Lightweight bicycle camper. Thule Trailer Line Up

Best Bike Trailers for Kids

Bike trailers for kids come in different styles and are designed for different purposes – there isn’t one best bike trailer for kids, but rather bike trailers that are best for different uses and budgets.

Some trailers perform like a dream on the road, while others excel off-road or on bumpy terrain. Some are dedicated bike trailers, while others can also be used as bike trailer strollers and bike trailer joggers. Some are better suited for older kids, while others are ideal for tiny passengers. And what about bringing along the baby? We’ve narrowed down the best options below so you don’t have to do the research!

As with all things, you really get what you pay for with bike trailers. High-end and mid-range trailers have the most comfort features (like suspension or reclining seats) and also have the ability to convert to strollers, joggers, and ski strollers. Basic and budget trailers have fewer comfort features and usually are not compatible with jogger, stroller, and ski conversion kits.

Why trust us? Over the last 12 years, we’ve personally tested out every major trailer brand on the market. From Thule and Burley to Hamax, Schwinn, Instep and Qeridoo, we have ridden, run and walked with over 40 different child bike trailers to help you find the best.

Best Bike Trailers for Kids

Don’t just read about our favorite bike trailers for kids, see them in action in our video summary below! In addition to seeing each of the bike trailers, we’ll cover our favorite features of each one.

Entry Level Bike Trailer Strollers

The ability to convert your trailer to a stroller is an incredibly handy feature for active families. Biking to a destination like a farmer’s market or shopping mall? When you get there, simply park your bikes, pop that stroller wheel down, and get walking!

Best Basic Bike Trailer Stroller

BEST FOR: Families who want the option to occasionally use their trailer as a stroller

CONVERSION KITS: Stroller (included)

STANDOUT FEATURES: Stroller wheel stored on tow arm when not in use, adjustable-height handlebar, tons of storage

FULL REVIEW: Burley Honey Bee

The Honey Bee is everything we love about the Bee, but with the added versatility of being used as a stroller as well. While the stroller wheel is basic and sticks out on the end of the trailer arm, it easily rotates up and out of the way when you don’t need it. The quality, design, functionality, and ease-of-use of the Honey Bee can’t be beat. The Honey Bee is only available as a double trailer stroller.

Best Bike Trailer Stroller on a Super Budget

BEST FOR: Budget-minded families looking for a good trailer and basic stroller

CONVERSION KITS: 3-wheel stroller on chassis (included)

STANDOUT FEATURES: Large 20″ wheels on metal rims, higher maximum speed than the Allen T2 Trailer

As roomy and spacious as a more expensive trailer, the Allen Sports Premier S2 trailer provides plenty of headroom and a thickly-padded hammock seat for a comfortable ride. In addition to pulling smooth and steady, the Premier bike cart for kids features an easy-to-use 5-point harness system that is much higher-quality than those found in Schwinn bike trailers and other budget bike carts for kids.

For those looking to spend under 300 on a bike trailer, in a head-to-head comparison with Schwinn and InStep trailers, we found that Allen Sports trailers pull smoother, are easier to load and unload kids, have higher-quality harness systems, and extended helmet s for better comfort for young and older kids.

NOTE: The Amazon listing for this trailer is confusing. It is located under the listing for Allens Sports Deluxe Bike Trailer. The Deluxe bike trailers have 16″ wheels. This Premier S2 trailer has larger 20″ wheels and is a larger trailer overall. We have linked directly to this trailer, which is yellow and has visibly larger wheels than the other options in the listing.

The Wide Path Camper

The most recent example to get a lot of press is this lightweight micro-camper that’s set for production in 2015. It weighs in just over 80 lbs., making it light enough to tow behind your bike (assuming you’re in good enough shape), although I imagine hills will become an even bigger enemy with this thing attached.

It folds out from a compact size in order to make room for a sleeping/sitting area.

With just enough room to sleep two people, the bed stretches across the interior and folds up to make room for a small table and storage areas.

