Lichfield tents are the sister brand of Vango. The tents are great as a beginner tent or something you can use for basic short stay camping trips, with a great brand name and low retail prices its a good choice.

The Lichfield Cherokee 2 man tent is a tunnel tent and is easy to pitch up and there is a good deal of head room and also a good porch area where you will be able to store some equipment. The Cherokee 2 is a 2 season tent best used in summer time.

Lichfield Cherokee 2 Tent Specifications

• Double entry offering great flexibility
• Seamed taped flysheet
• Protex 2000 polyester fly – very durable
• Fire retardant treatment
• Heavy duty pole sleeves
• Huge porch area
• Sleeps 2 – 2 man tent
• Weight of 4.2kg – light backpacking tent
• Length – 380cm
• Width – 140cm
• Height – 120cm
• Nice handled carry bag

Cherokee 2 Man Tent Review

The Lichfield Cherokee 2 Tent is a great little tent packed with some nice features and specifications. The Cherokee model by Lichfield provides nice tent designs at great prices with the 2 man version providing more than enough space, we really like the large porch area allowing you to have extra living space if the weather dictates you need to stay in your tent.

These handy bits of kit would be useful for anyone out hiking who may find themselves left out in the open with no shelter when a storm or some bad weather catches you out. The Vango storm shelters are used by rescue teams, hiking clubs and walking clubs and they can be used for quite an array of different things.

If you want to get out of the cold or rain for a quick break then the vango storm shelter is ideal to get out and use. Within the shelter you have a dry and warm area where you would be able to say eat a meal, take a break from walking or plan your routes.

The vango storm shelter comes in various models as shown below:

• Vango storm shelter 200 (2 person capacity)
• Vango storm shelter 400 (4 person capacity)
• Vango storm shelter 800 (8 person capacity)

Vango Storm Shelter Features

All the shelters are in a jaffa orange color so that it can stand out and be detected by rescue teams if need be. The shelters are waterproof and contain waterproof seats in the inside and reflective strips on the outside to again help detection of the shelter. The storm shelters are made of protex dura 3000 nylon and they have a viewing window included.

Specifications for Vango Storm Shelters

• Protex Dura 3000 nylon
• Lightweight
• Waterproof
• Taped Seams – long lasting protection
• Range of sizes/models
• PU Window – outside viewing
• Waterproof seats
• Mesh Vent – helps air circulate
• Vango Lifetime Guarantee
• Integral storage bag

Storm Shelters by Vango Review

The Vango storm shelter is an essential bit of safety gear that is suitable for all seasons. It has multiple uses also apart from being a rescue tent and is increasingly popular with walking, hiking and outdoor clubs.

Tents are categorised into 4 main types and the different sizes and shapes effect how easily the tents are pitched and how stable they are and also effect the overall weight of the tent. The shape and type of tent is determined mainly by the configuration of how the poles are set up within the tent. The 4 tent shapes are listed below, the order is done in how many nodes the tents have in ascending order. A node is a point where a tent pole crosses:

• Tunnel Tents
• Dome Tents
• Semi Geodesic Tents
• Fully Geodesic Tents

In the list above the the top tents are generally the lighter tents and the last ones being the heavier tents. This scale is also reflected in the stability of the tents with the most stable tents being at the bottom of the list.

Tunnel Tents

The tunnel tent is mostly used for family or light backpacking tents. The tunnel tent is the quicker pitching tent of the 4 different shapes and also the lighter of the tent shapes. You will also find that with the tunnel tent you have a greater amount of headroom due to the maximum internal height of the tent is running straight down the middle.

The tunnel tent needs to be fully guyed out as it is the less stable of the tent types so make sure these tents are well held down. These tents have 0 nodes so poles do not cross over at all.

Dome Tents

The dome tents are a bit more stable than the tunnel tent but have less head room due to its design. What you will find though is that the dome tents use side poles to make extra rooms and bedrooms. The dome tent is best suited as a family or trekking tent.

The dome tent is quite aerodynamic and you will find them to be more stable than the tunnel tents. The dome tents are also free standing so you can easily pick up the tent in effect and pitch it in a different location with little effort. Dome tents have just 1 node ( 1 tent pole crossing).

