Gelert Newland 3 Tent Review

A cost effective option for couples car camping

Bought for £70 in sale

There are three typical stages in a campers life and these very much shape tent choice.

Stage 1, encompassing anybody young, skint and possibly using public transport (therefore carrying the tent) encourages a lightweight and cramped choice. Sure you look around the campsite and everyone looks more comfortable. You don't care though, at this stage to be in striking distance of a cheap pub is enough.

Stage 2, happy couples, is represented by a more civilised camping experience. Tired of crawling in and out of your pit, especially in long dewey grass, you yearn a bit more comfort. Ideally a big enough porch to fit a few friends and share a bottle of wine. Sure you. look around the campsite and lots of people look more comfortable. You don't care though, at this stage to be in striking distance of a nice pub is enough.

Stage 3. Think tables chairs and tents with seperate wings for the whole family. Well sod the pub you're in a home away from home.

Stage 2 is where tents like the Gelert Newlands 3 come in. Three person rated although well sized for two with plenty of storage. The Newlands 3 is a three pole tunnel design. Tunnel tents traditionally offer ease of erection and good internal space. The compromise comes from lack of free standing ability and strength in strong winds, depending on solid pegging for structural stability. Neither huge problems for most British style camping. Generous and well thought out guylines on the Gelert ensure well pegged out it will withstand most weather.

Another positive of the design helping you put the Newlands 3 up quickly is an inbuilt fly construction. This means the tent goes up in one piece, better in both wet weather and for speed. Poles are colour coded and simply slide into 3 sleeves on the tent with simple peg connectors at either end.

Poles are probably the most obvious area where the Newlands low cost pricing has a negative influence. These are of fibreglass construction, as befits most cheaper tents, with a penalty of weight and also ease in which the poles can be threaded. The stainless pole connectors occasionally snagging slightly.

The main tent itself is well thought out, with standard features such as a bathtub groundsheet, in sleeping section, and mosquito netting. The well sized porch features a groundsheet which is not sewn in, useful for ventilation although obviously slightly less dry.

All in all over several trips in a variety of places from Cornwall to Wales the Gelert Newlands 3 has aquitted itself well. Keeping the weather at bay and proving low hassle to put up and down. The tent represents a good value choice for budget minded occasional car camper. Those seeking frequent use, on a long trip or considering carrying the tent would be advised to splash out a little more on something with alloy poles. 

Pro's
Good value
Easy to erect
Stable and weatherproof
Roomy for two

Cons
Heavy
Fibreglass poles

Value for money: 8/10
Performance: 7/10