Need to pick a tent please help!

[NewLifeOrNot]

No idea where to start really. 3 DCs currently aged 3 month, 3 and 5 all same sex. Have come to the conclusion that as a family of 5 trying to go on holidays during school breaks that the only way we can afford it every year is to camp. I don’t mind this really and I did a lot of camping in my teenage years and early twenties but DH is more of a novice and less outdoorsy (he grew up with more money and is used to spending two weeks in a Greek hotel every summer).

We want a tent that is big enough to last. I think I prefer poles to air tent as we want something relatively compact to store. We have quite a big garden so can dry it at home if needs be.

i want to be able to stand up in at least the main room/entrance and I’m nearly 6ft. DH is 6’2.

Beyond that I don’t know what I’m looking for really. Budget is £500 max. Please help!

Are you near a Decathlon? They have a good relatively cheap range or at least worth a visit so you can poke around the different sizes. Black out liner is a revelation!

Go bigger than you think you need. At the moment a 5 person tent will work, but in a few years you will be glad of the extra space a 6+ person tent will provide. A tent should last at least 3 months of continuous use. So if you use it for 2 weeks a year it’ll last something like 6-10 years. Blackout lining is a good idea.

For 5 of you as a holiday tent, go for an 8 or 10 man.

Our 5 man is only good for long weekends as there just isn't enough space at all.

I’d go for something like the Zenobia 8 Nightfall Tent - defo get darkened rooms! Large, 2 big bedrooms and the middle bit give you quite a lot of space - £399 in go outdoors at the moment - I think you’re getting a lot of rent for your money at that price!!

Decathlon’s Quechua arpenez range will have tents that size in your price range.

Decathlon, or look at Facebook marketplace. Sooo many people who bought tents in the pandemic now selling them practically unused. You'd be best asking them to see them pitched tho so you can be sure they're in good condition. But you'll get a much bigger and better tent for your budget.

We have had tunnel tents 2 beds at the back a space in the middle and a front space that can zip up has been most workable for us.
We are in need of a new tent and we did discuss we would get a separate gazebo for a sitting and cooking/eating area just because it's a bit cramped with kids stuff drying towels etc then the cooker you worry they will trip and fall into it etc.
We would now go for a blow up just for the speed of it. Last camp we took 4 kids age 1, 4, 7 and 13 so it's hard to turn your back. Camping with kids is pretty exhausting but more affordable they love it. Even though it feels like an endurance weekend and they seem to hate it at times they are always saying when are we going again.

Décathlon, 2 blackout rooms minimum.

@Matilda1981 i have looked at that Zanobia tent, it’s good to know I’m vaguely in the right place!

Im surprised so many people have recommended decathlon, are they decent quality tents? I suppose I had assumed that because they were cheap that they weren’t any good.

@Luddite26 thanks, I did wonder if an air tent would be better but they’re so pricey and we are also going to have to transport it in the boot along with all the rest of our stuff so was worried about space… is there a big difference?

We have a Berghaus air tent. It's fantastic, so so easy to put up and put down

We have an air tent - fabulous once it's up with loads of spaces but a BEAST to lug around. I can't manoeuvre it on my own (it's an 8 man tent). Bear that in mind.

It also takes up all the boot space or we use a trailer.

Curve ball, but don't rule out a bell tent. We have two adults, two small children and dog in our 5m with plenty of room. I'm not sure how well it will work when the kids are older and want separate sleeping spaces but for now it is working really well.

Saying that, the cost of camping since we started going is absolutely outrageous, we were used to paying per pitch but many sites now charge by the person and item of kit. So you might find a drive to France to a euro camp type of place might be just as cost effective! We will be doing that once we don't have the elderly dog to factor in.

Decathlon tents last forever. Great camping gear

We are a family of 5 and have an 8 man. It’s got bedrooms at each end and a central living area. Black out lining. We got it as a second from a local camping shop and saved 50% on the price.

Do consider space in your car. All the equipment is hard to fit in when there is 5 of you!

Definitely thinking about 8 man tent as we want to be able to have enough space to be comfortable for 5+ days.

@PensionPuzzle i agree that some campsites do seem very expensive but it’s still a fraction of the cost of “proper” accommodation in the school holidays. For example we have booked 5 nights in the new forest over May bank holiday and it’s £170 but all the Airbnb or chalets are at least £500+. Similarly in the summer we did look at euro camp in Brittany and even their safari tents are £500+ for a week and the normal chalets seem to be anything from £800 upwards, as much as £1500 at the well rated campsites. We have booked 4 nights at a 5* eurocamp and it’s €200 to camp compared to €600 plus for a chalet. The savings will add up I think.

Our last tent was really bulky so I haven't looked at the difference I'm sure it will be more we need a trailer and roof top box. But last time we camped my daughter brought some of the kids in her car and my son picked the kids up to go home and we had all the stuff and the one year old.
But I'm not a light packer.
Before we go again we are making a list and sticking to it my own fault I will take my hairdryer forgetting there is one on site.
But it is I'm sure going to be air.
The annoying thing is we meant to buy one after Xmas but didn't and now they will be going up in price for the season.

If you set your cooking area up properly you will not eat out so much last time because of the little one and the chaos we had McDonald's and fish and chips so didn't cook as intended. Hence our thoughts on a separate eating/cooking area gazebo. In October we stayed in a caravan 2 hols in a caravan would probs pay for the tent.

We have a roof box!