Recommend 3-4 man family bikepacking tent

[Shuhockey]

Hi
Need some help with this.
Going to get the kids out this summer for a couple of nights either bikepacking or walking, so I need a lightweight (3kg max) , 3-4 man (2 x young kids and wife maybe)
Looking for cheap cheap (£100-150) so something from china? But would like it to last a few years of the occasional use. We already have a 5m bell tent (30kg!) so it won't be for week long family trips.
Needs to have a fly sheet either built in or separate not too bothered.
Anyone selling anything like this please let me know.

Thanks

[Moder-dye]

Don't know about for that price point, light weight big tents, like nordisks, tend to be big pennies too.

We got a jaran 3 from alpkit sale that fits me, my wife and son, but you'd not get 4.

We do have a vango hurricane which is 4 man but 5kg.

You might be better getting 2 x 2mans from the cheap Chinese route?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Eureka Lone Tree 3 would get my vote - I've found you one for £122. Same place also has the '4' for £170 but it's over budget and weight.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eureka-Lone- ... SwdBZaz0II

[Shuhockey]

https://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/0393 ... green.html
Blacks have this for £109 today. under 3kg but probably a bit too small for 4. I've also sent a price match to gooutdoors to see if they will give another 10%!
I could always sleep outside in the bivy bag!

[Taylor]

I've been given the same brief by the wife so that's perfect timing.

[adjustablewench]

The eureka looks very much like the golite Shangri la 3 - which is a brilliant tent I've used it for up to 4 people.

Wikiup also do a version which is pricier. I can't seem to find anyone doing a version of the shangri la 5 which would be great for 4

[Bearbonesnorm]

Really can't see any reason good or otherwise why someone would pick the Vango over the Eureka ... the additional head-room is justification enough

[PaulE]

I saw this: https://www.allfouroutdoors.co.uk/colle ... eries-tent while looking for a smaller tent.... 2.3kg, £75 and then 20% more off.

No idea how good it is though

[Moder-dye]

Maybe an obvious thing to say, but before you buy I'd look at the floor space width of the tent and measure your kip mats to check they'll fit.

I found that they're usually based on top and tailing tapered mats to squeeze more 'men' in.

Many 3 or 4 man tents wouldn't even fit 3 or 4 rectangular mats. For our 3 man jaran we just got 3 rectangular mats in with my sons been a slightly narrower numo to our klymit static v's.

[ootini]

^ this.

We have a Vango ark 300 tent for small excursions with the family. It can cope with me, my wife and our four year old son, but it's a squeeze.
In reality it's a 2.5 man tent, not 3.

Looking at the layout of the teepee tent above, who gets to sleep with the central pole skewering their abdomen?

[RichinNW]

I bought a vango pulsar 300, after a bit of research, with a plan to put the family in the tent, myself and the dog on the porch. It’s a little heavier than 3kg, but I’d be happy strapping it to my handlebars. I haven’t tried this set up yet, but the space the tent and porch provides should cope with the 4 of us. Given we’re not adverse to tarp/ bivi living, the setup could work for you.

[Shuhockey]

Thanks all. Ordered a Eureka Lone Tree 4. So fingers crossed.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Good man

[99percentchimp]

Thanks all. Ordered a Eureka Lone Tree 4. So fingers crossed.

Can you post up any feedback once you have it fella - looks good and might want a 4 man one too....

[Fat tyre kicker]

I've had the Lone tree 3 for over a year now, been used for quick overnights/weekends and for 9 days at the TT,
Excellent tent for the money, I got the optional footprint too which makes it very versatile, can be used
As a tarp with a floor etc to make it pack smaller on the bike, just need one of Stu's poles now ( been
Saying that for ages) to complete the set up. Extremely stable and well made

[Nevis]

I have an LT3 too. Used it backpacking and bike packing. Agree, it good quality and good value for money. Not the lightest but you can't have all three.

The only thing I don't like is the door in the rain, you have to make a quick exit/entry.

Cavernous for two so I imagine the 4 will be cathedral like.

It's supposed to be inner pitch first but it's easy to pitch the fly and then slide the inner inbetween the pole and the fly if it's wet.

from me too

[Bearbonesnorm]

just need one of Stu's poles now ( been saying that for ages) to complete the set up.

Funny you should mention that - I made a pole for a Hex Peak last week. It needed to be 160cm long and would be supporting quite a lot of weight (by our standards). Anyway, the weak point of any pole is the spigots / joints and the longer the pole, heavier the load or if the pole is angled, the greater the stress. In this instance I did away with hollow spigots and shockcord and used solid carbon spigots and the magic of magnets. It does add a little to the weight but allows a much longer pole than might otherwise be advisable.

[99percentchimp]

Thanks for the comments all.... seems like a good choice. They look very nice Stu... what's the build time on the poles and rough cost?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Lead time's a couple of days Mark. I'll need to just work out a price as they take a bit more time to make.

[Fat tyre kicker]

Does look good that Stu, interested also

[Shuhockey]

Ordered from twistmoto yesterday and it arrived at lunchtime today, so excellent service from them, didn't even pay extra for next day.

Setup quickly for the first time.
Instructions are very basic, but it's not hard.
Base is very thin so may get the foot print.
Weight was 3643g including everything and a tube of seam sealant . Although this looks like it's an extra as the fly sheet looks like they are already sealed. Not a massive space inside for 2 adults and 2 kids looks like it will be tight with 4 mats. Sleeping in it tomorrow so I'll take some more pics. Also interested in the poles stu...

[jaminb]

Here is Stu’s poles in action combined with Belugabobs MYOG mushroom.

Everything working as it should