Bushwalk Australia

Hey guys,
I just found your forum via Google and I am looking for some advice.

I am in need of a hiking tent for multi-day treks. There is a local supplier that can get me any of the OZtrail range for a really good price.

Three that he has available to sell are below:

Apollo
http://www.oztrail.com.au/WebPage.gtl?P ... bgroup=1-2

Backpacker
http://www.oztrail.com.au/WebPage.gtl?P ... bgroup=1-2

Vertex
http://www.oztrail.com.au/WebPage.gtl?P ... bgroup=1-2

They all sit around the low 2 kg in weight. but i'm not too sure on which would be the better of the three. The Apollo appeals to me as it looks like there is more room in it than the Backpacker up the sides, which a lot of people have given positive review about, though it is smaller in width. so i'm unsure if I will be touching the sides and getting the sleeping bag wet. Will condensation be an issue with that amount of ventilation? I will be looking to hike camp with my wife so it will need to fit two people.

The vertex is smaller again and looks like a typical dome tent. From what I can tell the ventilation may be an issue, Unlike the Apollo and Backpacker.

Any help will be appreciated.

I've got the old model of the Vertex with three full length poles. I've used it heaps over the last probably 8? years for car camping and it's still going strong. However the floor isn't waterproof anymore, but I never used a ground sheet either.

Also have an Outer Limits Vortex. Used it three times and the main fly zip is dodgey so haven't used it again,but will do for car camping once the Vertex dies.

What is the ventilation in the vertex like? it seems like there are only a few small windows aside form the main door?

My door design is different to mine, but a similar amount of mesh. None the less, I'm from Tassie so more than enough ventilation for me! The other two tents you listed look terrible from my perspective - too much mesh!! But on Australia's big island I can see the appeal

I have an Oztrail Backpacker. I bought it when I started out hiking and it has been on a few trips on the Main Range in KNP. I haven't had any issues with condensation, in saying that it hasn't really been in any humid conditions. It slept my wife and I easily, and no complaints really. I think I paid $89 on special for it, so even though it weighs around 2kg, for the money it wasn't a bad option.

Dare I ask what your budget is? There may be better/more suitable options available for what you are willing to spend.

as Cheap as possible but still functional.

I am able to get these tents for $40 - $50. The main reason why I'm looking at these only.

ricadam wrote:as Cheap as possible but still functional.

I am able to get these tents for $40 - $50. The main reason why I'm looking at these only.

Fair enough. Not many decent options at that RRP, so these are looking quite attractive at that price.

Is there anyone else that can provide some feedback, in particular on the Apollo?

I have the Oz Trail Backpacker, which I bought many years ago (10 years?). The downsides are its weight and bulk, as you can probably guess. I also would not recommend it if you are particularly tall - its not a very long inside and you can't really sit up straight. That being said, it has held together well and for $50 it wouldn't be a bad option at all.