Author Topic: Three man tent for cycle touring  (Read 6148 times)

Three man tent for cycle touring
« on: 30 May, 2016, 10:39:05 pm »
Looking for a 3 man tent for touring.

I'm very tall, just under 2m, so need a decent length inside the tent. The others are smaller.

Budget is as low as possible to get a decent tent that'll last awhile. Think nearer £200 mark than the Hilleberg level of prices.

So far the wild country hoolie 3etc or vaude terraquatro 3p seem the best bet. Both are 3.65kg which is bearable but I'd rather a lighter tent though they all seem to be double the price of the tents we're looking at.

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #1 on: 31 May, 2016, 06:53:37 am »
Look at Decathlon tents, well made and reasonably priced.  We have several.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #2 on: 31 May, 2016, 09:18:33 am »
Nearest Decathlon is hour and half away. I'm wary of buying tents online without inspection. Major brands I've got local access or have seen before but I've only seen Decathlon pop up tents. I've seen more of the American specialist backpacking tents than Decathlon proper poled tents.

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #3 on: 31 May, 2016, 09:22:47 am »
Ah okay. We have 2 Decathlon pop-ups which aren't suitable for cycle touring and 2 of their poled tents which are. But our Decathlon poled tents are some years old and I think they have updated the range since.

Yes, I think it's a good idea to inspect tents rather than just buy on-line.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find the right tent for you, there's lots of choice.

RichForrest

  • T'is I, Silverback.
    • Ramblings of a silverback cyclist
Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #4 on: 31 May, 2016, 09:40:54 am »
We've just brought a Blacks Octane 3 and are very happy with it.
Currently on sale at http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/112872-blacks-octane-3-man-tent-yellow.html
If you use code BH15 you may still get it for £118.15 (RRP £260) that code should have ran out yesterday though still works at the minute.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #5 on: 31 May, 2016, 09:47:08 am »
My grandson brought a Coleman Caucasus 3 Tunnel Tent from Yeomans and for the money (about £100) it is a really good tent. Very similar in design to the Hilleberg Nallo obviously not the build quality but at £600 cheaper what do you expect. I have used it twice and like it.

They do not do a full length footprint but I got a Vango Spirit one and fitted it okay using shock-cord.

There are some still available so google around you should find one.
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Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #6 on: 31 May, 2016, 11:51:40 am »
We're looking at a Roben's Black Shrimp 4. Depending on how big your 3 are, an Octane 3 is likely to be cosy. Look at measurements and measure your mats. A Black Shrimp 3 or Octane 3 won't fit 3 downmats but may be ok with SIMs.
Quote from: Kim
^ This woman knows what she's talking about.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #7 on: 31 May, 2016, 04:02:29 pm »
Don't mention mats, they're my next problem purchase. SIMs aren't working for us any more, CCF mats give very little comfort and the down/synmat style is so darned expensive. Plus we reckon one larger, double mat could be a better option due to size of third occupant (very young child). We're thinking 3 mats won't work and a gap between two mats won't be great for 3 people.

Robens seem to do some decent tents. I've seen one like the wild country Hoolie 3etc with the extended porch. The one I like with an extended porch is a geodesic 3 man XT version from Lightwave. A bit more but looks bombproof and spacious whilst not being as heavy as other extended Porch tents. IIRC sub 3kg not nearer 3.75kg.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #8 on: 31 May, 2016, 05:12:35 pm »
Oex coyote three is good and down mats are expensive but have a lifetime guarantee and are fantastic.  Will keep you warm off the ground and supremely comfy...worth every penny.

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I'd rather be on my wheels than under them...

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #9 on: 31 May, 2016, 11:13:14 pm »
I'm thinking the synmats are a cheaper alternative to the downmats. The only real difference is something like a -17°C rating instead of a -24°C for the downmat. Same basic design with insulation filled airmat.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #10 on: 02 June, 2016, 08:55:40 pm »
I'm thinking the synmats are a cheaper alternative to the downmats. The only real difference is something like a -17°C rating instead of a -24°C for the downmat. Same basic design with insulation filled airmat.
I can't tell the difference when I sleep on them. I think the synmats are less creaky which is a bonus. The problem with the 3rd occupant being a small child is that they don't stay small enough for that for long. We have done 3 down/syn mats but 2 with a SIM in the middle works ok now. I prefer the 3 downmat option, but it takes space.
Quote from: Kim
^ This woman knows what she's talking about.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #11 on: 04 June, 2016, 08:44:35 am »
Agree about synmats but they don't have the lifetime guarantee as far as I'm aware and having had, overtime, two punctures in a down mat I have appreciated the fact that they replaced them free of charge and quickly.  For me the extra cost has paid off and I find them easier to pack small than the synmats.

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I'd rather be on my wheels than under them...

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #12 on: 09 June, 2016, 10:08:28 am »
Which tent for cycle commuting?

http://www.outside.co.uk/shop/Hoolie+3+ETC?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=CjwKEAjwp-S6BRDj4Z7z2IWUhG8SJAAbqbF39EU2EByVPzkvT-ZHGv5sV-3lTMUhg6XIQMVGM78MyxoCIpLw_wcB

http://m.cotswoldoutdoor.com/wild-country-tents-blizzard-3-tent-d1412325?id_colour=133

http://m.cotswoldoutdoor.com/msr-elixir-3-tent-d1412286?id_colour=98

http://m.cotswoldoutdoor.com/vaude-terraspace-3p-tent-d1412147?id_colour=98

Sorry for asking this but seriously with the money we've got nothing stands out. If you have the spare time and inclination to check out these links to give your opinion I'd be very much grateful. I can't decide at all.

BTW the tents are terra nova blizzard, MSR elixir 3, Hoolie 3etc and Vaude Terraspace 3p. If you know about them already you'll not need to read the links.

Appreciate any views on these tents or suggestions of something great for similar money that I've missed.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #13 on: 09 June, 2016, 10:46:10 am »
The Wild Country Blizzard 3, cheaper here would be my choice of the three.   The porch area gives you more living / storage room and I prefer tunnel designs.   

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #14 on: 09 June, 2016, 11:37:23 pm »
The Hoolie 3etc has a bigger porch for less money, IIRC with a discount at Cotswolds it costs £170. It's 3 season though I'll not need a 4 season tent like blizzard since it's likely a summer tent anyway.

Is the blizzard worth the best part of £90 more?

Ruthie

  • Her Majester
Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #15 on: 10 June, 2016, 07:40:38 pm »
Which tent for cycle commuting?


Sorry for asking this but seriously with the money we've got nothing stands out. If you have the spare time and inclination to check out these links to give your opinion I'd be very much grateful. I can't decide at all.


Appreciate any views on these tents or suggestions of something great for similar money that I've missed.

Mate, I think you need to ditch the tent idea and just move closer to work  :o
Milk please, no sugar.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #16 on: 10 June, 2016, 09:39:55 pm »
Commuting? What was I thinking typing that? I obviously meant touring as I put in the first post. I must have been reading a commuting thread just before I typed our and it was still in my mind.

Re: Three man tent for cycle touring
« Reply #17 on: 11 June, 2016, 12:43:30 am »
I'd get the Wild Country Hoolie 3etc. I bought the Hoolie 3 a couple of years ago and it's been great for cycle camping with the eldest little sod. The only thing I'd change about it is that the porch is a bit too small (but the 3etc, which wasn't available at the time, fixes that problem).

I'd recommend getting the optional footprint too as it gives you a groundsheet for the porch, and protects the groundsheet of the inner.