The Night Cat UL 1P shelter? Hated it, so I bailed. Re-pitched 24hrs later with the Vango Hydra 200.

Well, this is a first - bailing from a camp because I hated the tent.....
mind I'll not be called a quitter - so I returned to the same spot, next night, with a more liveable sized tent.
Wild Camping Northumberland, up near Alnwick.
Tents Used:
DVS - Night Cat Ultralight 1P shelter
Vango Hydra 200

[@donnavansenior]

If anyone would like to support the channel they can at: www.buymeacoffee.com/donnavansenior Thank You Xx

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

I really enjoyed this lovely video with my breakfast🥞fan debs xx.........

[@donnavansenior]

Good to hear Debs, thank you😊 xx

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

@@donnavansenior my pleasure you have a lovely channel debs xx

[@DaveandBuddyOutdoors]

Fair play for you giving the tent a go, and double fair play for your honest opinion of it, wish more wild campers would do the same re: highlighting negative aspects (atleast for them), some I've seen are nothing but an extended/glorified advert for the makers. The "you're touching mesh" had me rolling 🤣🤣 (perhaps more than it should) You never fail showing your joy (or non-joy as it were, in a part of this case) at being outdoors, it's always a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing. Take care All the best, Dave (and Buddy the doggo)

[@donnavansenior]

Lovely comment and much appreciated, thanks Dave (and Buddy the doggo). I'll always be honest about tents and stuff - like you say, there are other people out there giving biased reviews in return for free products. I love a free product, who doesn't? But if I don't like something I'll always say so and explain why. I even offered to send the tent back to Night Cat 🤣 I've had a few other tents where I've been touching mesh over the years 🙄 but nothing as severe as this one 🤣 Thanks you two, always good to hear from ya's X

[@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES]

Hi DVS 👋..... fair play to ya....they aren't everyone's cuppa. I like mine and think I'll use it on WHW... gotta sat tho I'm used to the CP2 which is a Palace as u know so think the NC is a multi day hike Tent not a chill oot up a hill in the rain tent 🤣🤣🤣.... pleased the hydra came tothe rescue. Lush vud xx

[@donnavansenior]

If I was doing a multi-day hike I'd want a bigger shelter for overnight - a bit of space to dry stuff out, get changed and relax in after a hard day - probably battling hoards of killer midges so the mesh door might have to be zipped up etc. There's literally no space in this wee thing, no liveable space whatsoever. Nope, defo not the tent for me - I'm the same as you Simon, I've always favoured and enjoyed using a 2p tent. I have a trekking pole 1P shelter - similar weight, but it's waay bigger than this teeny tiny pyramid coffin. Hurrah for the Hydra the next night lol xx

[@sassyshewolf2784]

Aww I would feel clostrophobic in there.... you did the right thing Donna xx

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah, no chance I could have endured that small space overnight Sassy - getting out for the loo would have been a nightmare. I have another 1P trekking pole shelter, but it's waay bigger than this wee thing. I was so pleased I bailed xx

[@sassyshewolf2784]

@@donnavansenior me n dave fancy a van like ...... its hard camping atm the way he is .... if he ever gets this heart fixed things might improve xx we camp vicariously through you 🤗😘 love watching ya videos xxx

[@donnavansenior]

@@sassyshewolf2784 Get a van - if you can afford to buy one you'll not regret it, it's instant freedom, fresh air, adventure and what's not to like about that? Big hugs you guys, you deserve a huge stretch of good luck and health. Xxx

[@sassyshewolf2784]

@@donnavansenior ❤️❤️❤️ one day hopefully xxx

[@emz_adventure]

Fair play to you donna for trying it and giving your honest review on it. I like mine. But id only use it to do long trails. I prefer my msr. Even my elixir 1 gets rolo in it. He wouldnt get in the nightcat. Glad to see you out the next night xxx

[@donnavansenior]

