WWYD: more windows or more room?

[SparkyUK]

We are about to buy our first tent and I've narrowed it down to the Vango Samara 600 or the Outwell Nevada XL. There are some good sales on at the moment and I think if I act quickly I should be able to get them for around the £300 mark. I am a complete newb, but DH grew up camping and while not so handy around the house, apparently is quite handy in an open field. We have two DSs, 1 and 3, and hopefully, we'll be doing 1 week holiday a year plus 2 or 3 weekends/long weekends.

I like the tunnel shape of these tents and that we'd be near the boys at night, but it also looks like there is plenty of room for 4. I had been looking at the Vango Icarus xl, but can't find it not sold out and also read somewhere (here?) that the Samara is sturdier than the ICarus.

In any case, I realised that the problem I have with the Samara is that the windows are all up high, so if you are inside, then you are pretty shut off from the world. I love hope open the Outwells are, but is it worth sacrificing the space? Do you end up feel exposed? Just wanted to see if the MNers had any advice or opinions on it, or another tent I should be considering.

thanks

i would go for the outwell.

With a choice between space or windows, I'd go for the space. You won't spend that much time sitting in a closed up tent anyway, and when you do you'll appreciate the space more than the windows.

boo. I wanted a unanimous decision from you all. I had tent dreams all last night which means I'm sad I better pick a tent if I want a decent nights sleep.

I just keep wavering. Looking at the diagrams, the Samara is only about 2 m2 internally, though, it seems more upright so maybe there feels like more living space. On the other hand, it turns out that the front of the tent is full length windows - though they are screened by the windblocker wings. On the third hand, if we wanted even more room, there is a front extension that is largely window based. If we are stuck inside, I just don't want to feel like we are stuck in a box. And I do sort of like watching the rain.

thisisyesterday is your rec based just on the windows/space issues or are there other features you are considering?

Initailly I would have said the Outwell, having googled the pictures. But the Vango is significantly wider, and because it has 3 sleeping areas, you can use one as storage, freeing up more available space if you do get stuck in with bad weather. This link vango shows a 360 degree tour inside and it seems airy enough.
Can you go and view them both somewhere, to compare them? Where do you live?

I would go for the Outwell- mainly because of the light, we camp a bit and when stuck inside I need the light hate dark tents....! but also the weight am wary of 29kg on fibreglass (not sure why am no scientist, but have had poles split and seen them on other big tunnels)

However they are both good spec tents and either will be fine - as smith1 said if you can go and view it really helps

good deal here though on the samara
www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products/tents/5-6-man-tents/vango-samara-600-tent.aspx

... not sure if that helps but welcome to the wonderful world of camping shopping its addictive..

-it took me 5 tents to find my ideal combination! (started with montana 6 - too big, nevada l -faulty didn't like vis vis in reality, nevada m ok but got damaged bit small for a week, vango orchy - unstable in wind! have ended up with Outwell Bear Lake for long trips and Outwell virginia for weekends) Still want a bell tent - just because they are cute but can't persuade dh....

generally I just think that Outwell make better tents

we had a vango, and i just didn't get on with it (tho it was a much older version that the ones you are looking at).

i don't think the size/windows are actually THAT different between the 2 you are looking at are they? so if they are a similar price i would go with the name that has the best reputation, which is outwell. the outwell is lighter too, by 6kg!

we camp, 2 adults and 3 children and we have a tent with 4 bedrooms. it's total overkill (only bought it as it was a great deal in end of summer sale) and last time we camped we all went into one big pod at the end!

smith1 I'm in South London, don't think we have tent show rooms here, especially not in winter, but I could be totally wrong.

I agree Outwell tents are good but I would always choose more space. I can't stand being cramped and falling over stuff, I like a bit of room to get organised.

Isn't there a Go Outdoors near you? There's a Decathlon in SE16, though I think they might only do their own brand of tents.

Go and have a look at SK Camping, they're near East Grinstead I think.

I previously had an Outwell Hartford XXL and whilst it had loads of room it had no windows. I remeber one year in terrible weather I felt trapped inside as we had a little one with us who was crawling and couldnt really go out (no wet weather gear). Felt very out of it. I regreatted not having windows.

However saying all that, in answer to your question I would want both

Windows are great so you dont' feel enclosed in the bad weather but you would also want the space.

Not very helpful am I?!

but they're really very, very close in size! in fact that outwell is longer than the vango, it's just a bit narrower

SK Camping are good though, we've been there before (we're in sussex), or camping world in Horsham.

you may have some closer places to you though