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by Stuart Bryant

A practical guide to buying tents

Buying tents is not as difficult as it may first appear, considering the sheer wealth of types, styles and designs which are now available. However, it is fair to say that there are a good few things that those on the hunt need to bear in mind. Here is a brief guide to buying tents, with some of the more important things to pay attention to.

Ahead of anything else, it is vital that a budget be set, though having a small margin of around ten percent as a contingency is always a good idea. Having got the figures straight, it will then be a matter of going through your preferences.

As touched upon above, there are a lot of tents to buy these days that are suited to all sorts of trips and expeditions, so this is important. There are different types for festival goers and weekend campers, for example; there are those that are ideal for backpackers off on their travels, whilst the hardier traveller may be in need of an Adventure or Mountain tent.

The most common problem which most people face is the size which, again, is determined in many ways by what trip it will be used for. Another determining factor regards how many people will be using it. Family tents, as the name would suggest, are large and ideal for accommodating anything up to a group of ten people.

Families with teenagers may find that separate tents are needed for their kids. Here again though, there may be a more cost effective solution. Multi room tents have dividers within them, affording the much needed privacy and also helping to compartmentalise things well, which can be useful to keep your sleeping, cooking and living areas separate.

Another consideration which is necessary regards the weight, which depends very much on the type of holiday once again. If there is going to be a lot of trekking between camp sites, something lightweight and easily packed away will be necessary. If you have a permanent site, and are travelling by car, something heavier and bulkier is fine.

An area which is often forgotten when looking at tents, regards all the paraphernalia which is associated with them; the poles and pegs, guy lines and rain sheets and so forth. Considering how much space these will take up and the weight they will add is therefore necessary. For those on the move, ultra-portable pop-up tents could be just the thing.

The weather that you can expect on your trip is highly important too. Though camping in the UK can spring the odd surprise, trends are useful. As such, if travelling in the summer or to a hot country, adequate ventilation will be needed. Windy and wet weather will naturally need extra durability. A reputable guide to buying tents would advise you to waterproof your new tent, whatever weather you expect whilst camping.

At Outdoorworlddirect.co.uk, we have an extensive range of tents to meet any need and any occasion from leading manufacturers such as Coleman, Easy Camp, Lichfield, Outwell and Vango. With our Price Match promise on all of our tents too, we help get you outdoors and enjoying the wonderful world as directly nature really intended.

Carolina sleeps up to 3 persons in the security and comfort provided by a sealed-in groundsheet. See tinyurl.com for further information, to order online or to collect in-store.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

by al_green

Outwell Classic Tent Collection

The Classic Collection of polycotton tents from Outwell features popular models such as the Bear Lakes and Wolf Lakes. These tried and tested tents have been so successful that the collection has had new additions designed with the customer in mind, bringing the ever popular Montana 6 up to polycotton specifications complimented with optional matching front extension. Still present are all the features expected of an Outwell polycotton tent, the PVC quality groundsheet, premium alloy poles, luminous guy lines and the Outtex Airtech fabric.

The Bear Lake range, after a great amount of customer feedback now has an optional Front Extension available for the 4 and 6 man.

The whole collection has been updated with new green in green stripe inner tents and the addition of new trolley bags for ease of transportation.

The Classic Collection lines up complete with such distinctive tents as the Tepee-esque Outwell Indian Lake, Outwell Trout Lake 4, Outwell Bear Lake 4,  Outwell  Bear Lake 6, Outwell Wolf Lake 5 and the Outwell Wolf Lake 7. Newcomers to this prestige collection are the Cedar Lake, Clear lake and the Outwell Montana Lake.

Each individual model has been designed with customer satisfaction in mind, whether this means customising the tent with the versatile removable inner tents or the model specific optional extras. Tent carpets that provide insulation and comfort whilst protecting the groundsheet from inside the tent, also footprint groundsheets are a popular option not only for protection from underside of the tent but also to minimize the cleaning of the tent base. Should you require extra shelter or a porch area each model has an additional front extension or side extension available in matching Outtex Airtech polycotton.

by barney.craggs

Vango tents keep camping covered

With over forty years experience in the manufacture of the best camping equipment in the business, Vango is well practised in supplying customers with exactly what they need. As the British market seems to be increasingly interested in outdoor holidays, camping and festivals, the range of Vango tents has increased alongside.

With their production of tents and camping equipment stretching back for more than four decades, it is no wonder that Vango is confident that their products comprehensively meet the needs of anyone needing to spend some time under canvas.

Whether intended for a family heading off for a weekend in Snowdonia, festival goers needing a place to chill in the early afternoon, or for experienced hikers pushing themselves to the limit, Vango has a suitable tent.

