Merry christmas

I am considering purchasing the VauDe snow mark 4. however have been unable to locate any reviews on this particular product. So as a result i am unsure whether it would be a wise purchase.
I am looking to get a 3/4 person, 4 season tent, which is as light as possible. The Vaude Snow mark 4 strikes me as a good option. I have a budget of around £300, so if the vaude tent is not my best option, feel free to make some alternative suggestions.

I would appreciate any help

I'm not sure about this basic design of these tents. Last New Year there was one sharing the campsite field with me in Nant Perris. We had dreadful weather and a hell of a gale. The Vaude was wrecked, with the external skeleton bent. My Hilleberg Nallo was blown about quite a bit but proved to be flexible and indestructible.

I was surprised by this Vaude. At £300 you should have a pretty good choice. I'd have a good look around.

If you want a good tent thats as light as possible then you should find a few around the £300 mark in the Lightwave range and their customer service as has been said on more than one occasion on this site is above and beyond the call of duty.

Happy new year

Thank you for the info on the VauDe tents, has put me off.

I have looked at the Hillberg selection, but for 3+ man tents looked very pricey. Also the lightwave selection seemed to only cater for 1 to 2 man.

I have looked a bit more recently at 3 man 4 season tents, around my price range. The North Face VE 25 looks to be a possible option, and i have seen some promising reviews. The Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 has also caught my eye.

The Mountain Hardware tents are pretty good and robust - I've never seen one of these in trouble in a wind.

But can you get one for £300?

I have also come across the Mountain Equipment Torres 3 XT, but have not been able to find any reviews of this design. however the mountain equipment dragonfly, which is only a 2 man tent seems to be very highly rated, and the torres 3XT seems to be a similar tent just bigger (3 man)

As for prices the mountain hardware one is probably out of my price range. But have seen the North Face ve25 for around the £350 mark, and the mountain equipment torres 3xt for just ober £300.

however I have not been able to find any extra info on the mountain equipment tent, so do not know whether this would be a sensible purchase or not?

thanks guys for the help you are providing.

Hi Lewis,

I just thought I'd mention that I have the Mountain Equipment Dragonfly and have been very pleased with it. I have no experience of the Torres, though.

I seem to recall that there was some sort of problem with the Torres initially - I think it was highlighted here by Jon in an initial review - but that it was later fixed. Searching the archives here may trawl something up.

The vango Spindrift is a bomb proof 3 person tent at 6kg maybe not the lightest. It is designed as a base camp but may be worth a look especially if you get one for a good price. It would sleep 4 in a an emergency. I doubt you will find a stronger tent anywhere.

I can vouch for the VE-25, but it is quite heavy. I use it in all weathers (it is built for mountains after all) and have had no problems in horrendous winds, snow or rain.
Can get a bit hot in very hot weather though, but there is some venting.

Not sure if you'll find it in your budget though....but I have had mine for several years and will continue to use it for years to come, so is a good investment.
Back porch is a bit small but fine for boots, pack etc. The front porch is big enough to cook in easily as well as storage. Vents well too.
The inner shape is good for longer term use with enough room for 3 to sleep and two triangles at the sides for clothes, books etc

Rock + Run were doin a MacPac Olympus for £300 but it sleeps no more than 3. It weighs in just over 3 Kilos which is light for a 3 man tent.

Another vote for the VE-25, very stong tent

thanking you for the help and suggestions.
I have plumped for the north face, seemed to be a popular and sturdy tent. plus the extra weight will help me baulk up. it was slightly over budget - being closer to £350, but seemed a good price.

much love and hugs