OK, so off around Europe with son on motorbike for a while. Got my tent out which I toured a while back with Mrs A, a Vaude Hogan and popped it up in the garden. It's snug for 2 x 6' chaps who don't want to be too cosy! But it's fantastically light and small when packed up.
So if I want a spacious 2 man, or realistically 3 man tent, that's pretty light/compact when packed up, what recommendations? We'll only be using the tent for sleeping rather than living in it so sleeping space the focus, and then an area to store kit overnight. Decathlon stuff looks pretty good value. What else?
Cheers
Not the lightest or smallest, but bang for buck living space (inside is a near vertical 'box' with two doors and good space) you won't go wrong with a Vango Halo, a 300 would be luxurious.
Looks good. We'll be travelling a couple of months so guessing the Vango quality will be good (my Vaude has been brilliant). How would it compare Vs this
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-3-xl-fresh-black-id_8492486.html - but heavy
or this
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/quick-hiker-fb-3-id_8386029.html
I'd rather pay a wee bit more and get something that lasts well, works well etc but the sizing in the Decathlon tents is impressive!
Alpkit tents are quite nice, and good value. A tunnel tent usually means more space inside. eg https://www.alpkit.com/products/viso-3
Look for something with steeper sidewalls. A lot of the lighter weight tents have very sloping sidewalls so although the floor area might be reasonable it's not all usable. If you can, find one that's up and have a look round, working out how usable a three dimensional object is from 2D drawings is hard.
We've a Vango Spirit 200+ which they don't make any more but the Pulsar Pro is very similar. It's stood up to Hebridean storms and packs reasonably small. https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/2037-pulsar-pro-300.html
If you are travelling by motorbike then weight (within reason) isn't as big a problem as packed bulk but does depend if you want to use it afterwards walking or biking.
Having owned both, I'd say Vaude are a step up in terms of quality (and price). Looking for a 2/3 man tent myself at the moment at the MSR Elixir looks pretty good – https://www.msrgear.com/ie/tents/backpacking-tents/elixir-3-eu
FWIW Sports Direct have a tent sale on just now
https://www.sportsdirect.com/camping/tents/all-tents#dcp=1&dppp=100&OrderBy=price_asc
I've got one of these Decathlon Arpenaz 3 man tents its quite small when packed down and would certainly strap to the rear of the motorbike.
There's more than enough space for two adults with a decent gap between them, and it really does stay cool and dark.
They don't exactly pack up small, but the smaller Decathlon pop-up tents are brilliant. I've had the smaller one for years and unless I was hiking and carrying all my crap, I don't think I'd get anything else now. Goes up very quickly, not quite 2 seconds, but we're definitely talking sub 5 mins and also, once you've got the hang of it, goes down very quickly too. Ideal if you're moving around a lot. Mine is apparently a 2 man, but it's very spacious. They also do a "fresh and black" version with a reflective fly sheet and blackout material, to keep it cool and dark for longer in the morning.
Only downside is that it packs to a large disc shape, about the size of a bike wheel. Still, if you're in a car/van it doesn't matter too much.....motorbike may be optimistic
The other option I had forgotten about, especially if you like your current Vaude, is a Vaude Space 3. Again, very square inside, two entrances, usual great vaude.
How about a vango Ark plus, good headroom plus a pretty good porch area. Might be a bit tight in the porch for a 6 footer mind.