When it comes to embracing the great outdoors, nothing quite compares to the freedom of wild Camping. But to make the most of this liberating experience, you need the right gear. In this post, we’ll guide you through the best wild camping tents you can snag for under £150.
What is Wild Camping?
Wild camping is the act of setting up camp outside of designated camping areas, often in remote locations. In the UK, wild camping is particularly popular in Scotland, where it’s generally legal, and in parts of England and Wales where you can camp with the landowner’s permission. The allure of wild camping lies in its promise of solitude, adventure, and a closer connection to nature.
What Makes a Good Wild Camping Tent?
When choosing a tent for wild camping, there are several factors to consider. The tent should be lightweight for easy transportation, waterproof to withstand the unpredictable British weather, easily packed into a small size, and easy to pitch, especially if you arrive at your campsite late in the day.
The Best Wild Camping Tents Under £150
OEX Hyena II
- Weight: 3kg
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 5000
- Pack Size 50x15cm
The OEX Hyena II is a budget-friendly tent that’s perfect for someone new to wild camping or camping at campsites. Despite its affordability, the tent is made from quality materials designed to withstand most UK weather conditions.
Weighing in at 3kg, the OEX Hyena II is more suited for quick overnight trips or camping where you don’t have to carry it far. It’s designed for easy setup, with colour-coded poles and clear instructions. One person can set it up in around 10-15 minutes.
With a hydrostatic head rating of 5000mm, the OEX Hyena II is designed to handle heavy rain. Its tunnel design with two poles provides stability in windy conditions, although it’s not recommended for extremely windy or mountainous areas.
The tent has a good ventilation system with two large vents at the front and rear, as well as a mesh panel in the inner tent to keep insects out.
The tent features a fairly large vestibule at the front for additional storage space and comes with pockets and loops inside for small items like phones and torches.
The OEX Hyena II offers excellent value for money, especially for beginners or those who don’t plan on venturing into extreme conditions. It’s a reliable and practical choice for basic camping trips.
Best For: Beginners on a budget
- Buy from Go Outdoors
- Buy from Millets
Vango Banshee 200
- Weight:2.4kg
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 3000
- Pack Size 47x18cm
The Vango Banshee 200 is a 2-man tent that’s ideal for trekking and wild camping in remote locations. It’s part of the DofE recommended kit and offers a fantastic space-to-weight ratio.
No list of the best wild camping tents would be complete without this one. The Vango Banshee 200 has been a popular tent for wild campers for many years and is known for its durability and weather resistance. It’s designed to perform well in adverse conditions, and thanks to the TBS II Tension Band System, the tent is especially stable in strong, changeable winds.
Weighing just 2.4kg, this tent is a lightweight option that can be pitched quickly—in just 7 minutes, making it a great choice for those who want to set up in a hurry.
Priced at £150, the Vango Banshee 200 offers excellent value for money. It’s a reliable and practical choice for those who are into trekking and wild camping, particularly in challenging conditions.
Best For: Those looking for a solid all-rounder.
- Buy from Go Outdoors
- Buy from Amazon
OEX Phoxx 1
- Weight: 1.58kg
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 5000
- Pack Size 31x14cm
The OEX Phoxx 1 is a one-person backpacking tent that offers incredible value for those on a tight budget. It’s particularly well-suited for long-distance backpacking and wild camping.
The tent features a PE groundsheet that is notably tough. While it may not be as light or intricately crafted as some high-end tents, its build quality is surprisingly good for a budget tent.
Weighing just 1.58kg, the Phoxx 1 is a lightweight option that’s ideal for solo adventurers. The tent is small and comparable to a Bivvy Bag, making it perfect for minimalists.
The tent’s low profile allows for pitching in fairly exposed areas. The tent has been tested in some pretty nasty weather, including high winds and heavy rain, and has proven to be reliable.
The tent is a tight squeeze but can accommodate both a person and their gear, especially if you’re under 6 feet tall. A small pack will fit inside with you; anything larger needs to be in the tiny vestibule.
The OEX Phoxx 1 offers incredible value for money. It’s a durable and stable option that’s forgiving in windy conditions, making it a good choice for those new to long-distance backpacking and wild camping.
Best For: Budget-Friendly Backpacking
- Buy from Go Outdoors
- Buy from Millets
Vango Scafell 200
- Weight: 2.5kg
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 3000
- Pack Size 48x16cm
The Vango Scafell 200 is a 2-man tent that’s quick and simple to pitch, making it a favourite for those looking to set up camp quickly. It’s also part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Recommended Kit, adding to its credibility.
The tent features a 70D 6000mm HH Polyester Groundsheet, which is waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. All flysheet and groundsheet seams are factory taped, ensuring a watertight seal.
The tent comes with a breathable polyester inner that allows condensation to pass through, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep. It also has a part mesh inner door for ventilation while keeping bugs out.
The tent features a fast pack tent bag with an oversized opening for easy packing, and compression straps to control pack size. It’s also fire retardant, exceeding European EN5912 safety standards.
The Vango Scafell 200 offers an exceptional space-to-weight ratio and is quick to pitch, making it a solid choice for those who want to make the most of their time outdoors.
Best For: Comfort and versatility
- Buy from Ellis Brigham
- Buy from Amazon
Alpkit Soloist
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 3000
- Pack Size 42x12cm
The Alpkit Soloist is an ultralight, 1-person backpacking tent designed for multi-day trips and extended bikepacking tours. It’s a top choice for solo adventurers looking for a lightweight and compact shelter.
The Soloist is made from lightweight fabric and features a hubbed central pole for quick pitching. Its semi-geodesic structure adds extra stability in bad weather conditions.
Weighing just 1.2kg, the Soloist is one of the lightest tents on our list of the best wild camping tents and it’s designed to be compact and easy to carry.
The tent offers room to sit up or get changed and has a large porch for storing muddy kit. It can be pitched inner-only or with a flysheet and footprint together to save even more weight.
The Alpkit Soloist offers excellent value for money. It’s a reliable and practical choice for those who are into trekking and wild camping, particularly when weight and pack size are crucial.
Best For: Multi-day adventures
- Buy from Alpkit
- Buy from Amazon
Alpkit Elan
- Weight: 900g
- Waterproof Rating (HH) 10,000
- Pack Size 39x11cm
The Alpkit Elan is not your typical tent; it’s a hooped bivvy bag. This unique piece of gear offers the best of both worlds: it’s more waterproof than a standard bivvy bag and more packable than a tent. Weighing in at less than 1kg, it’s the lightest option on our list. The Elan is inspired by military-style bivouacs and features a crossed-pole design that is free-standing, quick to pitch, and stable in strong winds.
What is a Hooped Bivvy Bag?
A hooped bivvy bag is essentially a bivvy bag with a small, hooped pole that creates a canopy over the head area. This design provides more comfort and better protection from the elements compared to a standard bivvy bag. It’s an excellent choice for those who want the minimalism of a bivvy but with added features for comfort.
The Elan’s wet weather performance is close to that of a tent flysheet, thanks to its impressive 10,000 HH waterproof rating. It’s made from tough 70D nylon, making it more durable than the material used in ultralight backpacking tents. If you’re looking for a lightweight, packable, and highly waterproof option, the Alpkit Elan is bivvying at its best and that’s why it makes it onto our list of the best wild camping tents.
Best For: Ultra-light adventures
- Buy from Alpkit
- Buy from Amazon
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