Constructed from only the very latest, leading technology materials, the Vango tents offer a high level of comfort, notably with the well thought and sympathetically introduced mesh ventilation. With fire retardant materials used as standard, clear windows to aid observation and control, safety and security are also at the heart of their design.

This maxim is as true of Vango tents from popular ranges such as Oregon, Diablo and Idaho, up to the larger styles such as Colorado, which is suitable for up to eight or nine people. With feature canopies and porches too, they offer far more than basic solutions, though at fantastic prices.

Those requiring something on a lesser scale, for heading to those festivals or camping up on the whim of the season, lightweight models such as the Alpha are ideal. For those concerned with the environment too, it is good to know that much of the range is constructed of 80% recycled materials; at just as competitive prices as the rest of the range.

Across the range, from the existing favourites to the new season’s introductions such as the Artemis, affordability has been retained. Improving their offering across the range too, the accessories and options available are extensive and can be tailored to any budget and need. With a host of colours available too, they are a fun as well as practical solution.

Indeed, for many the colour is all important of course. Mindful of this, Vango tents are fast becoming popular amongst the bird watching fraternity, nature lovers and huntsmen and women; able to blend in with rocky outcrops and autumnal environments.

Across the range, Vango tents could not be easier to put up, meaning they are ideal for the novice backpacker and expert alike of course. Fans will know about and love their colour coded poles of course, whilst newbies will wonder what the fuss to put up a tent is all about.

With all this to offer, it is unsurprisingly one of the most popular brands in its field and Vango tents perform at the highest level. For its wide-ranging selection, at Outdoor World Direct we offer Vango tents and many other solutions for getting the best from your outdoor experience.

by neltek

Vango Tents – Let The Adventure Begin!

We at Outdoor World Direct supply a wide range of tents for more extreme camping conditions. The Expedition Kit section of our catalogue is recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (D of E) – a charity we are particularly proud to support.

Established in 1956, the scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 25. It is divided into bronze, silver and gold stages, each of which has four elements. The Expedition element is an important part of this. At each level, entrants must plan, train for and complete “an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.” Whether this is hiking the Pennines or kayaking in the Rockies, it invariably involves rough, even mountainous, terrain, and extreme conditions.

To facilitate this, the D of E has prepared a recommended kit list, which includes tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and such like. We at Outdoor World Direct stock a range of D of E recommended equipment, which includes Vango tents, sleeping bags and rucksacks.

Why are Vango tents so ideal for the D of E? Well, firstly because they offer excellent value for money – an important factor, as those buying the tents are often schools, youth groups and students. Secondly, Vango have been making high quality tents for over 40 years, specialising in the more rugged end of the market. They manufacture a number of styles, each designed for a specific purpose – but all with rugged functionality in mind. Thus their family camping tents will have different specifications to those sold for mountaineering – but be just as durable.

Vango is constantly improving and updating their products, using the latest technology. Their TBS banding system, for example, ensures their tents will stay secure in the strongest of gales. The result is tents that are totally suited to the rigours of outdoor living, whether it be a family campsite or a mountainside. Those buying Vango tents for expeditions can be confident they will stand up to the worst of conditions, yet be roomy and comfortable, too.

In order for their kit to be Duke of Edinburgh Award recommended, Vango have had to prove their tents can cover the most extreme conditions, yet be suitable for a 14 year-old to carry and erect unaided. They have done this admirably. The Banshee, for example, is a solid, compact little tent that, like all Vango Expedition tents, is specially shaped to stand up to severe weather conditions. It is pitched “outer first”, giving maximum protection from the elements in the least possible time, and weighs less than 3 kg.

The Typhoon, like the Tempest, Hurricane and Tornado, will stand up to the strongest gales and heaviest rain. Innovative design elements, like semi-geodesic design, tension band system pitching and alloy poles aid stability and make the tent effortless to erect.  The Equinox, meanwhile, will sleep three people in comfort and is one of the most popular mountain tents on the market.

You don’t have to be a D of E candidate to enjoy the benefits of Vango expedition tents.  They are designed for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and wants a rugged, reliable roof over their heads.

The standing-height bedrooms in all side cabins made possible by the Outwell Extended Frame System (OEF System) are one of the major features in the Hartford XXL. See tinyurl.com for further information, to order online or to collect in-store.

by al_green

Vango – A Tent For All Seasons

For those who take their camping seriously, nothing beats Vango tents. They’re recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme as essential kit, but they’re equally suited to novice campers, festival goers and family camping trips. So what makes Vango tents so popular?

Firstly, Vango has four decades of experience in innovative tent design. All along, they have been at the forefront of camping research, with things like their patented TBS (tension banding system) to add superior stability and wind-resistance to even the most kite-like of tunnel tents. In addition, Vango tents are lightweight, roomy and affordable – all top scoring points for families looking for ways to have a quality holiday in the great outdoors.

