We have used it once (2008 model), for 14 nights last September in France, during the course of which we pitched and dismantled it six times.

Though not a “1 minute” tent to erect, it is very quick and easy. There are four fibre glass poles. Once the poles are pushed through their sleeves and inserted onto pins at the tent borders the tent stands up by itself. Inserting the pins into the poles needs a little strength, but not much, especially if a second person raises the centre of the pole a little at the same time. Then it just remains to fasten a few pole clips, insert 6 guy rope pegs and about a dozen wall pegs. Job done.

Taking down is just as easy.

The tent can be pitched either with or without the inner already attached. The inner has an integral groundsheet which covers the living area as well as the inner area. The inner area is big enough to contain a double air bed and a quantity of luggage. The living area takes our Gelert folding table, two folding chairs, food storage and so on. The tent also has enough height to stand up in – unless you were very tall.

The tent has good ventilation through front and side living area doors, the two side doors having the option of being either fully open or open with a mesh left in place. There is also a large opening vent in the back of the inner area. (The main difference between the 2008 and 2009 models seems to be in the design of this inner area vent).

We were fortunate to not have much rain while we were away, but such as we did have did not penetrate.

We’ve just bought a second of these tents (2009 model) from Amazon to use as a spare. This has come with a separate extra under-groundsheet. Our original tent – not from Amazon – did not come with this extra groundsheet, and probably we will only use this on very stony sites or if we are staying for a while.

We shall be taking this tent with us again!

Rating: 5 / 5