Hi, has anybody had any experience with tents that put themselves up automatically. I think they are known as pop up tents.
I am taking the girlfriend camping for first time and looking a stress free experience. Thanks

Theyre great things, not suitable for going far though as I doubt you would get one in a bag. Theyre a bit cumbersome. Pitching is instant though, jsut open the bag and theyre up, and jsut need pegging. They wont break easily in wind but wont hold theyre shape either. Packing is a lot more difficult though, I never know which way to fold them. I would deffo use one for a festival or nice weather valley camp but I wouldent get too adventurous using one. Theyre cheap too.

I think tesco are doing one right now.. keep looking. ain't jumped yet.. always worried about strength...

Lots of people have opinions on them but has anyone actually slept in one of these things?

Gave my son an Outwell one for his birthday, as he's into instant results. Never thought I'd see a tent that takes longer to take down than put up - but it does! Actually there's a real knack to folding them up, as Gregory says - a real puzzle till you get the hang of it.

I'm impressed. It's only been used in the garden so far, but its certainly weatherproof. And if well guyed down, I think it would stand up to a reasonable amount of wind. Definitely valley use only, though.

The biggest penalty is in packed size and weight. You're not going to want to carry it far from your car - which is probably a good thing.

Oh yes, and on the Outwell one, plenty of room for two (I've shared it with him), though no porch.

A tall friend of mine touched the ends but otherwise had no problems on a sheltered site. They do seem to lay down in a breeze though! (And you look like a turtle carrying them on your back...).

Rubbish.