Hullo all! Even though we are currently in the throes of winter and are enjoying the fruits of our first big winter storm (got just over a foot of snow, and it is currently about 6 below zero out there), my mind is wandering to milder weather and CAMPING!!! So, as a brief review, our biggest family tent got damaged last season in a tornado when camping in Maine. It was an el-cheapo Ozark Trail that we got a good 6 years out of, so I'm fine with just letting it go and not trying to fix it. Hubby has just given me clearance to replace the tent (happy dance! I love new tents!!), so I have been weighing the options. I don't really want another el-cheapo, would like to invest in a nice, solid tent that our family can enjoy for years to come.
Here's the specifics: Family of four, myself, hubby (who is 6'6") and two kids ages 5 and 9 (who have Daddy's height, my 9 yo is almost as tall as me!). I prefer the structural integrity of a dome or tunnel tent, but generally can't get the head clearance to accommodate hubby with most models I've seen. I want a square/rectangle shape, no tapered ends or funny shapes. Straighter walls are preferred to avoid wasted, unusable space. Although I am tempted by the canvas tents, packed size and weight are a slight concern of mine. Our last cabin tent was a 12'x16' with almost an 8' ceiling, and seemed to be a pretty good size to give space for everything and room to move around/get dressed/etc. I'm sure there is more, but that's the basics.
I have exhaustively researched the tents out there, the REI Kingdom 8 and Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 are the frontrunners at the moment, but my absolute dream tent is an Outwell from the UK. I have recently discovered a way to get an Outwell shipped reasonably to the US, so I am seriously tempted to finally take the plunge on my bucket list tent. For about the same price as the Big Agnes, I can get the tent of my dreams. I am torn because although Outwell get incredible reviews, I will not be able to see it in person before taking the plunge.
Thoughts? Other things I might not have considered? Help me decide please! Thanks!
Here's the specifics: Family of four, myself, hubby (who is 6'6") and two kids ages 5 and 9 (who have Daddy's height, my 9 yo is almost as tall as me!). I prefer the structural integrity of a dome or tunnel tent, but generally can't get the head clearance to accommodate hubby with most models I've seen. I want a square/rectangle shape, no tapered ends or funny shapes. Straighter walls are preferred to avoid wasted, unusable space. Although I am tempted by the canvas tents, packed size and weight are a slight concern of mine. Our last cabin tent was a 12'x16' with almost an 8' ceiling, and seemed to be a pretty good size to give space for everything and room to move around/get dressed/etc. I'm sure there is more, but that's the basics.
I have exhaustively researched the tents out there, the REI Kingdom 8 and Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 are the frontrunners at the moment, but my absolute dream tent is an Outwell from the UK. I have recently discovered a way to get an Outwell shipped reasonably to the US, so I am seriously tempted to finally take the plunge on my bucket list tent. For about the same price as the Big Agnes, I can get the tent of my dreams. I am torn because although Outwell get incredible reviews, I will not be able to see it in person before taking the plunge.
Thoughts? Other things I might not have considered? Help me decide please! Thanks!
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