Coleman Avior X2

 
Sleeps: 2
Weight:  2.45kgs
Dimensions:  Internal 215x125cm
Pack Size:  40x15x15cm
RRP:  £120

Review:  The Coleman Avior X2 is a great quality tent, with nice touches like reflective patches to find your tent in the dark, and two doors to help getting in and out (the side door makes it so much easier than using the end door).   On the downside, the internal space is pretty cosy - it's really a 1.5 person tent rather than a true two-person, and there is very little external space for anything other than a pair of boots, so two big campers with bags will struggle to fit in.   The weather-resistance of this tent is really good for this price level - a 4000mm hydrostatic head for the flysheet, tunnel design and multiple guys means that it holds steady in pretty much any UK conditions. On the inner tent, the roof is a mesh design to allow better air circulation in hot weather.   The tent is a bit heavy for a one-person, but split between two it is very competitive.  However, the best thing about this great little tent is the price - at well under £100 in most stockists this is a very good option in the lightweight and cosy two-person all-weather tent market.

Best bits:  4000HH flysheet, clever design, great price
Worst bits:   Small interior for a two-person
Alternatives:  Shave off a bit of weight for a similar price with the Vango Banshee 200, or get more space by upgrading to the Coleman Avior X3 for a few more pounds.

RRP:  £120
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here - £70

Coleman Novae X2

Sleeps: 2
Weight: 1.9kgs
Dimensions:  Internal 220x130cm (at its widest)
Pack size:  53x16x16cm
RRP:  £230

Review:  The Coleman Novae X2 is a lightweight two man tent with an interesting design that sees the flysheet hang from an external structure of poles, and then the inner hangs from the flysheet.  At 1.9kgs, this tent is lighter than most of its competitors and might suit two people on a backpacking trip.  However, the internal space in this tent is cosy - at its narrowest the tent is just 80cm - and the flysheet is only 2000mm HH, which means it is somewhat weaker than some of its competitors.  For us, we think there are potentially better options on the market - the Vango Banshee 200 is only 100grams heavier, about half the price and made of better materials than the Novae X2.   Plus, if you really want lightweight, the Force 10 Helium 200 is just 1.3kgs for about the same price - although you do lose a few more centimetres of width.

Best bits:  Lightweight, interesting design
Worst bits:  There are lighter and better options on the market for around the same price

RRP:  £230
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £146

Coleman Pictor X2

Sleeps: 2

Weight:  3.35kg
Dimensions:  Internal 220x120cm, External 135x120cm
Pack size:  47x30x19cm
RRP:  £170

Review:  The Coleman Pictor X2 is a good quality two person tunnel tent, which should suit campers looking for relatively lightweight options that also have external space to keep bags or other luggage.  A similar design to the Vango Omega 250, but slightly lighter and slighter smaller, the Pictor X2 is a better choice for those who don't need the expedition-standard materials found on the Omega and don't mind a fairly cosy internal space. Easy to pitch, and comes with all the usual Coleman touches like colour-coded poles and reflective strips to help find the tent in the dark, this is a good tent for a reasonable price.  If the narrowness of the internal space is a problem, one could always upgrade to the Coleman Pictor X3, which adds a huge 60cms to the internal width for an extra £20 or so.

Best bits:  Rare to find a two person tent with good external space for less than 3.5kgs
Worst bits:  Narrow inside
Alternatives:  If the narrowness really is a problem, upgrade to the Coleman Pictor X3.  If you're planning on using this is bad weather, consider the Vango Omega 250.

RRP:  £170
Where to get it cheaper:  £89 here