Ey-up Emz 😁 ah man I thought I'd love this tent, but the practicality of it - especially for someone who's more used to 2p tents - the practicality of it was non-existent. Struggled to get in, get out, head height was crappy and even turning over on my mat in my bag was like something off a Japanese Game Show - it's a cruel cruel tent lol and the thought of having to get up at least twice overnight for the toilet tipped me over the edge 🤣🤣 Nope, defo not a tent I'd enjoy using - even on a thousand mile hike I'd rather carry 200-300g more weight and have a comfy spacious tent xxx

[@BorderRambler]

Not everyone’s cuppa tea Donna , always enjoyed using my Lanshan but a time and a place . I’m guessing they won’t be sending more your way 😂😂😂😂 for review . Atb Dave ⛺️👍

[@donnavansenior]

Nope, I guess that'll be my last gifted Night Cat product Dave 🙄🤣🤣 Definitely not my cup of tea - and if I was planning on using an ultralight set-up there's no chance I'd choose a tent this small and cramped. There's loads more options out there. Options with more space. Options that won't have me raging 🤣

[@antonia4722]

Hey Donna.. I dont think I would ever bother with a 1 man tent. No room! I really like Vango tents and have always had them. I have a Nevis 200 now and have been looking for a Hydra 200. Vango offer really excellent value for money with great customer service. Really love that you say exactly what you think pet. A rare commodity these days! Oh..and there is absolutely no sound like rain on a tent! xx

[@donnavansenior]

Have a look at a website called campingrecycled.co.uk - it's Vango's 2nd life tent page, most are refurbished and all have a 12 month warranty. I saw a couple of Hydra 200's on there recently for a good price. That Hydra is a great tent :) Unlike this Night Cat ul1 person shelter (I won't call it a tent) which was an absolute coffin - but because a lot of people got them for free to review no-one really complained about them - apart from me 😂😂

[@antonia4722]

@@donnavansenior OMG! Thanks so much Donna..just got it for £111 🥳🥳🥳xx Just watching your Q&A! 😊

[@donnavansenior]

@@antonia4722 YeY!!! Woohoo!! That's a great price for a Hydra, it's a rock solid tent, congrats on your new abode lol X

[@normanscout1864]

That's the first time I've seen you full of hell 😢, there's nowt worse when you're not happy with your kit , that's when carrying a tarp and a hammock comes in handy but pleased you ended up happy as always with a decent tent ⛺️ with plenty of room great scenery just a shame about the rain but ha ho that's camping enjoyable video Donna thanks for sharing X❤X😊

[@999shaznay]

She was absolutely livid, wasn't she!! That's the baggiest tent I've ever seen - utter shambolic! 🤣

[@donnavansenior]

Hahaha - aye, I was raging Norman! 🤣But I'd been wise enough to choose a pitch that wasn't mega-miles in because it was my first camp with it. I'd have been frothing at the mouth if I'd had to spend the night in it. It's just not my type of tent, and my gear would have gotten wet overnight. I have other shelters of a similar weight, but they're a lot more liveable. And I'd never have the courage to tarp camp - I've got this fear of fat slugs and they always seem to scout me out and slither up the outsides of my tents. Aaargh! 😬😬 Loved the sound of rain on the tent though Norman, for me that's a priceless sound, relaxing and stress-relieving. I'd had a bit of a crappy week at work so needed this camp to chill out and just breathe xx

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah I was raging Sharon pmsl. I'd had a shit week at work & had bobbed a half hours holiday in just to escape earlier at 6pm, drive to Northumberland and get pitched before dark. The tent inner was all flappy because it was unzipped, otherwise it wasn't too bad when it was zipped up, but I'd still have touched cloth with my gear. It's a teeny tiny nasty pyramid coffin. Nope, not for me lol

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

One Down Donna👍 (The Pennine Trip) so onwards and upwards. Now this one is unusual for You as you Bail very rarely unless it’s Severe Weather related but never Drink,food,Transport,The Walk in🙏 So for it to be For a Tent it must be A Dismal Design and Quality must be Sub Par for Donna to sling her hook 🙈 Good job Johnny Lingo was on hand.Biiiig Thumbs up as always Miss D and always a thumbs up for every commenter to help the Algorithm👍 it seems only fitting👍

