Choice of Lightweight tent

[j22jbl]

Hi, I am looking to buy a pair of tents, lightweight for cycle touring and suitable for a family of four. Plan is, mum and dad in one, the two boys in the other. Trips to France, but not the Himalayas!

I want reasonably good quality, pitch inner and outer together, or outer first. Not looking for 'above tree line' or expedition quality....but would like a reasonable sized porch for gear storage, and cooking on a small stove if weather bad and pub closed.

Hilleberg appear to have good reputation, but so too does Robert Saunders. I have some experience of camping in an old Vango Force Ten, and also a lighter weight Vango Beta that I took around the Costwolds on the back of a Galaxy many years ago. I do not recall the weight of either tent. Ideally, what is a good weight to aim for, sub 2.5kg or sub 2kg? Given two people in each, I appreciate room v weight is an issue, although the wife is reasonably petite!

Any feeback on your experience, and recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and any pics would also be good.

John

[julk]

You will not go wrong with Hillebergs, except for the shock of the initial cost. They are quick to pitch and can be put up in the rain and still be dry inside.

I would rather tour with a tent which is rated larger than the occupant(s), say a 3 man for 2 to use. I like the extra space for moving around inside and storing things, especially if you have to endure some wet days/nights.

You have to work out if you need more than 1 door and the ventilation options. The more you have the greater the cost and weight, but the more the convenience and useability from the tent - especially when fully loaded with tired campers. Sitting up head room is also important to me, I use a chair kit with my mat and can read comfortably like that.

The Hilleberg Stalon Combi can be configured to have a 2 person tent at each end of a central roof extension space. That might work out cheaper and be more useable for a family. I use one for base camp pitches where the extra storage space is unbeatable.
Out of production now, I think they can still be obtained from Alpenstock.

[j22jbl]

Usefull info - thanks. I need to see a couple of tents in the flesh to decide on room provided. I too used to look for a 3 man to comfortably sleep two...and fancy the Nallo GT 3 for that reason. I just want to avoid having one item of gear (albeit a very important one!) weighing a disproportionate amount.
I think the Nallo GT3 is comming in at around 2.8kg. Would you say that is an okayish weight investment for a two man trip? All other things being equal we have from past experience travelled light, be that touring with YHA or walking cost to cost camping when I used the Vango Beta, which I recall may have been a little heavy.
John

[julk]

I think you will have to compromise somewhere to get a better overall package than the current Nallo 3 GT for 2 people to cycle tour with.

I have cycle toured at different times with a son using a Nammatj 3 GT or a Stalon Combi 2 (only take the roof extension for a longer stop than overnight). Both weigh in the 4 kgs range with footprints. I like the Nammatj for the space and the Stalon for having lots of doors. We share the weight, one takes the tent, the other the sleeping mats (Exped Downmats with chairkits) and 3 legged camping stools (Haglofs). A drybag strapped on each rear rack contains and hides the expensive contents.
I have to be honest and say that a bit of comfort is more important to me than saving 1Kg in luggage weight. I have changed what I eat this year and have lost more than that from the flabby areas.

Another son has recently been on tour with an old Nallo 3, bought before the GT was in production!

My daughter prefers her red Staika which is in use for DoE trips where she is the observer.

Maybe the best for your family is a Nallo 3 GT for the adults and a Nallo 2 or 2 GT for the youngsters - depends how big they are now and in the near future...

If you get these and change your mind they sell on easily.

[j22jbl]

I had thought about that. The larger tent with porch for mum & dad, covered cooking area if needed and the smaller for the two boys. I will make some more enquiries.

Cheers

Maybe the best for your family is a Nallo 3 GT for the adults and a Nallo 2 or 2 GT for the youngsters - depends how big they are now and in the near future