Hi guys, any pictures? Cons & pros? I wonder to get one for backpacking solo and with my gf. Hows the porch? Is it big enough to store backpack and boots? I was looking at vango tempest 200 but I don't like the idea of front entrance and sleeping head to front. This one looks very nice but I'm only afraid if its big enaugh for two with gear. I'll be appreciated for any advise
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 Hi Guest R, I feel the same as you about the Tempest or any tent that you have to crawl into, or reach a long way past condensation-covered flysheet material to unzip the door to get out. The large entrance was the main appeal of the Apex 200 to me, an improvement over the MacPac Microlight I already owned. If you want a decent size porch, you'd be better looking for a different tent. If you want a small-footprint, cheap, light, easy-pitch, 2-man wild camping tent then this is worth considering (bearing in mind the reservations below). The front of the inner tent is not attached to the fly and is meant to be pegged. This allows a certain amount of flexibility to the size of the porch if you are on your own. We will be using the tent for cycle touring and have all our stuff in the inner, with the empty panniers and footwear in the porch. It will be a squeeze but can be done. I don't know how the Apex 200 will fare in wind, and no reviews have been posted yet. I will find out for myself in May. Rather naively perhaps, I don't want to believe that Vango with all their experience would sell a tent that will collapse or take off in windy conditions, however much the design suggests otherwise. Nevertheless I have attached guys to the vent hoods, just in case. If anyone has had experience of this tent in bad weather it would be good to hear from you.
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 Is it really only 205cm long? That is a very short inner if so!
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stuffsac is not too small by any means. how big do you want it to be? you probably cant put away a pop-up tent either eh? (im referring to the above review, and a comment on the previous page). just fold and roll it carefully (mostly folding, and keep the pole sleeve folding over on itself). if you do this it goes in easily. mind you, i manage to get my thermarest back in the plastic pack it was sold in, so maybe i just have teh skills. just dont not buy the tent because someone said the bag is too small, because its not.
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| Edited: 01/05/10 14:23 |
 Unfortunately, I can't read the ukcampsite.co.uk review. I'm interested in buying this tent, but I'm really concerned about how it will resist in really windy conditions, like, for example, a storm in the mountains.
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I used this tent for a 6 day trip backpacking the West Highland Way about month ago. There was some wind and quite a bit of rain, I was overall impressed with the tent. It goes up very quickly, loads of room for one however for 2 people you'd want to be a couple or very petite!
The stuff sac is tight but I got it in every morning without too much fuss. You have to roll it quite tightly.
The porch isn't massive but you can fold back the inner while cooking, it was big enough when the inner shut to take my cooking gear, 75l rucksack and boots, keeping them dry through the night. The big door is great for taking in the scenery too.
I was looking for a not too expensive, lightish tent for wild camping/backpacking and wanted to be able to sit up in it (I'm 6'), it does everything I was looking for and I would recommend it.
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 I bought one and I like mine. Haven't tried it in any sort of a storm yet but it kept me dry in a wet and miserable south wales last week  Review on my blog here: click!
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 I bought one and I like mine. Haven't tried it in any sort of a storm yet but it kept me dry in a wet and miserable south wales last week Review on my blog here: click!
Thanks for the review. I'm looking for a light roomy tent to use for winter backpacking and I think I am about sold on this model. I have been using a Go-Lite Pinnicle rucksack for the past Three years and nothing comes near it in volume to weight ratio. 
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I've been very happy with mine. It's definitely a 1 person tent (like most) but has plenty of room for me and my kit and the porch is not bad. I've even managed to do some cooking in it. I haven't really tested mine to its full potential but I have survived a few wet nights in it now inc. one very windy night but I haven't taken it off a campsite yet. Thoroughly recommended. I have also managed to get the packing of the stuff sack down to a fine art. It take a couple of attempts though!
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I'm thinking of buying a Vango Apex 200 tent. Wondered if anyone could comment on how this tent fares in strong winds with its slightly strange profile, especially if not pitched with the pole directly into the wind.
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 hmmm... read the thread maybe?? It has been discussed. 
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Tried the Apex for four nights. Not long enough for my 5'6" small frame, as thinner tent is too baggy. Not as easy to pitch as it looks, I found in the wind there is a lot of side wall deflection which causes it to touch the inner tent. Good fly sheet material as it is siliconized, causing the rain to bead and roll off. Can't be pitched simultaneously as the inner "S" hook wont stay attached to the flysheet. Great wide open door for summer with a two way zip. Small porch. You realy need to see one pitched first befor you decied to part with any hard earned cash. Sent it back and got a full refund
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Thanks for the review. I've bought one of these tents and tried it out last weekend. Very pleased with it and would recommend it. I'm 5'8" and the inner is just about long enough, although if I was any taller, I think it would be a bit short.
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It's not difficult to get the tent into the stuff sack. Tent belly up on the ground, fold in the edges toward the pole sleeve to the widht of the stuff sack; then FOLD the tent along the pole sleeve to a 2 feet bundle, which you then roll tightly. I just wish Vango would have made better use of the cross pole for headroom of the inner. Being used to 2-person tents for solo use, the Apex feels like a gigantic hat on my head when sitting upright with the inner closed, which is crucial if you mostly camp where blood suckers reside; but at least I can sit upright. If they did for a future model and made the tent 10 cm longer, I would sell mine in an instant and get the new one. With the inner open, there is no restriction at all.
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| Edited: 14/08/10 08:42 |