[@donnavansenior]

You sir have been in my thoughts recently - I was thinking I hadn't heard from you in a while & was hoping everything was well with you after your achilles issues and surgery. How's things Neil? Hope all's well 😊 But yeah - as regards to the vid, the tent was just too blinking small and draughty and I wasn't enjoying using it. I'd had a frustrating crappy week at work so for this to happen on my precious days off was like a kick in the teeth. I hate this tent. It's actually very well made, it's the same quality and design as the Lanshan 1, but it's not a tent I would ever want to use overnight. Barbie's Coffin. lol Hoping to sort out a giveaway for it in the next week or so. Ace to hear from you Neil, ciao for now X

[@raspberryleaf3741]

Oh dear. I feel the same way about the Bobcat. Flipping hated it. I felt like I was suffocating. No more 1 person tents. Your second tent is nice though. 😊

[@donnavansenior]

Yip - no more one person tents for me either Jeanette - but I do have one I won't be getting rid of (my Summit Star by KUIU - it's hods bigger than this Night Cat, the same weight, and it's a trekking pole tent). I saw Llama Annie's Bobcat and knew it would be no good for me, but the little thing will take a beating in a storm! Too claustrophobic for me, I'll always be willing to carry extra weight for a comfortable tent set-up X

[@Greenmanure62]

​@@donnavanseniorYes the Bobcat is fairly bomb proof, and well made, but too small. Plus the inner just flaps in your face. Not great for winter camps when more time is spent in tent. It might be better without the inner?

[@phil.clarke]

Seeing the conditions you face I am thinking that perhaps you should borrow my Black Label Soulo! As always, awesome video Donna.

[@donnavansenior]

Hahaha, trust you Phil 🤣 the weather wasn't bad, maybe a tad chilly with a 10mph breeze max, it was the size and liveability of the tent that got me, plus the J zip was an absolute nightmare. Hope you spotted your shout out. Cheers Phil 😎

[@jimmyhumble8182]

Can't beat Vango I bought my torridon after watching one of your vids it's perfect owa lass loves it 😊

[@donnavansenior]

I wish I still had my Torridon Jimmy 😪 it's a brilliant tent and well worth carrying a few hundred extra grams for all that space and stability (plus I loved the little windows 🤣). Keep a hold of it, they very rarely come on the 2nd hand market 👍🏕

[@angelagraham9378]

Oh bless you lass. Hate to see you unhappy in a tent as I know it’s what you live for. Pleased you had a back up and a good second night ❤️

[@donnavansenior]

I know - I was gutted that first night, I was so desperate to squeeze 2 camps in I even put a half hours holiday in at work to get off a bit sharper at 6pm 😢 Night 2 ended up being a Plan B due to the weather nearer the border, but it was better than no plan. X

[@craig3401]

Tbh I really don't like them I suppose it's fine if your doing mega miles and only want a very light basic shelter

[@donnavansenior]

My sentiments exactly Craig. Even if I was doing mega miles I'd want a tent to relax in after a hard day on the trail...not a tent I had to prise myself into. Plenty other options out there.

[@djsiimz]

Nice one Donna can't whack a vango haha flaps your mad woman👍👍😂

[@donnavansenior]

Vango tents rock - flaps an' all 🤣 That Vango tent cost me £104 a couple of years ago brand new. Yip, it's nowhere near 'ultralight' but at 2.4kg it's not so bad and packs down nice and tidy if you remove the inner. Cheers Siimz - have you been following Chrissy Bell's progress from Lands End to JOG? The lads doing amazing, a Forest Hall legend!

[@Kev_Russ]

I must admit, I've no used ma Lanshan 1 for a while. Maybe for really good conditions where am walking a long distance. Love ma pyramid much more.

