Gear

Well, I guess I am starting yet another tent thread here, but I have been shopping around for a tent for a while that ticks all the boxes and is suitable for my needs for the next many years. The tick list so far covers:

-must be light

-must have large vestibule for dog, cooking and gear

-sleep a 6'5 man and his small partner

-have space for the possible arrival of small additions to the family

-pitch inner and outer together so when weather is crap all is dry!

Now this has turned out to be quite difficult! Hilleberg was originally the only thing I came across, but I dont need a portable bomb shelter and they turned out to not be suitable for long people! I then came across the new Jack Wolfskin catalogue which seemes to offer the best alternative in a while! 

http://www.jack-wolfskin.com/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1377/431_read-42456/usetemplate-product/

Its light, its supposedly durable and has mountain specs (if they do say so themselves), has loads of space and is considerably cheaper than a Hilleberg!!! Now, JW is not everyone's cup of tea, but I have found most of their stuff to be pretty good. I have no experience with their tents though. Their previous tunnel tent Tundra gets a good rating, but thats all I know.

So I thought I would pitch it to the communal wisdom of Outdoors Magic Forum Followers to hear what their thoughts are. Do you think this looks like a decent tent? Any Experience with JW tents? Any alternatives? Or any other thoughts comments that come to mind are very welcome!

Well I had a pocket Hotel for years, about 15 years IIRC. It did me proud. When I got it Trail mag gave it high ratings and it was one of the cheapest of the two man tents in the test too. Also back thenthe 2.6kg was considered light for two and light enough for solo use which is what I wanted. Solo use but the ability to fit a second person in as my situation dictated.

It was very long internally which was good for a 6'5" person like me. Although in the end the groundsheet just let water through. I had too many wet nights so had to look elsewhere for shelter (the car, camping barn and later a new tent). It was reasonable build quality although the taping at the corners of the bathtub groundsheet were very messy.

After that they went all heavy so I haven't kept up with their range. Although the 2.6kg for two man use and two entrances isn't drastically high.

JW tents I feel are the best around . My old spirit 2 man tent is coming to the end of its life after much use over the last 15 yrs. The tent lasted longer than my marriage.

I am looking forward to buying the JW Sanctuary II Rt later this year.. JW trekking tents are very light weight, easy to assemble for one person and very strong.

Jeff Tomkins wrote (see)

I am looking forward to buying the JW Sanctuary II Rt later this year.. JW trekking tents are very light weight, easy to assemble for one person and very strong.

Nice to get some replies on this thread finally!

Yeah, I am seriously considering getting one, but the finances at the moment are a little tight making it hard to invest £500 in a new tent. From reading around it does sound like people are pretty happy with JW tents.

 Any chance you could post something on here when you get your hands on a Sanctuary and when you have tried it out?