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

Vango Atlas 200

Sleeps: 2
Weight: 3.5kgs
Dimensions: Internal 210x140cm
Pack Size: 40x17x16cm
RRP: £60

Review:  The Vango Atlas 200 is a great take on the traditional dome tent with a door on either side of the tent, which allows either camper to leave the tent without disturbing the other.  Apart from that, everything else here is as you'd expect from a budget dome tent.  The weight is tolerable for two people to carry and the internal space is good - 140cm of width is bigger than you'd get in a lot of the more expensive two person tents.  The materials are as good as you'd expect from any Vango entry-level tent, with a 3000mm HH flysheet and the same Powerflex poles as they use on lots of tents in the range.  Honestly, we love this tent, and think it's a great budget option for two people who want a good quality tent and don't mind carrying a few extra grams.

Best bits:  Cheap, clever two-door design, more spacious inside than some two person tents
Worst bits:  Won't stand up to very poor weather, slightly heavier than some dome tents

RRP:  £60
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £49.99

Vango Alpha 250

Sleeps: 2
Weight:  3.3kg
Dimensions:  Internal 205x150cm
Pack size:  57x15x15cm

RRP:  £55

Review:  The Vango Alpha 250 is a much better option than the Vango Alpha 200 for a similar price, with decent width but still only 205cm of length so taller campers might find it a bit short.  However, as an entry level dome tent this fits the one really fits the bill.  It shouldn't be expected to stand up to winter conditions, but for summer camping or as a festival tent the Vango Alpha 250 is a great option.

Best bits:  Cheap and roomy, good quality dome tent

Worst bits:  Entry level quality occassionally shows

Alternatives:  The Sigma range is a step up in terms of quality, but comes at increased price

RRP: £55
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £40

Vango Alpha 200

Sleeps:  2 (only just)
Weight: 2.75kg
Dimensions:  Internal 205x120cm
Pack size:  50x16x16cm
RRP:  £50

Review:  The Vango Alpha 200 is the entry level dome tent from Vango, although its hard to see why you'd choose this tent over one of the larger tents in the same range.  The internal dimensions in the 200 are tiny, stepping up to the Vango Alpha 250 gives you much more room for just a few more pounds.  The materials are okay, with a 3000mm HH flysheet, which should stand up to the odd downpour but you might want to upgrade to a better quality tent for anything other than summer camping. 

Best bits:  Cheap and sturdy dome tent

Worst bits:  Tiny inside

Alternatives:  Upgrade to the Alpha 250 or the Alpha 300 for about the same price and get a lot more room

RRP:  £50
Where to get it cheaper:  Click here: £37

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

Vango Omega 350

 
Sleeps: 3
Weight:  5.15kg
Dimensions: Internal 215x200cm, max height 125cm, external 220x200cm, max height 135cm
Pack size:  48x19x19cm
RRP: £185

Review:  The Vango Omega 350 is a bigger version of the Vango Omega 250 so read the full review here for more detail.  The step up from the 250 to the 350 sees 60cms added to the internal width, which makes this tent feel generous for three people (whereas the Omega 250, at 140cm wide, is average for two people).  Otherwise, more of the same from this excellent Vango range.

Best bits:  Lightweight, good external space, high quality materials
Worst bits:   Hard to find any faults with this excellent tent
Alternatives:   If you don't need the extra weatherproofing, then you can save a few pennies with the identical looking Vango Beta 350.  For a similar design but with even more weather-proofing, step up to the Vango Equinox 350.
RRP:  £185
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £125

Vango Omega 250

Sleeps: 2

Weight:  4.25kg

Dimensions:  215x140cm, external space of 200x160, max height 120cm

Pack size:  47x18x18cm

RRP:  £180

Review: The Vango Omega 250 is the smallest tent in the Omega range.  More hardy that the similar shaped Vango Beta 250, the Omega is designed for expedition activies that demand additional external space - such as mountain biking (there is space to keep a bike or two safe in the porch) - and is recommended kit for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in the UK.  The flysheet is stronger than the Beta, with a 5000mm hydrostatic head vs 3000mm. The Omega also shaves 650g of weight off the Beta model.  The internal space in the Omega is tolerable - it can feel a little cramped if you keep your bags in the inner, but there are plenty of smaller ones on the market.    The external porch has its own groundsheet, although if you are storing bikes in this section it can get dirty quite quickly.  As with all new expedition Vango tents, the poles eyelets come with tension straps to improve stability, and the tunnel design and high quality materials mean that the tent can withstand most weather conditions in the UK.  For further stability, you'd have to look to a semi-geodesic model such as the Vango Halo or Vango Hurricane, but you'd have to sacrifice the external space.  For a good quality tent with plenty of storage, it's hard to beat the Omega range.

Best bits:  Lightweight, good external space, high quality materials
Worst bits:   Hard to find any faults with this excellent tent
Alternatives:   If you don't need the extra weatherproofing, then you can save a few pennies with the identical looking Vango Beta 250.  For a similar design but with even more weather-proofing, step up to the Vango Equinox 250.

RRP:  £180
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £159

Vango Halo 200

 
Sleeps: 2
Weight:  3.5kg
Dimensions:  Internal 210x140cms
Pack size:  40x17x17cm
RRP:  £150

Review:  The Vango Halo 200 is a high quality and fairly spacious two person tent at a reasonable price.  The semi-geodesic/dome design paired with a 5000HH flysheet means good weather resistance, whereas the symmetric double-door system and capacious external space (for an expedition tent) means easy access to the tent and to your belongings.  As with most of the new expedition tents from Vango, the Halo 200 come with tension straps on the eyelets for the poles and a clever V-shaped guy rope system on each side to equalise the tension across the poles.  The groundsheet is a sturdy, bathtub design which should stand up well to pretty much anything, and you shouldn't need a footprint for this tent - although it does help it to keep clean if nothing else.  The only downside to this tent is the weight, which still isn't too heavy between two, but for one person there are lighter alternatives - albeit at a higher cost.  A fabulous tent.

Best bits:  High quality, clever design, reasonable price
Worst bits:   A little heavier than some expedition alternatives.
Alternatives: The Vango Banshee 200 is lighter, but tighter inside.

RRP:  £150
Where to get it cheaper?:  Click here: £108