Lightweight tent recommendations?

Forgot to mention - I think as it's a popular route there is the option to hire gear while you're out there too, no personal experience but may be worth considering for some stretches where more specific kit is required...

The tent is a separate inner and outer but pitches as a whole in about 10 mins once you've done it twice. There is an excess of guy lines, and a webbing strap runs across the underside which tensions the inner really well. The profile of the tent is low. We weren't in extreme wind conditions but had some pretty high winds (Holland is famous for these) and even not using all of the lines the tent didn't struggle at all. I carried the poles in my frame bag and rolled/stuffed the rest into a dry bag (can't remember the size, same as comes with a Restrap saddle pack) and strapped this to my rear rack which really improves the pack size.

I understand tent is an important decision but I wouldn't discount the Coleman without further research, really is a great tent.

Coleman Cobra

The 2 is cheap on Amazon at the mo https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0047T69S2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xwP4xb3JDGQ78

Looks good for the $$$ just 2.2kg.

I've no complaints about the other Coleman tents I've owned. Not sure about high wind durability (pitch orientation would be important factor no?). For expedition use might not cut it, but general uk holiday season jaunts that's a bargain.

I think geodesic tents are best for staying in the same place for a few days where the risk of the wind shifting is high, also they do better with a heavy snowfall on top of them. Was recently in Iceland where the winds got to 110km/h constant with 140km/h gusts, I was always having to look for something to shelter behind which helps a lot! Putting up the tent in that sort of wind is difficult with a high risk of damaging it. Something like a Hilleberg Nallo has a reasonably safe (in terms of not damaging the tent) method for putting it up in those winds.

For me looking back on it, if I could get the money together I would get one of the Hilleberg GT tents (they all have merits) as I would prefer having the porch for cooking on an extended trip where it could be wet for days. Getting a top of the range 4 season tent will also remove any worry about it breaking in the wind. Also for wind, if the outer can come right down to the ground it's helpful to stack rocks along the edge to stop it acting like a parachute.

TL;DR: If you don't want to worry, spend the extra money and buy a Hilleberg. If you don't mind being careful of camping spots spend less.

Thank you for all the advice given.

The coleman does look like a bargain however reading reviews on amazon for the coleman my reservations are that it will be difficult to put up in high winds and that it may not perform well in shifting winds as one side is designed to be facing the wind.

The options are bewildering but as ever you can only get two of the ideal three things - strong, light, cheap.

Given we are going into the unknown somewhat here and there is a certain fear factor cheap is probably the one that will have to give most. This looks a decent middle ground - http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/Terra-Nova-Voyager-2-sku51125201.asp?gclid=CNbal4HUvs8CFRAz0wodheEE-A

That said Andy_k I will look more into hiring a tent there as that might be a good option.

Anyone have a view or experience of the Wild Country (budget Terra Nova) lightweight tents? I am a few years off retirement and plan to do some multi week rides in Scotland. In preparation I will be doing some shorter two / three day 'training' rides into Somerset and Devon next summer and a couple of the Wild Country tents look nice and light but economically priced.

Can't help with above requests, but was in TK Maxx earlier this week and they had a few footprints for sale. They felt incredibly heavy (>1kg) maybe they are for larger tents. What happened about someone on-here buying some of that wall insulation stuff?

Yeah I've the hoolie, it's good.

My laser comp has stood up to serious wind. Check some videos on YouTube. Hilliberg are good too.

Along with pegs, it's also all about pitch directions and good pitching.

I've had several years out of my WC Zephyros 2 Lite, basically a cheap laser but i'm sort of glad of the thicker heavier material. has held up well.

Thanks for the replies, I've been looking at both of those as they seem to be a good compromise of price, size and weight.

Skinny I like the look of the Hilliberg's, but not the price tag. If I were spending a lot more time touring and camping, I think they would probably pay for themselves over and over, but for a couple of weeks camping a year, or at least a first entry into the world of cycling and camping the price is a little scary.

I have a Trisar 2 which is like a cheap voyager. would say the same as above, solid, bit heavy but more than enough for any UK trips. only done one bike trip with it and strapping the poles to top tube helps a lot with packing.

I've been using tyvek supro for over a year, no problems so far 2x3m strip is very light and tough. Some people say if you put pressure on it water comes through, but that's not been my experience. Even after multiple days in wet weather. Mayve some of the lower grades of tyvek have that issue.

Always worth checking eBay for 2nd hand stuff.

It is indeed.... on my way.

My (dad's, but he hasn't ever actually used it) Terra Nova Voyager has a leaky roof. It's had a fair bit of use, but I want it sorted.

The water comes in where the poles meet at the semi geodesic section at the back. There's a seam and the outer has a flat spot where water is able to pool slightly so it's a logical place for ingress to start.

What's the best course of action to stop the leak? I was told reproofing probably wouldn't do the trick.

Get in touch with Lancashiresportsrepairs - see what they say. I've had a few tent and technical clothing repairs over the years, they're a safe pair of hands and work for some of the big outdoor kit names on occasion.

I'm trying to convince myself this is a good deal

Please someone convince me.

PS. I don't care about the lights, but I like the colour over the regular one, plus I like the fact that it's cheaper.

As it's a US tent I'd find out if it pitches 'Outer First' or 'Inner First'.

If you are using it in wet climates (ie the UK) I'd go for Outer First as it means the inner will stay dry when it's pissing it down.

Looking for light 2person 2-skin tent, anybody hot a recommendation? Just looking at expensive ones so far... 450 for a TN Solar Photon 2! Do you pay extra for scifi names? I which case I want the 'rain roof 2' and get a bargain.

Do you want to be comfortable with 2people+ kit? I would recommend the Coleman cobra 3, used one touring with mrs TM this summer, great, easy to put up and pack, survived some heavy rainstorms and well enough vented on hot nights, baraginous.

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Hoolie 2 is good. Used mine a few times now. Double wall and detachable. Was useful in Norway when it refused to stop raining, could pack it up separately and keep inner dry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQ53-XhASE

+1 I reckon Coleman are underrated, v.good tents for standard use in gb.

Thanks for those tips^ @TM @skinny.

Think the Cobra 2 at 2.2Kg is a reasonable thing ... and such a bargain. 3-person is a bit big for us, just me and my boy going cycling, although he's nearly an adult size now, I have an adequate three-person for when we go lightweight camping with his Mum too. I prefer to cope with less room and perhaps have a separate mini tarp for cooking in rain/resting in midday sun.

I have an aversion to that^ hooped design since I find water tends to collect in any nylon rippling on the top of them. It may not happen with that tent but I'd rather not risk it.

If you have a look at the floor dimensions for the 2 man and think it will be ok then go for it. I also bought a nature hike 2 man for a different tour this summer, very light but very small (definite 1 TM size) and there was a big difference in quality to the Coleman. The Coleman was really well constructed and durable, naturehike not so much, but it worked ok for that trip. Really don't think you can go wrong with the Coleman. There is even room under the wings for muddy boots and comes with decent pegs too.

I'm going to need a tough/light (ish) 1 man tent in the near future. Needs to withstand unpredictable weather of all possible kinds. What's the consensus on something that will survive daily use.