The designer behind this thing, Mads Johansen, claims it can sleep 2.5 people. We assume the.5 refers to a small child and with around 79 cubic feet of storage space inside, you imagine sleeping with two adults and a kid might not make for the most relaxing vacation. But for anyone out there who loves touring the countryside on their bike, it might be a decent solution for a couple days worth of adventures, Clark Griswold style.

The Bushtrekka

This one seems like the most sensible model, and the lightest at just 56 pounds. It has three storage compartments and folds into a compact bundle when you’re riding, making for less wind resistance. The design includes some other great features as well, like a pivoting wheelset – think independent shock absorbers, which allows the wheels to operate better on uneven surfaces. The trailer is height-adjustable as well, meaning you can attach it to any size bike with ease. As for the tent, it only accomodates one person, so you would need to carry an extra sleeping tent with you if you’re planning a family voyage.

The Bushtrekka costs 899.99 and is available via Amazon for anyone interested.

The Burning Man Camper

Perfect for those who identify with the burner lifestyle, or perhaps a post-apocalyptic tour of the countryside. Designed by a guy named Paul, it has everything you need to survive a desert festival. It weighs 100 lbs. and includes a solar powered oven, solar water heating, solar lights, and a mini wind turbine to produce a bit of extra power. There’s even a urinal funnel on the outside (don’t ask us how he handles number 2). Via dvice.

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Bicycle Trailer

#1: Do You Need a Single Trailer Or Double Trailer?

The first and most obvious criteria to choose a trailer based on is whether you want to use it for one child or for multiple children. Even if you don’t have a second child yet, if you plan to have one soon, you might want to invest in a double trailer. You can always use a double trailer for a single child.

The disadvantages of a double trailer compared to a single trailer is that it is harder to maneuver through tight spaces and it is heavier than a single. For this reason, I always recommend parents of only children to stick with a single trailer. Still, if you need to carry multiple kids, it is a no-brainer to immediately look for a double trailer.

One thing to look at is the weight capacity. Even though a trailer is listed as a double-trailer it may have a maximum weight capacity is that too low for your two children. Lower-end trailers tend to max out at 80 pounds while more expensive trailers usually accommodate up to 100 pounds.

#2: Do You Want To Use The Trailer For Than Just Biking?

If you have an outdoorsy family that likes to do ALL the activities, then looks for a multipsport trailer. In addition to biking, these higher-end trailers can convert to a stroller, jogging stroller, and ski trailer.

If you are looking for a trailer for bicycling only, then skip the convertible trailers. They are more expensive and add additional weight compared to a bike-only trailer.

#3: What’s Your Budget?

Bicycle trailers cost between 100 to 450,000 which is a pretty big budget range. As with most things in life (unfortunately), the more expensive the trailer the nicer it is going to be and the better the construction is.

Trailers on the lower end are not as comfortable or as durable as more expensive trailers. That said, if you are looking for a way to haul your child on the occasional paved bike path ride, a 100 trailer may be sufficient.

At the high end of the price spectrum, a 450,000 trailer will have suspension, durable fabric, good ventilation, lots of storage, and plenty of other perks. If you can afford it, go for it.

Most families will be best served by a trailer somewhere in the middle. We’ve tried including a variety of price points in our top picks below.

#4: What Kind Of Terrain Will You Be Riding On?

Whether or not you need is suspension is largely dependent on the type of riding you plan on doing. If you are going to be largely primarily on paved bike paths and other smooth surfaces, you can probably forgo the extra expense of suspension.

On the other hand, if you plan on riding off-road on gravel rail trails or forest service roads, suspension is a must. Even on uneven city streets, having suspension can make a big difference in the comfort and enjoyment for your child.

Additionally, if you plan on riding off-road almost exclusively, you might want to consider a mountain-bike specific trailer like the Tout Terrain Singletrailer.

#5: How Much Storage Space Do You Need?

