I'll start with a summary of my post. I currently have a Vango Banshee 200, which I use for cycle touring during relatively nice weather in the UK. However, it has a number of issues that are probably specific to a person of my height, 6ft4in (193cm), and which I now think of every time I camp. 

So, I am enviously eyeing up alternatives – such as the Vango Nova 200 (or the identical Scafell 200), or the Vango F10 Xenon UL 2). I would be ok with spending £200 – and perhaps up to £350 if I really felt happy! But I am not sure if the other options will help. 

So, I would love to hear your opinions on my thought process here! Will a new tent solve my problems? (I'm looking at products available in the UK, but I'm very open to global perspectives!).

Here goes. I bought my Banshee 200 because it was: 

  • Big enough 
  • Well reviewed 
  • Inexpensive 
  • Relatively light and packable in a bike pannier. 

As a complete novice, these qualities were enough to secure the deal. (The alternative was descending into weeks of choice paralysis, and then not doing any bike touring. I’m glad that I didn’t choose that option). 

Now that I've spent many nights in it, I can see the Banshee 200 has some important limitations. For example: 

  • There isn’t really enough space to sit upright. I didn’t think of this as a problem, because I didn’t plan to spend much time sitting in it. (The long northern nights mean that you’ve got daylight up ’til 9PM in the nicer months. Plus, if it’s dark, I would go to the pub). 
  • There isn’t a lot of vestibule space. Again, not a problem, because I didn’t plan to use it much. 
  • It’s really only big enough for one person (if that person is very tall, like I am). That was ok, because I didn’t particularly plan on riding with anyone.

I knew about these when I first bought the tent, but they weren't deal-breakers. Indeed – I’ve done plenty of trips in the Banshee, and it’s been a great friend to me! It’s been a cozy refuge during yellow wind and rain warnings, and an easy piece of gear to pack for calm summer rides. I’ve got no real complaints with the product. 

However! I’ve resumed my camping for this year, and the limitations of the Banshee 200 are more obvious to me than ever. Specifically: 

  • Sometimes I want to just hang out in the tent. In bad weather, especially, but even after dark when I don’t have other schemes. So, I would love to be able to sit up properly while under cover. 
  • The geometry of the tent means that there is no easy sleeping position. Even when I lay my mat diagonally, I can feel the cloth of the tent gently dusting my forehead, and pushing back against my toes. 
  • Changing clothes in any way is really hard in a space this small. 
  • I’m not the most organised person. I’d love to have a bit more space to organize my gear, store my panniers, and generally feel “at home” – even it’s just for a few nights. 
  • I’d like to do more long trips this year. One night in a teeny tent is ok. But more than 5 gets a bit frustrating. 
  • It would be nice to imagine that one day I might sleep in a tent with one other person (lol).

Now that I know what I want, the alternative options are intoxicatingly exciting. In particular, the geometry of tunnel tents with two "high" arches look like they would be a big help with tall person shapes. Their footprints aren’t necessarily much bigger than the Banshee. But – with vertical (or near-vertical) walls, the footprint would surely be much more usable (unless I am mistaken there). 

Some examples include: 

Alpkit Visa 2 – nice price at £160, but actually larger than I need, and perhaps a bit heavy 

Vango Scafell 200 or the identical Nova 200 – around £175 – good price, and I feel like Vango are reassuringly predictable

Terra Nova Halcyon 2 currently on sale at £200 

Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 – around £340 – I could justify this expensive for a tent that I could really enjoy. I’m excited by the weight of this tent. And the size of the pockets! 

Terra Nova starlight 2 – currently on sale at £553, outside my range and possibly too low anyway. (See also the Blizzard 2 at £460. or Hoolie compact 2 at £280). 

Nordisk Holland 2 LW – discounted here at £645 – out of my range, but bloody hell it’s light 

Hilleberg Nallo 2 – £960 – this is way outside my range but you've got to have a dream (otherwise, how you gonna have a dream come true?).

So, there's some possibilities. Would these tents help with my problems? Or will I be just as sleepless and disorganized? I am especially interested in hearing: 

  • Tall person experiences (I am very tired of hearing “if you’re up to 6 foot, there's lots of space!” in reviews) 
  • First-hand experiences of any of the products listed here (or referrals to useful reviews)
  • Suggestions of other tent geometries to look into 
  • Other tent manufacturers with something affordable 
  • Ways to “test” tents ahead of buying them (is that even possible?)
  • General advice on how to live my life

Many thanks in advance for your help! I will confess that I haven't thoroughly searched the subreddit for similar posts (I will do that now). Maybe you can tell, but I'm grateful for the chance to get my muddled hyperfocussed thoughts in order.

by theoldentimes

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2 Comments

  1. I sleep corner2corner in my decathlon two-person which helps with that problem.

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