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10 Mar 2010
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You should decide which weight is acceptable for you and if you prefer a free-standing or a tunnel-type tent. If you want a 3-man tent under 2.5-3 kg, choices will be limited and not necessarily be cheap, if you don't care if its about 4 kg, then you have plenty to choose from. Also read up a bit on free-standing vs tunnel designs. Free standers are easier to put up, especially in tricky terrain, and *might* be able to cope with changing wind directions better, tunnels usually make much better use of space and are therefor roomier and lighter.
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10 Mar 2010
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The Northface tadpole 23 seems to be the favourite tent for under £200.
They are about for about £170.
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10 Mar 2010
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Since you've said it's gonna be for two people, my suggestion is to get something with two entrances! Makes life so much easier, as you can both be doing stuff in the entrances/porches at the same time. Eg boots on off, packing, unpacking, cooking, whatever. An added bonus is that when it's hot you can open both doors and get airflow through the tent.
Having had both tunnel and dome tents, I'd only advise a dome tent. On bad ground a tent that relies on pegs to create its shape is just a big useless flappy sheet. The only reason why I'd consider another non-dome tent is for an ultra small/lightweight one man jobby, like what cyclists often use.
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10 Mar 2010
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Close to your budget limit are Robert Saunders tents. I have the mountain trek, but this is just over your budget. Look at the products page and then click on different models for a price. There are other well known brands with similar designs, similar price and spec, but you don't pay for the name with. I can also testify that it can maintain its shape in a Patagonian gale: that is a baptism of fire for any tent.
We also have a Jack Wolfskin Tundra 2. A tunnel tent which, like all tunnel tents, needs good tension in its pegs and guylines (sp?) to maintain its shape, which means that the surface you camp on can be critical. However, it has a very roomy cabin area and a HUGE vestibule. Generally, seems well made...
Otherwise, Decathlon have a decent range of tents, well within your budget. The advantage they seem to have is they are quite light and pack small: these features are a boon for MC touring! My dad got the T2 Ultralight, I think. Fine for one: look at the T3 Ultralight for two people. Not a massive vestibule, and lacks things like a mesh door panel and only has one exit.
Finally, if I had the cash: Exped! Not a serious suggestion, just wishful thinking!!
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10 Mar 2010
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We purchased the Vango Omega last year, decent sized porch got all the bike gear into it that is 4 panniers & 2 top boxes.
The bedroom pod is a good size and important for us oldies it has plenty room for the air bed
The tent was great we comfortably spent 2 weeks holiday in it without any major arguments.
Stoves
We have MSR, camping gaz and contemplating adding a honey stove to the list both stoves have good and bad points all depending on where you travel. The cheaper camping gaz stove you have the easier it is to get the refil cannisters, or so we found.
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11 Mar 2010
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After my first attempt at touring when it rained a LOT! I changed my tent as my existing one was a classic inner first pitch,not great when its throwing it down. I now use a Vango Spirit 200+,as it is a tunnel tent it does need to be anchored well so I have invested in some good quality pegs.It will sleep two comfortably.
Plus points;roomy,lots of storage pockets,easy to put up,weighs 3kg & packs up small-44x15 cm,big porch so lots of storage space,side opening door so you dont get soaked when you open it first thing in the morning,I leave the inner attached so I can pitch it all in one go,gap between fly sheet & floor so it lets some air in when its hot,plus 4 ventilation points,inner has decent groundsheet height so that air wont whistle past you when its cold.
Downside;not the cheapest but I did get mine for under £200,headroom is not enormous,I am only 5`8" & can sit up comfortably,a second door would have been handy.
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From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014 
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
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11 Mar 2010
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Well hada look @ the 2 cookers & got the feather it has them silly little feet ok if on dodgy ground? & has a bigger tank on it so have opted for that from world of camping sescial offer of £45.99 bit of a bargen
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11 Mar 2010
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Thanks Guys for the info re tents I have had a look at all of the 1s suggested & will have to go in to the camping shop to see them in the flesh,
as most have it in foren not feet inches, sorry (too old for metric!)