[@donnavansenior]

Maybe, just maybe - if I was hiking 100 miles over 10 days in perfect conditions (I'm not as fit as you 🙄) with zero wind, no rain and the temperatures were ideal overnight so I could have a lightweight, thin bag, and if someone popped by every night with a crisp £50 note and a 10" margherita pizza and 4 beers to entice me in, then maybe I might use it. But I can't really see that happening 🤣🤣

[@MiriamKennedy]

Great stuff Donna! I’ve also only bailed on a camp once - I bought a Lanshan Pro and I hated it…I spent an hour or two in the tent freaked out about my Rab sleeping bag getting soaked. Like you, it just wasn’t for me!! I felt the same as you - first impressions were so good and I wanted to love it, but I hated it!! Another KZbin-er friend bought it off me as he’s a Lanshan fan. The single skin of the Lanshan Pro was the real killer for me. As you know I now have an X-Mid 1 and again I struggle with the narrow inner - I can sleep in it but I do prefer the space of two person tents. It’s such a pleasure!! I was away again in my X-Mid 1 at the weekend, I’m not worried about my stuff getting wet and I’ve plenty of sit-up height but I miss the spaciousness in the inner…I’ve realised that I’m too attached to my X-Mid 1 to sell it though - it does serve a purpose for me when I want a really light shelter!! I may have to buy tent number 5 and get an X-Mid 2 though 😂 Glad you got your tent pleasure on night 2 😎

[@donnavansenior]

Woohoo!! Another person with the same issues - great to hear that Miriam, but obviously gutted that you had to bail that night lol. We only get so many camping nights on Planet Earth, so to have one cruelly snatched away by a tiny tent intent (see what I did there? 🙄) on soaking your gear is really frustrating. I love my REI bag, no chance I was gonna risk it getting wet when I was out for 2 nights. The X-Mid is a really clever design, plus you can fit your Bromptom in the 'bule, so it's ideal for your lightweight needs, but I'm a sucker for a tent with more space, which usually means a 2P version - I love the luxury of 2 doors and room to spread out my gear, or room to alter my sleeping position if there's a stray lump under the groundsheet. Only 4 tents at the moment Miriam?? Definitely plenty of room for no.5 haha. One can never have too many tents - one needs a tent for every occasion 🤣 I'm missing a stealthy coloured 2 -doored sub 1.5kg tent but I'm unsure what the answer is....the search continues. Get that X-Mid 2 bought 😁⛺💚 Looking forward to seeing your next vid X

[@MiriamKennedy]

@@donnavansenior 😂😂 I might just take on your advice!!

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Hi Donna I have a lanchan one and 2 I'm 5ft 10 I will be honest I've only used the lanchan 1 a few time's ye it's small but not had that much bother with it but I do prefer more room so I normally use a small tarp to make a porch works a treat but I do prefer a good two person tent when I'm not in the woods atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@donnavansenior]

The Lanshan 2 has good liveability Jimmy and I'm sure it isn't much heavier than the Lanshan 1 (a quick Google is saying 225g heavier?) This Night Cat is not the tent for me, even if I was hiking a thousand miles I'd choose something a bit larger. There are so many other options out there these days for ultralight set-ups, no-one should have to be confined to tiny spaces like those, it's just cruel 🤣🤣 Cheers Jimmy atb Donna :)

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

@@donnavansenior I would rather carry a heavier tent if there's more room 😉

[@MarkSweeting_]

Totally agree about sound of rain in a tent. Glad you got happy in the end 👍😁🍻

[@donnavansenior]

Shit shifts at work mean every second counts for me on my days off. That rain on the 2nd night totally calmed me down, sometimes I look forward to rainy camps just for the sound 💚 cheers Mark 😁

[@chrisk3488]

Blimey! You looked proper upset. glad you recovered.

