We put the Phoxx 2 through our rigorous testing criteria to evaluate it's overall performance and functionality, design and construction, our own user experience and value for money and overall, the Phoxx 2 excelled across the board given the rain and windy conditions we pitched in, giving them a 4 out of 5 fireside rating. We consider how easy it is to get into and out of the main entrances and sleeping compartments, how bright and roomy the living spaces are, and if we consider there to be enough room for the number of people intended to sleep in the tent. 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.

We inspect the interiors of the tents during and after testing to see how each fares against the elements. Some tents manage to stay firm, but others blow over and even have puddles in the sleeping compartments. You'll want to ensure your tent footprint is the same size as the tent you're pitching – several manufacturers sell footprints specifically to fit certain tent models. 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 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

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. 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 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 🔥🔥🔥🔥

A well-ventilated tent will make for a more comfortable, condensation-free camping experience, and well-positioned vent panels and doors with fly screens allow for the free flow of air while keeping bugs out of your sleeping space. 4) Indoor space and flexible sleeping compartments

Watch first look video

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. However, both Nathan and myself were quite impressed by this free standing tent, it was light, yet robust. It was easy to put up, and we even figured a way of setting it up like a tarp shelter (something that we still haven’t got around to testing on the trail yet) to reduce weight even further. It’s probably a little on the tight size for two men to share, but a nice size for one man and his gear at a reasonable weight and cost. 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. 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:

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. 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. 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 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 windowsThe tent's design, while cosy, might feel a bit snug for taller campers or if you have a lot of gear. Nevertheless, for its price point, it offers solid performance. Design and Construction 🔥🔥🔥🔥 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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! Th e Cloud Peak from Naturehike was a tent that I wanted to test for such a long time. It had a stronger design, having three poles which cross over each other to create a strong geodesic structure that can stand up against the winds.Tents with rigid poles made of stainless steel or aluminium are for building a rigid frame that will keep your tent sturdy in the wind. They can be heavier and more cumbersome to pitch, though. You can also get hold of the Lanshan 1 Pro, the slightly smaller one man version – although this will require seam sealing before you take it out. Once the tents are up, we closely inspect the interior of each one and rate them on how likely campers are to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience that meets their needs. Note – this isn’t really a review as such – this is more a spec comparison, so you can see the key differences between the two tents.