FabSwingers.com forum: Camping/tent recommendations

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

I'm especially interested in recommendations for a tent. I'm looking for a 3-4 man tent easy to put up on my own. Will I get a half decent one for £100ish. ?

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By *he tactile technicianMan
over a year ago

the good lands, the bad lands, the any where you may want me lands

"Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

I'm especially interested in recommendations for a tent. I'm looking for a 3-4 man tent easy to put up on my own. Will I get a half decent one for £100ish. ?"
look on E bay for a Vango force 10 MK5 original if you can get a good original in excellent condition you'll never look back....will sleep at least 5 possibly 6

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

A pop up one?

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By *hortieWoman
over a year ago

Northampton

whatever tent you get, make sure you prepare it before first use, to get the most out of it..

put it up in the garden beforehand for the day - this will ensure you have all the bits you need, and have a good idea of how it all goes together and can check for splits and all the zips work.

then while its up, spray a hosepipe over it then leave it to dry off. this makes the fibres swell and 'knit' together better, therefore closing any tiny holes that would let rain in - very annoying if you have a downpour the first day with a fresh tent when you get to your event

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

I'm especially interested in recommendations for a tent. I'm looking for a 3-4 man tent easy to put up on my own. Will I get a half decent one for £100ish. ? look on E bay for a Vango force 10 MK5 original if you can get a good original in excellent condition you'll never look back....will sleep at least 5 possibly 6

Forch 10 are tops, they breath well so you don't suffer as much condensation. Good recommendation sir.

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

A single lady asking about a 4 man tent - that sounds like a good night

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A single lady asking about a 4 man tent - that sounds like a good night

I was wondering too, but thought I'd wait for you to comment.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Mine is a Vango... it's a six man job and I can put it up myself. I started out with a little two man tent and it was great until it pissed with rain and I had to get out of wet clothes. Not easy in a tent you can't stand up in. My new one has a bedroom and a living area. Technically it has two bedrooms but I like a massive comfy bed and room for my clothes. Best 100 quid I've spent.

Go Outdoors usually have some tents pitched in their shop so you can see. If there's one near you it's worth going for a look rather than buying online.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"A single lady asking about a 4 man tent - that sounds like a good night

I was wondering too, but thought I'd wait for you to comment.

You should always buy a bigger tent than you think you'll need

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

I'd also recommend vast amounts of baby wipes and a shewee!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A single lady asking about a 4 man tent - that sounds like a good night

I was wondering too, but thought I'd wait for you to comment.

You should always buy a bigger tent than you think you'll need

I see, never too old to learn.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

I'm especially interested in recommendations for a tent. I'm looking for a 3-4 man tent easy to put up on my own. Will I get a half decent one for £100ish. ?"

I'd recommend a vango, good quality tents and not hugely expensive x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Vango are awesome i have one myself, get one with the highest possible hydrostatic head (hh) the higher the number the more water proof it will be

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By *eanutButterJellyTimeCouple
over a year ago

the middle of the world

Vangos are good, also outwells. I have a 6 man outwell that I can just about put up on my own.

Biggest tip....... take LOTS of toilet roll, never assume the toilets will have any, they'll run out after about half an hour.

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By *onnybag69Man
over a year ago

Manchester

i have a sunncamp evolution 400 its a geodesic tent and as a sewn in ground sheet ( no bugs} 5000hh you can stand up in this tent and the good thing is i can put it up on my own have used it at shell island a few times and it stood its ground against the wind there around £90.00\£100 now also go-outdoors in manchester city centre have a good display regards

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By *aitinkCouple
over a year ago

York

Agreed: find the nearest GO OUTDOORS. Their tents tend to be cheaper at this end of the year. Anything they sell will be pretty acceptable. Remember buy a tent rated at 2 more than you want to use it for.

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field

Don't buy budget tents- it's your main escape from bad weather for your entire trip.

Can go are good, so are Coleman, just don't be tempted by the budget brands from Argos, halfords or go outdoors- very hit and miss in quality from one tent to the next from what I've seen, and you usually only find out how good yours is at 4am when it's passing down.

Also, post trip, make sure you either pack it up properly (dry) at the site, or clean/ dry/ pack it as soon as possible when you get home- a good tent will last you at least 5 seasons use if you look after it

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"A single lady asking about a 4 man tent - that sounds like a good night

I was wondering too, but thought I'd wait for you to comment.

Sorry to disappoint but it's probably just me but I like my space

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By *artytwoCouple
over a year ago

Wolverhampton

Get a campervan.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks guys and girls for all your advice. It's really appreciated and it's given me a good starting point.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Check out eBay, they do some decent tents at relatively good prices.

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By *lashheartMan
over a year ago

shrewsbury

"Get a campervan."

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By *obsrocketMan
over a year ago

Loughborough

As well as a decent tent dont forget an airbed, sleeping bag, torch and probably a chair you may not want to sit on the floor lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"As well as a decent tent dont forget an airbed, sleeping bag, torch and probably a chair you may not want to sit on the floor lol.

And a Swiss Army knife. You can't go camping without one of those

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We got a vango meritsa700 + canopy, was great when with 3 teens but its now way to heavy and big especially the polls

We're thinking of getting a blow up next summer there getting cheaper and look so easy to erect

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By *onnybag69Man
over a year ago

Manchester

spent a lot of time this year at shell island as most people know it can get very windy and a lot of tents can get damaged there was quite a few people with pump up tents different makes and sizes and they didn't move a inch in the bad weather i think thats the way to go pump up tents

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By *litterbabeWoman
over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

Have a look at decathlon and their inflatable tents I've got a 4 man from them that I paid £135 for and absolutely love it.it's very easy to put up by myself and it takes about 10 minutes.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes we've seen a few in ultimate outdoors, they do some good size blow ups, we watch someone put one up in what seemed like seconds

Ours is a good 45mins raised voices frustrstion and an argument about who's doing it right

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

They're the tents, I have a mark 4, had it since 1992, still going after being covered in snow and allsorts, won't let you down, not sure what they cost secondhand though, you can buy spares for them too, in case you lose any bits, they go on and on, a bit like me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For a more budget tent but inline with vangos and outwells I recommend higear from go outdoors - our most recent one is a hi gear, we love it, just doesn't have the extras such as rails etc you get with the premier brands

Your best bet is go to go outdoors and just try them all, get advice from the staff too they also have a refurb section where they have had tents returned due to a issue and they fix it, test it and sell much cheaper, our porch was a refurb

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok so I'm off to swingfields next year for my first ever festival (of any kind) and I'm looking for recommendations for the kit I'll need.

I'm especially interested in recommendations for a tent. I'm looking for a 3-4 man tent easy to put up on my own. Will I get a half decent one for £100ish. ?"

But a decent club hammer and rock pegs enough to replace all the original pegs

Mud can be as hard as concrete in the summer

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By *_and_k_staffsCouple
over a year ago

Stoke-on-Trent

Recommend a camper van, don't do tents

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks guys. I opted for a cheaper tent this time as don't know that I'll do it again. Can't remember what it is but it has a 3000HH and good reviews. Good tip about the hammer and pegs thanks. It's handy stuff like that I could do with knowing. Got an air bed and little stove. Will be adding bits each payday.

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By *onnybag69Man
over a year ago

Manchester

"Recommend a camper van, don't do tents

"
sounds like youhave a touch of snobery

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By *_and_k_staffsCouple
over a year ago

Stoke-on-Trent

"Recommend a camper van, don't do tents

sounds like youhave a touch of snobery"

too many years camping, nice not to be woken up at 4 in the morning in summer inside a hot tent!

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