[@donnavansenior]

I'd had a really frustrating week at work and was desperate for my days off - finished work 6pm on Saturday, drove straight up to Northumberland, hiked up a hill and pitched up round about 8pm. Within an hour a knew my night was ruined because the tent wasn't suitable for me. It's a well made tent, but once I put a rucksack, sleep mat and down bag in, that was it, it was full - no room for manoeuvre and the j-zip made entry and exit hard work. I was so pleased I decided to bail. Cheers Chris ⛺

[@Mickoutdoors]

Omg !!! This was exactly my experience with my lanshan 1, it's so uncomfortable and the condensation was horrendous!! And that j door is a nightmare, just trying to get out for a pee was a total mission in itself 😅😅 same as you used once doubt it'll see me in it again, least you got yours gifted I spent 150 on mine 🙈🙈🤣🤣 great video though as always 😊

[@donnavansenior]

Hurrah!! Someone else has had the same issues as me! Cheers Mick 😁 I'm sure sometimes products like these are a bit like the Emperors New Clothes - everyone knows there's issues with them but no-one really says anything. All I ever heard was great things about the Lanshan - this Night Cat is a carbon copy and it's a well made tent, but it was so cramped and unliveable - even just for one night. Totally agree about the toilet situation, I'm usually up twice a night & it would have been a nightmare getting in and out of that J-door Cheers Mick :)

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@donnavansenior I'm just sad it had to be me 🤣🤣

[@donnavansenior]

@@Mickoutdoors 🤣🤣

[@hedgerowsandzeros]

Yey!! Thanks for the shout out Donna, I can tell a few people I do have my uses now. I like that Hydra and it's old skewl limpety goodness 👍

[@donnavansenior]

I flipping love my Hydra - and you're welcome regarding the shout out😊 thanks to you, reminding me I had it in the Lingo, well that saved the day on Sunday 🏆⛺ If you can find a cheap one it's a great tent Graham.

[@thewatchman6074]

I learned many moons ago, that a great camping experience depends entirely on the tent you are in. There's no enjoyment in being couped up in a glorified bin bag liner for 12 to 15 hours if you can't move about or stash your gear. Give me a solid, warm, wind and weather proof tent any day, even if it weighs a kilo more.

[@donnavansenior]

100% in agreement with you @thewatchman6074 I go out to enjoy camping not endure it, and this tent was ridiculously small, I got in quite a strop with it ha-ha. Lots of people were gifted this tent to review, myself included, but I'll always tell the truth about my experiences with the tents I use - funnily enough Night Cat haven't offered me anymore items to review 🙄😂😂

[@thescottster5057]

Oh Donna you Tease me on this one! But we'll not go there this time, you could tell thing's weren't going well from the off, but you were back the next night kicking ass 😊 Good that you were able to talk with llama Annie, I think if you ever write your autobiography would it be called "hats, flaps, and chats" I like the idea of reviewing cider's, (I see what you've done there)😂 But I think you should market it like Vivian off the young one's would "Buy me a cider ya Bastard" 🍺🤣 There I've said it! keep on keeping on 🎶💕

[@donnavansenior]

Hats, Flaps and Chats - where's the tenty bits?? haha. Aw Scotty, good to hear from you, always is. The cider reviewing is obviously a very high pressure job, I nearly cut that bit out f the vid because I sounded like a tramp begging for Special Brews 🤣 But tbh I think you've nailed the advertising slogan and I can see the t-shirts being printed and hung for sale down the Kings Road (or doon the Quayside, next to that bloke who sold the jumping beans and magic tricks from a wooden box hung round his neck) "Buy me a cider ya Bastard!" I can't believe it's not been a Viz character yet 🤣🤣💚

[@sarahblakemore2559]

Hi Donna. Another great video! But oh you did look very unhappy in 1st half!! Looks like bailing was a sensible decision. It is horses for courses though isn't it with v lightweight trekking pole tents. I've got a tarptent notch which is definitely coffin-like but it it is a cracking tent for multi night trips or if you had a very long walk into camp. But more spacious inside as uses 2 poles and not a pyramid. Thanks for posting. Cheers!