I like a lot of storage space in my bike trailers. As parents, we have all sorts of stuff that needs to come along — diaper bags, toys, snacks, balance bikes, etc, etc, etc.

I also like being able to pick up a bag of groceries or some library books. If you plan on being a frequent bike commuter with your trailer, look for one with plenty of cargo space.

#6: Do You Plan To Ride In Inclement Weather?

A good rain cover has saved me time and time again. My son has survived some long, cold, snowy bike rides in a trailer with a sleeping bag and the rain cover safely secured. If you plan on riding in inclement weather conditions, take this seriously.

Additionally, if you will be riding on snowy roads during the winter, the Burley plus-tire kit is great.

Other Things To Look For In A Bike Trailer

Comfortable Seats

The quality of seats between bicycle trailers varies widely. Some seats are nothing more than a hard bench with a couple of straps.

Other seats are well-cushioned and include 5-point harnesses. The more often you ride, and the longer you ride, the more important comfortable seats are.

Other things you might want to look for is a recessed helmet (is the space behind the kiddos head soft enough to accomodate a helmet or does it push your child’s head forward?) and reclining seats. Reclining seats aren’t necessary but can be nice to have if your kiddo is going to be napping in the trailer.

Quality Wheels

Wheels are what make a trailer roll smoothly, and yet, they are one of the most-overlooked factors when buying a bicycle trailer. Make sure to look for a trailer that has 20″ wheels and metal rims and spokes.

Cheaper, inferior trailers will have 16″ wheels and plastic rims/spokes, and don’t roll nearly as well. You’ll notice the “budget” trailers on this list have 16″ wheels, which is a trade-off you make at the lower pricepoints. None of the trailers on our list have plastic wheels, however; that’s where we draw the line.

Brakes

All the better trailers (Burley, Thule, Hamax) have some sort of brake. Most of these are foot-operated brakes to help keep the trailer in place while parked.

Some of the multi-sport trailers will also have a handbrake for use when in strolling or jogging mode. This can be nice for heavy loads and especially hilly areas. That said, a hand brake can be a bit of a pain to install and adds extra complexity.

Cheaper “budget” trailers are likely not to have a brake at all. This may not be a big deal if you are only using it in trailer mode (as opposed to stroller mode).

Available Accessories And Spare Parts

How much use do you plan on getting out of your trailer? If you plan to be using it alot, then consider buying from a brand that is known for offering excellent customer service and plenty of accessories and spare parts.

Thule and Burley are the two best brands at this. Both have plenty of accessories (like infant slings and multi sport kits) and spare parts (like extra hitches so you can use the trailer with multiple bikes).

Bike Compatibility

Compared to a bike seat, trailers are generally pretty compatible with bikes. I’ve used a trailer with all kinds of bikes over the years: my mountain bike, my road bike, my commuter bike, and even my fat bike.

The one thing to be aware of, however, is that most trailers attach to your rear axle. This means they will work with just about any bike with a quick-release skewer (including bikes with disc brakes).

The bike on the left has a standard quick-release to mount the trailer hitch on. The bike on the right has an adapter from the Robert Axle Project.

They will NOT work, however, on bikes with a thru-axle. If you have a thru-axle on your rear wheel, then you will need to choose a brand that offers a thru-axle adapter (Burley and Thule both do) OR you will need to buy an adapter from The Robert Axle Project.

Weight Capacity

Bike trailers can vary greatly in terms of how much weight they can handle and hold. Cheaper trailers may only hold 40 pounds, while higher end trailers will handle 100 pounds. If you are planning on carrying multiple children or lots of gear (think groceries), then you want to pay careful attention to this when choosing.

Removable Floor Mats And Seats

If your kids are as dirty as mine, you might want to look for a trailer with both removable floor mats (hose off that mud!) and removable, washable seats. A good majority of trailers don’t have these features, and it drives me crazy!

