Tents for Possible bug out!

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i11matic1795

Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by i11matic1795 »

bettersafethansorry wrote:Not sure they would stand the UK weather tho paddy. Ive seen some compact 2 man tents that i recon 2 could starp to the top of the bergan without adding considerable weight. may purchase 1 and test thoroughly first.

-M
Perhaps not without some fir of reinforcement.

Yeah good shout, I don't understand people's problem with carrying tents, I'd rather an extra few pounds on my BOB than sleeping under a tarp, especially when it comes to family and children.
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bettersafethansorry
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by bettersafethansorry »

Paddy1795 wrote:
bettersafethansorry wrote:Not sure they would stand the UK weather tho paddy. Ive seen some compact 2 man tents that i recon 2 could starp to the top of the bergan without adding considerable weight. may purchase 1 and test thoroughly first.

-M
Perhaps not without some fir of reinforcement.

Yeah good shout, I don't understand people's problem with carrying tents, I'd rather an extra few pounds on my BOB than sleeping under a tarp, especially when it comes to family and children.
exactly. for me i could sleep rough anywere, build a natural shelter or just have a tarp but with mrs and kids gotta think Family friendly in all preps.
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J23
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by J23 »

as the conversation is about tents - what is the difference between cheap tent from halfords like this one: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_236907
and some expensive tents - I know the quality will be probably better in expensive tent but is it a difference it is worth to pay?
I had three tents in my life, one was some old Russian tent without tarp with fabric covered with something that was stopping rain, one tent that was cheaper than pair of jeans without separate tarp and the only layer of tent was tarplike, and one normal medium price tent with separate tarp going on top of it (you could see quality is better than previous two). and to be honest all three tents could withstand rain, all three were on camping many times (summer) and there were no damage to any of them. So is it worth buying expensive tent? or is it just a waste of money and cheap one will do?
lonewolf
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by lonewolf »

just for bugging out I've got a couple of the emergency foil tents, each is 8ft x 5ft when erected but folds up very small to go in your BOB, you can get them for a few pounds on Ebay.
Adapt or Die, there is no middle ground.
ForgeCorvus
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by ForgeCorvus »

lonewolf wrote:just for bugging out I've got a couple of the emergency foil tents, each is 8ft x 5ft when erected but folds up very small to go in your BOB, you can get them for a few pounds on Ebay.
You tried sleeping in one?
If you have, whats is like?

I find that really cheap tents are stupidly heavy (due to cheap materials), flimsy (due to cheap materials) or both.
Sometimes they're a crap design as well
Take that Halfords tent linked to, if you open the door while its raining (ie, under normal conditions for this country of ours) you won't be able to keep the water out of the sleeping compartment (and it being a 'bath-tub' ground sheet any wet that gets in will end up in your bedding and other gear).

Technical tents (the UL backpacking types) are a bad option for us as well because although they're very light they're rather small (Herself calls them "Canvas Coffins") and tend to be expensive and/or not very durible.

MilSurp tents tend to be tough as nails and (especially the older designs) are KISS incarnate. I have a Polish 'Lavvi' (single pole bell tent, made of two canvas shelter halves) and its built like a tank....It might even weigh as much as a tank though.

If I end up bugging out I'll probably be using a Sister Bag (hotel , Evac centre or crash at friends), if its gone beyond that I'm going to be going INCH......And thats a whole different ballgame
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lonewolf
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by lonewolf »

ForgeCorvus wrote:
lonewolf wrote:just for bugging out I've got a couple of the emergency foil tents, each is 8ft x 5ft when erected but folds up very small to go in your BOB, you can get them for a few pounds on Ebay.
You tried sleeping in one?
If you have, whats is like?
nope, they are for emergency/bugging out use only, I have a 35 year old Ridge Tent for normal use!!
Adapt or Die, there is no middle ground.
featherstick
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by featherstick »

bettersafethansorry wrote:Mines 3 years to and she would be too big for the above bouncer. i Understand amber and route 1 is to bug in at home or at a secondary location but i was thinking if choices are to a point where that is the only option.
What are you bugging out from? And where are you bugging out to?

If you are bugging out from a housefire, threat of gas explosion, Buncefield-type incident or similar situation a tent will be fine but a hotel or a drive to relative's house would be better. If you have enough time to get it out of the attic, a decent family size tent is a good asset and would widen your possibilities for accommodation in the short term. If you can sort an agreed BOL, you might be able to leave a tent and some other kit there. We have pals 10 miles away where we could go to if e.g. the house burns down or the sunken WW2 ammo ship in the estuary gets unstable.