[@donnavansenior]

I like the Tarptents Sarah, but I doubt I'll ever own one, I'd go for a Scarp if I did 😁 I like the design of the Notch though, it's a quality piece of kit👍 Personally I'd be quite content carrying a few hundred extra grammes for decent space to live in. There are many choices round the 1kg - 1.5kg mark, yip they're mostly expensive, but for me I'd class it as an investment. That Mountain Star I was out in last week (vid before this one) comes in at 1.4kg for the fly, poles and inner. Twin doored and plenty of space. I flipping adore it! 💚⛺ I wasn't expecting this Night Cat tent to be as cramped tbh - defo not a tent I'd ever enjoy using, be it local or for longer hikes. Cheers Sarah, TFW :)

[@sarahblakemore2559]

Ah yes, I do have a scarp one as well. Which is lovely and my favourite tent if not bothered about weight. It also has to be the biggest one person tent ever. Does weigh almost twice what the notch does though!

[@donnavansenior]

@@sarahblakemore2559 Yeah, I watch a lot of Robin's video's - Walk With Wallace - and I'm always loving the look of his Scarp, it looks a fantastic size & there's a lot of KZbinrs use them in some pretty serious conditions. A great tent.

[@clarewheatley6514]

Love your honesty. Great tent for someone, not me though. Found that out very early on. I fidget :D

[@donnavansenior]

How anyone could enjoy using this tent is beyond me. Now forever known as 'Barbie's Coffin' 🤣🤣

[@clarewheatley6514]

@@donnavansenior 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pauledwards499]

Good video, no way would I have slept in that in those circumstances. I have a Lanshan 1 and that's as confined as i'll go, although not great if stuck inside in heavy rain but it does a good job and is quite roomy compared to that Cat thing. Shame you had to bail but that vango looks great!

[@donnavansenior]

The Night Cat and Lanshan 1 are the same tent - Night Cat has permission to sell it re-branded under their logo, maybe 3F UL had excess stock, or leased the design out, who knows? Once I got my rucksack in (it was an Exos 48) and my Etherlite XT with a down bag on top, that was it the tent was full to the brim 😬🤣 and that small J-door was an absolute nightmare with the trekking pole being snug up to it. Definitely not the tent for me. It's a shame because initial impressions were very favourable and the quality of the tent is really good. The Hydra is another one of Vango's bombproof budget range, I paid just over £100 for that a few years ago & it's a great tent - comes in at around 2.5kg if I remember correctly (it's not 3kg as stated on some websites), so not too bad. TFW Paul :)

[@pauledwards499]

@@donnavansenior I didn't realise they were the same tent. When i pitch my Lanshan I use a trekking pole each end or a stick to tie the guy line too, then pull it tight and peg it, it raises the ends and gives a lot more head room. They're a pain in the arse to get right though, no good in a hurry. Those Vango's are brilliant tents, had one a while ago. People criticise the weight but that can be made up for with lightweight cooking kit etc, much cheaper than an ultralight tent. Looking forward to your next adventure Donna :)

[@donnavansenior]

@@pauledwards499 I had one hiking pole as the main support and my other pole had the rear of the tent guyed round it & pulled out away from the inner. I've seen Llama Annie pitch her Lanshan so I knew how to pitch one, in fact I was quite chuffed with how well I'd pitched it, everything seemed nice and taut and the inner was just about perfect, I think I was just under 130cm. You're right, they're a pain in the ass lol, but I love playing with tents so I'd quite enjoyed pitching it that night. Never mind, at least I'll never need to pitch one again haha. And you're spot on about people being obsessed with these lightweight shelters, then carrying Jetboils, gas cannisters and camping chairs up with them 🤣 Cheers Paul, really enjoyed reading and replying to your comments 😁⛺👍

[@jamesdobson5022]

More pyramid bivvy than a tent. Minimum for one person is a two person tent. Anything less is a bivvy. Great video. You were so perturbed off there was no double entendres !!!

[@donnavansenior]

More like 'Action Man's Coffin' than anything else 🤣 How anyone could enjoy using a shelter that small is beyond me. Totally agree regarding the minimum space for one person being a 2p tent - I know Big Sky International do a 1.5 person tent and Luxe do a 1.5 inner for their XL, but on the whole, single person tents are ridiculously small and unliveable. The MSR Elixir 1 and Hubba don't seem too bad but tbh I'd rather carry a few hundred extra grammes for comfort. Cheers James :)

[@kennethcarter5720]

Your a goodin. Well done

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Kenneth - I defo made the right decision, I'd have had the worst night ever if I'd stayed put.