Resale Value

One thing not many people think of when buying a trailer, but one that you should think about is resale value. The higher quality trailers and those with recognizable brand names (like Burley) will hold their value well. You should be able to use these trailers for a few years and still sell them for a good price.

Is a Trailer The Best Option For Your Family?

For parents looking to bike with young kids, the first option that comes to mind is a bike trailer. In fact, trailers are hands-down the most popular way to bike with young kids and babies–and for good reason. Bicycle trailers can carry multiple children, gear, and even kid’s bikes.

That said, they aren’t the only option for hauling young kids, and you might want to explore your other choices first.

Trailers vs Bike Seats

Compared to child bike seats, trailers tend to be safer. A good-quality trailer is essentially a roll-cage providing protection to your child in the event of a crash or a tip-over. With a bike seat, on the other hand, if the parent crashes, the child is crashing too.

That said, I still prefer a bike seat (especially a front-mounted bike seat) to a trailer–although I use both. This is because with a bike seat you have your child close by where you can talk to and easily interact with them.

In a trailer, it is much harder to see and hear how your child is doing. When we use our trailer, we often have to pull over and stop to help our son or to hear what he’s saying. A bike seat is also much lighter than a trailer, which can feel awfully heavy when you are climbing hills.

Trailer vs Cargo Bike

In terms of cost, a trailer falls squarely between a bike seat and a cargo bike. While a good-quality trailer can be quite a bit more expensive than a bike seat, it is still much cheaper than a cargo bike. A cargo bike is awesome if you can afford it, and if you are going to be commuting on a daily basis. If you only plan to do the occasional bike path ride or cruise to the park, go with the trailer.

Trailer Age Range

Trailers tend be best for use with young kids. If you are comfortable with it, you can even buckle a carseat into a trailer. For parents of multiple young children, a trailer is often the ideal option as you can put two kids in there.

Unfortunately, for slightly older kids the trailer quickly becomes BORING. If you have a child 3 or up, I much prefer a trailer-cycle, where they are able to pedal along.

Bike Trailer Pros:

• Many trailers can convert to jogging strollers
• Affordable compared to a cargo bike
• Can carry more than one child
• Can carry gear in addition to child
• Child is relatively safe in the event of a tip-over or crash

Bike Trailer Cons:

• expensive than a bike seat
• Parent-child interaction is low
• Child engagement is low (no pedaling, etc)
• Heavy

Best Bicycle Trailer Brands

Here I offer up what I consider the seven best bicycle trailer brands. Each of these brands offer models that range from no-frills to all the bells-and-whistles.

The first three brands (Thule, Burley, Hamax) are my top picks. These trailers are of extremely high quality, roll well, and are from reputable brands that offer accessories and follow-up support.

Weight

One of the reasons people avoid trailers is due to their weight. But you may find that the true weight difference is quite negligible.

Ortlieb FR 65 litre Pannier set – 3500g Tubus FR Steel Rack set – 1000g Total = 4500g

Free Parable 75 Litre Drybag – 1200g Free Parable T2 Trailer – 3600g Total = 4800g

When comparing like-for-like in terms of storage and waterproofing, there’s no doubt that trailers add a bit of weight. But it’s probably not as much as you’d think: it can be as little as 300g over a set of racks and panniers. To put this weight into perspective, I’ve determined that a kilogram is worth no more than a few seconds on a hilly day of bicycle touring.

Criteria for the Best Bike Trailers For Touring

Under 10kg / 22lb You already lug around enough weight when you’re bicycle touring. I’ve capped the trailer weight to 10kg because the below trailers have an adequate carrying capacity of 30kg.

Reputation Almost all of the below trailers have been tested extensively by bicycle tourers around the world. I’m happy to add other options if enough people have firsthand experience with other bike trailers.

Ok, let’s take a look at the best bike trailers for bicycle touring.

