Review: Coleman Aravis 2 tent from Outdoor World Direct

Coleman Aravis 2 review: A review of the Coleman Aravis 2-man tent, £84.95 from Outdoor World Direct, an affordable, lightweight wild camping tent that comes cat-approved.

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Product Description: “The Coleman Aravis 2 tent is a fantastic lightweight, wind-stable tent, which is ideal for those campers who wish to keep the weight down as much as possible. The Aravis 2 is simple to pitch, with its pitch-in-one structure and the tent stands up well against the elements with its wedged tunnel construction and aluminium 7001-t6 lightweight poles. This will neatly fit in a backpack. Simple and quick to pitch Lightweight with compact pack size Wedged tunnel design Aluminium 7001-t6 poles – light yet highly resilient.”

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Winter Camping: As well as messing about taking pictures of the Aravis in the garden with some help from Nickel the cat, I’ve also taken my tent out winter camping with success (i.e I’m still alive). At 2.42kg the weight is fine for backpacking, although it does take up a lot of rucksack space so is perhaps best for weekend trips. The Aravis is an absolute doodle to assemble, even if you’re as instruction-phobic as me – you can figure it out on the first go as it’s a simple design of a long and a short pole, fed into plastic clips and popped into eyelets at each side.

The result is a wedge-shape tent that, like most two-person tents, is probably a better size for one person and all their gear, or two people and two small backpacks. If there are two of you there isn’t tons of room but you can sit up, and the doors on each side stop it feeling too claustrophobic if you need to shuffle out. Inside there are mesh pockets for your stuff and a hook for a lantern. There’s also a porch that will fit boots and rucksacks and keep them relatively dry.

The whole thing is made of waterproof, ripstop material that is waterproof to 4000mm – it’s withstood medium showers and wind well so far.

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Coleman Aravis 2 review

Verdict: Small, tough and easy to assemble, this is a great entry-level tent for wild campers at a decent price. It’ll do you especially well in the summer months when all you’ll really be doing in the tent is sleeping. If you’re off to a festival or staying somewhere for more than a night I’d opt for a design with more head room, and if there are two of you it might be worth going for the Aravis 3 man – for a little more dosh and a extra kilo in weight you’d get more breathing space. Or try the excellent MSR Hubba Hubba. 

Some great comments from fellow tent owner Michel: I tested it a month ago and endured a severe thunderstorm with high winds and heavy rain in it. It kept me safe and dry. My big backback in the apsis/porch room stayed dry, too. Vetilation could be a little better from my perspective. The openings in the outer tent at the bottom and and at the head are quite small and, in addition, the lashes that keep rain from coming in through the ventilation openings (they do a good job at this) extent in a quite flat angle so that they not only prevent rain from coming in but also hinder the airflow a bit. For two people on longer trips the Aravis 3 would be the better choice.

Coleman Aravis 2 review

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8 Comments

  1. January 30, 2015 / 3:39 pm

    Been waiting for this 🙂 I think we would need the size up, like you suggest, if we have our hiking sacks with us. Alternatively, do you think if a ground sheet, or trusty bin liner, was placed in the porch it would be suitable to leave two rucksacks there overnight?
    Miss Tulip
    The Thrifty Magpies Nest

  2. sian
    Author
    February 2, 2015 / 11:31 am

    Hullo! I think a ground sheet would def keep your rucksacks snug. The porch is pretty rain and wind resistant.
    I’d go for the size up for two – it’s not a lot more dosh or weight and will give you extra breathing space 🙂 Let me know how you get on! xx

  3. jake
    May 2, 2015 / 8:03 am

    Hi Sian, thanks for the review..super helpful! Tent seems great, just wondering does the 2 person come with a footprint? and do you think one would be necessary for this tent?
    Also, I can’t see from the pictures but is there a porch/vestibule area on both sides? and are these big enough to store a large hiking bag on each side?
    Finally, I am 6ft2 and my friend is 6ft4 would you suggest opting for the 3 person if intending to use this tent for backpacking trips lasting more than a week?

    Thanks, you’re awesome!

  4. sian
    Author
    May 14, 2015 / 10:02 am

    Hi Jake!
    No worries at all. There’s no separate footprint but there is a small porch on either side, with enough space for a rucksack and muddy boots.
    However as you’re both tall I’d definitely go a size bigger, such as the Aramis 3, as you’ll get more space and hardly any more weight. Or if you’re going for a longer trip perhaps a tent with more headspace is a good choice so that you can both move about? If you let me know how much you want to spend and what type of trip you’re planning I can have a look about for you 🙂

    Ta!
    Sian

  5. Michel
    July 25, 2015 / 8:59 am

    Hey Sian,
    nice review of this tent. I got it, too! Tested it a month ago and endured a severe thunderstorm with high winds and heavy rain in it. It kept me save and dry. My big backback in the apsis/porch room stayed dry, too. Vetilation could be a little better from my perspective. The openings in the outer tent at the bottom and and at the head are quite small and, in addition, the lashes that keep rain from coming in through the ventilation openings (they do a good job at this) extent in a quite flat angle so that they not only prevent rain from coming in but also hinder the airflow a bit. For two people on longer trips the Aravis 3 would be the better choice, I’d say. If you are two people and ok with a cosy space to sleep, the Aravis 2 is ok, too.
    What do you think about adding a photo of you and another person in the tent so that people get an impression of its space?
    Greetings from Germany

    Michel

  6. sian
    Author
    July 28, 2015 / 8:49 am

    Hi Michel

    Great comments! Annoyingly I’ve still not used my tent in really heavy rain but I’ve been impressed with it otherwise. I’ll definitely add another picture – I also just lent my tent to my friend who is 6’5, so we’ll see if he found it a bit snug! I’ll add your comments to my review too 🙂

  7. rob johnstone
    September 24, 2015 / 12:10 am

    Hey Sian. Useful review. Any word back from your 6′ 5″ friend yet. I too am 6′ 5″ and getting adequate gear is often difficult so I am particularly keen to hear
    Hello from Scotland.

    Rob

  8. sian
    Author
    September 24, 2015 / 7:44 pm

    Hi Rob. My very tall friend managed okay but I wouldn’t recommend buying one if you’re that tall – it was definitely a bit of a squeeze, especially with kit. Are there others you’re considering?

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