to stand up in it, but that's not essential. Things such as mesh doors would be a welcome bonus. Any recommendations?

I've been on ukcampsite.co.uk and read a gazillion reviews but I trust you lot more so please help me!

Ta.

Belgian

What about a family pop up tent from Decathlon? They have several now. We have the Quechua base seconds 4.1 which is fine for two of us and a toddler but there are others with two sleeping pods which might suit you better. Ours has a SIG in the bedroom and a bathtub thing in the living space so the edges of the groundsheet come up and meet the sides of the tent and stick to them with velcro (not the best explanation I realise).

With a bit of practice and after watching their video I can put the tent up by myself except in high winds where it helps to have someone holding the sides. It takes only a few minutes once you have the hang of it and similarly for taking it down. They are bulky-ish to transport as they pack down to a circle, but then all family tents tend to be quite large.

The space in the tent might not be ideal for a long camp but for weekends we find it perfect.

I've been quietly lusting after a Gelert Cabana as a lightweight weekend alternative to our Bell, it seems to fit all your requirements - SIG, fits 4 adults, big living space and bedroom area.

From the looks of it it pitches v. similarly to our 5m bell (which takes me 25mins singlehandledly from car to finish to put up - as this is so much lighter I imagine it would be a lot quicker!) and 15 mins with DH assisting. You can also stand up in it and it packs down small.

God, I want one!!! :o

Doh! I forgot to add that we're looking at spending £150 tops so Decathlon pop ups are out and everything else we're looking at retails up to about £250 but is in the sale. Thank you for replying so quickly!

Mines a Vango Icarus 500. Used it three times last year, pitched it in 20 mins first time out.

You can stand up in it all the way through. My friend has literally (10 mins ago) just bought the exact same tent in Go Outdoors for about £136.00.

Lots of mates who have camped for years were very impressed with it.

You can also buy an enclosed canopy that gives you an extra room, if the weather is bad, and gives you loads more storage space.

It doesn't weigh that much, and I've camped with three of us for a week in it (similiar aged children) and there was plenty of room for us and all our "stuff".

Can't recommend it highly enough - as you will find if you search the archives for me banging on about it last year......

What about the Hi-Gear Mojave 5 which is currently £129.99 from Go-Outdoors?

My Sil has one and we can put it up together in about 20 minutes, less to pack away, and tbh she doesn't do much, just hold the poles and looks pretty, she is not big on practicality .

It is a better size and spec than the Gobi and has fab reviews un UKCS.

Lots of people have the Orchy and like it but I have read some terrible reviews and it wouldn't be my choice.

Don't know much about the other two sorry, though I think Green Wings are supposed to be good.

Forgot to mention, the "side" door is also a big mesh window too which ticks another box.

There is also a very useful row of pockets hanging off the bedroom area to put bits and pieces in, and a lantern hook. Not essential, granted, but good to have.

You are all marvellous, thank you. We discounted the Mojave as it was too heavy and even though I was intrigued by the Cabana we have just ordered a Vango Green Wing 500 so it's exactly the same as the Icarus 500 but made from recycled materials.

Not only do I have the first tent I fell in love with but also the smugness of helping save the environment one tent at a time

You say that now, but when you've filled it full of shite essential camping items and you can't fit them in your car, and you have to buy a roofbox/trailer/bigger car.......

NOOOOO!!! Don't burst my self-satisfied bubble! I will be taking nowt but a pair of wooden knitting needles (whittled from fallen trees) and a (rope) bucket full of lentils. I'll weave my own washing up bowl/sleeping mats/blankets from rushes when I arrive 'cause I don't want to overburden the donkey on the way there.

Ha ha Belgians you say that now .

My packing list last year was a sheet of A4 front and back .

I know (whispers) so was mine. In face a lovely Dutch guy who was camped next to us told me that they'd seen us arrive and couldn't believe how much stuff we'd brought with us