Lads Manor
What is the best Tent to buy?
If you are looking to buy a tent, your decision as to which one will depend on where you are thinking of pitching it. Are you a single walker or Mountain Climber? in which case you would be looking at a lightweight, Waterproof and warm tent. You could go for a tent with poles or now you could also go for the blow up type. Or are you looking for something larger for the family in which case you may need more comforts? All of which would need to stand up to the British weather. There are a huge range of types to suit many different needs, so you need to spend some time working out which type of tent is right for you. At Lads Manor we are here to help you through the decision you need to make regarding a tent purchase. We are here to give you the best advice and guidance available to help you make your right choice. We have selected the top tents in each range to give you confidence in your purchase.
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The features you need to look for in a new Tent.
A high quality tent will keep you warm inside and the cold weather outside and usually the higher the price paid the more features the tent will come with, so you need to choose a tent carefully.
How do you know if it is waterproof?
You need to look out for a specification called the hydrostatic head (HH). This figure indicates how waterproof the fabric is in millimetres. To be considered waterproof, a tent’s fabric should have a minimum HH of 1,000mm, so aim to choose a tent with a HH rating of 2,000mm or more.
What size tent should you go for?
All manufacturers give a suggested Berth number. This is fine for people sleeping in the tent but you must be aware that the suggested berth number will not take into account room for any other storage requirements.
What to look out for when buying a family tent?
Here we are talking about a family holiday and so it is crucial to make sure the tent is capable of keeping the whole family happy. The difficulty is that there are thousands of different shapes, sizes, facilities available on the market today, so this makes your choice that much harder. So it is wise to ensure that you cover the key essential requirements at the very least. They are to ensure that:-
1. It is waterproof and this can be checked using HH rating.
2. That you have enough space. Consider the number of people that will be staying inside and whether the size seems adequate for sleeping as well as storage and socialising.
3. What features do you need. Do you need awnings, storage pockets, hanging points, vents or porches, even the small things can make your holiday a real pleasure.
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If your family likes to pitch for a week or so, look for a heavier, multi-compartment tent with weatherproofing and living space. If you are staying put for the duration of your holiday you might as well make it as comfortable as possible.
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The best overall Tent
Vango Banshee 300
The Vango Banshee 300
Is Part of the DofE recommended kit, the Vango Banshee 300 is a 3-man tent and is ideal for trekking and wild camping in remote places.
The Vango Banshee 300 has a fantastic space to weight ratio, whilst the side entry tunnel and TBS II Tension Band System ensure the tent performs in adverse conditions, especially in strong, changeable winds. This lightweight, compact tent can be quickly and easily pitched in just 7 minutes and weighs just 2.8kg and is fully rain tested.
It comes with a flysheet and groundsheet which is waterproof, the lightweight aluminium poles are very easy to pitch and pack away. The fabric is breathable which allows condensation to pass through. The reflective pegging points and guylines can be seen for miles and provides high visibility in low light.
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The best Luxury family tent
COLEMANMeadowood 6 Person Large Tent
The best 4 Man Tent
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COLEMAN Meadowood 6 Person Large Tent.
Is an extremely spacious family tent is ideal for weekends away as well as longer breaks for a larger family.
The tent has an extended open front porch area offering additional living space with protection from the elements. The front porch can be closed off for additional weather protection with an easily attached zipped front face (Coleman 6L Vestibule sold separately).
It Comes with Fibreglass poles to support the tent structure and ensure both a lighter weight package as well as flexibility to deflect stronger wind gusts while the fitted storm straps offer greater peace of mind in higher winds.
Two large bedrooms feature Black Out Bedroom® technology blocking daylight, reducing the temperature during the day and increasing it at night, ensuring a more restful sleep for all the family. The tent benefits from good head height throughout and several large windows provide plenty of light. The windows also feature zipped window shades ensuring flexible levels of privacy and the main entrance has a drop down doorway providing barrier-free access reducing possible trip hazards.
Ample ventilation is provided at the side and rear of the tent via a full width aperture to reduce condensation while zipped cable entry points allow access for powered accessories together with multiple lantern attachment points. The Water rating is 4000mm and the total area of the tent 25.6 m squared.
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EurohikeTamar 2 Man Tent
The Eurohike Tamar 2 Man Tent is a spacious 2 man tent with loads of room. The large bedroom fits a standard double bed, constructed with NightfallTM darkened technology to keep morning light out. The porch area has a bathtub ground sheet, so there is no need to worry about leaks and moisture whilst you store your belongings.
It comes with porch and storage area with windows and built in ground sheet all of which is fully waterproof to 2000mm hydrostatic head.
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The tent comes with an EN-5912 flame retardant coating. The eight is 3.7kg and the pack size is 54 x 16 x 16cm.
