• PRICE £480
• SLEEPS 6
• WEIGHT 41.5kg

Packed size Canvas 75cm x 40cm x 35cm; poles 70cm x 25cm x 12cm
Materials Outer Protex 5000; inner polyester; groundsheet polyethylene; poles steel
Dimensions Outer 600cm x 470cm; two inners 180cm x 220cm, one inner 160cm x 220cm; height 222cm

COMMENT

To my knowledge Khyam was the first manufacturer to use video and CD-ROM to illustrate tent pitching. And full marks to Vango for continuing this very handy service. If you want to see how easy it is to pitch a large tunnel tent just visit the Breckenridge page on the company's website and click the relevant button. You can even download the video to your iPod or mobile to view in the field.

Unfortunately, such a good resource could take away some of the copy that I can put into the test report. Luckily, the Breckenridge has a good story to tell.

When it was first viewed at last year's Tent City tradeshow, it was acclaimed for its aerodynamic shape that is reminiscent of an aircraft-wing. It caught the imagination, as did the internal layout. But does the Breckenridge promise more than it can deliver?

I am happy to report that this tent is rather good. The hefty, bulky roller bag makes easy work of transporting your tent from car to pitch, but it does imply that this is going to be a bit of a pig to pitch. Surprisingly, two people can easily manage and one experienced camper could do it at a pinch - if they have the necessary strength and weight. Do not believe me? Then just watch the video.

Once up, stand back and admire the tent's sweeping lines. The main door with its extended porch, is located on the side of the tent. The side doors are located where the front and back would normally be. Mesh doors back these so that you can enjoy the fresh air while keeping out the bugs.

Above each side door sits a large vent. These are protected by a storm flaps that guy out - these guys help keep the tent upright.

You will find a window each side of the main door. These are topped by a mesh vent that is protected by a storm flap held in shape by a flexible pole. Three such vents also sit at the back of the tent - these use a similar arrangement of poles to keep them open.

The Breckenridge has a sewn-in groundsheet to the outer tent. The groundsheet is kept up at the doors by toggles so it can be released and laid flat for easy cleaning.

Inside, the three separate sleeping compartments are located across the far side of the tent. These clip into place and use the minimum of pegs that are pushed into the ground through eyelets provided in the groundsheet.

The centre bedroom has three hanging pockets on each side. The inners are entered via half moon mesh doors that have a modesty door behind.
There is an entry point for an electric hook-up cable by the front door.


Highs and Lows

The Breckenridge is a nice family tent. There is plenty of room in that long living area for the kids to play if it is wet outside. The vents provide plenty of fresh air to help remove condensation and keep things fresh. The tent certainly feels light and airy - as one would expect given the colour, windows and a large roof light that can be shut off using a toggle-up curtain.

The curtain arrangement used on the main windows is rather neat. There are two per window. The main curtain closes off the window while leaving the mesh open. If there is too much of a draft then this can also be closed off using a smaller drop-down curtain.

There is little to dislike about the Breckenridge except for two gripes. The poles join together using profiled male/female connections. These can wear with time, making assembly harder. And small caps protect the outer fabric from the ends of the window poles - some of these are hard to locate and could come off with disastrous results. However, Vango assures us that the company has been using this type of pole and the window arrangement for some time without a problem. CG

CONTACT:

AMG Outdoor
Tel: 01475 746000
www.vango.co.uk



This tent review was published in the September 2007 issue of Camping magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.



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