I know what i am willing to cope with but I have to concider the gf, I am used to not much when out in the bondu, & the old Army saying any fool can be uncomftable is very true.
I have decide my criteria needs to be a bit more harsh the £ can go up to £250 rather not & it will be use on my back as well as on the bike & even sometimes in a car!
not too hapy re guide ropes allways 1 idiot to go over them! but aa part of life, would prefer a all in 1 not botherd domed or otherwise.
You guys have gave me somthing to go and look @ and think about, thank you
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12 Mar 2010
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Well just came out of Tescos, & they are selling a domed 4 man tent £30 they got blow up air bed things £10 & and an array of Fart sacks as well.
Of course a tent for £30 will not be the best in the world but will give something to use while you think about which 1 to buy for seroius work.
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12 Mar 2010
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Selous, your 30 pound Tesco tent will do you fine. I only ever buy cheapies and then give them away after 10 - 20 years, my last one was given to the op- shop, over 20 years old and still in perfect order. I currently use a $40 KMart tent which is over 10 years old and has taken me across Russia, Scandinavia and Australia - I have no intention of replacing it soon.
My propane stove is now 35 years old and cost something like 4 pound at the time. It's simply a burner head with valve that screws on to the top of disposable propane bottles. I usually buy the bottles in bulk when there is a sale on, but I find they last for ages anyway.
To my mind the only items worth spending big on are the comfort items - namely sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. However, if you are smart, shop around, and buy off season, you can pick up great bargains then too.
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Last edited by farqhuar; 13 Mar 2010 at 12:33.
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12 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar
Selous, your 30 pound Tesco tent will do you fine.
To my mind the only items worth spending big on are the comfort items - namely sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. However, if you are smart, shop around, and buy off season, you can pick up great bargains here too.
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Yes that is the way I am thinking then I have more £££ for the trip lol
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13 Mar 2010
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Sometimes cheap is best,when it leaks on you then its not but to be honest its all a bit of a lottery,I have brands I would swear by but then I hear a horror story about it from a friend!
Which leads me to this,
Igloo - Khyam - Flexi-dome
and this,
Biker - Khyam - Flexi-dome
this brand was reccomended to me by a friend,quite impressed by the web site,check it out 
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Andy L
From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
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13 Mar 2010
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I have various tents, one of which is a Khyam Igloo. It's a spacious tent and easy to put up quick once you've got the knack. A bit more fiddly to take down though.
It's not light & it doesn't pack small but is OK for Car-camping or on a Road bike with plenty of space. Mine has seen some horrible weather and kept me dry when other tents around me failed. I use the extra "footprint" under it to protect the ground sheet.
With all tents in whatever price band; buy some quality pegs. The little bits of bent wire that come with most tents are pretty useless anywhere except on your lawn. I have various types that will get me pitched securely on most ground conditions. My "mixed pegs" bag goes with me whichever tent I take.
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18 Mar 2010
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uggawish
Quote:
Originally Posted by Selous
Hi It have been many a year since I have slept under canvas or rip stop.
as in the Army we used Bivvi Bags & poncho, (tent minus sides held up by bungees!)
I want a 3 man tent easy up down I got a very cheap 3 man from tesco my gf went to japan & lost it in the hurrican!
nbot botherd if domed, would prefer a portch then by the time u get in it put your helmet bootd etc no room that is why im saying a 3 man.
I have used a mini gaz ring with a tiny gaz bottle last abt a wek making 1 cup of t aday in morning, am thnking of getting a petrol cooker that way with a tank of petrol never worry suggestions please ta
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If you plan to do any traveling by air don't get a stove with an integral fuel tank. I had my old faithful Coleman Peak I confiscated even though the tank was empty - because it still had vapors in it. Plan on getting your fuel canisters after you land.
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20 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor
buy some quality pegs. The little bits of bent wire that come with most tents are pretty useless anywhere except on your lawn. I have various types that will get me pitched securely on most ground conditions. My "mixed pegs" bag goes with me whichever tent I take.
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V Good point
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