The OEX Phoxx 2 would have been in the running for 5 stars but the tent is snug for 2 adults and gear and, in our opinion, is better suited to a solo camper who would have masses of extra room for gear and dogs (optional!). Under the Microscope - Our Testing Criteria Benchmarks

A game changer for us was the discovery of the 3fUL Gear Lanshan 2. I got sent one just as Nath was standing down from the channel, but I always thought that this tent would have suited him. Like his tarp set up it could be put up with hiking poles, but unlike the tarp it was a proper enclosed tent, shutting the elements out. Its a lightweight tent that many outdoors enthusiasts have grown to love. In two consecutive years I did a poll of the best tents, and both years the Lanshan has topped that chart.

Specs

It is a heavier option than many of the Naturehike tents, but its durability is a reassurance to many wild campers that is easily worth the extra grams. A good rule of thumb is to go for a tent that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent. Most tents have thin, collapsible poles made from fibreglass. They often fold up into a compact size and are connected by an elastic cord. They're usually flexible and will need to be bent to fit the shape of the tent canvas during pitching. In terms of performance, the OEX Phoxx 2 excels in most conditions. Its waterproofing held up well during a rainy night, keeping me dry throughout. Although, I'm not sure how well it would stand up to snowy conditions so it will be worth investigating over winter. Taking its design from the Hilleberg Allak 2, but at a fraction of the price, the Cloud Peak has a roof capping that hovers above the main tent, keeping weather out but allowing air to flow and reduce condensation. But take care to attach that to the tent in a more permanent way, I almost lost my capping to strong winds.

The Lanshan is a two skin tent, which the outer and inner skin are attached to one another, making the task of putting the tent up a little easier, especially being able to protect the inner skin from the elements if you were putting the tent up in adverse weather. The feel and look of the tent are great and it felt very homely once the lantern was on the go and snuggled up in the sleeping bag. There was plenty of room to put up the OEX Ultralite Stool which worked perfectly for holding the lantern and my mobile. Comparison 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Condensation didn't prove to be much of a problem although there was a slight sheen on the inner tent in the morning and the functionality of a door on each side of the tent made a huge difference as you're able to move in and out with less bother and create a good current of air to ventilate the tent. We also found that, for a tunnel tent, there was more than adequate head room in the tent which gave it a spacious feeling, which would be needed if two were sharing the tent. Pre-angled Endura Poles give sturdiness to inner tent A tent with more than one door can help with airflow, assisting with ventilation and also gives you more flexibility to enter and leave the tent through the most convenient doorway. 8) Number and size of windows Tent footprints are available to buy separately from tents at outdoor retailers. They're essentially an extra groundsheet that you can pitch before your tent, with the aim of pitching your tent on top of it.Not all tents have indoor communal spaces that can house all the campers if the weather turns, and even those that do aren't always large enough for everyone to be comfortable. One downsides we found with this tent is that it isn’t long enough for someone over 6′. Your toes will be pressed against the end of the tent. It says it is 220cm long inside, but when you factor in the steeply sloping end of the tent plus then you add your sleeping mat on top, there is a lot less than 220cm to play with. The Phoxx seems to have a bit more internal length and just about suffices for someone over 6′. We pitch every tent, taking into account how long it takes, how clear the instructions are, how much physical effort is required, and how convenient the process is. It's very common for manufacturers to be generous about the number of people they say can fit inside their tents. The number they give will be technically true, but it probably won't account for the space needed for campers' belongings, or the space people need for a comfortable night's sleep. Sleeping in the OEX Phoxx was really good fun. This may be down to the fact that I didn't have to share the tent so there was oodles of room for a solo camper and I could spread all my gear out and still have room for the dogs. From a personal perspective, it would be a snug fit to share with another adult and have space for your gear. Plenty upright space in the OEX Phoxx 2

I find it a little faffy to put up, myself, but once its up, its a great little tent, plenty of room, with twin doors either side and a reasonable vestibule for any stove work. At one point this tent almost became my go to tent, I had a lot of fun in it on numerous occasions, camping on the coast and beside a tarn in the mountains of the Lake District. And, I was right, when Nath returned to the channel, I leant him my Lanshan 2, and he was instantly sold! OEX state that the Phoxx 2 is a 4 season tent. We have trialled this during autumn and found it to be perfectly sufficient but have not used this yet in the depths of winter. For winter camping in Scotland, considering the variations in weather and temperature, we would look for something more sturdy like a canvas tent for the colder, snowier months. Our Final Verdict on the OEX PHOXX 2 V2 TENT:

The tent is a classic two door design, and has two decent vestibules either side, but one of the largest faults with it is the poor zipper to the dors which seem to snag for a pastime. There are also tents with inflatable poles. You'll need to pump up each pole individually, so it can take a bit of effort, but you can avoid trying to feed the poles through the tent canvas. I loved mine so much that I forked out myself to get the Cloud Up 2 in a more stealthy green colour, and that particular tent has seen me proud ever since, although it is slightly shorter than many tents, so probably not ideal for anyone taller than six-foot, and it does only have a single entrance at the front of the tent. An optional awning or canopy can provide protection from the sun and rain, creating a shaded area from which to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay inside your tent. 10) Extra features They claim to provide an easy way for you to plan where you're going to place your tent without having to pitch it fully, and provide an extra layer of waterproofing and insulation from the ground below.