Graham Thompson
For a great weekend away for two, choosing the right tent is vital – here we look at the best options you can buy for under £300.
puts a raft of tents and sleeping bags through their paces to find just how far the design of these staples of summer adventure have come
FLYSHEET
Providing the protection against rain, it‘s made from nylon or less durable polyester treated with waterproofing polyurethane or silicone. Generally, the heavier the fabric the longer it will last, but ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitors will improve long-term performance. A flysheet that reaches the ground around the edges will keep more rain out, but a fly with a big air gap around the base will help reduce condensation.
PITCHING
Inner-first designs save weight, are more stable and are ideal for dry conditions. Outer-first designs are better if pitching in the rain, as the inner can be more easily protected. However, if the inner is made of nylon it can often be shaken dry and won’t absorb too much water, so this may be a worthwhile compromise.
HEADROOM
To be sure you can sit up, get a friend to measure your height when sitting, then compare this to the maximum internal height of the inner tent. Note that many tents taper down so you may not be able to sit up throughout the inner tent.
INNER TENT
You sleep inside the inner and it protects you from condensation that forms on the underside of the flysheet, as well as pesky midges that manage to get under the flysheet. Some inner tents have large mesh panels to improve airflow and reduce weight, but they can be colder and draughtier than those without – and mesh-roofed inner tents may allow condensation to drip onto the occupants.
WEIGHT
Manufacturers supply weights but it is not always clear what these weights include. All weights in this test are for the tent inner and outer, poles and pegs, as well as stuff-sacks and guy lines provided.
PORCH
This space outside the inner but under the flysheet is ideal for wet rucksacks or as a sheltered cooking space. If it’s too small, you’ll have to consider where you are going to store your wet gear overnight.
GUY LINES
A set of cords are usually provided with a tent to help stabilise it in high winds. Some models need fewer guy lines than others as a result of their design making them mechanically much stronger and more stable.