If you are bugging out tactically, because the mutant zombie hordes are at the end of the road, then the three-year old makes this very difficult. You can't keep a low-profile with young children. I really don't think it's worth investing in bashas, bivvy bags etc now - wait until the nipper is older and can enjoy going rough camping with you. Mine are 6 and 1 and the 6 year old and I are planning a bit of back-garden camping next weekend as a mini-adventure for him, a bit of bonding for both of us, and for me a chance to check kit and skills.
metatron

Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by metatron »

If you have to carry it, I'd always go with a bivvi bag + sleeping mat + sleeping bag combo in urban areas + a tarp for anywhere with trees.
Yorkshire Andy
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by Yorkshire Andy »

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-pit ... nt-p143495

ive often wondered if they could make these pack down smaller as these would be quick for a scoop up and run ok they are only single skin and will no doubt suffer from condensation badly



Suppose something like this

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-bansh ... nt-p140013

just under 3kg with a bit of a porch
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong ;)

Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
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Winklebury
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Re: Tents for Possible bug out!

Post by Winklebury »

Hi

For 2-3 adults, or young family I would recommend the Mormot Widi 3P (three persons)

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cf ... duct/30353

I have one of these, and I bought one for my brother for Christmas. It is a classic! They briefly stopped making them, and so I imported one from the USA (for my brother) in case they didn't bring it back.

It is a little on the heavy side, at 4.1 kgs, but you have to think about what you are getting.

Firstly, it is a tunnel tent. I used to be sceptical about thee preferring geodesics (double-domed for extra rigidity). However with a little practise, (2 put-ups) I now manage to have it tighter and more ridged than any of my summiting tents!

Secondly, It is a 3 person, and you could squeeze 4 in at a push. Very roomy sleeping area.

Thirdly, As it is a tunnel tent the internal volume is amazing! You can sit up in it for three metres in the sleeping area, and over 2 metres in the vestibule (not only in the very centre as with a geodesic / dome designs)

Fourth, It is designed to be a touring tent, so the vestibule is almost as large as the sleeping area (only about 6 inches shorter). This means you can have a huge amount of kit in there, out of the rain, and meaning you don't have to have a second tent to store in, and you can have room for cooking or whatever (be careful cooking inside the vestibule - NEVER in the sleeping area) but it gives you a huge amount of flexibility.

Fifth, It is a simultaneous pitch, so the inside stays dry. You can take the inner down first to pack away dry in horrible conditions.

Sixth, the materials are fantastic! It is an American made tent, and a lot of tents from the USA suffer for three reasons in the UK / European market. Firstly they LOVE inner pitch first. Generally with inner pitch first you get more volume of internal space for the pack size and weight. But it leaves you to getting the inner wet in the rain. This is simultaneous pitch (which you have probably gathered from USA tents is a rare thing). Secondly, the water proof materials are great - European standard rather than American. This is because, generally, in 'camping season' they get a lot less rain than us. However this tent has great specs. 5,000mm hydrostatic head on the outer, and 10,000mm on the 'bath-tube' ground sheet (the ground sheet curls up around the perimeter of the sleeping area, to stop excess water coming in from the sides). Thirdly, they tend to make their tents is really bright, garish colours. Fortunately this is available in dark green.

Seventh, fully taped seems.

Eighth, the tent comes with a great storage bag (described as a 'burrito' bag, which has a hang point inside the tent, which is greatfor storing and organising. It also comes with a good repair kit, including an aluminium 'splint' for broken sections of pole. If a section were to break, they can be replaced by the manufacturers very cheaply. Also glue, and patches for all the differing fabrics of the tent.

Ninth, the ventilation of this tent is very good indeed, meaning less damp in the morning, and not nasty smells!

Seriously, a lot to take in, and at 350 pounds its not the cheapest available, but it is fantastic. You can fit bikes, dogs, kit, loads in the vestibule, it is strong, with DAC aluminium poles, rip stop fabric, etc etc.

Seriously these will last years! Not only different league to the Outwell tents (to quote Pulp Fiction) its in a whole other sport!

NB You can buy a 'foot print' for this tent - it doubles up under the bathtub, and gives you a layer in the vestuibule (which otherwise is open to the ground. I haven't invested in one, but I might.

NB The Cotswold website here describes it as a 2 person, it is not, the Widi 2P is, the Widi 3P is a 3 person.

PS I used to work for Cotswold, but not now, and in all my recommendations, are based purely on experience and knowledge, no financial incentives whatsoever.