Tent brand recommendations and where to purchase

learnerplates

Anyone have a recommendation for a 4-man dome tent?
What brands are best or does it matter?
Where can I purchase, in particular the west?
E-bay has some but I'm not sure on their quality!

cavedave

It depends what you want it for.
If it is for going to a festival, probably just get the cheapest one you can find and hope it does not rain.
If it is for the occasional camp in ireland getting there by car a celert of some other common brand is grand.
Anything more technical I do not know what to recommend. I have a north face tent ans it is great.

learnerplates

Yes it's for camping in Ireland and beyond, probably Spain or France during the summer by car.
I'd bet that North Face cost you a few pound!
I's a Gelert you mean is it? they look good and not a bad price, in stg of course.

cavedave

Yes it's for camping in Ireland and beyond, probably Spain or France during the summer by car.
I'd bet that North Face cost you a few pound!
I's a Gelert you mean is it? they look good and not a bad price, in stg of course.

sounds sweet. Yes Gelert was the brand. they are not amazing but they should be cheap.
Hopefully some of the more hikery people can give you better recomendations.

Evil Phil

I have two tents at the moment. One is a coleman and the other is a Eurohike. I got both in Millets in Tallaght and they're great for general camping. Particularly the eurohike, it's a 2/3 man and is very sturdy. Great tents for their price.

Millets have a number of shops around Dublin and one in Galway afaik. Probably some more in various places.

the-ging

Have a look at the Vango tents, these have different ranges depending on how technical you are looking for.
You can get Vango tents in Outdoor Adventure Store, and probably great out doors.

If its just for beside the car around europe you would be grand with a 2 season tent.

learnerplates

cheers,
yeah Millets appear to have a shop in Galway.
I'll have a look around.
More suggestion welcome.
It's a 3-4 man I'm looking for, nothing too fancy but waterproof, suitable for Irish summers, be great to have a small awning space in front too.

Dr_MalPractice

the outlet center in killarney have a pretty good selection of vango tents, a gang of us bought about 8 of their 3 man tents for my 30th b/day. they're easy to put up, and will sleep 2 6' people easily, 3 if you like it a bit cosier. about 80eur each i think. it's gettin a lot of use. might be a bit heavy if you're planning a long hike tho.:cool:

BeardyGit

Do you mind me asking how many people will actually sleep in the tent when you're away? A 4 man tent can be a tight enough squeeze for 3 at times....

learnerplates

There'll only be 2 of us but I'd like the room, rucksacks too etc.
There's a campshop in Oughterard in Galway too, his prices are very good, 80euro for a 2 man dome.

BeardyGit

Ah, try for a Vango discovery series tent - the 200 if they still make it. I used one for years with scouts, maybe 30 nights a year for 5 or 6 years. Cracking good value, and just fine for 2 + gear.

saobh_ie

I've been impressed with Vango's recently. I'm not sure what one I have at the moment, its airing out after the weekend. Cost me less than €60, perhaps €39, small two man job. Lastest all winter in all kinds of weather, I was in it most weekends.

I'm going to pick up a Vango Sigma 300, three man over the next couple of weeks. I reckon it'll be more than sufficent for two people, and assorted gear.

What ever you get make sure the fly sheet (out side bit) goes up first. Makes things so much more pleasant. It's also good if, even though there will be two of ye, the tent can be throw up by one person.

learnerplates

thanks folks,
I was down in Millets in Galway the other day they have some great bargains, 2 or 3 different 3-man tents, between 75 and 90 euro. They look good quality too, Eurohike was the brand I think.

Takeshi_Kovacs

Yeah i second Gil_Dubs recommendation for Vangos... We used them for years as well in scouts, (when we weren't in those big Icelandics )
I can't remember the exact model, but it could fit 4 of us easily, and there was a nice of bit of space at the front compartment to store rucksacks and stuff.

Roen

Heheh, you could have 5-a-side in those Icelandics, they weighed a tonne though!

Takeshi_Kovacs

Oh yes those were the days.. hauling heavy Icleandics across fields... sheer joy as you watch the younger fellas get trapped inside as their attempts at getting a coordinated lift of the three support poles upright, fails once again...
Hehe they were some funny times..

BeardyGit

Yeah, asking the new kid in the patrol to go borrow a sky hook, a left handed mallet or a long stand from the troop camping in the next field.... Ha ha.

Had a look at the Vango's in the G.O.D. over the weekend....couldn't get over how cheap they are compared to 10 years ago. Great value altogether.