Bivy sacks are not really appropriate to a longer trip. The confined space means that there is very little or no room to store equipment and no area under cover to socialise. Planning a longer expedition with a bivy sack as your only accommodation is a big commitment, but if you are looking for a lightweight and effective shelter to take with you on a mountain hike then the bivy sack may be perfect for you.

Compare prices for Vango Storm Shelter 400

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£20.00	£20.00
	In Stock	£4.99	£29.99	£34.98
	In Stock	£3.99	£29.99	£33.98
	In Stock	£3.99	£39.98	£43.97

Vango Storm Shelter 400

The Vango storm shelter is a good example of a lightweight and durable bivy sack which packs away well making it easy to take with you on Hiking trips.

The bright colours of this particular bivy sack is a great advantage, it makes you visable from afar on the hills, should the weather close in around you. Its design means that you will stay warm and dry, the draw cord around the bottom ensures that you can keep the sack as close in around you as you need. It should be noted, however, that these shelters are not 100% waterproof. They are designed to be a temporary shelter to keep the worst of the wind and the rain away from you.

If you’re planning some trips into the hills this Autumn, a bivy sack is a must have piece of kit to keep you safe and prepared out on the hills.

Vango Storm Shelter 400 features

Firstly, this tent has a large porch at the front, perfect for storing all the gear that comes along with family camping. There are plenty of windows, allowing in lots of light as well as ventilation. The sealed in ground sheet makes the tent easier to clean as well as preventing anything getting inside the tent that is rather undesirable.

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£689.99	£689.99
	In Stock	£4.95	£578.00	£582.95

There is a large communal area, which is high enough for adults to stand inside (210cm). Due to its size, this tent is perfect for family “car camping” where little or no hiking to your campsite is involved. The price of this tent reflects the quality and features that the tent has. Investing in a piece of kit of this quality should provide your family with year after year of comfortable camping.

This tent has a lot of internal storage, including several pockets throughout the tent as well as a large walk in wardrobe in the corner of the living room. For its size, this tent is easy to put up, with most people managing this in less than an hour.

Outwell Vermont XL Features:

• Full width opening and canopy.
• Detachable bathtub groundsheet for porch area.
• Organiser pockets.
• Walk in wardrobe.
• Pre-attached and adjustable inner tents.
• Fully seam-sealed flysheet for maximum protection.
• Reinforcement patch on all stress points.
• Adjustable pegging points.
• Pre-attached guy ropes.
• Heavy duty Outwell zips.
• Outwell door mat included.
• Repair kit included

Overall, Tents Camping highly recommend this tent as an excellent purchase for family camping.  There are many features which make this tent a great buy for family camping.

How to pitch the Outwell Vermont XL

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEjcqQs_in8

Why have a sleeping pad?

Not only does a sleeping pad cushion your body from the ground, it also creates a thermal barrier between your sleeping bag and the cold ground beneath. Without one the performance of your sleeping bag will be greatly reduced as heat will be drawn away from it (and you) to the ground. Sleeping pads all come with what is known as an R-value. This measures the pads resistance (R) to heat loss. The higher the R-value, the warmer the pad will keep you. If you are considering camping on frozen or snowy ground the type of sleeping pad you will require will have a far higher R-value to that of one to be used for general camping.

Which type of pad to choose?

There are two main types of pads available, foam and self inflating.

Foam pads

There are two main forms of foam pad available in the UK; blue foam and ridged foam. Blue foam is quite hard wearing and is a good insulator. This is the most inexpensive type of pad and is perfect for camping on flat ground in warm weather. Ridged foam pads feature hinges and raised contours to make for a more comfortable night and to make it easier to pack away. Reports suggest that these are more comfortable than standard foam pads.

Self inflating pads

Self inflating pads are more expensive than foam, however, we feel that they are well worth the investment. They insulate far better than foam pads, are lightweight and pack down very well into a small space. The extra air that is contained in a self inflating pad really makes a big difference to the warmth that is retained in your sleeping bag. They come with a variety of fillings, including down and foam. One downside is that they can be punctured, however, all the ones we recommend come with a repair kit, which work well. I’ve never looked back since buying an inflatable sleeping pad. It makes such a difference and I would recommend them to anyone.

