camping in Autumn- what type of tent to buy?

marble pie

I've been thinking of spending some time camping in late autumn but I'm at a complete loss as to what sort of tent to buy. I'm looking for a one/two man, three season tent (capable of surviving the milder days of an Irish Winter too). My budget doesn't extend far beyond about 100 euros. I'm not hugely concerned with comfort, just something that'll be stable and waterproof from typical Irish wind and rain conditions.

In fact, would a bivouac be suitable for week long treks in this country during the months of September/ October? Could this be the cheaper/ lighter option if I'm less concerned with comfort?

I'd really appreciate the advice from experienced campers and hikers.

Pat Mustard

marble pie wrote: »

I've been thinking of spending some time camping in late autumn but I'm at a complete loss as to what sort of tent to buy. I'm looking for a one/two man, three season tent (capable of surviving the milder days of an Irish Winter too). My budget doesn't extend far beyond about 100 euros. I'm not hugely concerned with comfort, just something that'll be stable and waterproof from typical Irish wind and rain conditions.

In fact, would a bivouac be suitable for week long treks in this country during the months of September/ October? Could this be the cheaper/ lighter option if I'm less concerned with comfort?

I'd really appreciate the advice from experienced campers and hikers.

I realise that it's Winter now, so it may be a bit late to answer a question about Autumn camping.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Alpha-300-Dome-Tent/dp/B004LXV812/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1320970686&sr=8-5
This is the Vango Alpha 300. It keeps out the rain and it's stable. Being a three man tent, there is enough room for one person and plenty of gear, without touching the inner sheet. And this tent is cheap - about €60 in an outdoor store.

I doubt if the Vango Alpha series qualifies as 'three season'. However, I've used mine in rain and snow (in sheltered areas). No problems.

I know you said that you probably wanted a one/two man tent. If you wanted a two man tent, you could maybe look at the Vango Alpha 200, but I haven't tried it.

I would think that if you head away for a week, you'd have a fair amount of gear with you, and maybe the Vango Alpha 300 (3 man tent) would be more suited to your needs? It weighs about 3.5kg. Obviously, if you pack light, you could be a lot more efficient and use a smaller tent.

Looking at bivi bags, the decent ones seem to cost more than €100. I wouldn't like to be caught out in a bivi bag that I didn't trust. I doubt that it's the cheaper option.

Carawaystick

again a late posting, but I'd go for a waterproof tent. A cozy sleeping bag and liner, and a good feed can sort out all the temperature related effects.

I wouldn't recommend a bivvy unless you are efficient in getting into and out of your bivvy (and sleeping) bag in the rain; and aren't too worried about sleeping head down.

I'd only regard a tent in relation to the waterproofness of it and the ability to stand up to the wind... The ability to stand up to the wind is usually inversely proportional to the internal height/comfort level....


If you're going camping for a few (>2) days in Ireland at any time, you have to assume lashing rain some time.

Double bagging your rusksack in polythene bags is usually enough to leave them outside. ( one bag over the bottom - to the top, then another from the top to the bottom.)