Things to know before you buy a tent
Tents are usually supplied by your DofE Leader and carried between your group. You’ll need to check they’re not broken and have all their parts well in advance.
DofE recommended tents come in different sizes and layouts, for groups of two to four people, and are suitable for sleeping either mixed groups or just boys or girls. There are different styles of tents available including tunnel, geodesic, and semi geodesic, so look around to understand the right tent for you and your expedition.
Whilst it might seem like prices vary for similar tents, what you’re paying for are things like double-stitching, tensioning, waterproofing and lighter materials – the things you can’t see.
All DofE recommended tents are lightweight, strong and very waterproof with a hydrostatic head (HH) of 5,000mm.
Vango Trek Pro range
The Vango Trek Pro range focuses on functionality to ensure everything you need is on hand when you need it most. This range is lightweight and durable for wherever your multiday expeditions take you.
Vango Banshee Pro 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- Super lightweight
- 7-minute pitching time
Vango Tempest Pro 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- O shaped inner doors
- 10-minute pitching time
Vango Pulsar Pro 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- Fast pack tent bag
- 12-minute pitching time
Vango Mirage Pro 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Semi-geodesic tent
- Flysheet and inner pitch together
- 12-minute pitching time
Vango Omega Pro 250 and 350
- Available sizes: 3 and 4 person
- Tunnel tent
- Large living space
- 12-minute pitching time
Vango Halo Pro 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Semi-geodesic tent
- Identical poles for ease of pitching
- 12-minute pitching time
Vango Cairngorm 100, 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 1, 2 and 3 person
- Hybrid tunnel tent
- Lightweight tent
- 7-minute pitching time
Vango Experience range
The Vango Trek Experience range offers trusted kit you can rely on for anyone’s first steps into the wild. This is a great entry-level range that offers many of the key features found in more advanced tents and are ideal for those new to camping or shorter Bronze expeditions.
Vango Nova 200, 300, 200+ and 300+
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- Super lightweight
- 7-minute pitching time
Vango Scafell 200, 300, 200+ and 300+
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- + versions have extra-large porch area
- 5-minute pitching time
Vango Helvellyn 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 2 and 3 person
- Semi-geodesic tent
- O shaped inner doors
- 12-minute pitching time
Vango Nevis 100, 200 and 300
- Available sizes: 1, 2 and 3 person
- Tunnel tent
- Breathable polyester inner
- 12-minute pitching time
The number of features and differences between tents can seem bewildering at first glance. Here’s a short glossary of terms.
- Tunnel tent: three similar height arched poles to create long and spacious tents. Great for lots of kit.
- Semi-geodesic: a three-pole tent where the crossing poles create structure and rigidity. Good for exposed areas.
- Geodesic: a four-pole interlocked tent. Very strong mountain tent for the most demanding of Gold expeditions. The extra pole and strength does add weight. Fully geodesic tents have five interlocking poles.
- Hydrostatic head: this is a standard measure of water resistance. It tells you how many mm of water can be applied before it gets through the material. DofE recommended tents have a 5,000mm HH. Read our blog to find out more about tent features.
- You should dry the tent before packing it away during your expedition. If not, ensure the tent is dried completely after your expedition; this will stop the tent from getting mouldy and smelly for the next use.
- Unpack and check tents when they’re returned to the kit store. The easiest way to do this is to pitch them if you have the space.
- If a tent needs repairing or broken poles replaced, Vango Spares and Repairs can help. They repair and have parts for all brands of tents, not just Vango, and you can also save 10% with DofE code 19561966.
Tent terminology poster
Understand what all the different bits of your tent are for with our handy jargon busting poster.
