"Pop Up" Tent

[iaing]

Anyone tried one of those pop up tents? Any good?

They seem quite large when folded down and I wonder if they'd be too big for the back of a bike.

 

[Tarka]

If you do mean the 'pop up' type often sold as 'festival tents' I was going to get one for a laugh but they all seem to pack down into at least a one metre diameter disc.

Not ideal on a solo but maybe okay on top of my Ural spare wheel.

 

[mike wright]

When you fold the hoops over its shame you cant do it twice to reduce the size or I would definately get one

 

[Stewart H]

I have a couple of the decathlon pop ups, too big for bike camping but great tents, the later 3 person ones would easily mount on an outfit the best one I have seen is the Vango ds 200 dart, 63CM diameter, thats getting bloody close to bike size.

Stewart

 

[bmwrover]

Too large diameter for a bike, would probably fly off very soon, mine does only have one handle and no tie downs on the bag.
Funny little tents, quite a bit of headroom.
I have one in the LR, usually sleep under the stars or tarpaulin tied to the side of the LR, but if it starts raining hard sideways, throw out the tent, it erects on its own, no need for pegs (once its loaded with me ;-)
Its so easy you could even manage to set up tent while intoxicated, well I guess the festival name comes from somewhere

 

[oblertone]

I used one ...

... of the 1.5 person ones for our last trip to The Gambia; kindly donated by Noddy of this parish. Top tent but you (and others) have identified it's weak point i.e. the pack size. This means it's not ideal for bike transport, but as we had back-up trucks it was the dogz

 

[Stewart H]

Heres a linkky, check out the rest of the range, this ones 55cm diameter packed.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/1-second-simple-34693170/

Stewart

 

[Fanum]

I've seen lots on the back of bikes heading south on the ferries- Depends on your packing skills I guess- if you've got large paniers on then the tent will sit nicely on top and then you could use an ortlieb on that.

I believe they need a knack to be able to fold them up but other than that I've heard mainly only good things about them

The ability to be dry inside a tent inside a minute (inc pegging) after a wet day on a bike has got to outweigh mild problems in packing IMO

 

[JoeC]

You've all said how easy they are to put up but have not mentioned the fun that you have putting them away!

 

[Tarka]

You've all said how easy they are to put up but have not mentioned the fun that you have putting them away!

Ahem...I refer the honourable gentleman to the following quote....

I believe they need a knack to be able to fold them up

So,they seem to be a tad reluctant to pack up ???

 

[Deleted account W]

Heres a linkky, check out the rest of the range, this ones 55cm diameter packed.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/1-second-simple-34693170/

Stewart

That’s decent size packed, and not a bad price

 

[muzvmc]

Great occasional tents, bad new's if v wet. Our's hasn't leaked as such but the rain goes straight in onto the groundsheet when you open the door!!!
Also its the only tent you need to practice packing up in the garden rather than putting up!!!

 

[Paul Young]

They seemed a bit squashy when I looked at them, as if they'd fold over in anything more than a strong breeze.

 

[oblertone]

We had ...

They seemed a bit squashy when I looked at them, as if they'd fold over in anything more than a strong breeze.

... a variety of tents on the last trip, and I was in a 1.5 person 'pop-up' quechua tent; we encountered a minor hurricane on a Rabat campsite whilst awaiting visa's. the tent next to mine (Rev Chucks) was completely uprooted, and several others suffered but mine remained planted, not bad on six pegs ! The design makes them flex in the wind and not as inflexible as other models

 

[Stewart H]

... a variety of tents on the last trip, and I was in a 1.5 person 'pop-up' quechua tent; we encountered a minor hurricane on a Rabat campsite whilst awaiting visa's. the tent next to mine (Rev Chucks) was completely uprooted, and several others suffered but mine remained planted, not bad on six pegs ! The design makes them flex in the wind and not as inflexible as other models

What he said, I use mine for work travelling, weeks and weeks of allsorts, both of my quechuas were fine, right about the rain/door thing, I dont have trouble folding them, theres a knack later ones have a different fold, and a small vestibule, very useful.

Stewart

 

[nick.ct]

Mine in Spain, deployed and stowed.

The problem of water coming in when you open the door is solved by the use of a tarp. Funny how you realise these things after you have started your trip.

Nick

 

[nick.ct]

And here's one with the tarp option

Nick

 

[iaing]

I use a Ventura pack on the back of my 1200S. It sits quite high so if the folded tent is flexible enough I could mount it on the bag behind my back, and bungee it round the sides and over the top.

As long as I don't take off on the Autobahn

 

[Stewart H]

Just been out for a ride on my bike. I stopped off at a camping shop and borrowed a Vango Dart 200 DS pop up, 63 cm diameter is well narrower than my Zegas, no good with a passenger methinks but just the ticket for solo trips, I think I would stow it flat then put my waterproof bag on the top.
Stewart

 

[King Rat]

I don't believe in cheap tents, not even for weekend trips.

I got myself a Coleman expedition tent about 5 years ago, both for the bike and for sea kayak trips...you need a tent that stows away small, is easy to put up and above all is reliable in strong wind if you go sea kayak tripping offshore - sometimes you can get storm bouund and the tent is your only source of shelter.

I can honestly say the Coleman has stood up in some horrendous conditions and hasn't leaked a drop (except that time I fell asleep in my plate of chilli and the door was open most of the night with the wind and rain blowing round the corner......) It packs down tiny and is light too. Well worth the £120 Ipaid for it. You can probably get them cheaper now. Mine is a 2 man, but it is a squeeze for two plus gear. For solo it is brilliant.

I can't remember the model - but it is low at the foot end and shaped like half a cylinder. Goes up in about 2 minutes too, including the guy ropes and pegs all round.