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 In the ferocious world of the UK outdoor gear testing mafia, where bobble hatted blackberry pickers garrotte those who question the recommended hydrostatic head of a waterproof jacket, I've been a loan voice as to what size of tent you should pack for an adventure. And I've the neck scars to prove it.
Whilst the bearded red sock brigade have been bowing and doffing their cap to the false idol of 'low weight is all' my view has always been that I'm prepared to carry a larger tent (and therefore a little more weight) to get the extra comfort that comes with additional space. And I've based that decision on a lifetime of biking, hiking in the wilds and high altitude mountaineering expeditions – where weight is far more critical than a weekend in The Lake District.
My reasoning goes like this; it's unlikely that you're going to have good weather all the time on your adventure and when you've spent a day out in the cold and wet there is nothing more depressing than spending a night under canvas where you and your partner are so cramped that you can't move without poking and prodding each other. Plus, I want room to store my gear away from the elements and cook under cover. Look at it like this; you are likely to spend 40% of every 24 hours at camp, you could face an extended period of bad weather; believe me the extra space and comfort outweighs the downside of packing a slightly heavier tent. However, that's not to say you should just pack or buy the biggest tent you can lay your hands on, compromise is the key. I say all this as I've just found a man after my own heart. Kevin Muggleton, a devoted bike rider and traveller, felt so passionately about the lack of tents to accommodate the adventure bike rider that he took matters into his own hands and set about making his own. The result is The Nomad Tent Company and the Tenere Expedition Tent. This 3 poled tunnel tent offer great space for two riders and the porch space is big enough to park up and enclose a fully loaded adventure bike – a neat security feature. I've not checked out these tents in the flesh (and his website makes no mention of the hydrostatic head!) but the specs and design look to be well thought out. I particularly like the fact that the waterproof fly sheet can be erected over the bike and before the inner, which means the sleeping compartment stays dry and so does the rest of your gear when you unpack. The price is $399 and the company reckon that they can ship one to the UK for £350 all in at current exchange rates. The weight checks out at just over 6kgs, which is a little heavier than I'd like to pack though maybe in time the company will adopt the weight saving principles of the top end mountaineering tents and offer a lower weight and pack size, though that will undoubtedly come at an additional cost. Good luck to Kevin and The Nomad Tent Company and you can check out further details here. If anyone buys a Tenere post up a report below. 
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