Multimat Camper

The Multimat camper is a good entry level example of a blue foam pad.

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	£4.95	£4.99	£9.94
	In Stock	Free	£5.99	£5.99
	In Stock	£3.99	£5.50	£9.49

Multimat Adventure

The Multimat Adventure is an excellent example of a mid range ridged foam mat.

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	£4.95	£14.99	£19.94
	In Stock	£4.95	£13.99	£18.94

Thermarest Pro

Thermarest are regarded as market leaders in terms of self inflating sleeping pads. The Trail Pro is a great example of a mid range pad and will offer you many nights of peaceful and warm sleep!

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£72.50	£72.50
	In Stock	£3.99	£74.69	£78.68

This tunnel tent is available in three sizes; Tigris 400 (4 man tent); Tigris 600 (6 man tent) and the largest Tigris 800 (8 man tent).  The Tigris 400 has two sleeping compartments, at on end of the tent.  The Tigris 600 has one extra sleeping area at the front of the tent which sleeps two and the Tigris 800 has four sleeping areas, two either side of the living area.

Vango Tigris 600

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£239.99	£239.99
	In Stock	Free	£231.99	£231.99
	In Stock	Free	£264	£264

Vango Tigris 400

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£199.99	£199.99
	In Stock	Free	£169.95	£169.95
	In Stock	Free	£192.99	£192.99

Under the hood of the Vango Tigris

The Vango Tigris flysheet is fire retardant, breathable and has a hydrostatic head (HH) of 3000mm.  The hydrostatic head mean that it will withstand very heavy rain storms so your family will remain dry throughout.  As many of you will know there is probably no waterproof fabric which is totally breathable and to this end Vango Tents have taken measures to avoid the build up of condensation by ensuring that the tent is properly vented.

As family tents go the Vango Tigris is very easy to pitch help in no small by the colour coding of the poles.  The flysheet first method of pitching means that if it is raining the inner tent will remain dry.  The sewn-in groundsheet is a bathtub design and has a hydrostatic head of 10,000 which means that not only will it stop the water penetrating from the ground but also stop any wee bugs.

Other features worth mentioning about this the Vango Tigris are – it has a lantern point for hanging your lights; cable access point and tidies; mesh double doors and vents; pelmet and inner tent pockets; ‘Crystal Clear’ windows; double zip windows (for vent/light/cover flexibility) and the front door can either be rolled up or used as a sun canopy.

Vango Tigris – our view

Vango Tents being a Scottish company know how to build tents which will cope with the British climate.  The Vango Tigris is a great family tent which will be ideal for short or weekend camping trips.  We also like the speed of pitching where even the smallest of hands can help! All in all the Vango Tigris ticks all the boxes that we look for in a family tunnel tent.

Vango Tigris – Summary

• Weight: 23.4kg
• Pack Size: 70x47x28cm
• Dimensions: (Internal) 210+240+140 x 280cm
• Height: (living area) 205cm
• Colour: Laurel/Sage (as shown)
• Pitching time 15 minutes

Vango Tigris – Features

• Flysheet first pitching simple and quick to pitch, keeps inner dry
• Fire Retardant fabrics reduces the possibility of ignition from naked flames
• Taped seams for waterproof protection
• Protex® 3000 polyester waterproof, durable and reliable
• Storm skirt system waterproof, exterior skirt system
• Colour coded poles match the pole to the sleeve tab for easy pitching
• Polyester inner groundsheet lightweight, waterproof & comfortable
• Sewn-in Groundsheet PE 10,000HH
• Cable entry points and tidies zipped entry point pocket
• Side mesh door for insect free ventilation
• Inner pockets and hanging organisers
• Crystal Clear windows
• Double zip windows flexible internal cover
• Pelmet aesthetic addition to conceal interior attachment points
• Flexible inners allows inner to be removed when not in use
• Canopy over side door ideal entry when it is raining outside
• Parallel zip doors create a canopy for sheltered entry or shaded seating/dining
• Rain gutter zip cover covers and diverts rain flow away from the zip