Semi Geodesic Tents

With semi-geodesic tents you get again another boost in the stability of the tent but the tents are getting heavier up in this range and the pitching of the tent is not as quick as it can be quite complex. With semi geodesic tents you normally have about 2-4 nodes.

Fully Geodesic Tents

The fully-geodesic tents are the most stable type of tents with about 5+ nodes in the design. These tents are the most complex to put up and are also the most stable of the tents available.

The fully geodesic tents are suited to use as a mountaineering tent where you will be encountering harder terrains and climates. If you want your tent pitched up and it stay there for the duration of your stay then a fully geodesic tent will provide you with this.

The pole configurations are strong and will ensure the tent can handle any heavy rain or sown falls.

Tent Types Summary

Of all the outdoor camping supplies the camping tent can be the most difficult to choose and the decision must be made with sufficient knowledge available. Make sure you account for how easy your tent will be to pitch in terms of effort and time, how stable the tent is and the the weight of the tent.

Review of Lichfield Cherokee Tents

The Cherokee tents are tunnel tents. In terms of tent types the tunnels are generally the most easy and quickest to pitch. The thing with tunnel tents also is that they offer the best space in relation to the weight of a tent. With the tunnel design used in the Lichfield Cherokee tent you get good head room within the tent. This is because the height of the tent runs down the center.

The Lichfield Cherokee tent is best suited for use as a family tent or light backpacking tent. This is the same with most tunnel tents. Tunnel tents really need to be fully guyed out no matter what the conditions as they are less stable tents.

The Lichfield Cherokee has a great porch area which is ideal for families to store stuff in, the porch area is also ideal to use as living space if the weather is not up to much. Within the porch you have a cool feature in that there are 2 side doors giving easy access.

Lichfield Cherokee Tent Specs

• Easy Pitching
• Lightweight tent
• Protex 2000 flysheet
• Polyethylene groundsheet
• Fibreglass poles
• Tunnel tent design
• Breathable polyester inner
• water repellent finish on inner
• Double entry tent – 2 side doors
• Fire retardant body, mesh and groundsheet

Summary of the Lichfield Cherokee

The Lichfield Cherokee Tent is a great family tent or tent to be used on a backpacking trip. The tent is easy and quick to pitch up and is very light. The tent design is a tunnel tent which means though that the stability is compromised a bit. Its not recommended to use this tent in heavy winds but as we said its a good lightweight tent for basic camping needs in the outdoors.

The North Face Stratos tent is a 3-4 man tent that is suitable for use all year round. The tent is most comfortable with probably 3 people in it, any more bodies in the tent may feel a bit cramped. One thing about the Stratos tent though is that it may be a bit on the heavy side. It is a 3 man tent though so the weight can be distributed amongst the group if backpacking. If you do like to keep as light as possible then maybe the north face Stratos will be a tad on the heavy side and then tent would be more suitable for car camping.

North-Face Stratos Features

The quality of the North Face Stratos tent is very good like you find with mostly all of the North Face product range. The tent has many cool features inside that makes your camping trip more enjoyable. The tent has two opposing doors which makes getting in and out of the tent very easy, no need to fall over your friends head or stamp on any hands clambering out of the tent in the evening. To help you find the tent zipper in the dark of the night there are also some funky cool glow tabs on the inside zippers. Another convienant feature added to the Stratos is the integrated storage pockets to store any goodies and a lantern loop to hang your night light up.

Another great option for the North Face Stratos tent is the option to only partially install the fly sheet on the ceiling, this enables you to have a great star view at night time. If it starts to rain or gets too cold then its very easy to quickly secure the roof over. The Stratos tent is very good in extreme weather conditions and can withstand high winds, heavy rain, sleet and snow. Upon review of the tent we found it can be a bit warm for use as a summer tent.

Summary of the Stratos Tent

The North Face Stratos tent is a great all round tent which will comfortably fit 3 people in. The tent can be used in all 4 seasons although we found it quite warm for summer use. The North Face Stratos tent is best suited for areas where extreme weather will be encountered. Overall the tent provides some cool features and is of great quality.

Our Review of the Nemo Morpho Tent

Yes you heard right, instead of traditional tent poles you have what are called inflatable airbeams. The Morpho AR airbeams are said to be able to withstand twice as much force as a standard aluminium pole.