[@jimmy.mccutcheon.1961]

Nice one Donna 😉👍 I quite like mine but I think I'll only be using it in the nice dry summer nights.. My favourite tent is my Vango Mirage 200 pro.. followed very closely by my Vango Banshee 200 pro.. 👌

[@donnavansenior]

I've never had a bad Vango - they always come to the rescue, and I was so pleased I had my Hydra in the van as my 'emergency tent' for the following night (who doesn't carry an emergency tent with them?). I'd happily carry a few extra hundred grammes for a comfortable pitch. The Mirage Pro is a powerhouse of a tent 💪 I'll defo not be using my Night Cat again, I go out to enjoy the camping experience, not endure it ;-) Cheers Jimmy

[@DaveDoesOutdoors]

Agree the night cats a small one - nice and light tho Good vid agree need to be comfy Atb 👍🏽

[@donnavansenior]

It's not the tent for me Dave, I ended up giving it away on my channel in a free draw. The lad that has it now loves using it, so that made me happy. Once I put my mat and down bag in, everything was touching the inner, it was really small and cramped in there. On the plus side it's beautifully light, well made, the stitching looked great, as did the strengthening points, but I need a tent with more liveability. Worth a try though ;)

[@jtoutdoors9888]

I'm looking for lightweight summer kit but I fear I would suffer from claustrophobia in a small tent like that. Good honest review.

[@donnavansenior]

There are many options for lightweight kit / tents out there JT that won't have you develop curvature of the spine overnight - or soak your gear through with condensation issues. What tent do you use at the moment?

[@jtoutdoors9888]

@@donnavansenior I've got the helm 2 compact. I'm thinking on the lanshan 2 for summer use.

[@donnavansenior]

@@jtoutdoors9888 Heard nothing but good things about the Helm 2 - I almost bought one last November, and sort of wished I had. The Lanshan 2 looks loads more liveable than the 1 and it's only 225g heavier. Go fit it 😁👍

[@RamblingRuth]

Another great video Donna and very honest review. I think honest reviews like this are incredibly useful so thank you. I’m really looking forward to the cider reviews too! I’m working my way through your back catalogue and enjoying all the Eddie Vedder - I was a grunge girl back in the day ( still am!). And my favourite sound is rain on canvas closely followed by the sound of a ferry chugging across the sea. Have a good week

[@donnavansenior]

I was a grunge girl back in the day as well, me and you have lots in common it seems - I had Janes Addiction playing in the garden the other night after a bit of gardening (obviously not playing live, it was just the Nothings Shocking cd 🤣). Saw Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Alice in Chains etc happy memories indeed and wouldn't change a moment of those times. Rain on a tent roof is a pretty nice sound as well though, and I kept my tunes off to sit and listen to it after a bit of a shitty week at work on the 2nd night in this vid. Thanks Ruth, hope your week's chugging along nicely X

[@RamblingRuth]

I wondered if you liked JA - the name of your son Perry made me think you might! God they were all such good bands weren’t they. We’ve lost so many of them over the years though - it’s truly heartbreaking. I’m majorly impressed you saw so many of them live and I’m obviously deeply envious too! Have a good trip out this week Donna xx

[@donnavansenior]

@@RamblingRuth Yip - named my son after my favourite artist, Perry Farrel, dear me he was easy on the eye back in the early 90's! Saw JA many times, hitched all over back in those days. Don't gig as much these days but I've got a ticket for Siouxsie in July and going by KZbin footage she's still got it 😁 Xx

[@otf.outdoors]

Honesty is the best policy Donna. Some tents are not for everyone. Shame, you looked well frustrated, pmsl “leave no trace, wish I could leave the tent” 🤣🤣🤣🤣, if anyone knows what makes a good tent it’s you, love how you popped down to van, and pulled another tent out👌, nowt stops you getting out, love it, atb Mick 👍

