Another Vango fan here....

They are well made, sensibly designed and very good value..

Tents are one of those things that many spend three months travel budget on.. Why ????

I wouldn't spend mega cash on a tent like many do unless you're planning on some SERIOUS camping. And as you're with a bike, I really doubt that you are.

Bare in mind that around the world, you will have many opportunities to replace a tent if you have to. For probably a lot cheaper than you can buy in the UK and probably better suited to the environment too.

You see some ridiculously expensive expedition tents 'looking cool' at bigger meetings. What's the point ??? They still burn/stain/tear just like the much cheaper models. Sure, they maybe able to withstand a force 10 gale at the top of Everest and have lazer etched poles but do YOU need that ??

My vangos have been more than adequate in the high mountains of Ethiopia and well as the scorching desert sands and patagonian winds.

It's not always the 'brand' of tent that determines it's last-ability, but the design you go for and how you pitch it.

I'd seen mega bucks tents fold and fly away at Shell Islands (crazy windy Welsh campsite) while my £15 ASDA dome tent stood proud.

I'm not saying get a cheap ASDA tent, but a Vango should be more than good enough for all but the most extreme camper.


I currently use the Omega 350..

http://www.vango.co.uk/expedition/omega-350.html

It's shaped so you can point it into the wind if you have to, it has a generous sleeping compartment as well as a really spacious front porch for all your storage. You can easily sit up in the front section too. It even has curtains for the front windows.

Ticks all my boxes.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I have a couple of tents and would recommend them but I am not sure what you are after.

I have a Vango Apex 200 (no longer made but you might be able to find them around still - Vango Apex 200 Mountain Lite Tent UK) ... they are a two man, which means 1 man of course, inexpensive, and it weights a tiny 1.6 kgs. But its not a 4 season tent.

You did specify a 4 season tent ... in which case you have to spend more, carry more weight and get something like a Hilleberg Nallo-2 (Nallo 2 | hilleberg.se) ... which weighs in at 2.3 kgs

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That's the same tent that was blowing all over the place in a bit of wind! WTF do you want to park your bike in your tent for Might as well kip in a hotel and stick your bike in the garage

"That's the same tent that was blowing all over the place in a bit of wind! WTF do you want to park your bike in your tent for Might as well kip in a hotel and stick your bike in the garage"

Its a little thing called security! Out of sight and out of mind and all that?
Its the same reason why travellers go to great lengths to find accomodation where their bikes are behind closed doors - away from prying eyes! I thought the benefits of hiding the bike in a tent would have been obvious? Obviously not...

So obvious that your trying to hide in an oversized bright yellow tent ;-)

now now you two...

Different tents for different people - I know we can get passionate about gear... but come on.

Now, I can attest that with both Stace and I in the tent it didn't blow anywhere. There may have been some wind inside the tent but poor Stace had just had some of my bacon curry.

I don't own this tent by the way - I just take the mickey out of it at the meets ;-)

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Agree with most of you. No need to spend mega buck. My Vango Spirit 2 has got me thro 2 Welsh winters. And will take it to the Arctic this May. The porch is essential for bike gear and very easy and fast to pitch. Light weight and compact, My sleeping mat cost more than the tent... down filled, Exped hand inflated , worth every penny Reflects body heat and very comfy.

Hi Ted nice tent where did you get that from? I have the HALO 300 and it does me, it has more space than the Omega and packs about the same weight. Ted is right you can spend a fortune on tents with laser engraved poles and drilled graphite pegs but does the cost justify it?

I lost one tent in Cornwall when it turned into a kite as I was taking it down. Fortunately it was a cheap tent but it could have been an expensive one. By the time I had retrieved it out of the brambles it was like a set of lace curtains and ended up in the skip. Shell Island is the graveyard of tents but the best place to test any out. I have left at least one very expensive tent in a skip there. In fact I have thrown most of my tents away and they were a combination of expensive and ultra cheap bargain basement jobbies.

My advice would be buy a cheap one and test it out on any hill top in bad weather. If it works then great if it does not then you have not wasted a fortune. My current HALO has seen me through 6 inches of snow, temperatures of -7 and hurricane type gales. IT has not leaked, has not blown away or been ripped to shreds by the wind and it has loads of space in it to keep my gear dry.

Hope this helps

GM

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I am not saying this is the best tent as no tent is the best for everything but the Exped orion is very very good, (I still rate the moskol tipis as one of the best for everything) Able to withstand high winds is roomy, with excellent head room, the tent can be pitched with the inner in place, or the inner can be stand alone for hotter climate, it has two porches, two entrances, excellent stability, free standing very good ventilation and better than most build quality, zips and materials. Its cheaper to buy from Europe than in the UK generally but you might find a bargain one. http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped...endocumentwell worth a look.

fyi, your link doesn't work...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Cheers ted maybe this will work cheers.
Exped-Orion - expedition grade shelter.

Hi Adventure, the tent you posted looks like a clone of the HALO. Thing is who copied who. If it is a good as the HALO then it is a good tent.

here is a review of the HALO with pics so you can see how similar they are.

Vango Halo 300 Tent Uploaded Photos and Images

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2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

Hi Greenmalashi the Vango is no doubt a good tent however its aimed at a different market to the Exped which is a full on 4 season expedition grade mountain tent that has won many top awards for its build quality and levels of protection that can be given, If you do not need this type of tent then the Vango is no doubt fine. The exped has top design features built into the tent to help when putting it up in severe weather and the like stand this quality of tent apart from others - I would suggest its in a different league to the vango ( sounds snobby that but just the difference between an everyday tent and a top quality expedition tent) materials and build quality are far above that of the Vango. It can withstand full side on 75 to 100mph windspeeds see demo ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI-BQUDlPxo ) the poles, pegs and material are superb quality and the little features like self stowing guidelines, easy fit colour coded poles (seams are internal for extra strength and to lower wind drag),the fact the internal tent can be put up seperate from the external and visa versa the list goes on it all adds up to make a difference to the whole tent.But there again the Exped is up there at around £500 notes so you pays your money and take your choices - depends what you may use your tent for and I use mine to live in in very northern climates (arctic areas as well as use on the bike so feel its justified) All that said I can not knock the Vango at its price its probably a great tent and you could have three in succession for the price of one Exped. The Vango is more than likely copied from the Exped not the other way round. Still if your full of on a campsite it makes no difference cos your probably in somebody elses tent anyway. Jake.

just bought the MSR Holler.
Already liked the Mutha Hubba (or whatever its name is), but the poles didn't fit in a touratech pannier. The MSR Holler fits in nicely!

Maybe i missed it... has the Bibler (Black Diamond) been mentioned? If not, I'm surprised! Bibler became Black Diamond a number of years ago, but as far as i know are the same quality. I have had my Tempest since 2005. Its extremely durable with very high quality fabrics and zippers. Single wall design works like Gore-Tex, with zero condensation inside and excellent venting. The Easton aluminum poles are inside the tent creating an egg-like strong shell. I have been caught in 2 day long rain storms on top of mountains and never been wet. It packs small, around 2 kilo's and has a front and rear vestibule. Tempest Tent - Black Diamond Mountain Gear
Another option is the I-Tent, used by Helge Pederson.
I-Tent - Black Diamond Mountain Gear
If i ever wear this tent out, which i find highly unlikely, i would replace it with another in a heart-beat!

BTW: These tents come with un-sealed seams. Before venturing out, you must seal them with Seam-Grip urethane sealer. Mine lasted six years before i re-applied mine and were always water-tite.