Adventure CT1

Adventure Outdoor Co. make this single wheel bike trailer which can fold flat for storage or plane travel. The rather affordable CT1 is supplied with a large drybag and flag to get you on the road without fuss. A recommendation by users is that the low-quality rear tyre is replaced for something a bit harder wearing.

Weight – 6.5kg / 14.3lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – £249

The Best Cycle Touring Bikepacking Tents For 2023

The following tents are specifically recommended for cycle touring and bikepacking, and have been extensively road-tested by the community.

Models in this list come from a variety of manufacturers worldwide, so whether you’re reading this article in the UK or Europe, the USA or Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, there’ll probably be options here you can find locally, as well as online.

Some of these recommendations are inspired by my interviews with highly experienced riders who have spent countless miles and years road-testing these tents. Others are tents that frequently appear in trip reports and receive unanimously positive reviews from real-world users. The listings are fully updated to reflect the latest models and for the 2023 season.

We’ll start with low-budget tents for short and simple trips, move on to the most popular tents in the mid-range for general cycle touring and bikepacking service, and work our way up to the most durable lightweight tents for world-ranging rides of months or years.

To finish, we’ll looking at a few examples of specialist tents suited to the weight and pack size restrictions faced by ultralight bikepackers with minimal frame luggage (though this niche is not my usual FOCUS).

For each tent, you’ll find links to manufacturer’s websites where you can get detailed, up-to-date specifications. Wherever possible, I’ve included links to online retailers in the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada offering the best deals I can find (affiliate links are marked with an asterisk; you can find out more about my affiliate policy here).

These are not the only tents that’ll do the job. In fact, the tent you already have in the garage/basement/attic/storage unit might be perfectly adequate, as you don’t really need any of this fancy gear anyway.

But I can promise you the listing below represent the very best of what the global cycle touring and bikepacking community is using successfully today.

Wild Country Zephyros Compact 2 (UK, £230)

Wild Country is the budget marque of the premium British manufacturer Terra Nova. The 1.95kg Zephyros Compact 2 takes more than a little inspiration from Hilleberg’s Akto, a favourite high-end tent for minimalists since it was popularised by TV outdoorsman Ray Mears. It requires staking out at each end, but you get a lot of interior space for a reasonably low weight and with a single pole supporting a single-pitch structure.

The “Compact” tag was added to the name in 2020, with the tent now featuring shorter pole sections for a more convenient 30×16cm packed shape for bikepacking luggage and small panniers.

There’s also a 1‑berth version which weighs in at 1.65kg, but in my opinion – especially given the small awning – the 300g you’d save isn’t worth the loss of interior storage space for your gear, unless minimising weight is your number one priority.

• Exclusive to Tom’s Bike Trip readers: Get 20% off the Wild Country Zephyros Compact 2 on the Terra Nova website when you use the voucher code TOMA20 at checkout.
• It’s also available online or in-store in the UK from Go Outdoors, Snow Rock and Cotswold Outdoor, or online-only from Amazon. Try eBay.co.uk for second-hand offers.
• This is a British brand, so (especially post-Brexit) it’s quite hard to find elsewhere in the world.

Alpkit Ordos 2 (UK, £235)

Direct retailer and manufacturer Alpkit have made a splash in the UK bikepacking and cycle touring scene with their Ordos ultralight 3‑season wedge tents. I used one on a traverse of the central highlands of Armenia, and I’d still be using it if it hadn’t later been trampled by a herd of cattle.

With 2- and 3‑berth models available and a choice of a red or green rainfly, the lightweight Ordos tents – just 1.4kg for the 2‑berth and 1.7kg for the 3‑berth in their most minimal configurations – are roomy, practical, well-ventilated, easy to pitch, and reasonably priced, doing best in warmer weather.

The classic wedge design echoes long-standing tents such as the Vaude Hogan UL (see below) and Big Agnes Seedhouse. It’s not quite freestanding but close enough for most real-world scenarios, requiring a minimum of four stakes for a good pitch.

