Alternatives to a modified Gelert Solo tent

Daniel

19/05/2012 at 01:31

I'm dragging a mate of mine on his first week long hike and was looking for something light and cheap for him to get for shelter.

Best option so far seems to be get a gelert solo and replace the heavy steel pegs with some cheap vango aluminium ones and also replace the 6.9mm fibreglass poles with some thin (maybe 7.9mm) aluminium ones, as those fibreglass ones have a real reputation for snapping easily.

By all accounts that should reduce the weight of the tent to about 1.2-1.3 kg from the original 1.5 and together with the modifications would cost about 45-50 pounds in total.

For around that price range is anyone aware of any double skin tents (coffins) that would be around equivalent price off the shelves? The next thing up I can seem to find tend to be around the 100 pounds mark.

Edited: 19/05/2012 at 01:34

GOF

19/05/2012 at 09:32

Just thinking - a gelert solo is about £50 to buy...plus £50...takes you to £100. At then end of the day, you will end up with a £50 tent with £50 of spares (or even worse, a second hand Gelert, worth £20 plus £50 of spares.

Also check with your mate that he would actually cope with a Gelert shaped tent - I tried one once, never ever again.

Options I would look at are

get a two man tent (currently there is a Vango Micro 200 on ebay at £45)

watch and aiat for something like a second hand Tigerpaw/Argos Hikelite to come up on ebay.

splash the cash - and buy a new one.

Daniel

19/05/2012 at 10:01

Actually gelert solos are available at about 28 pounds new from amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Solo-One-Man-Tent/dp/B00322QRQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337417874&sr=8-1
and are cheaper elsewhere.

I am keeping an eye out for a tiger paws type one available for him as it was mentioned a few times in previous threads, shame its not made new any more.

Cheers for the heads up on the Vango, ill check that out.

Edited: 19/05/2012 at 10:01

GOF

19/05/2012 at 11:15

Regardless...you end up paying between £70 and £80 for a tent worth £30.

then there is the question regarding practicalities for a week - find one/borrow one and get your mate to try it for size. Thats what I did and said never again.

try the Blacks Octane One (£110 when new and well thought of - I just missed one in a the liquidation sale...damn), Decathalon/ Ferrino 1 £80, Decathalon T2 £100.

Daniel

19/05/2012 at 12:46

Sorry I wasnt clear in the original post, I meant with both the tent, replacement poles and pegs it would come to a total of about 50 pounds.

Ill certainly try to get hold of one for him to try out for size first though before making any modifications to one, if hes uncomfortable it can just go on ebay.

also for around that 50 pound mark after some digging iv found:

Coleman Avior(TM) X1 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Avior-TM-X1/dp/B000OAESL8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1337427764&sr=8-8

and Karrimor X Lite 1 Tent - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karrimor-Lite-Tent-Pine-Green/dp/B0052BGBTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337427907&sr=8-1

the Coleman looks roomy but more fragile, any thoughts?

edited for links

Edited: 19/05/2012 at 12:49

GOF

19/05/2012 at 13:28

None really.

I like the look of the X-Lite because it looks easier to get in and out of and seems to have a larger porch, for those I-need-a-brew-now mornings without getting out of your sleeping bag but, without crawling into one wouldnt want to commit. I saw the Avior before and rejected it - but cant remember why.

MarkBadger

28/05/2012 at 11:19

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/1/UTN/53382/V/8/SP/

I have one of these. Great tent for such a cheap price. Brilliant to start out with and get a feel for what you personally need in a tent. Either bigger porch more room etc.

That bastard Skip

28/05/2012 at 13:23

Hmmm, is it worth modding a cheap tent to save 200 grammes? You say the original weight is only 1,500 grammes - that sounds manageable to me.

My advice would be to keep an eye on OM Classifieds and watch eBay like a hawk.

Daniel

28/05/2012 at 13:39

I have been doing, just spotted that tiger paws in classified this morning and jumped on it like a hawk

Edited: 28/05/2012 at 14:05

edd175

28/05/2012 at 15:54

Just talking about the pegs, have you tried Alpkit ones...they might be cheaper:

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=category&category_id=253&pageID=1

That bastard Skip

28/05/2012 at 17:42

edd175 wrote (see

.... pegs, have you tried Alpkit ones...they might be cheaper...

And these pegs are even cheaper. Bit heavier but very good value IME.

Daniel

29/05/2012 at 13:29

Result, found one for 15 pounds on ebay, even better, its green!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251073299065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_500wt_1271

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