Living outdoors for the summer - tent advice?

Hi folks. This is the first post I have made on the site. I would really appreciate your views on a tent I can live in for two or three months this summer. I will be working as a volunteer at an outdoor centre in the Midlands, camping in a nearby field. 

I've been looking round local camping shops this weekend but the range of tents on show is fairly limited -  mainly Vango and some cheaper brands. Size-wise, something like the Vango Alpha 250 would probably be perfect for me - very roomy inside - but it's marketed as a festival tent and I'm unsure whether it will stand up to a whole summer out.

So I am wondering whether it might be better to pay a bit more and go for a proper backpacking tent that will give me better protection from the elements. This has the added advantage that I could also take it backpacking if the urge took me in the future. I can't tell how likely this is - I do a lot of hiking but up to now have mostly stayed in YHAs, huts and the like.

I was looking at the Vango Banshee today. It's a nice tent but I wonder whether a couple of months living in the relatively small-sized 200 would drive me mad.

If anyone can suggest a good tent for my needs, I would be grateful! As I am currently unwaged, the relatively cheap cost of the Alpha 250 tends to swing things that way, but I could break into my savings if need be.

Many thanks!!

GOF wrote (see)

 DONT go for anything you cant stand up in comfortably.

david dolan wrote (see)

 look for something which you could stand up in,

Make that 3 votes for being able to stand up in it.

Alternatively, if standing up really isnt an issue, My car camping tent is a Robens dreamer (currently in offer at Cotswold Outdoor)

It's meant to be 3 man, but a very comfortable 2 man. High enough to be able to kneel up in for getting dressed etc and a huge porch,

Reasonable venting and 5000 HH for the great British summer

Solid poles aswell, unlike so many budget models

A frame tent 2nd-hand would be my choice too; in fact it was when I had to spend 6 weeks doing a similar thing to what you intend. They often come with other useful things, mine had an airbed, two burner cooker and grill, gas bottle, and a car battery 'hook up' - all great to have.

After the project I sold it for a small profit.

If you're not convinced yet that something with standing room is more important than something you can backpack with at some unspecified point in the future, I'll suggest that something with standing room is more important than something you can backpack with at some unspecified point in the future.

Backpacking works better with low carrying weight and bulk, neither of which matter a damn for several weeks parked in the same place.  Both tend to lead to relatively small space, which is Bad News for living unless you're  incredibly neat and organised and minimalistic.

and a car battery 'hook up' 

Rough idea of a pal's call to the AA after a fridge drained her car battery...

"What's the problem?" ; "my battery is flat" ; "where is the vehicle?" ; "It's at the Red Squirrel campsite in Glencoe" ; "Was it one of those fridges?"

Don't forget they do go flat...

Pete.

!!! Thanks, Pete, and all of you who have offered suggestions. Yes, you have convinced me.

I am very small and incredibly neat, but I must have been mad to think I could live for two months in a Banshee.

There are lots of suitable looking frame tents on ebay - could be a good time to list if you are thinking of selling one.

Best wishes everyone.

As you keep on 1 place you're far better off with a cotton/canvas-type of tent. It's less humid (less prone to condensation), more room and standing height. I'm a great fan of tipi designs and luckily there are many 1 pole tipi designs in cotton and polycotton. Polycotton is less prone to keep staying wet for a long time.

 A bonus with tipi's is they always can fit a woodstove in it....

ask around here about tipi's:

songofthepaddle.co.uk