Vango Tigris Pitching Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_n6XIZ6anA

Nevis 400

The Vango Nevis tent is a fantastic example of a tunnel tent. This style of tent provides a lot of headroom for a relativity small footprint, its steep sides mean that it sheds rain well. At just over 13 kilos this is not a lightweight tent, but in comparison to other family tents on the market it is relatively light weight. The extra features that come with this tent makes it stand above other family tents which are available, it is far more hard wearing and should last a lot longer than cheaper tents on the market. The stuffsack which is used to pack the tent has been designed well, making the tent easy to put up as well as easy to take down.

There is a lot of storage space available with this particular range of tents, making it a perfect choice for longer camps or camping with a pet. Having windows in the vestibule area is also an advantage, if foul weather should come it provides a bright place to socialise, away from the sleeping area. The windows in the vestibule have curtains too, providing you with privacy.

The Nevis range also has good ventilation, meaning that the inside of your tent should be more comfortable to live in. For safety this range’s fabric is fire retardant, however, flames inside or close to tents should still be avoided if possible. The poles used in the Nevis are made of alloy metal, making them far more sturdy than fibreglass poles, however, this adds to the weight of the package.

The Nevis is easy to put up (around 15 minutes) and is withstandant to wind. A stable tent of this nature is definitely an advantage if camping with children. This tent is designed to be used on campsite and would not be very well suited to open hill camping.

Inside the tent there are many fantastic features which are designed to make family camping more enjoyable. The large vestibule is a perfect place to store any wet or muddy gear and is even large enough to keep bikes in. In the sleeping area there is a mesh divider between the two halves. This can be removed but is a good tool in keeping children out your side of the sleeping area!

Vango Nevis 400 Features

•     Flysheet: Protex® 6000 polyester embossed

•     Inner: Breathable 190T polyester
•     Groundsheets: Polyethylene 10,000
•     Inner tent : Polyester
•     Windows: PVC
•     Poles: PowerLite® 14mm alloy
•     Pitching: Flysheet-first
•     6000HH
•     Sewn-in polyethylene groundsheet
•     Vango ‘Lights Out’ inner tent
•     Polyester inner groundsheet
•     Vango pelmet
•     Easy find orange coloured inner clips
•     Roll-back inner divider
•     Windows with internal curtains
•     Mesh doors
•     Mesh ventilation
•     Vango AirZone large venting front & rear
•     Day-to-day features Storage solutions / Lantern loop / Cable entry / Cable tidies
•     Fire retardant fabrics

Vango Nevis 400

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£329.95	£329.95

Nevis 600

The Nevis 600 is very similar in terms of specification than the 400, however, it provides  you with an extra two sleeping spaces. The packed weight of the 600 is 17.7 kilos, compared to other 6 man high quality tents available this is a great reduction.

The 600 has the same alloy pole system as the 400, adding again to stability. Vango has made the Nevis 600 extremal watertight. Using higher-than-standard waterproof material as well as having a seams taped makes this tent stand out amongst its competitors. As with the 400, the sleeping area can easily be modified to suit your needs. Vango has provided plenty of storage solutions in both tents, perfect for storing all the bits and pieces that are needed on a family camping trip!

Vango Nevis 600

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£260	£260
	In Stock	Free	£282.99	£282.99

With many things in life you get what you pay for and with the Vango Viper range of sleeping bags you are investing in your own comfort.  These sleeping bags may appear at first glance to be not as cheap as other bags.  However, having spent a lot of money on your tent why would you skimp on your own comfort at night?  A good nights sleep is worth a lot and can make or break a camping holiday so make sure you buy the best sleeping bag around – the Vango Viper.

The Vango Viper has three bags in its range, the Vango Viper 500, 750 and 1000.