The Nemo Morpho airbeams are pumped up with a little lightweight foot pump called the Nemoid foot pump which comes included with the tent. There are 2 beams front and back and it gives the tent great stability. As the beams are made of air they will not snap in heavy winds just bounce back.

To set up the tent it would take an estimated 45-80 seconds so its pretty quick to say the least. A nice quick painless set up is just what some campers look for and the Nemo Morpho AR tent will not let you down in this department. For another example of a quick pitch tent check out our gelert quick pitch page also.

The tents weight is 4.8 lbs or 2.2 kg and there is 40sq ft of space (3.7 sq m). This provides good adequate space for 2 people, for example a 6 foot man would have enough space above head and at feet to store stuff and not feel cramped.

The Nemo Morpho does not have an internal vestibule but you are able to pull open the front vent which is the exofly to provide up to 14 sq.ft of vestibule space. This is good in emergency situations when you need to create some space for storage but by creating this vestibule space you do eat into your living space also.

The Morpho AR tent is a single skin tent and the fabric is a bit like gortex. The tent is pretty good for condensation as you have a front mesh and a rear scoop that helps with the air circulation through the tent.

Features of the Nemo Morpho AR Tent

• Air filled tubes instead of poles
• Weight: 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg)
• Space: 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m)
• 45 second pitch
• 2 man tent
• Single Skin tent
• Nemoid foot pump
• Airbeams withstand great force
• Good durability

Our Summary of the Nemo Morpho

The Nemo Morpho AR tent is quite expensive, your paying for the innovative technology that is used. Due to the airbeams you do get good durability and stability in the tent. The Morpho tent is a good all round tent for taking to places where a quick pitch is ideal like at outdoor events and music gigs.

1. Practice your pitch in your back garden. Always ensure you have had a trial run before heading out to the campsite. It’s better to get familiarised with your tent before having to learn as you go in maybe the rain or gales.
2. Ensure you check out the area you will be pitching your tent on. You need to make sure there are no sharp objects that could tear your groundsheet.
3. For extra protection you can use a ground sheet protector.
4. Check the surface where you pitch your tent for signs that the drainage is OK and not likely to get wet easily.
5. Its best to pitch a tent on a dry flat area. A slight slope though can help with drainage.
6. Try not to pitch down wind of trees as the sound and any falling branches will make a disturbing night.
7. Pitch your tents entrance away from wind flow so no rain is blown in and the tent is not lifted in a Gail.
8. Always ensure you have the adequate amount of pegs to pitch your tent and carry spares. Pegs are easily broken or lost.
9. Take duct tape for any quick repairs.
10. If you pack your kit in a rucksack make sure you pack it in the correct order so you can get to the correct items whilst pitching.
11. If you need to pack your tent damp or wet then at the earliest opportunity separate your inner and outer to dry in a suitable place.
12. When your camping trip is finished make sure that all camping tents are clean and dry and stored in dry conditions for your next outdoor adventure.

Who are Kelty?

The Kelty Gunnison Tent range is made by Kelty. Kelty has been around since 1952 making outdoor gear which includes camping tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and other outdoor camping supplies. The range of products offer something for the family and experiecend campers also. The products are always reliable and also affordable.

Kelty are based in Boulder Colorado and was founded by Asher Kelty or otherwise known as Dick Kelty. They where one of the first companies to design and manufacture external frame backpacks for the masses instead of for military use.

The Kelty Gunnison Tents

There are number of different tents in the Gunnison range by Kelty. Below is a list of some of the models.

• Kelty Gunnison 2 (2.1)
• Kelty Gunnison 3 (3.1)
• Kelty Gunnison 4 (4.1)

As you can see we have included some of the model number in brackets this is because the proper model names are 2.1 etc but they are better know without the .1 addition.

The number after each model depicts the capacity in how much people you can fit in the tent so for example the Kelty Gunnison 2 is a 2 man tent.

Kelty Gunnison 2 Tent

The Kelty Gunnison two comes in at a great price and is very lightweight (4 lbs) so it makes it a good choice for backpacking with. The Gunnison 2 comes with 2 doors and 2 vestibules which we thought was pretty neat for a two man tent.

