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I have a lightweight backpacking tent and a couple of big family tents, but I'm looking for something in between for solo motorcycle camping. It will be just me and my gear, but I fancy a bit more space than a 1 or 2 man backpacking tent as within reason, weight isn't an issue. So probably a 3 man tent. It will be for summer European use and I don't want to spend a load of money if I can help it. There are some dedicated motorcycle touring tents, including some that accommodate the bike in a 'garage' but they tend to be expensive and I don't want/need the garage feature.
So desirable features:
- Not too expensive
- Quick to pitch, ideally outer first
- Ability to stand (or crouch) inside
- Some kind of porch or vestibule for helmet, panniers, top box etc.
- Reasonably compact when packed to fit in a pannier or get lashed to my pillion seat
I'm thinking of something from Decathlon for the sweet spot between economy v quality. Any other suggestions?
I've done heaps of motorbike camping with my son using a Vango Alpha 400.
And also solo using a Vango Blade 200. Both options great, robust, work v well.
2-up me and Mrs A did 6 months touring with a VauDe Hogan as obviously space a bot more limited on the bike. Again, it was faultless.
Thanks @Aus. Interesting about 2 up camping. Mrs Bloke loves to ride pillion on European tours, but we stay in hotels or AirBnBs. I'd dismissed the idea of camping with her, as the idea of carrying 2 sleeping bags, 2 sleeping mats plus 2 sets of clothes and tent/cooking gear seemed too much. I'm planning a trip to Sweden/Norway in the summer and fancy mixing proper camp sites with some lakeside/forest wild camping. As it happens she is doing something else with mates so it will be a solo trip, but I'd like to revisit the possibility of camping with her if it's doable. We still seem pretty laden down when we stay in hotels and I take next to nowt!
May I suggest the Vango Beta 350XL.
We have had one for years ours has survived torential rain and lots of wind. Mrs Bruce camped in Wales on a campsite where caravans were blown over and I have camped in it in Anglesey with the wind gusting to force 10.
You can sit in a chair in it and it's comfortable for 2 medium sized people.
https://www.vango.co.uk/beta-350xl-clr
answer is Vango, just go with whichever model suits you best. Great value and quality, ideal for your use.
I've got a whole bunch of decathlon tents - none match your usecase particularly but they're all decent. Airbeam is really handy for quick up/down and doesn't add too much space requirement on a smaller tent - but does require a pump (not sure if an eleccy one could be run off a bike/would be smaller than a manual one?) - they might not do small versions any more
the cool & dark fabric treatment is well worth the small additional outlay, makes a massive difference on sunny mornings. I think the hoop-based pop up tents would be an inconvinient shape for a bike, but the umberella style would work well
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/camping-tent-2-seconds-easy-3-p-freshandblack/_/R-p-313048?mc=8576110
Love my Helm - https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/product-information-advice/terra-nova-wild-country-tent-ranges/wild-country-tent-ranges/
Thanks all, I'm swayed by the Vango argument. I have an ancient Vango Banshee which has been used and abused for about 20 years and is still in superb nick. It's too small for my current use case but its quality, design features and vfm are ringing endorsements of the brand. I'll just get one that's a bit bigger but I'll research all the recommendations above, ta 👍
I’ve got an OEX coyote 3, very small and light (fits in a pannier with space for lots more) yet gives plenty of space for gear inside.
Pitches easily and packs away without a degree in origami.
i think I paid £160 for it last year on offer.
Vango is hard to look past in my view.
I've just sold a Vango Galaxy - amazing hybrid of small and warm 3 person sleeping space and a standing headroom vestibule. It was sold partly as a touring tent.
Buggerit! I'd have bought that off you Matt!
Look at the actual measurements of a 3 man tent - the tent I’ve got is (North face something - bought it ages ago) available in 2 and 3 man versions. Sleeping space wise the 3 man version was only 10cm wider than the 2.
I wonder in some cases the presumption is ‘couple and child’ rather than 3 adults
Vango Halo 200 or 300. I've had both, it's just a question of your requirements for space vs packed size. My preference would be for the smaller one for solo camping - the 300 is cavernous.
The words Norway in the summer change the context a bit.... as you stand a fair chance, if you go in July , of it hammering with rain. Less so in the east but the west coast is commonly pretty dire, meaning a decent tent is worth finding.