Compare Prices for Vango Viper 500

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	£4.95	£99.99	£104.94
	In Stock	£3.99	£89.95	£93.94
	In Stock	Free	£99.99	£99.99

Compare Prices for Vango Viper 750

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£119.99	£119.99
	In Stock	Free	£124.99	£124.99
	Check site	free	£99.95	£99.95

Compare Prices for Vango Viper 1000

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	Check site	Free	£149.99	£149.99
	In Stock	Free	£149.99	£149.99

Additional features of the Vango Viper sleeping bags range are;

• Omega shaping—the is larger at the top than at the bottom.  This keeps your body warmer by reducing any excessive air spaces within the bag.
• ATC – Advanced Trapezoid Construction—angled chevron baffles prevent the down from moving and increases thermal efficiency by slowing heat loss comparable to similar rectangular shaped baffles.
• 90/10 550+ fill power down—excellent quality providing maximum loft, warmth, performance and durability.
• Differential fill—insulation where it counts.
• Independently tested—temperature ratings independently measured in accordance with EN 13537:2002.
• Polair® Micro RSN shell—micro-ripstop, soft, downproof, water resistant and washable 3-panel, 3D hood with multi-cord closure—allows maximum adjustment.

Vango Viper – Our thoughts

We think the Vango Viper is a quality product and this is reflected in the price.  The Vango Viper 500 is a good all rounder and will keep the UK camper warm at night from mid spring right through to late Autumn.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, nights during the summer don’t really get any warmer than 20 °C which is ideal for the Viper 500, although we think that the Viper 750 and 100 would be too warm for use in the summer months.

The Vango Tempest 200 and Vango Tempest 300 are part of Vango’s lightweight tunnel tents range.  These Vango tents are designed to be a good balance between meeting the demands of wild camping and being kind to your wallet.

When buying a tent, Tents Camping understands it is essential to have all the information at your finger tips.  This is why we have not only supplied you with our views on the Vango Tempest 200 and 300 but we have also searched the net to bring you the best prices and not only that we have also displayed any relevant discount or promotional code which means that you are getting the best deal around without doing the finger work!

Compare Prices for Vango Tempest 200

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	£4.95	£99.99	£104.94
	In Stock	£5.99	£99.95	£105.94

Vango Tempest 200 & 300 – Description

The Vango Tempest is a low, lightweight tunnel tent and has two tents in its range – 200 & 300. The Vango Tempest 200 sleeps 2 people and weighs slightly over 2.5kg and the Vango Tempest 300 sleeps 3 people and weighs 3.2kg.  Both these tents have TBS, a flow venting system and a foldaway rain stop door.  Vango’s TBS (Tension Band System) provides the Vango Tempest with additional stability and is present in 2011 tents onwards.  The flow venting systems is a ventilation system designed to reduce condensation build up which can happen in tents with poor ventilation.

The difference in size between Vango Tempest 200 and 300 can be seen quite clearly below:-

From above you can see the Vango Tempest 200 is the same length as the 300, but the Vango Tempest 300 is wider by 30 cm, taller by 25cm and has a longer porch area.  Both these tents can be either pitched flysheet first or combined- flysheet and inner flysheet.

Vango Tempest 200 & 300 – Performance

The fly sheet of Vango Tempest is made from fire retardant 5000 Protex PU coated material.  This fabric offers high UV protection with excellent colour fastness.  It has a hydrostatic headspace of 5000mm combined with its taped seams and its flow venting system makes it incredibly waterproof.  Hydrostatic headspace is a the ability of a fabric to stop a given height of water from penetrating it and is a standard waterproof rating for fabrics -the higher the HH value the more it can withstand rain penetration in windy/stormy conditions.

Our view

Both the Vango Tempest 200 and 300 are great little lightweight tents which can withstand severe weather conditions and for its price represents great value for money.  We think the the Vango Tempest is a great entry level tent suitable for hiking, climbing, cycling trips and many more activities.  The size of the 200 would be spacious for one person and 2 person camping.  Although the size of the porch, which can fit your boots and rucksack, may be  limiting for 2 person camping for anything longer than a weekend.  We also like the speed of pitching and the lightness of both tents in this range and that it can easy be split between two people when hiking or cycling.  There are also various storage options inside the tent which is great for storing the likes of books, socks, torches etc.  We do think that Vango Tents should improve the Tempest’s ventilation system if it wants to consider it an all year round tent.  As it stands, if the tent is pitched in high winds facing downwind the ventilation systems channels too much wind, lowering the inside temperature and for that reasons we suggest that this tent should be used from late Spring to early Autumn.

