Wild Country Helm Compact 2 Tent RRP £260

Product Information

Yes, there are lighter tents out there, but that’s not such an issue when you’re on two wheels or floating on water. And if there are two of you sharing the tent, you can spread the load between you. With a maximum head height of 82 cms, you’ll probably find it most comfortable sitting in the doorway with your head outside, but for what is essentially a luxury bivvy tent, the space inside for one isn’t that bad. Another Europe-specific design feature is the green ‘earth-tone’ flysheet, chosen to blend in with the countryside for wild camping. The inner is designed for two, but in reality the Nevis 200 is best suited for one, providing plenty of space for the solo camper to move around. The ventilation panels inside are designed to cut down on condensation.

In warmer conditions, the large, zipped ventilation panels at each end let you create a good airflow, keeping temperatures down and minimising condensation. On entering the tent I was pleased to see that there is room to move around inside with a decent amount of headroom. As you would expect from Wild Country – the same people behind Terra Nova lightweight tents – the materials and manufacturing are of an exceptionally high standard. The liveability factor is good – it’s spacious for a solo tent, with steep walls and that cross pole adding up to lots of headroom. MATERIALS Outer 68D polyester, hydrostatic head 1,200mm Groundsheet 68D polyester, hydrostatic head 1,200mm Poles 1 hubbed aluminium 8.5mm/7.9mm pole; 1 aluminium 8.5mm pole Pegs 8New for 2021, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 has been redesigned using a solution-dyed fabric that is highly resistant to UV fade and drastically reduces energy consumption and water use during manufacturing, a process that is better for the environment and that “improves the quality of the tent fabric”. We know that purchasing a tent is a big investment, that’s why we have such a wide range of options to suit different activities, weather conditions and people, allowing you to choose the perfect one for you. Taking care of your brand new tent can be the difference between heading out for an adventure in the mountains, or having to fork out for a hefty repair bill, or even worse, another replacement tent. Below are our best tips to care for your tent. Pitching: Some tents, particularly from US brands, are pitched inner first – which isn't ideal if it's raining (and let's face it, it probably will be!). Others are pitched outer first or all-as-one, enabling the inner to be kept dry while the flysheet is pegged out. Ease of pitching is another important consideration.

The Helm 2 Compact is a 3-season tent (fine for spring, summer & autumn use) and will also take a light dusting of snow in the not too harsh UK winter conditions Storage space in both entrances is really generous. I was thinking to store equipment in one and cook in the other. Lightwave’s single-skin S15 Sigma pitches all in one, because one is all there is! It has a single side entry and porch, which provides plenty of space for your kit – it’s bigger than porches I’ve seen on some two-berth tents! Weight: If you're carrying a tent up a mountain, you'll naturally want it to weigh as little as possible. But, the lighter a tent is, the more expensive it'll be. For a good quality, 3-season tent for UK use, 1kg or under is extremely light, 1.5kg is good, and 2kg is a tad on the heavy side.Materials Outer Watershed 7D Si, 1,700mm Inner ripstop Nylon plus mesh Groundsheet ripstop Watershed Si2, 3,000mm Poles DAC 8.7mm alloy Pegs 8 titanium We recommend using a footprint which sits under the groundsheet and porch area to help prolong the life of your tent. A footprint for the Helm Compact 2 is available.

Like all of the products that Vaude manufactures, the Taurus SUL tent is completely PVC-free and instead, uses waterproof tent fabrics made from triple silicone coated nylon which is siliconised on both sides. This gives it high UV reflection and increased tear resistance, ensuring sustainability through longevity without resorting to more harmful treatments. Whether I actually do this, or simply have it all in the door I am using, will be figured out as I go I suppose. Its easy to put up (inner tent & flysheet pitch together) and only takes 2 mins once you’ve done it once (I love tents like this - especially when putting up tents when its raining - I don't like pitching them separately) It has 2 poles which are clearly colour coded and you won't even need to read the instructions to put it up!

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Outdoor enthusiasts with kids have been crying out for something in between these two extremes, and with the Habitude from MSR, their prayers may have been answered.

Trail Magazine Best Value Award August 2021 & 2022 – ‘Sturdy, practical and well priced, this is an excellent tent for wild camping in the UK hills’. Suitable for 3 season camping, the dome style provides more stability than a single hoop design such as the Zephyros 1.The Helm Compact 3 is affordably-priced, providing near-premium performance for a less-than-premium price.” Materials Outer HydroTex Core 75D polyester 185T, 3,000mm Inner 68D breathable polyester 190T Groundsheet 75D polyester Taffeta 185T, 6,000mm Poles Anodised alloy #6061, T6, 8.5 mm Pegs 10 square section alloy Although this is a 2-man, I would say it will be a tight 2-man. More a comfortable 1-man which I was hoping for.