Tent pack size

[Low Gear Guy]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a new tent. I want a two person tent that I can at least sit up in.

Most tents of this size come in a 600 mm long pack. How can I carry this on the bike (touring bike with Ortleib panniers)? In the past I have carried the poles strapped to the top tube or had the tent lengthways overhanging the back of the rack.

Are tents with smaller packs available?

 

[psmiffy]

How long is the space behind your bike -

Just let it all hang out baby ♪

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a new tent. I want a two person tent that I can at least sit up in.

Most tents of this size come in a 600 mm long pack. How can I carry this on the bike (touring bike with Ortleib panniers)? In the past I have carried the poles strapped to the top tube or had the tent lengthways overhanging the back of the rack.

Are tents with smaller packs available?

I think 600mm is about the average. I strap mine to the to tube. I think you've already found and tried the solution.

 

[Spiderweb]

Is this 2 man Vango any good, pack size 53cm?
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/vango-beat-200-camping-tent-river?gclid=CK_r0-Dd09MCFcG7GwodUNMMaw

 

[MontyVeda]

My tent* packs quite small, and smaller still if i don't use the bag it came in. The poles are in 450mm sections which fit in the pannier. The inner and outer are in separate dry-bags which makes them fit more conveniently in the pannier. If you're using a dome tent with longer (600mm) poles, you could get shorter sections made up at a camping store. I got a split section of pole replaced at Yeoman's camping shop (now gone). It was surprisingly inexpensive. But... strap the poles to your tubes and pack the rest of the tent elsewhere is probably the best solution.

*Highlander Glen Orchy 2man tent, but one man really. £40-50 price range. It's not a good tent, but it keeps the rain out when the doors are shut. The best thing about it is two doors which gives excellent ventilation at 6am in midsummer, meaning one can have a lie in.

 

[Spiderweb]

Or this Wild Country Hoolie 2 man with a pack length of 42cm.
http://www.millets.co.uk/duke-of-edinburgh/62023845-wchoolie-2-green-0.html

 

[Spiderweb]

This 3 man Vango is taller and has a pack length of 50cm.
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/vango-alpha-300-tent-2016-river-blue

 

[Bodhbh]

Me and the OH pratting about at Easter taking our (mostly) car camping gear for an overnighter. I never measured the size, but the 3 man Vango sits quite comfy on top of the rack. The awkward item is the mahoosive king size self-inflating mattress in the blue bag.

However big it is, it's smaller than the canvas Force Ten I inherited, which must have been a common cycletouring tent at one poiint.

 

[psmiffy]

Wet weather mode

Tent in bag without poles is not that floppy - Tent in bag with poles - not floppy at all

 

[Dave Davenport]

We've got one of these http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/1137-halo-200.htm very roomy and the pack length is only 46cm so when strapped across the rear rack it doesn't stick out any further than the panniers.

 

[Profpointy]

You could either have the whole thing along the pannier rack, or split it up and stuff the tent itself in a pannier and leave the poles strapped to rack or top tube, or even poking out top of pannier lid. Without poles tents are much more stuffable in rucksacks or motorcylce luggage (in my case) and poles alone can slide in easily unencumbered by rest of tent

 

[toffee]

We have this

Which goes on my rack

 

[reppans]

I've become a huge fan of floorless pryamids with inner nests - for me, they outperform regular tents on every measure except free-standing. It's almost half the pack size and weight of the popular BA Fly Creek UL2, yet is more roomy/versatile (for me). Pole is 420mm (fits in all my panniers) but I often just cut a fallen branch for a pole, or use a trekking pole while backpacking. They come in all sizes.

 

[Blue Hills]

Oo, clever, complete with integral gimp outfit. But isn't the lack of floor a problem if it rains or the ground is/gets soggy?

 

[Low Gear Guy]

Thanks for the info. This will be useful when I go to the shop. I will probably go for carrying the poles separately on the top tube.