[@donnavansenior]

I thought I'd love this tent - yeah, I knew it was a 1P shelter, but I didn't realise how space compromised it got once I hoyed my gear in. The video shows it warts and all - it was cramped as anything & I could never see a time where I'd be getting all excited about packing my Night Cat for a trip away - I'd rather sleep rough in a pile of nettles with slugs crawling over my face than have to endure a night in a mesh coffin. On the plus side it's very well made, stitching was spot on and the stress points seemed solid ;-) Cheers Mick :)

[@otf.outdoors]

@@donnavansenior 🤣👍

[@TheWtfnonamez]

You are brilliant and honest.

[@donnavansenior]

I'll always be 100% honest about tents :)

[@stuoutdoors1961]

Fair play for making the decision to bail, if its not right it's shite, at least your next night was cracking, keep the adventures coming

[@donnavansenior]

Ah Stu - what a disappointment that Night Cat was! A tent fit for an Action Man lol, definitely not a shelter I'd enjoy using, as soon as I'd got my gear in I realised how small it was. I never thought I'd see me bail because I hated the tent, but on this occasion I'm pleased I did - my gear would have been wet through next morning.

[@stuoutdoors1961]

@Donna Van Senior - Wild Camping you hit the nail on the head when you said it wasn't worth risking a £300 sleeping bag for a £100 tent. I've seen alot of other youtubers review nightcat tents and most say the same, too small. I was asked to review the 2 person tent but said no due to it being far too small. I'm still favouring my cloud peak 2.

[@donnavansenior]

@@stuoutdoors1961 All the reviews I've seen have praised the tent (Night Cat 1) and tbh I couldn't understand why, unless they were just saying that in the hope of getting more free products. Was it the old version 2p tent they offered you? 2.5kg? They've got a newer lightweight 2p tent out now but I doubt I'd get offered one 😂😂 I loved my Cloud Peak 2, I used to call it my 'Hildaberg' because it was the closest I'd ever get to an Allak lol, it kept me safe on many a mad camp over the couple of years I owned it, only downsides for me were the fact it was a cold tent in winter and a noisy tent in winds.

[@stuoutdoors1961]

@Donna Van Senior - Wild Camping it was the older 2p tent, I just thought it looked too cheaply made and lacked features/engineering. I completely agree with you about the cloud peak, it is a noisy tent in the wind and definitely only a 3 season tent, but I think it's a good tent for the money, can't say the same about the nightcat, I call hillebergs "hiltonbergs" for the same reasons, bomb proof tents with a price tag to match. My zephyros 1 is a very small tent but well made so I can forgive it.

[@slaphappy7559]

Tents are protected minority, hate will not be tolerated.

[@donnavansenior]

Yes, you're right in theory, but a tent can be loathed if it does not do the job you expected, and you have to pack up and head an hour back down the hill, when you were really looking forward to having a wild camp that night...

[@slaphappy7559]

You do understand that was a joke, yes ?, anyway its a shame the tent was not up to the task, but you made a good choice with the Hydra.@@donnavansenior

[@donnavansenior]

@@slaphappy7559 I did yes, and it put a smile on my face. I love tents that much it's always bitterly disappointing when one doesn't perform as expected. Nasty Night Cat lol X

[@slaphappy7559]

Phew, happy to make you smile. I have just bought the Hydra myself for some wild camping, I must have watched 12 reviews before making the decision, what will you do with the other one now ?, im sure you could recoup some cash.@@donnavansenior

[@albeklik8055]

The tent you have is made for dry weather not where you are from😊

[@donnavansenior]

This tent is a licensed copy of the 3ful Lanshan 1 - one of the most popular ultralight trekking tents in the UK. It's not a tent I enjoyed using and I didn't abort my camp because of weather conditions, I aborted because I wasn't happy with the tent and because I knew I'd be in for a miserable night. Cheers Al.