Bikepackers will be interested to know that the most recent versions of the Ordos feature shorter-section collapsible poles, making the 42cm-long pack shape and size slightly more handlebar harness-friendly (though not as friendly as the Zephyros Compact above or the Starlite below).

Ultralight Bikepacking Tents

The following tents are included in this list as examples of shelters that have either been developed with bikepacking in mind or crossed over from thru-hiking circles because they’re the lightest and most packable shelters you can get.

The range of minimalist tents and shelters serving this niche has only grown with the rise of bikepacking, so consider this a sample of the kind of options you’ll find if you start digging deeper into this market. It is certainly not an exhaustive list: for that, you’ll have to visit a specialist bikepacking gear blog.

You’ll find some of the lighter tents from the list above – such as the Alpkit Ordos 2 or the MSR Hubba Hubba 1P – making their way onto bikepacking kit lists, possibly in stripped-down form.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (USA, 260)

Weighing just 680g (that’s the same as a full, standard-sized cycling water bottle), the single-pole, single-wall Lunar Solo relies on being staked out and requires you to supply your own pole (it’s designed to be used with a trekking pole). It’s never going to be as comfortable as a double-wall tent with a geodesic structure – but if you’re OK with that, it’s difficult to imagine a more minimal shelter that isn’t a bivvy bag.

Terra Nova Starlite (UK, £655)

Launched in 2018, the Terra Nova Starlite series, available in 1‑, 2- and 3‑berth options, was one of the first British tents specifically designed with bikepacking in mind. Aside from striking a great combination of weight and weather-resistance, the 2‑berth Starlite 2 weighs just 1.5kg and, thanks to a reduction in pole section length, has a packed length of just 29cm. This means it’ll fit easily into a small pannier, or strap to your handlebars using the stuff-sack’s integrated webbing loops.

Some might consider its non-freestanding tunnel design a negative, but in the type of climate and terrain it’s designed for, staking it out really shouldn’t be a problem if you choose your pitch accordingly. Once up, it’s as roomy as you’d expect from a tunnel tent and very stable. That the optional footprint extends to cover the awning floor is a nice bonus.

• Read my long-term review of the Starlite 2 here.
• Get the Terra Nova Starlite 2 in the UKdirect from Terra Nova, with an exclusive 20% reader discount when you use the voucher code TOMA20.
• It’s also available online in the UK from Amazon, Wiggle and eBay.co.uk.
• As previously noted, Terra Nova products are hard to find outside of the UK.

Tents For Cycle Touring Bikepacking

If that’s not enough of a selection, try the following, which have also been recommended by readers of this blog:

• Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 / Copper Spur HV UL2 (USA, 300/550)
• Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Trekking Dome Tent 2P (UK/Europe, £200)
• Macpac Minaret 2P (New Zealand, NZ900)
• Marmot Tungsten (Worldwide, 214)
• Nordisk Telemark 2.2 PU (Denmark)

I have also happily cycled the length of England with a Tesco Value tent I rescued from the local household recycling centre, because remember: you don’t actually need fancy stuff.

Which tent(s) have you successfully used on tours or bikepacking trips? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев.

Bogged down in research for your next big bicycle adventure?

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4 replies on “What’s The Best Cycle Touring Bikepacking Tent? (2023 Edition)”

Hey Tom, any thoughts on the Naturehike Cloud Up 2?

Hi Tom, year ago i saw a Lonely Planet book On cycling 9 or so European countries starting up in the Alps or Switzerland. I can’t find it at LP and twice I had it in my hand planning to buy it but finds we’re tight at the time Regards Simon

I also have a Lonely Planet guide to cycling France somewhere… I think it was last updated in 2009.

Hi again Tom. I’ve been reading your tent recommendations — useful thinking.

I just want to share that over the past 5–10 years I’ve done a number of bike trips, and I normally just buy a cheap two-man tent from Tesco or an online retailer if my last tent is gone. Each costs around £20 sterling and I often give them away to a local at the end of the trip. So far they’ve worked a treat and have more than once stood up to storms, hail, snow, etc. Like you say, you don’t always need expensive stuff.

