Find out how the Vango Heddon 100 performed in Chris Townsend’s review of the best solo tents for 2022.
The Vango Heddon 100 one person tent is the most conventional of the three tents that pitch with trekking poles. It’s a ridge tent with the ridge running across the tent offset from the centre. It does have one unusual feature though. There are porches either side but only one has an external door. The other can only be accessed by a small door on the inner tent.
- Price: £285 (buy from Vango)
- Weight: 1670g
- Pros: pitches with trekking poles, tough groundsheet, roomy, low cost
- Cons: not that light
Flysheet: recycled 70D polyester, 3000mm HH | Inner: polyester | Groundsheet: 70D polyester, 6000mm HH | Poles: n/a, 2 trekking poles needed | Pegs: 13 x 18cm hook | Porches: x 2 , 65cm deep | Inner Dimensions: 220cm x 85/75cm, 90cm high point
For a trekking pole tent the weight is on the high side. Against that, the fabrics are substantial, especially the groundsheet, which has a high hydrostatic head, and there is plenty of room. The inner is solid too, which adds a little weight. This is a tent designed for wet and cool British weather. The flysheet has taped seams and is made of recycled polyester. The heavier fabric is also reflected in the cost, which is low.
The Vango Heddon 100 is easy to pitch as a unit. The inner can be detached, and the flysheet used on its own. This cuts the weight and makes for a spacious shelter.
Ventilation is limited. There’s a hood over the flysheet door so the two-way zip can be left open at the top without letting rain in and a similar hood on the other side, covering a small mesh vent.
The porches are roomy. The one with only the small inner door for access is good for footwear and wet waterproofs. The other one will hold a pack and have space for cooking under cover.
The Heddon 100 is good value for money and should last well. It stands up to strong winds well and is comfortable to live in on long cold winter nights. A lighter weight version would be nice, but this is an excellent choice if weight is less important to you.
To read the other tent reviews in this test head to The Great Outdoors‘ best one-person backpacking tents.
Tested by Chris Townsend
Chris tested these tents in the Scottish Highlands, mostly the Cairngorms, over autumn 2021 and winter 2022. Sites were both high and low level and at times the tents were subjected to more severe weather than they are designed for. Note: weights are for the tent complete with stuffsacks.
This review first appeared in the May 2022 issue of The Great Outdoors.