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The best 4 Man tent
COLEMAN Meadowood 4 Person Large Tent With Blackout Bedrooms
COLEMANMeadowood 4 Person Large Tent The tent has an extended open front porch area offering additional living space with protection from the weather. The front porch can be closed off for additional weather protection with an easily attached zipped front. It has fibreglass poles to support the tent structure and ensure both a lighter weight package as well as flexibility to deflect stronger wind gusts, while the fitted storm straps offer greater peace of mind in higher winds.
This tent benefits from good head height throughout and several large windows provide plenty of light. The two bedrooms are extra-large and will comfortably fit larger beds and feature a BlackOut Bedroom® technology blocking daylight to reducing the temperature during the day and increasing it at night, ensuring a more restful sleep. The windows also feature zipped window shades ensuring flexible levels of privacy and the main entrance has a drop down doorway providing barrier-free access reducing possible trip hazards. The pole structure is made of fibreglass and the groundsheet is welded and fully integrated with the rain skirts. the weight is 22.5Kg and pack size is 74 x 36 x 36cm.
The best 8 Man tent
HI-GEARZenobia 8 Nightfall Tent
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HI-GEAR Z enobia 8 Nightfall Tent This 8-man tunnel tent is practical and spacious making it ideal for family camping holidays. The Zenobia 8 has a proven Tunnel Tent design, it’s easy to pitch and resilient to the weather. The layout has bedrooms to either end giving some privacy. Plus now for the first time the inclusion of Nightfall Bedrooms providing a darkened sleeping environment, but also with curtain features which can let in the light when you need it. The Hi Gear tent range are winners of the 2020 Best Family Tent award from the Camping and Caravan Club.
It comes with a 4000HH Flysheet, Low and mid-level venting which is adjustable to suit your camping and weather needs. The Flysheet, Bedrooms, Mesh and Groundsheet ALL now fully fire retardant to British Standards.
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The pack size is 68 x 40 x 40cm and the weight is 24.5Kg.
The best lightweight Tent
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VANGO F10 Mountain 2 Tent This is a multi award winning mountain tent that's built for all UK or overseas trips. The Force Ten F10 MTN 2 uses the mountaineer's favoured 4 pole geodesic design, with an Axial Hub pole system, and Vari-Pitch options. Its ability to pitch inner first, flysheet first with footprint, or flysheet and footprint only, makes it a versatile free standing shelter that's especially good for adverse weather conditions.
At 3.42kg, the MTN 2 is the new benchmark for mountain tents.
It comes with connecting UL Poles at cross over points with Axial Hub which provides increased pitching efficiency, strength and allows for Vari-Pitch options. The nylon fabric is a great balance between low weight and high durability. Waterproof to 6,000mm. The storage pockets provide convenient storage within the inner tent to keep essentials close to hand. This tent is fire retardant and comes with multi reflective pegging points for visibility in low light. The weight is 3.42kg and pack size is 49 x 17cm.​
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The best all weather tent
VANGO F10 MTN 2 Tent
The Force Ten F10 MTN 2 uses the 4 pole geodesic design, with an Axial Hub pole system, and Vari-Pitch options. The ability to pitch inner first, flysheet first with footprint, or flysheet and footprint only, makes it a versatile free standing shelter that's especially good for adverse weather conditions. The nylon 6.6 Silicon/PU flysheet is light with fully taped seams, and is combined with a dependable 70D Nylon groundsheet.
This tent comes with high quality ripstop nylon fabric in a 30 denier weight for optimum strength to weight ratio. The outer face has a siliconised coating to enhance the water repellence and increased tear strength to protect against UV degradation, all of which is fire retardant. The tent provides convenient storage within the inner tent to keep essentials close to hand and roll back doors, or zip down to counter prevailing winds. It allows condensation to pass through, for a comfortable night's sleep. It has a woven with a reflective strip to pick up light. The weight is 3.42kg and the pack size is 49 x 17cm. See the video above.
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The best yert style tent
COLEMAN Cortes Octagon 8 Tent
COLEMAN Cortes Octagon 8 Tent. The Cortes Octagon is something a little different. It is part classic Yurt design, part space age mothership, the single large room and 360 degree views make this a fantastic space for outdoor living.
The Coleman Cortes Octagon is a single large room that can be used for luxury camping, family holidays, garden parties and the list goes on!
It has large mesh windows all around to give great views, while the full-height external curtains and sewn in groundsheet which offers full waterproof protection. You can even remove the flysheet entirely and just use the inner and poles to create a large insect-free space that's ideal for hot, dry days.
The front door is hinged (like a proper door) which makes getting in and out a lot easier and the wheeled carry bag makes it easy to get from the car to your chosen pitch.
The Coleman Cortes Octagon won 2015 Tent Of The Year at the Camping Magazine Editor's Choice Awards.
It comes with a fully waterproof flysheet with 2000mm Hydrostatic Head with taped seams to keep you and your family dry. it has huge mesh windows for 360 degree views all of which are fire retardant. The size is 396 x 396 x 208cm with a pack size of 85 x 30 x 30cm and the weight is 20.7kg.
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