Camping Tents

Dome Tent V's Frame Tent

If you're thinking about camping for the first time, buying a tent will probably be your first priority before purchasing any other camping equipment. Many years ago frame tents dominated the campsite landscape but today with modern manufacturing and design techniques, the frame tent has all but disappeared.

In truth the overall design of modern dome tents is somewhat less predictable with its graceful curves and regurgitated array of configurations. For younger family members the dome tent is a more exciting and imaginatively stimulating environment. Despite the aesthetic advantages, there are 3 far more practical explanations for the dome tents success:

Lower Carry Weight

Weight is always an issue and goes hand in hand with size, particularly if you're going to purchase a tent for touring, backpacking or hiking. Camping holidays should be fun and accessible to anyone who wants to try them - who needs a hernia!

Minimal Pack Size

Using lightweight synthetic materials with connecting sections of fibreglass or aluminium poles, reduces the packed size, especially when compared with a comparatively sized steel framed cotton frame tent. Family campers usually acquire a whole host of accessories that can overwhelm the cars storage capabilities very quickly - so size is important - critically where carrying space is very limited such as with motorcycle touring, hiking and backpacking.

Easy to Erect

Reduced weight and pack size means there's generally less effort involved in erecting. Usually there are fewer poles than a frame tent to contend with, which are mostly pre-connected, saving time and confusion when assembling. It isn't strictly true however to generalize and say that dome tents take less time to erect than frames, some domes can take just as long as a frame tent. Experience is king and always a good substitute for a tents design shortcomings.

Exception to the Rule

In the interest of fair play, we should point out that over the last 5-years some family domes tents have become so big, that the practical advantages mentioned above simply do not apply.

COLEMAN TENTS

Coleman have been producing innovative camping products, under the Coleman and Camping Gaz brands for over 100-years. Coleman tents are ideal for backpacking and family camping. 2006/2007 will see Coleman break away from their usual, smaller range of tents, with the introduction of two ranges under the Classic and Exponent banners. The classic range meets all the criteria for great tents at fantastic lower prices whilst the flagship exponent range bring great design, excellent quality and innovation to the market place.

Understandin g Coleman
Tent Features

VANGO TENTS

Vango have been making tents for 40-years and are widely recognised as the UK's leading tent manufacturer. 2006 sees the development of a new range of tents that utilises Vango's unique and well established, Tension Band System (TBS) and have introduced new innovations such as” riser ground sheets” to most existing models such as the very popular Diablo range. Vango now have over 30 tents in their range including tents for all types of camper from single man backpackers to large families sleeping up to 9.

Understanding Vango
Tent Features

KHYAM TENTS

Khyam is a market leader in the camping industry with a diverse product range perfect for family camping. There are two types of Khyam tent, standard and quick erecting. The standard Khyam range offers tremendous quality and value using traditional tent designs and specification. Khyam standard offers something for lone campers and large family alike. Khyam's Quick Erect Tents come in the form of the traditional Ridgi-dome with the unique Rapidex Quick Erect Pole work System. The speed of operation ensures most Khyam QE tents are ready for pegging within seconds.

Understanding Khyam
Tent Features

SUNNCAMP TENTS

SunnCamp have been producing tents for over 10 years and have established themselves as one of the top 5 manufacturers in the UK. Excellent quality and usable features such as the weathertite, quick pitch and comfort zone systems ensure SunnCamp tents meet the everyday demands of the modern camper. They have kept their excellent X Flex pole work with it’s 5 year guarantee but have also introduced strong, durable aluminium pole work to obtain lighter, easy to manage tents with no compromise on strength.

Understanding SunnCamp
Tent Features

WYNNSTER TENTS

Wynnster tents are split into two main ranges, Premier and Elite, they provide a tent for both the family and weekend camper. 2006 saw the introduction of 5-year guarantee’s to their Durawrap pole work and with their aquastop flysheet’s in 2000mm and 3000m for the Premier and Elite ranges respectively. The colour coded feet, reinforced stress points and taped seams make for quick, easy to use and stable tents. Whilst the fire retardant materials and free repair kits make for worry free camping.

Understanding Wynnster
Tent Features

OUTWELL TENTS

Oase Outdoors Aps was founded in 1984 in Denmark, Europe. They produce a range of high quality, value for money tents, which have quickly established Outwell as a serious maker of tents in the UK camping market. There are three main ranges using 5000mm, 3000mm and polycotton materials for their Premier, Deluxe and Classic ranges respectively. New Outwell tent models have been introduced and older models revamped with great new innovations such as easy access inner's, reinforced double stitched stress points and better ventilation, making the whole range of tents more comfortable to use.

Understanding Outwell
Tent Features

EASYCAMP TENTS

Easycamp is another stable mate of Outwell tents and is produced by Oase Outdoors Aps. A great range of tents for both the weekend and family camper with good quality and excellent customer back up. With 2000mmmm waterproofing to all flysheets and mudwalling to living areas, if the weather does turn for the worst while you are away then you will stay dry and draught free inside your tent. To further this aim new models introduced like the Consenza range have fully integrated inner tents to increase your comfort whilst camping. Easycamp following the lead of Outwell who have introduced some tent models with a fitted polycotton flysheet, which is ideal for warmer climates, to aid ventilation and reduce condensation.

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OUTDOOR REVOLUTION

The Outdoor revolution brand is relatively new to the UK tent market, however has quickly established a reputation for producing good quality tents at excellent value for money. All Outdoor Revolution tents feature flame retardant materials and are designed to be quick and easy to erect. All tents are wind tunnel tested to ensure they meet modern day demands. The range has seen significant improvements with the development of many new models. Well worth a look!