Hi all,

Still on my quest to find myself a tent. What a complex job it is!

This question moves away from specific makes and models and back to the fundamentals of type of tent; geodesic and tunnels.

Geodesic tents are more stable, heavier, but can be pitched in many different areas.

Tunnel tents require careful consideration of pitch to make sure they'll stay up. They need good solid anchors.

So the question is, have any of you experienced much trouble trying find suitable pitches for tunnel tents in the British mountains? Is it worth carrying the extra weight for the extra flexiblity that comes with a geodesic design?

James

Geodesic

Tunnel

No contest.

Though there are some fantastic tunnel tents out there, I prefer to be able to pitch in the carpark or living room if necessary!

Usual tunnel-geodesic arguments set out here:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=7573&URN=1&SP=&V=1&searchdate=0&cp=2&dt=4

Geo for me !!!!!!!!!!!

have any of you experienced much trouble trying find suitable pitches for tunnel tents in the British mountains?

No.

(Atko and Nallo owner here.) Occasionally I've pitched and then wished I was a few feet one way or the other because of some bump or lump under the groundsheet (which you can sort more easily if you can just pick your tent up). But I can honestly say that I've never not been able to pitch it. I don't think that's a relevant factor when you make your decision.

The only time I wished for a geodesic was backpacking on the GR20 in corsica where you were forced to pitch on rocky ground and there was very little chance of getting in any decent pegs. Most of the time I relied on using rocks to peg out my Akto. In the UK I can't think of a time i'd have prefered a geodesic.

I've got an Akto and Nammatj and the space to weight on the Nammatj is great. Seen some pretty nasty storms in it to.

It used to be the case that geodesics were heavier but looking at the way TN have cut the wight of the quasar and some of their other tent models I think the gap might be closing. I'd still prefer a more robust tunnel over a super lightweight geodesic though.

What you really need is a selection of tents then take whichever depending on circumstances then discover as we did once we had the wrong one but thats another tale and no harm was done but never go to the alps without a goedesic whatever the time of year cos boy can it snow..

Personally if you are only going to buy one i would go for a light weight geodesic, terra nova do a 2 man sub 2 Kg one, light and strong and can be bought in green for sneeky wild camps.

When you crawl out of your nice solid tent after a good nights sleep to discover it has been rather windy and half the campsite has blown away you will be glad you were in such a nice solid tent dreaming away when the rest of the site was trying to keep their tents attatched to the ground you will be glad you did :-)

I have a Nallo 2 (tunnel), which is brilliant and roomy. It's light enough for one to carry, which I do quite often. It's very stable and I've had it in some serious gales. One of the really good factors is that apart from the base of the poles, all the pegging points are adjustable, most of them by a lot, which means that if you are on a stoney site, you have a wide choice of where to stick your pegs... There are only a small number of pegs, too. Mine has minor ventilation problems, caused partly by the Swedish need to take the fly down to the ground to prevent snow blowing in, but this problem has been addressed a little in subsequent models (mine is about 4 years old). It's also got a really roomy bell-end, plenty to get all the kit for two in and leave room for cooking and access. Love it! And it's GREEN!

GREEN!!!!!!!!!, you see thats the first problem with tunnel tents, well most of them anyway!!!!!

CM - non green tents are hideous things - blots on the landscape! You could always use a GPS to help you find your tent if it blends in too well...

Forgot to mention, too, that the Nallo is a doddle to put up on one's own - could hardly be simpler - goes up as one, so no soggy inners.

Rob i have had this argument so many times and I don't really care what people think about yellow/orange tents i think they are great!!!!!!

C'mon over to the bright side!

Geodesics are for people who worry about their tent not being there in the morning, tunnel tents are for those who know it will be.

CM - Possibly, just possibly, should I ever camp on one of those big commercial sites amongst the caravans and campers. Until then, as much of my kit as possible will blend in to my surroundings as best I can make it.

Thanks for all the replies.

A lot to think about, but I reckon the Lighwave t0 trek is still the best choice for me. I don't think my budget will stretch to a lightweight geodesic, and what's the point of getting a tent if you can't afford to go anywhere!?

Yawn yawn yawn!!!!!

BTT James good luck with the connumdrum that is tents!

Spot the tunnel tents !!!!

Nope.......look closer....No closer!!!! You may be able to just spot a snapped and twisted pole sticking out of the 2" deep white stuff!!!!!!!!

Sorry I just had to!

But may i just say, have you ever wondered why there is a continuous and steady flow of so many top end used tunnel tents for sale on Ebay?

What about the TNF Particle? A bit heavier than a Lightwave T0 Trek but about the same price and it is a free standing design.

Cruxter man

There is no need to look closer....No closer!!!, as there is a tunnel tent right at the very front of your link picture.

Paul, you are quite right I do apologise how very observant of you, The North Face Expedition 36 is using a destroyed tunnel tent as a ground sheet protector!!!!!!

Doh, try me on another!!! ;0)

must get a tunnel tent as a GSP for my Bomb proof full geo'

Is it a tunnel tent at the front, the broken looking yellow one? I can see a pole going perpendicular to the others starting at the lower left corner of it. Must be geodesic surely. Dunno why its broken then ;)