I picked up a Viperine 2 at a discount price in the Cotswold sale. Used it for wild camping on Dartmoor in February and no complaints at all. Neat pole system and, contrary to the review in the latest Trail magazine, you can actually pitch it outer first if required. Buckets of room inside, nice big porch and clever design. The mesh inner door can be a bit chilly but it's a lightweight tent, so there has to be compromise somewhere.
There's actually an interesting (well, for tent geeks like me anyway) blog entry from MHW on the Viperine's design process: -http://blog.mountainhardwear.com/2007/04/behind_the_design.html
I can't see you going far wrong with a Voyager, either. That said, if cost was no object, I'd probably have bought a Hilleberg as they seem to earn the best reviews in general. Weirdly, Trail feature neither a Voyager nor any kind of Hilleberg in their latest tent test, despite these two being benchmark classics.
Bear in mind that the likes of Richmond Park fall within the remit of the Royal Parks Police, so you're more likely to be spotted and/or penalised if you're found there after hours. I think Wimbledon Common is less of an issue - as the name suggests, it's common land rather than a royal park. Do take care, though.
All fair points but my essential argument is simple. I bet if you took a straw poll of all the punters on Helvellyn this weekend, you'd find that the majority of them bought jackets that are heavier and less breathable than they need to be for the activities those people do. Well, apart from all the coach parties, of course, who probably don't have waterproofs in the first place. But you get my point.
Gorilla Pie