That said, always aim to be safe…

Thank you Ian! Those on a budget would do well to heed this advice. For what it’s worth, I also used a Tesco 2‑person tent on a tour (I bought it used from the local tip) and it worked perfectly well through a rainy English spring. That said, I wouldn’t rely on it for, say, a crossing of Patagonia…

HI All, Does anyone have any experience with Kammok hammock tents? Sunda 2.0 seems like a nice option, pricey imo. But is it worth the ?

Hi. Thanks for the advices. Cracking website. I’ve just discovered it. Very useful.

Depending when and where we cycle we use a tent or a tarp. We’ve been travelling by bike since 24/30 years.

Hilleberg’s Nallo 2 GT : Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Baltic countries. For spring or summer 4 to 5 weeks trips. Great comfort and space. Bombproof. But heavy. And bulky.

Mountain Equipment AR UL 2 : France from late spring to early fall. 1 to 3 weeks trips. Very good tent. Pity ME does not produce tents anymore. Sturdy, reliable, compact, light. A bit stuffy inside : bags or paniers sleep out. We also use it for hiking trips.

DD Hammocks Superlight tarp 2.9 × 3 m : France. From late spring in the South, to early fall. We spent more than 2 weeks in French “Bretagne” under it and it was absolutely great, even under bad weather. Very large protection against rain. But not when humidity fell… We also used it during two weeks on the EV8 route along the Mediterranean coast. Brilliant. In fact, since I changed my old Scico paniers for Alpkit bags, I tend to take the lightest shelter as possible. Unfortunately, I’m not sure we’ll be able to travel in Scotland under a tarp in summer, and the ME is also a wee small for this rainy destination.

We’re using a Wild Country Hoolie 6 for cycle touring as a family of four. It ticked all our boxes — packs small enough to fit easily in our trailer, light enough (7kgs) has two sleeping areas, height to stand up, loads of storage space, space for the kids to bring a couple of friends, and roomy enough inside to contemplate sitting out bad weather for a few days, whilst being a pretty functional 3‑season tent. There were a couple of other tents on our wishlist which were either too expensive for us to contemplate, or simply unavailable when we needed to get our tent, but a couple of years on from purchase, we’re very happy so far with it.

Hi Tom, I really enjoyed the article and I too have spent many a comfortable, and uncomfortable, night in a MSR Hubba Hubba 2P. I picked it up secondhand 5 years ago and it has served me well (we’re even using it yesterday on Islay) but I now need a bit more waterproofing in my tent life. I do like the USA-style tents with high walls, roomy inner, 2 doors, etc and I’m leaning towards a brand-new MSR Hubba, a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or even a Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 which I’ve only just read about and has been tweaked with Northern European weather in mind! Also the SD is a bargain!! I spend 100 nights a year under canvas, either backpacking or biketouring, and most of those are in the UK so waterproofing is essential and of course the ability to stand up in strong winds. Are there any others to consider in this category style?

You might try the REI Quarter Dome, or Hilleberg’s Allak (not the lightest)… but if you’re happy with the Hubba Hubba then why change it?

Banshee Update to comment posted on July 28, 2016! The seam sealant worked. Continued using the tent until 2019 when I bought a Vango Tempest as I needed to store muddy panniers inside a tent vestibule on campsites. As expected the Tempest is fine. Because of Covid my Tempest is trapped in Germany so I have got out the old Banshee to see if I can UK tour with it this summer. Put up in Garden for seveal days now to check it out and its still good! Groundsheet ants bite holes fixed with Gorilla Tape. Money saving tip if you want a footprint to put under your groundsheet. Use builders roofing under sheet cut to size its very tough light and thin — started doing this a few years ago. Most roofers have huge rolls of the stuff and can easily spare a couple of meters.