Due to its design you have the option of using one part of the tent to hold all your mucky footwear and stinky clothes leaving the other a nice smell free place to lay your head for the night.

Another neat thing is the rain fly has windows, yep pretty cool eh so when you lay your head down at night you can also check out the stars from within your tent.

Some Features of the Kelty Gunnison 2.1

• nice taped seams
• guyout points
• noiseless zipper pulls
• gear loft loops
• internal storage pockets

Kelty Gunnison 4 Tent

As with the Kelty Gunnison 3 the 4 has all the same features as the Gunnison 2 tent as described above. The difference as we mentioned is basically the size and of course the price.

In the Gunnison 4 you have a weight of 7 lb 7 oz. and a 5.3 metre squared floor area so its nice a spacious. Again the area is split into 2 vestibules and you have 2 doors again.

Our Summary of the Kelty Gunnison Tents

The Kelty Gunnison Tent range provides nice spacious living quarters and will provide you with comfort on any camping trip. The set up is very easy and requires only two poles and is color coded for ease of use. The Gunnison tents should have something to match your needs.

So What is a Hennessy Hammock?

The hennessy hammock is a very versatile hammock/tent that has had blistering reviews from just about anyone who has had the pleasure of trying one out.

Some people whilst camping love to have the comfort of a nice tent or even an RV camper with all the mod cons and gadgets giving a comfortable and easy trip. Whilst there is the campers at the other end of the spectrum who love nothing better than going it rough, surviving on the elements and sleeping under the stars.

Well with the hennessy hammock you can sleep under the stars with all the comfort you would find with the best tents on the market.

If you are looking at something that’s light to take on your outdoor camping trip then this is most likely one of the best outdoor camping gear equipment you could buy.

The Versatility of the Hennessy Hammock

Dwell magazine upon review said this about the hammock “The Coolest Tent in the World.” Well that’s down to opinion I suppose but we definitely think the hennessy hammocks are very very cool.

You just need to find two trees and hang the hammock up and off you go. This is great as you don’t need to hunt around for the perfect level site to pitch your tent. You also need not worry about having a rough terrain with rocks and rubble or wet land causing you problems as you will be happily suspended off the ground with a big smile on your face.

You can even use the hennessy hammocks as a 1 man tent on the ground or as a longer or chair. The hennessy hammocks are best though suspended off the ground, this is when you will get the full benefits of using one.

How do the Hennessy Hammocks work?

This is the best part, getting into one of these is a piece of art its just so cool. You have to enter the hammock from below, you then sit into it and bring your legs up and it will close itself. You are then as snug as a bug in a rug in your own little cocoon.

There is netting to protect you from bugs and a nylon canopy which will handle the protection from the sun and rain. The hennessy hammocks have a never flip safety design so you will have no problems when getting in and out of one which you would normally associate with basic hammocks.

Our Summary of the Hennessy Hammocks

We give a big thumbs up to the Hennessy Hammocks you can even get specialized hammocks from jungle hammocks, winter hammocks, a-sym hammocks.

If you want a nice comfortable sleep and like to travel light then try one out.

What is a Treepee?

The treepee as you can see from the picture is a cross between a tent and a tree house in a tepee style shape. A bit different from traditional camping tents we all know and love. This tent like contraption is most suitable maybe for the kids to play with in the garden. Its very appealing due to the ariel suspension. To get a more stable treepee there are four tethers provided to stop the treepee from swaying about.

The treepee has pockets inside to enable you or the kids to store and goodies and there are bug nets in the windows which allow the air to circulate whilst also keeping out the bugs. The treepee also has a UV protection value of 50+ so the kids will be able to be safe when its sunny being protected from the uv rays.

What are the features of the treepee?

• Available in 3 colors – Green, Pink and Khaki.
• Fabric is fire retardant, water repellent and offers UV protection
• Dimensions: Height 2.6m, Length 1.5m, Width 1.5m
• A maximum weight of 150kg is recommended.
• A maximum suspension height of 0.5m is recommended.

Where can we buy a treepee?

You can up your very own treepee at drinkstuff.com or if in the UK at boysstuff.co.uk.