It’s really simple:
If you want an affordable tent that gets the job done, I recommend the Vango Banshee Pro 200.
But….
If you have the money and want something bigger/lighter, I suggest checking out the MSR Hubba Hubba NX2.
I have been equally impressed by the performance of both tents but the obvious difference is that one tent is much bigger and much lighter than the other – something that really matters on a long distance hike.
Why the Size and Weight of Your Tent Might Matter
The Vango Banshee would be ideal for a week long hike on the Wicklow Way. But the size and weight of a tent becomes more and more important over time. This is because you value living space more on a longer trip and the difference in weight is also something you will definitely notice over time which is why the MSR option can seem appealing.
Let’s be more specific. If you want to hike the Appalachian Trail or something similar, you will spend most of your time either hiking or eating and sleeping inside this tent. You will want to be able to spread out your belongings, sit upright and move around the tent and all of these things are not really possible with a Vango Banshee. So size matters!
I should also mention that size doesn’t just refer to the living space but also the size to which a tent packs down. For instance, the inside of a MSR Hubba Hubba is huge but the tent also packs down into a really small stuff sack bag.
Check out the MSR Hubba Hubba NX2
Check out the Vango Banshee Pro 200
PS. If you live in America, I also recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 which is quite similar to the MSR above.