Vango truly does make tents for all seasons – and for all environments. If you’re planning a festival trip, they have a stunning selection of tepee styles that are ideal for festival-goers of all ages. One is modelled on the exact Native American design, and is guaranteed to stand out on a packed campsite. Besides their stand-out visual appeal, tepees have a practical purpose too: the unique shape means there’s plenty of head height, but no wasted heat. Plus, they’re fun to decorate – a great way of keeping kids amused while you relax.

Vango uses the latest tunnel designs on their family tents – but they’ve kept a close eye on the modular market too. For example, the Vango Colorado is one of the few traditional pod designs left on the camping scene – and as popular as ever. Maybe this is because everyone gets their own sleeping area, in a zone that’s well away from noisy snorers or annoying brothers and sisters. Pod or modular-design tents have largely been usurped by tunnel tents, which are easier to erect and offer integrated bedrooms within the main enclave. While this makes the tent light and user friendly, and the bedrooms warmer, many still prefer the privacy and seclusion that modular designs offer.  

Tunnel tents became a necessity as tent sizes became ever larger, in response to the growing popularity of family and group camping holidays. Many of the huge, dome-style tents were simply too big for the campsites they were on. Tunnel tents, where the bedrooms are internal rather than attached as pods, have largely solved this problem, without sacrificing living space. However, there are Vango tents that incorporate the best features of both concepts. Their Salonga tent, for example, has a tunnel construction but separated-out bedrooms, giving one or more members of the group their own space without affecting the streamlined structure.  The addition of a porch adds a further dimension – and makes the tent more resistant in a gale.

Vango has entered the 21st century of family camping with its range of technical family tents. The Nevis, for example, is modelled on the popular Tigris model and incorporates Vango’s unique tension band system, but incorporates lightweight alloy poles, a higher hydrostatic head and a larger living area.  

We at Outdoor World Direct stock a full range of ultra-light Vango tents, from one-man low-slung expedition tents, to the latest Technical range which comfortably house four or more people under as little as 14 kg of poles and fabric.

by al_green

Review Of The Best Family Tents For 2010

It’s the summer months once more and in the event your family is up for a bit of activity, then there’s nothing a lot more pleasurable than camping out. I certainly believe that holidays such as this are the stuff really good stories are produced from.

Now, as you possibly already realize, camping out has gone a long way from the days of our younger years. I have not forgotten how long it used to take to build a tent and how getting wet in the rain was a given.

Presently, one can find water-resistant tents and tents with plenty of bedrooms, a porch and all that. And to say the least, it’s a difficult task to find one that best fit you and an individual’s family’s requirements.

If you’re looking for the best family tent, here are five that I recommend:

Vango Maritsa 700 7 Berth Tent

This is one of the new Vango 2010 tents with a very unique design. It fits 7 people with the bedrooms all at the back. I like this tunnel tent design and with the bedrooms located where they are, you can get the mess to the minimum. If there are 7 of you in the group, you can even choose not to use the middle room and then turn it into a walk in closet!

Coleman Waterfall 5 Man Tent

For a smaller family, the Coleman Waterfall 5 man tent is perfect. This is a very light tent at 12.8 kg. And even at this weight can stand strong winds and rain. This is a combination dome-tunnel tent. That is, the sleeping area is a tunnel while the living area is dome. Good head room.

Coleman Coastline 6 Deluxe 6 Man Tent

Very spacious this one. There are three bedrooms which you can easily combine with other rooms if you choose too. I like the flexibility of the Coleman Coastline 6 Deluxe Tent.

Outwell Montana 6 Tent 2010 Model

Like all Outwell Tents, the Outwell Montana 6 tent model is very well made and one that you are bound to have for a long time. This is all around quality material and is very spacious and provides good headroom. However, prepare to pay the price for it. Make sure you buy the porch extension if you’re getting this tent. Well worth it.

Outwell Hartford XXL

If you are looking for a large family tent, the Outwell Hartford XXL can sleep up to 12 people. It’s also proven to be sturdy during strong wind and a real winner with keeping the inside dry according to customer reviews. However, considering how big it is, expect to spend some time putting it up and taking it down. Nonetheless, it’s good value for money and can easily be a home away from home.

Buy one of these four tents to ensure that your camping holiday becomes a successful and stress-free one.

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by red5standingby

Cover the bases with Outwell Tents

As manufacturers of some of the most innovative and practical camping equipment, Outwell is a brand that delivers a great deal to its customers. As camping and outdoor experiences increase in popularity throughout the UK, Outwell has come up with a host of ideal solutions throughout its range.