Vango Tempest 200 & 300 – Specifications

Colour: Pine green/Black
Flysheet: Protex® HC 5000 polyester, hydrostatic head 3000mm, tape sealed seams, Fire Retardant
Groundsheet: polyester, tough and durable
Poles: PowerLite® 7001-T6 alloy + TBS®II
Weight: 2.8kg
Pack Size: 39 x 18 x 15cm

Smmary of Vango 200 & 300 Features

• Fire Retardant fabrics reduces the possibility of ignition from naked flames
• Taped seams for waterproof protection.
• Protex® HC 5000 polyester.
• Combine or flysheet first makes pitching easy quick plus keeps inner dry.
• Reflective webbing makes finding your tent at night or in adverse conditions easier.
• ‘O’ ring guylines.
• Colour coded poles match the pole to the sleeve tab for easy pitching.
• Powerlite Alloy poles 7001-T6 alloy – light, flexible and durable.
• TBS–Tension Band System means the tent is stable in adverse weather conditions.
• Polyester inner groundsheet lightweight.
• Lantern hanging point.
• Storage solutions inner pockets.
• Breathable fabric inners creates a comfortable sleeping area.
• Reflective zip pullers on external doors are quick and easy to find.
• Compression stuffsac for easy pack-and-go.
• Repair Kit.

Compare Prices for Vango Tempest 300

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£109.99	£109.99
	In Stock	Free	£109.98	£109.98
	In Stock	£5.30	£95.00	£100.30

Promotional and Discount codes

From time to time Tents Camping receives promotional codes, voucher codes and discount codes directly from the retailer.  Our aim is to ensure that you get the best deal for your tent or camping equipment, so if you know of any retailer which is offering great value for money then just drop us a line or post a comment below.

Vango Tempest Reviews

We would love to hear your thoughts, comments and reviews on the Vango Tempest 200  and 300, so please feel free to post them below in our comments section.

Vango Icarus 500

Retailer	Availability	Delivery	Price	Total Price
	In Stock	Free	£149.99	£149.99
	In Stock	Free	£145.99	£145.99

The Vango Icarus 500 & Vango Icarus 400 offers weekend campers a tent which is quick and easy to pitch, a good size living area and flexible sleeping arrangements.   Once you familiarise yourself on how to pitch the Vango Icarus you’ll have the tent up in no time, in about 10-15 minutes.  The flexibility of the sleeping area of the Vango Icarus 500 allows for it to be divided into two smaller sleeping pods or used as one large sleeping pod.  Also the living area of the Vango Icarus is large and can be extended using a canopy.

Under the hood of Vango Icarus500

The fire retardant flysheet of  the Vango Icarus 500 has a hydrostatic head rating of 2000mm, which means that it will cope with pretty poor weather conditions.  The fabric is also treated so that it will not suffer from UV deterioration as badly as some other tents manufacturers.  Another design feature of the Vango Icarus is that it is well ventilated which means that when the sun is out it is cool and when it is raining condensation is kept to a minimum.

The clever people at Vango have designed a system called TBSII, Tension Banding System  The Vango Icarus being a large tunnel tent can some times caught by side winds and sway about.  The TBSII supports and stabilises the hoop structure  by creating an internal bracing system for each hoop.

Vango Icarus 500 – Our View

If like me you don’t like spending ages putting up a tent just to bring it back down two days later then you’ll like the Vango Icarus.  We do like how easy it is put pitch, made easier due to it only three poles,  which makes this an ideal weekend tent.  Other features we like are the storage pockets  which are great for storing essentials like toilet roll and the like.
Vango Icarus 500. So lets see what makes this tent such a good buy.

