Affordable backpackers tent

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I'm looking for a 2 man backpackers tent that we can shove in a suitcase to go on an airplane. Don't want to spend too much, but I'd rather it was pretty light (and could be used for DofE after) and good in high winds.

Not asking much am I?

Hi OYBBK

We have for our backpacking adventure this year invested in an Aspect 3 and an Aspect 2.5. So far (camping in the UK) I am really pleased with them. Doddle to put up, only 2 poles, fabric and seams all of a really good quality. I love that there are doors on either side and the inner also has integral mossie nets over both doors. Am hoping this will provide a bit of extra cooling ventilation without letting the bugs in when we are in hot Forrin.

It won a backpacking award in 2011 so that helped with the decision.

If you can push the weight then get the 3 as it gives a lot of extra space for kit. The 2.5 is really just for two sleeping bodies and not a lot else.

Hth. Where are you off to?

I had one of these for years, I took it on many backpacking trips and it was fab. mine was mauve and I think weighed a little less. it is pretty small though, the camping mats have to go under the tent or be trimmed to size.

Iceland will have a look at those, thanks :)

How exciting, a backpacking thread! I want to do backpacking with my DC (fly out somewhere) but I just don't know where to start!

me either! We have flights...... and we are cheaters and going to hire a car.

I think we'd be too broke to hire a car as well as pay for flights
I really like the idea of fly/camping and was looking into last year but it never came to anything.
I would really like the idea of ultralight gear, the tent, sleeping bags, mat etc
Please let me know how you get on! When are you going? Were the flights very expensive?

I think if I was backpacking without a car and kids then I'd choose somewhere like mainland Europe which has decent public transport in parts. Iceland doesn't really have much in the way of buses and stuff I think. Or I'd go to somewhere like the Greek islands and island hop by boat maybe (not looked into it)
Flights were around £250 each - pretty expensive. It's rather a holiday of a lifetime for me this one, wanted to do it for years! We are going in the summer :)

Also look at Vango tents. Their Tempest is almost the standard issue scout/DofE tent and very good value for money.

Otherwise I would second Slubber and suggest Wild Country, but I would go for the Hoolie or Trisar.

Thank you :)

I think my tent is a Lichfield Cullen, it's a 3 man tent and the current version is different to mine, it's about 3.5kg with a tiny porch. There's me and DS and we have taken the tent in a suitcase on a plane, in a pack and on a bike. It has done as good through storms in France, rain and mud in England. It has enough room to put all our gear inside and two of us to sleep unlike our tiny 2 man which struggled to fit a double air bed inside!

For high winds; campsites need to loan/hire mallets, when travelling without a car, I never take one and thus have to rely on there being someone around with a mallet if I need it to bang the pegs in.

I'm not sure if this tent would be good enough for your needs but, I got this very basic, light tent and it's been fab so far and held up in winds! www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9392568.htm they do a smaller 2 man one too and the vango adventure tarp fits it nicely!

Will look up those, thanks :)

I've got a mountain equipment dragonfly. It's brilliant. I did a wild camp with DS over half term and it worked a treat.

Depends on your budget though. Vango might be a bit cheaper. Wild country more expensive but survive anything thrown at them weather-wide. We have used Vango on DofE (I'm a leader) but have gone back to wild country/terra nova.

Our local camping show had a sale yesterday as it was the last day. There were some real bargains on the show models - including Vango and Coleman tents. Latter looked good. Worth looking out for similar in your area?

And we'll need a trip report from Iceland. I would love to go!!

that's a good idea capercaille about the shows - thank you! I've always been impressed with terra nova's when i've seen them pitched. They seem rock solid.