Should we return our air tent and get a bell tent instead?!

[MumofBoys79]

Hello fellow campers

We've just upgraded to this air tent: -

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15982276/hi-gear-horizon-400-air-nightfall-tent-15982276

However, we're now wondering whether we should return it and get a bell tent instead. We want to take the tent to France next year. I like the idea of the bell tent because they don't get as cold or hot (apparently).

For those of you who have owned a bell tent, would you recommend?

If we were to get a bell tent, what size would we need? We are a family of four including two lively boys (8 and 5). Would a 4 meter tent give us enough room?

We would prefer to keep the kitchen stuff outdoors/not inside the bell tent. Any suggestions?

Those of you who have 5m bell tents, do most campsites accept them?

Please help as we need to make a decision fast!

Thanks in advance xx

Friend has an air tent which she loves for the convenience but misses the environment of canvas.
I got a Dutch pyramid tent rather than a bell tent. Just as beautiful but more useful. You get more usable space and most have a large varifloue (sp?) which is a covered porch area. Good for cooking and shoes and to sit under in the evening
I would never have a polythene tent again. Its like camping in a carrier bag and I would wake up desperate to get out when it was hot
Canvas is amazing and they last forever if you look after them

images.app.goo.gl/uLnUg8bKuTSMs2Lf6

We have a 5m bell with two DC. We fit in with room to spare. When they were younger we put the two dc camp beds side by side on one side and we had the other. Now we are more central behind the pole and DD goes one side and DS the other. Each persons ‘kit’ is stored under the camp bed. We also have a ‘wing’ porch which is super handy and well worth the relatively small additional purchase. We have a windbreak which we use for more privacy at the front. We absolutely love our bell and yes, it’s great in hot weather. Don’t get the fixed ground sheet - we have a pegged one which means on a hot day you can roll the sides up and the air blows through. Google for pictures of this as it’s a game changer for us on hot days. Absolutely love it.

Thanks so much both.

Will have a look at the Dutch Pyramid tents too.

xx

I'd consider a poly-cotton tent too. Probably easier to dry then a canvas tent.

I think that's what we'd go for if we decided to upgrade our tent.

For hot weather (any weather! ) I would always favour cotton canvas or polycotton.

Doesn’t have to be a bell tent.

belltent.co.uk/products/4-4m-deluxe-touareg-tent

www.obelink.co.uk/obelink-porto-ercole.html (Obelink are a brilliant Dutch company with a good reputation for delivering to the Uk. But note that extra import duties are now due, post Brexit.

If you choose a bell I would go for 5m, and get a tarp to use for shade outside and a cooking shelter.

I have had a tipi style tent and found it very difficult to keep warm, I think because of the sheer volume. Maybe with 4 of you it will be easier.

Will you be able to have separate bedrooms inside it? If not, will the lack of privacy bother you over the length of the holiday?

Classic Bell tents are lovely but heavy and not the most space efficient...a lot if campsites in France have smaller pitches and more rectangular ...nd if you go to some of the hillier areas pyrenees/gorge ardeche etc you wouldn't fit in! I would recommend polycotten as you get most of the cooling benefit which is great but a wider range of shapes.... I've had Outwell, Eureka!, and now have a Robens ...
All been great but slightly different purpose ...otherwise if you want to stick to canvas and have the space a Dutch pyramid is a more practical shape....and cabanon etc are beautiful 😍 but too heavy for me