Having provided an excellent brand to the market for over a quarter of a century, Outwell continues to refine their products. Thanks to this concentration on the task in hand, the range provides solutions no matter what the need. Whether it is for rugged enthusiasts clinging to a sloping crag, or festival goers looking to escape the drizzle and mud, there is something more than suitable.

It is no surprise that Outwell tents are made from only the very latest materials. However, they are constructed in such a way that means they perform better than reasonably expected. With a sense of safety and security too of course, they answer all the basic questions with ease.

The overriding success of Outwell comes from their attention to detail regarding comfort and function; often working hand in hand. This is certainly the case with the Outwell Sealed Ground System they employ, and innovative rain doors which allow much needed ventilation and access, but keep the internal workings safe and dry.

Another great addition is with the carpet, which make things just a little more cosy and comfortable as you wake up for another day doing whatever it is you do. To keep things safe and secure, even through the inclement British summer, the Outwell Power Stability ensures things are kept firmly attached to terra firma.

At the entry level, Outwell provide a great solution for quick and effortless erection, with the wonderful Smart Tunnels. A pop-up range, it is great for those just starting to learn the great and fun world of outdoor life, but does so with no major outlay. For this reason too, it makes an excellent alternative to cheap and “fly-away” onetime use festival tents.

In addition, Outwell provides some ideal solutions for the family who likes to camp together. The fantasy range is ideal in this respect, with a number of capacities and colours, and all the design features you would expect. Particularly excellent in this range is the attention to detail given to the kids bedroom, with its incorporated games.

The range also includes an excellent cotton tent range – the Yukon. In the mid-range price bracket, this allows a little more comfort and practicality without having to enter the deluxe range. Ideal for those families who are serious but not fanatical about camping, the range is available up to six-man berth capacities.

Deciding which tent to opt for, whether for your festival fun or family holiday, can be a little tricky, particularly with such a vast range as provided by the likes of Outwell. For expert help and dedicated customer care, at Outdoor World Direct our team will ensure you make the most of a life outdoors.

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by neltek

From Avante Garde To Fantasy – Luxury Holidays With Outwell Tents

Of all the tent suppliers in the UK, Outwell has to take the prize for originality when it comes to names. Yet Avante Garde, Fantasy and Montana aren’t empty marketing ploys – they describe the integral concepts of Outwell tents perfectly, which is why we at Outdoor World Direct sell so many of them.

Names like Bear Lake, Vermont and Montana sum up perfectly the “great outdoors” concept of Outwell. However remote the destination, buyers are secure in the knowledge that their spacious living accommodation will stand up to all weathers, while offering pure luxury and comfort via a range of integrated living features. Camp fires and grizzly bears are entirely optional, of course. These tents stand up just as well to a blowy weekend in Norfolk as a break in the Canadian Rockies.

When it comes to cutting-edge luxury, spaciousness and innovative design, Outwell’s Avante Garde range is all the name suggests. These latest tunnel tents are ideal for modern outdoor living, reflecting the designs of trendy Avante Garde loft apartments.

If you’re used to city dwelling, you’ll love the Ohio, with its chic interior colourways, solid steel construction, large, weather-protected porch and sewn-in groundsheet. Like all the tents in the Avante Garde series, it has a spacious, unique interior arrangement with bedrooms arranged along one side. This, together with the extra-wide dimensions and panoramic windows, creates an immense living space with instant open-plan appeal. Avante Garde is all about living in style and entertaining in luxury. With walk-in privacy wardrobes, add-on guest bedrooms and a large, luxurious porch for evening cocktails, you and your friends can live a bourgeois lifestyle – on a budget.

Of course, if you have very young children you’ll be mainly entertaining them, and we at Outdoor World Direct would be hard pressed to find a better solution than the new Fantasy range of Outwell tents. They come complete with outdoor games sets and integrated, brightly coloured playrooms – something Outwell is already famous for, and which can be found in our accessories department. Yet that’s not all – whereas most tents come in drab, khaki colourways, the Fantasy range is designed in a bright, vibrant blue that makes your tent easy to spot, whether it’s on a busy summer campsite or a festival ground.

Bad weather is the one thing that can spoil an outdoor holiday. However, Outwell Fantasy tents are built around tried-and-tested standards like the Montana 6, known for its ability to stand up to all weathers. The built-in groundsheet, large vented windows and robust construction ensures fun and comfort whatever the climate.

Today, more people than ever are turning to camping as an alternative to self-catering or hotel accommodation. There are literally thousands of sites to choose from across Europe – and beyond. Outwell realise that, for many families, camping is a new prospect – which is why their tents are made to be as pitch-friendly and comfortable as possible.  We at Outdoor World Direct stock a full range of Outwell tents, and thoroughly recommend them for both seasoned campers and newcomers – whether they’re trendy couples or young families.

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