Which event shelter?

[mackerella]

While camping this summer, I found myself wistfully looking at the people with event shelters, and wondering if we should get one as well? Some people had set up encampments with a tent, event shelter, windbreak and firepit that looked so inviting!

We (me, DH, 2 DCs of 7 and nearly 10) have a lovely big family tent (Vango Orava 600XL), which has plenty of living and bedroom space. But the porch is usually cluttered up with the kitchen unit and food (which I have to keep taking outside in order to do the cooking), and it's not quite big enough for the whole family to sit in comfortably. I was wondering whether an event shelter would be a sensible move - I could put all the kitchen stuff in there and if it's the kind with sides that zip off, then I wouldn't need to move the unit outside for cooking. It would also give us a bit of extra space for sitting around in the evenings, and also some shade during the day (it was SCORCHING hot when we were camping in early August, and managed to be unbearable both inside and outside the tent). I was thinking that an event shelter with removable sides (like this one, for example) would provide extra living space and storage.

We only camp between about May and late September, and generally on sites with no individual marked pitches (just a free-for-all in a field). So space isn't usually an issue, and hopefully weather/wind wouldn't be either.

Does anyone use an event shelter for cooking/eating/relaxing in? Any particular recommendations?

I'm trying to get a reality check because every year we end up buying more camping stuff, and it's getting a bit out of control - especially as we only have a hatchback and roofbox for transporting everything in! But I've convinced myself that an event shelter would be a useful investment .

I just think they look so nothingness and provide no protection

Fair enough! Even the sort that have attachable sides?

I see loads of people using these very effectively.

The Coleman event shelter looks very sturdy.

But how will you get all this in your car?

Have you considered a tarp? Or a smallish utility tent?

Shelters and gazebos can be a major hazard in wind.

Thanks Dido (great name!). Re transport: the shelters I've seen pack up into a long, relatively slim bundle, so could either go in car footwell (like chairs) or on the roof bars (we have a Thule Ranger 90 box, which doesn't take up the full width).

I did look at utility tents, but most of the ones I've seen are small (ok for cooking but not as an extra sitting space) and/or don't open up enough that I'd feel comfortable cooking in them. I might investigate tarps again (I knew someone would suggest one - it always comes up here ).

Coleman event shelter is good. We have several for the Guides with sides. So much easier than the mess tents we used to use!

Tarp is the way to go. You can attach to the side of your tent for shade and set up in various shapes if you get extra poles.

Sorry, so predictable. But you know they are cheap and useful even if you do progress to a marquee or something.

Yeah, I've just been talking to DH about it, and we're coming round to the idea of a tarp/windbreak combo (which is effectively a partially-open shelter anyway!). You've nearly convinced me

What would I need to buy if we got a tarp? I'm confused by all the talk of cords and bungees .

We do already have a couple of porch poles that we used to use with our old tent - could we use those with a tarp?

Ours is the Decathlon Fresh Tarp, comes with 2 of its own poles.

Yes porch poles are ideal.

We have a Coleman event dome. They are fantastic in the rain. We put one so it covers our tent entrance but leaves room for a table etc.

My only thing is that if you are in a windy area, get long pegs and some long straps or rope and throw over to secure it. Ours has stayed solid under 50 km gusts that way.

We have the Coleman Fastpitch event shelter - it’s fab! We have two sun walls as have young kids so provides shade in the sun and then a bit cosier at night if its raining. BUT it does take up a bit of space in its long bag.

The Coleman event shelters are very good. We’ve used them a lot.