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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Bear Lake 6 and Montana 6 - advice needed please!

26 replies

slayerette · 31/08/2007 12:57

Was browsing round a tent display earlier this week and liked the look of these two best size-wise (need a new tent after ours didn't survive rain this summer!). The Bear Lake is more traditional canvas-style - anyone any experience of this? I really liked it but not sure how weather-proof it would be (after horrendous weather, obv worrying about this!)

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
slayerette · 31/08/2007 14:52

bump

OP posts:
hex · 31/08/2007 18:33

I liked the look of canvas style tents and their breathability BUT after this summer...I worry about where I'd dry it if it got even slightly wet and we had to pack it away. If you've got a lge garden then I guess you cld pitch it up there to dry

dustystar · 31/08/2007 19:59

We dont have one but the bear lake has a really good reputation. It does take more time to dry then the polyester type tents but not as long as the old canvas ones. This type of tent is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. you don't have the condensation problems you can get with other materials and they don't tend to leak. If you look on ukcampsite you will see that a lot of the other Outwells have had a bad year but the Bear Lake and the Norfolk Lake have had good reviews. They will last for longer too. if you can afford it I'd definitely go with the bear lake over the Montana. Theres some good deals right now or if you don't plan to camp again this year then wait until the begining of next year when the best deals tend to be around as shops get ready for the 2008 stock.

Slubberdegullion · 31/08/2007 20:08

Lucycat has the Norfolk Lake and is wildly evangelical about it (I'm sure she wont mind me saying).

I have been "researching" tents all bloody summer (a possibly futile exercise as DH has banned me from buying one), and I have steadily come round to the idea of buying a polycotton (next year when I am allowed) rather than a cheaper/lighter/more compact nylon one.

I believe they are better (ie more waterproof) in heavy rain as the canvas fibres swell and prevent the seams leaking. They are also much quieter to sleep in (in rain and wind) as well as dustystar says cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold. The Outwell polycottons also have zipped in ground sheets so they are easier to clean/pitch and you have the option to take out/umzip the grounsheet if you are camping in warmer climes.

And they last much longer so long as you care for them (ie make sure they are dry before packing them away for the winter).

I will be hunting the camping stores for bargain Cabanons next year (oh I so live in hope)!

Slubberdegullion · 31/08/2007 20:13

I should also add 'the smell'. Not much beats the smell of a canvas tent

Lucycat · 31/08/2007 20:28

ahhh slubber you've been listening to my rantings about Lakey!

true she is gorgeous - they don't quite smell like a canvas tent as they are polycotton and are very waterproof - much more so than the polyester ones I find. The Bear Lakes are lovely tents and with the porch I think they are pretty on perfect!

We're back home tonight after squeezing a few more nights in her last week before back to school next week and she was as fab as ever.

any questions please do ask slayerette!

dustystar · 31/08/2007 20:31

Lucycat
I was telling dh last night about how much money has been taken off these tents in the sales and he was talking about getting one even though we've only had the Vermont for a few months. Can you give me an idea of how big both the tent bag and the poles bags are.

Lucycat · 31/08/2007 22:21

BIG!!

The main difference between the NL and other tents is the size od the pole bag - they are steel poles so very heavy and long! We put them along the footwells by the dd's feet, along with the groundsheets in separate bags. The tent itself then goes in the boot - we have a Zafira and can slide the seat forweard a bit which gives us about an extra foot if you put the tent in lengthways.

I must admit, we'd ordered our tent online and I saw the bags in a shop the next day and nearly had a coronary at the size of the bags, and the weight, I can hardly lift them - but they aren't much bigger than a Hartford Xl or Monty 12...........

dustystar · 01/09/2007 10:13

They might be about the same as the vermont then. That has steel poles too.

