I loved mine so much that I forked out myself to get the Cloud Up 2 in a more stealthy green colour, and that particular tent has seen me proud ever since, although it is slightly shorter than many tents, so probably not ideal for anyone taller than six-foot, and it does only have a single entrance at the front of the tent. A game changer for us was the discovery of the 3fUL Gear Lanshan 2. I got sent one just as Nath was standing down from the channel, but I always thought that this tent would have suited him. Like his tarp set up it could be put up with hiking poles, but unlike the tarp it was a proper enclosed tent, shutting the elements out. A good rule of thumb is to go for a tent that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent.

You can also get hold of the Lanshan 1 Pro, the slightly smaller one man version – although this will require seam sealing before you take it out. We put the Phoxx 2 through our rigorous testing criteria to evaluate it's overall performance and functionality, design and construction, our own user experience and value for money and overall, the Phoxx 2 excelled across the board given the rain and windy conditions we pitched in, giving them a 4 out of 5 fireside rating. There are also tents with inflatable poles. You'll need to pump up each pole individually, so it can take a bit of effort, but you can avoid trying to feed the poles through the tent canvas. However, both Nathan and myself were quite impressed by this free standing tent, it was light, yet robust. It was easy to put up, and we even figured a way of setting it up like a tarp shelter (something that we still haven’t got around to testing on the trail yet) to reduce weight even further. It’s probably a little on the tight size for two men to share, but a nice size for one man and his gear at a reasonable weight and cost.

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The extremely low profile of the OEX Phoxx 1 enables you to pitch the tent in some fairly exposed areas. I’ve had it up in 40mph+ winds and driving rain and it never failed. A well-ventilated tent will make for a more comfortable, condensation-free camping experience, and well-positioned vent panels and doors with fly screens allow for the free flow of air while keeping bugs out of your sleeping space. 4) Indoor space and flexible sleeping compartments Not all tents have indoor communal spaces that can house all the campers if the weather turns, and even those that do aren't always large enough for everyone to be comfortable. Tent footprints are available to buy separately from tents at outdoor retailers. They're essentially an extra groundsheet that you can pitch before your tent, with the aim of pitching your tent on top of it.

Most tents have thin, collapsible poles made from fibreglass. They often fold up into a compact size and are connected by an elastic cord. They're usually flexible and will need to be bent to fit the shape of the tent canvas during pitching. Th e Cloud Peak from Naturehike was a tent that I wanted to test for such a long time. It had a stronger design, having three poles which cross over each other to create a strong geodesic structure that can stand up against the winds. You'll want to ensure your tent footprint is the same size as the tent you're pitching – several manufacturers sell footprints specifically to fit certain tent models. One downsides we found with this tent is that it isn’t long enough for someone over 6′. Your toes will be pressed against the end of the tent. It says it is 220cm long inside, but when you factor in the steeply sloping end of the tent plus then you add your sleeping mat on top, there is a lot less than 220cm to play with. The Phoxx seems to have a bit more internal length and just about suffices for someone over 6′. The OEX Phoxx 2 would have been in the running for 5 stars but the tent is snug for 2 adults and gear and, in our opinion, is better suited to a solo camper who would have masses of extra room for gear and dogs (optional!). Under the Microscope - Our Testing Criteria BenchmarksThe tent's design, while cosy, might feel a bit snug for taller campers or if you have a lot of gear. Nevertheless, for its price point, it offers solid performance. Design and Construction 🔥🔥🔥🔥 An optional awning or canopy can provide protection from the sun and rain, creating a shaded area from which to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay inside your tent. 10) Extra features The feel and look of the tent are great and it felt very homely once the lantern was on the go and snuggled up in the sleeping bag. There was plenty of room to put up the OEX Ultralite Stool which worked perfectly for holding the lantern and my mobile. Comparison 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Its a lightweight tent that many outdoors enthusiasts have grown to love. In two consecutive years I did a poll of the best tents, and both years the Lanshan has topped that chart.

Sleeping in the OEX Phoxx was really good fun. This may be down to the fact that I didn't have to share the tent so there was oodles of room for a solo camper and I could spread all my gear out and still have room for the dogs. From a personal perspective, it would be a snug fit to share with another adult and have space for your gear. Plenty upright space in the OEX Phoxx 2OEX state that the Phoxx 2 is a 4 season tent. We have trialled this during autumn and found it to be perfectly sufficient but have not used this yet in the depths of winter. For winter camping in Scotland, considering the variations in weather and temperature, we would look for something more sturdy like a canvas tent for the colder, snowier months. Our Final Verdict on the OEX PHOXX 2 V2 TENT: We pitch every tent, taking into account how long it takes, how clear the instructions are, how much physical effort is required, and how convenient the process is. I find it a little faffy to put up, myself, but once its up, its a great little tent, plenty of room, with twin doors either side and a reasonable vestibule for any stove work. At one point this tent almost became my go to tent, I had a lot of fun in it on numerous occasions, camping on the coast and beside a tarn in the mountains of the Lake District. And, I was right, when Nath returned to the channel, I leant him my Lanshan 2, and he was instantly sold! Taking its design from the Hilleberg Allak 2, but at a fraction of the price, the Cloud Peak has a roof capping that hovers above the main tent, keeping weather out but allowing air to flow and reduce condensation. But take care to attach that to the tent in a more permanent way, I almost lost my capping to strong winds. The tent is a classic two door design, and has two decent vestibules either side, but one of the largest faults with it is the poor zipper to the dors which seem to snag for a pastime.