Force Ten MK 5 Standard

Solid, strong, roomy, east to erect base camp tent. Heavy and bulky for one person, however as 4 person tent, can be split between 2 or 3 to carry. I used vango force 10 around 25 years ago taking my sons camping and climbing in wales. Looking forward to doing same with my grand children.

This tent is a beauty and I have been using for a number of years now (along with the smaller sizes of the same model). If you are worried about the outer shell fading, use for about month in wet conditions and then spray it lightly with cotton waterproofer with UV protection. This tent is an absolute rolls-royce and will handle any weather that can be chucked at it. No more freezing cold mornings in winter of being boiled alive in summer (due to a nylon tent getting too hot). It might certainly not be the lightest but the load can be split between 3 or 4. Nearly every mountaineer knows what a force 10 classic is. Clean inner material with vanish and (both sides) don't scrub the Water repellency off, and rinse off. If you have scrubbed any off it can be put back by using nikwax DWR. You will most likely find that it will be the only tent that you trust; it has been used in everest expeditions and the Sherpas hold them in the highest regard and still use them to this day (from many of them being left behind from previous expeditions) due to them being "bombproof" and super reliable.

This tent (and indeed the whole Force 10 range) is an archetype hard to beat. It's simple and with low tech design and materials, but works so well. It really does handle any weather you can throw at it and doesn't leak from above or up through the substantial groundsheet. Likewise, the simple A frame poles and ridge pole reinforced by the flysheet pegged virtually down to the ground will withstand virtually any form of wind or gale. The breathability of the combined cotton inner and fly sheet is a joy to experience, particularly on those hot mornings when the clammy humidity of a nylon tent would force you up and out of it - in this tent you can lie in! Yes, it is a heavy beast, but for car-based/standing camping I don't think you can beat it. Mine's 18 years old and still going strong. The flysheet gets the UV, so you might need to replace that after say 25 years but easily replaceable and not a bad innings I'd say! Highly recommended!

This tent is reliable and good in bad weather as it is sturdy and will not let you down. I have had mine for over 40 years, but admit have not used it for awhile, sleeps 4 to 5 people. I want to do a bit of camping with it again. I used it after a long day mountain climbing for weekends or a week or more and touring.Though it has not fibre glass poles, the A poles are supported well and not like the the old frame tents where the wind was a problem as it is designed to cope to with very strong winds of force 10, so I was told hence the name Force 10 mk 5. made by Vango.The tents were used in the early days of getting to the top of Everest. I highly recommend the tent. It has been around a long time because it is so good. You can get an extension for it or at least you used to.

my previous purchase of this tent lasted 22years and was used and abused on many a camping trip initially when motorcycling. it was reproofed three or four times and only eventually died when my brother borrowed it. he used it for a two week camping tour with a mate in france, then lended it to another friend who had jammy fingers on the inner, and didn't tell anyone, £120 was too much for a new inner, so a new one was purchased. excellent tent, will not disappoint, and will stand up to sever weather! not like some other tents. canvas also breathes in hot weather!

A first class tent for any conditions. I have had mine for a few years spending at least three months under canvas every year all over the continent. The only drawbacks are sun fading the material & the rubber tension bands becoming worn which you can expect both with normal wear & tear. I would recommend this tent to anyone who is thinking about camping for a number of years,it is a worthwhile investment.