Vango Icarus 500

The Vango Icarus 500 would suit couples or small families although if you didn’t take too much stuff I am sure this tent would be comfortable for longer breaks.

Vango Icarus 500 Specifications

• Colour: Sage or Blue
• Flysheet: Protex® 2000, hydrostatic head 2000mm, tape sealed seams, Fire Retardant
• Groundsheet: polyester, tough and durable
• Poles: Powerflex poles
• Weight: 10.5kg
• Pack Size: 75x24x24cm
• Pitching Area: 620x460cm
• TBSII: Tension Banding System

If you happened on this awful piece of television you may have thought that you were watching Eastenders which has in nearly every scene somebody crying, well this was no different.  The documentary is based on Ed Wardle who has a “lifetime ambition” to be left alone in the Yukon for 3 months and live off his wits.

The premise of this documentary – is it possible to survive in the wild- is quite an interesting one but Ed made it a tear-fest.  He cried about not having any food, he cried about being alone, he cried about the bears, he cried about being tired and he cried about being tired.  Riveting?

At the end he gave up because he could not take it any more, Ed I couldn’t take it any more.  What sort of survival training did you take?  I am sure the ample Ray Mears-who obviously likes his food- would have doubled in size in the Yukon with the amount of food available.  So what made you any different from a bloke down the pub who fancies being on his own for a few days?  Answer – watch his film and you’ll see that the only difference is that the man in the pub would be properly trained in foraging and survival skills etc. and not bubble like big girl.

Leave a comment if you disagree.

Sale of Goods Act

Your rights are can be found in  The Sale of Goods Act 1974.  This old piece of legislation has been amended over the past 25 years to strengthen the consumers’ position.  Basically you should expect your purchase to be as described and of satisfactory quality.

If your purchase does not conform to this then you can either ask for a full refund within a reasonable timescale or a reasonable amount of damages or compensation.  Your rights don’t stop here you can alternatively ask for a repair or replacement of the goods.

So how does this translate into a problem with a piece of camping equipment.  Well you may have bought a tent which claims to stand up to gale force winds but falls apart in a breeze or a sleeping bag which has a tear inside it.  In these circumstances you should contact the retailer and assert your rights, its up to you what you ask for.

When you complain about your product the retailer may say that there was nothing wrong with the goods when he sent them out to you.  Under the Sale of Goods Act, for the first six months, the onus to prove that the goods were faulty at the time of purchase is on the retailer and not you.  After six months is is up to you to prove  this.

How to complain?

Getting angry is pointless.  You have been unlucky and so losing your cool will not help.  The most important thing to do is ensure you get a remedy and the best way to get a resolution you are happy with,  is to negotiate.

Now this negotiation doesn’t mean excepting less than you are entitled to.  No, it means  understanding the cost of what would happen should the retailer be stubborn about your situation.  The last thing you want to do is to take legal action against him in a court but that sanction is available to you at a small cost which you need to make clear if you are not getting any satisfaction.  This is part of the negotiation, you hold all the cards!

So speak to the retailer, let him know that you know your rights.  Explain clearly what you want (don’t go asking for any more than you are entitled to) and the timescales you want them achieved in.  More often than not many retailers “backs are put up” by the angry consumer trying to get their pound of flesh so remain calm and reasonable.

Don’t send off your item unless you get a some form of written consent from the retailer that he will refund you the out of pocket expenses and pay in full should he lose the item.  Also take plenty of photographs of the damaged item and send the item off recorded delivery.  All this will back up your case should your item “get lost”.

Unsatisfactory outcome, what next?

You have tried to negotiate with the retailer and he is unwilling to satisfy your demands so your next step is to take him to court.  The Small Claims procedure (England and Wale up to £5k, Scotland up to £3k) is relatively easy and cheap to lodge a claim and is designed for this type of small dispute.  You’ll find that many retailers will find the cost of defending the claim not cost effective so they’ll probably settle before it gets to that point.

You could also post your problem below, don’t mention the company, for free advice and help as one of our contributors used to be a Trading Standards Officer.

Next the Distance Selling Regulations