At 13kg, Mountain Warehouse's Buxton four-person waterproof tent is a great relief after colossal offerings that require a forklift truck to move. If you're feeling strong, you can carry it yourself from car to site. It packs down to 49 x 34 x 34cm, leaving room in the car boot for other camping gear and yet unpacks into a nicely sized tunnel tent with space to stand up – no awkward crouching required to get dressed. With two full-panel windows and a lantern hook for night lighting, it’s a pleasant, roomy space, perfect for a small family.
The large sleeping area is clipped in place and can be divided into two bedrooms, each with their own zipped door. Between the doors, a handy set of organiser pockets face into the living room, for storage of smaller items.
The ground sheet is sewn in to secure the tent from drafts and damp, while the exterior is robustly waterproofed at a hardy 4000m Hydrostatic head – in layman’s terms, it can withstand heavy rain. The windows are sealed and the tent has just one entry point, but it's a full mesh door and there are several air vents throughout, so although you can't open two sides on a hot day, you can still create good ventilation.
Assisted by colour-coded poles, the tent is very easy to put up, especially if you're familiar with this type of tent. The flysheet and inner tent are designed as separate entities to improve breathability, but the tent can be packed away with the inner tent still clipped on, which allows you to pitch it all at once in future.
Providing enough space and doing a good job without fanfare – this sensible waterproof tent has all the hallmarks of becoming a reliable friend.
Facts at a glance:
- Sleeps: 4
- Type of tent: Tunnel, with poles
- Pack size: 49 x 34 x 34cm
- Weight: 13kg
- Poles: Fibreglass
- Taping: Taped seams
- Groundsheet: Sewn in
- Hydrostatic head: 4000m
- Standing room: 195cm
- Colour: Green
- RRP: £359.99
Also consider...
Lifesystems Intensity 280 head torch
Head torches are fab for camping. They leave your hands free to cook, play cards, or bang in extra tent pegs in a gale. They are also astonishingly good value thanks to the vast improvement in battery and bulb technology in the last 20 years. The Lifesystems Intensity 280 is rechargeable, and has seven lighting settings, the brightest 280 lumens (probably as bright as you will ever need). All for less than £30.
Looking for more options? Check out our roundup of the best family tents for camping trips in 2023.
