[Closed] Proper tent - 3 Man and winter capable

If you can find one about, have a look at an MSR Holler. We've had one for a few years and it's superb.

If you're really just talking about a 'few autumn/winter nights out and about on the bike' then you don't need a true 'winter capable' tent, a 3 season tent will do fine. If you want it to be proper 3 man and reasonable weight then you might need to spend more than £200.

Exactly what will you be using it for?

Rides out with backpacks nowhere too remote me + two sons. Just spur of the moment stuff when the weekends look dry but could be v cold. Jump in car ride, tent up and kip, ride some more etc etc really want to camp in the snow at some point if it comes..

We have bags and mats suitable for cold weather but not got a small tent just the family jobbie.

Rides out with backpacks nowhere too remote me + two sons. Just spur of the moment stuff when the weekends look dry but could be v cold. Jump in car ride, tent up and kip, ride some more etc etc really want to camp in the snow at some point if it comes..

Spin +1

Where in the UK?

The key difference between a tent which will be OK for cold weather camping in Surrey and a winter tent capable of being used in the Highlands on a bad night is stability/strength. You're normally looking at tougher fabrics, solid inners (warmer), stronger poles (often more poles if semi geodesic shape)...which all adds up to more weight and cost.

If you pick your evenings carefully in winter and aren't going anywhere you would be in real trouble if the wind tore the tent to pieces (e.g. car nearby), then you'd be OK with a good 3 season tent.

If you are planning on heading out in anything but fine winter weather and won't have a safe retreat if things get a bit hairy, get a proper 4 season and know how to pitch it well.

I've had some nights where I have lay on my back cursing myself for being so stupid, waiting for hours for the weather to ease so that I can uncurl myself..and that's in a bombproof tent. Getting caught out in winter isn't something that you really plan to do, but it happens. That said, there are definitely varying degrees of "winter camping".

For occasional winter camping in a non mountainous area, I'd be looking at a good 3 season design with a good quality mat and bag.

My winter tent is a North Face VE25, geodesic design and completely bomb proof. Mind you, it's not been used in 10+ years. I've also camped in winter in my Macpac Minaret - very capable tent but a small 2 person size.

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8454694548_9594b817fc.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8454694548_9594b817fc.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dT7w8E ]CAMPING ON RED PIKE[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

I expect it will be southern England mostly possibly a couple of trips to Wales but sheltered in the valleys so a 3 season sounds adequate from your comments. I'll have a look at whats available in the sales unless anyone has a good suggestion of something they've seen. We do have good winter bags and mats so that's taken care of. I found a nice Berghaus at around 200 do they have a good reputation for tents?

These are good value, roomy, easy to pitch, relatively light and with a bit of care will stand up to some really rough weather. They are by far and away the best tents our DofE groups use. They won't cope with heavy snow but you'll struggle to get a tent that will for your budget and it sounds like you don't need that anyway.

[url= http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-tents/hoolie-3-tent/ ]Wild Country Hoolie 3[/url]

I have a Vaude Hogan 2-man. It's very sturdy, the venting is very good so it stays condensation free. I've used it year round for about 5 years. Setup time is ridiculously quick, taking maybe 2 mins in a leisurely fashion. They do a 3 man version but I don't know what it is called.

Vaude is my go to campsite tent and used when winter camping. Walking and bike-packing will mean the tarp gets an outing.

How about a cheap as chips Vango?

[img] [/img]

Those Vango Omegas above have the internal tensioning straps/braces which when pitched right make them quite sturdy for low level year round camping. Decent room as well, I wouldn't rely on one in high winds though but it doesn't sound like you will be going out in those conditions anyways.

The Hoolie 4 looks a good 3 man tent. An extra 500g to carry than the Hoolie 3 but more headroom and bigger area. More space is handy if tenting in the winter with longer nights.

The Hoolie 4 looks a good 3 man tent

I think they're hard to beat for the money.

I have an Alpkit tent which is good quality and good value. I haven't used the model below but it might suit:

https://www.alpkit.com/products/jaran-3

if your kids are kids and not young adults go for a two man.. been snug and warm is important.. i have a vango hurricane about 10 years old probably closer to 15 when i think about it two man tight as a drum in strong winds and snug with dad and two kids.. i ve used it above kinlochleven in -5 all iced up and blowing hard.. decent bags with liners.. cosy.

After many nights our Omega is on its way out.

[img] [/img]

It only failed us once and that was in really strong winds on New Year's Eve a few years ago.

We have replaced it with a Halo 300 which is sturdier in strong winds. I would suggest a Halo fits your requirements and at a reasonable budget. It is a really good tent.