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I keep coming back to the Vango F10 Xenon tents that were mentioned earlier in the post.
There’s the Regular F10 UL2 and the 2+2 with the bigger porch area.
Go outdoors price match plus 10% discount so in theory I could get the regular F10 UL2 for £198 (its £220 on Amazon). Go outdoors price is £315.
The 2+2 I could get for £225 (it’s £250 in the link Matt_outandabout posted). Go outdoors price is £369.
I like the idea of the additional covered porch space but maybe that’s just a case of buying more than I actually need to when I’m trying to limit what I carry and not take anything particularly unnecessary.
I’m Pretty sure the standard UL2 would do just fine..
The only other that’s really caught my eye is the Alpkit Tetri.
For the price it looks a good size. A little heavier but I’ll be rack and panniered.
MSR seem to get a lot of love. I just admit I like the look of them but as you know, that’s where my expertise ends!
The Hubba is out of my budget but I have been reading reviews of the Elixir 2 and it’s more or less in the all park area that I’ve got up to with the budget.
It looks roomy. Good porch area. I like the layout. Looks to be about 2.7kg.
Inner needs pitching first so I guess that’s one downside. Am I missing anything else ?
£200 for a F10 Xenon UL2 is a bargain. I'm tempted!
Touring in wet weather, or to hide bike overnight, I'd get the porch version. Porches are ace.
Hiking in hills, mixed or shorter tours, the standard and save the 400g.
https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelters-1/WF134.html
Sorry! Link to the tent I was talking about.
Within budget, light, proven design, plenty of interior storage space, pitches outer first - could be the winner!
on extended porches. I love 'em even tho it will be adding a bit of weight. We are often ( under normal circumstances) out in the wilds for several days and being able to get under the flysheet but not in the inner with your waterproofs on and take the waterproofs off before opening the inner is great.
On out trekkertent it only added less than 100g. On our lightwave around 300g+
Stox
That Vango is astonishing value for money. I used the non extended version for the adventure below. I think your choice is made. Buy it!!!!!!!!!
I might even get one myself at that price........
Checking with Go Outdoors if they’ll honour the discount then I’ll decide whether to go for the UL2 or not right now.
That MSR Elixir 2 has really caught my eye tho, I do like the look of it for a fraction more than the Vango.
Even the Elixir 1 looks pretty spacious compared to the other one man tents I’ve seen on my search.
Mentioned above. Six Moons Designs Solo
Review here
I know its a bit above the £200 limit and also requires pegs and pole. Super easy to pitch and light for the money, it's also roomy too.
Thanks @hopster. I like it but it just looks too minimalist for me. I might be wrong so feel free to correct me..
If Packing space was an absolute priority then it could Be an option but I imagine I will be strapping the tent to the rack so it’s not the be all And end all for me.
That MSR Elixir 2 has really caught my eye tho, I do like the look of it for a fraction more than the Vango.
Gah, wish I hadn’t seen that now 😎
As a semi-geodesic style it looks quite like the old Vango Storm 200+ (and to a degree the later replacement - Halo 200 where they dropped the 1 X huge + 1 x small vestibule spaces for 2 x smaller ones)
Anyhow, Storm 200+ was (still is) the best tent I’ve every used for minimalist car-camping/weekends - especially if the weather turns shitty.
Alas, both the Storm 200+ and the Halo were/are too bulky and heavy for 1 person on a bike (unless using a trailer). Shame, as the storm is such a liveable tent in the vilest weather, with enough vestibule space for cooking a brew and storing pretty much everything under cover (even bike/s if you sacrifice one exit/entrance to them). If it was 2.5kg I’d need only one tent.
That Elixir looks to be very similar in layout to the old Vango Storm 200 and Halo 200
(Discontinued)Vango Storm 200+:
Vango Halo Pro 200:
MSR Elixir 2
Now - the Elixir 2 (like the Storm 200) is inner-pitch first (The Halo* IIRC can pitch either outer first or all in one as an option) which usually makes for a really stable setup.
*Like the Cairngorm, the flysheet can be erected by itself, leaving the inner at home can be a great lightweight bivi option in dry weather.
Damn. I like that Elixir at first look.
Good to hear that @malvern rider.
Having seen the inside of the Elixir 1 I am tempted by that. Enough room for me and some gear plus a decent little porch area.
It’d be further down the line I may want to accommodate a second person so I could just cross that bridge when I got to it.
Just to bring some kind of closure to this thread - I pushed the button and ordered an MSR Elixir 1. It cost me £173 so over the initial budget but within the £200 area of the other options I narrowed it down too.
Surprisingly I ordered the 1 Man but having seen the videos and reviews it looks like a good size for a one
Man tent. it should house me and some gear and it has a good little porch area.
I suspect the 2 may have been a bit too big for me in terms of packed and actual tent space size.
I’ll know later today if I made the wrong choice!
Should be delivered today so hopefully I’ll get it up today and check it Out before it pees down tomorrow.
Thank you all for your help. It’s appreciated.
I’ve not toured before but I’m plannning to do the coast and castles route over two nights. I’ve a few more bits to get together first (watch out for more advice requests!) then I’ll Probably do a Local single night as a trial run so when the campsites are open that will be the first test of the tent.
I’ve not toured before but I’m plannning to do the coast and castles route over two nights. I’ve a few more bits to get together first (watch out for more advice requests!) then I’ll Probably do a Local single night as a trial run so when the campsites are open that will be the first test of the tent.
Really interested to hear how you get on. My son and I did coasts and castles with 3 nights, but used B&Bs and luggage forwarding (he was only 9 and didn't want to be too ambitious!) but now he's a bit older, it would be awesome to do again unsupported. It's a cracking route and we thoroughly enjoyed it!