Lucycat · 01/09/2007 16:14

ahh I hadn't realised that the Vermont was all steel poles - our Colorado had steel uprights then durawrap 'cross' poles so they were in 3 sections iykwim - the NL are all in one poles on elastic, they make a 12 foot banana shape which have to be slid into the tent sleeves.

any decisions yet?

dustystar · 01/09/2007 18:10

I'm so tempted but I had a look at the Outwell dimensions and the Norfolk Lake is quite a bit bigger and heavier so i'm not sure we'd be able to fit it in the car

Lucycat · 01/09/2007 18:15

shame - pitched the NL is smaller than both the Vermont L and XL but as you say it's the pack sizes that make the difference.

You could always get a trailer......

Lucycat · 01/09/2007 18:17

PackSize:
Tent: 35 x 103 cm / Poles 35 x 102 cm Norfolk Lake

PackSize:
78 x 40 x 42 cm / Poles 26 x 76 cm Vermont L

mmmm now I see why we have no room in the car

dustystar · 01/09/2007 18:18

Well we haven't made a final decision yet. I love the layout of the Vermont but it has leaked a couple of times and we are thinking of returning it. We are unsure whether we should get another one or change to the Norfolk Lake and i don't know whether our supplier will be happy to just give a refund - he may insist we take a replacement.

Oh decisions decisions

dustystar · 01/09/2007 18:19

With the tent bag lucy - is it in a square bag on wheels like the vermont? I'm trying to get my head around the dimensions they give. Why are there 3 for the Vermont but only 2 for the NL?

Lucycat · 01/09/2007 18:29

The NL is in a huge stuff sack made of the same material as the tent - it's a sausage shape that can be folded up small - ideally it would be on wheels as it's so heavy!...but hey ho.

the pole bag is a strong nylon thing.

Original poster
slayerette · 02/09/2007 13:09

Thank you for the replies - sorry to seem rude and not check in earlier but internet down all yesterday

blimmin Talk Talk...

So people think the Bear Lake is good? When we saw these tents pitched I fell completely in love with it straight away but DH wasn't sure if it was a practical choice. So I said 'Well I'll ask MN then!' So glad there are some polycotton fans out there!

How is the Norfolk Lake different, Lucycat? Is it bigger?

OP posts:
Lucycat · 02/09/2007 16:41

Definately a polycotton fan here!

The Norfolk Lake is an 8 berth whereas the Bear Lake is a 6 and it has a porch attached that zips off if not needed, otherwise pretty similar.

Blandmum · 02/09/2007 16:58

Slayertte.

The BearLake is a breautiful tent.

I have seen them up, and going into the tent is a transport of delight! Even the smell is magestic!

But it is canvas. Heavy, bulky, difficult to put up, taking eaons to dry canvas!

That is how I console myself!!!!

Lucycat · 02/09/2007 17:01

I'd say that out Norfolk Lake dried in about the same time as a nylon tent as the fabric breathes - we had puddles sitting inside the fabric when we put it up in the garden to dry this year and it was bone dry in a morning.

But yes mb it's bloody heavy! the poles especially as they are all steel - they'd ave to be, durawrap poles would never support the thing!

How are you all btw? Had a good summer? I'm in school tomorrow for Inet - first in 7 years gulp!

Blandmum · 02/09/2007 17:05

Yup, back to school tomorrow, we also have an INSET!

My kids are back to classes tomorrow, and we have the uniforms out ready to go!

We had a wonderful 3 .5 weeks in Scotland. Much as I missed the freedom of camping, I was rather glad we were in other accomation this year, as the weather was more than alittle wet. We had great fun though.

Lucycat · 02/09/2007 17:07

Scotland sounds lovely - did the midges get you again?

How's Mr mb?

Blandmum · 02/09/2007 17:24

OK, but has the strong feeling that the tumours are growing again, as he now needs his pain med again (has been pain free since May)

Lucycat · 02/09/2007 17:26

oooh mb no....

Blandmum · 02/09/2007 17:27

It is crap, but we knew it would happen.

He had a scan on Friday, and well get the results in 2-3 weeks, but we think that we know what it will say.

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