Vango has been making tents for over 60 years and remains one of the best-known camping brands. The range covers everything from lightweight backpacking tents through to large multi-room family tents, with layouts designed to be straightforward to pitch and comfortable to use on site.
Thousands of campers choose Vango because the designs are easy to understand, with practical features such as their TBS System (Tension Band System), usable living space, effective ventilation, and pitching systems that don’t overcomplicate things. Whether you camp occasionally or several times a year, there are options across the range to suit different budgets and experience levels, including dedicated collections for Vango Family Tents and Vango Backpacking Tents.
AirBeam or Poled — What’s the Difference?
One of the main decisions when choosing a Vango tent is whether to go for an inflatable model or a traditional fibreglass-poled design.
Vango AirBeam tents replace poles with inflatable beams, which many people find quicker to pitch and easier to manage, particularly on larger family tents. They’re popular with campers who want to reduce setup time or avoid dealing with long pole sections. You can explore the full range in our Vango AirBeam Tents collection.
Poled tents are still a strong choice, especially for smaller sizes or when keeping costs lower is important. Some campers also prefer the familiarity of a traditional pole structure. Both types are widely used, so the right option usually comes down to personal preference and how often you camp.
Choosing the Right Size
Tent sizes are usually labelled by how many people they sleep, but that doesn’t always reflect how much space you’ll want once luggage and equipment are included.
Couples often choose a larger tent than the minimum capacity for extra room, while families benefit from separate bedrooms and a living area with enough head height to move around comfortably. If you’re camping for longer trips or expect poor weather, having more internal space can make a noticeable difference to comfort.
If you know the size you need, you can browse our Vango 2 Man Tents, Vango 4 Man Tents, or Vango 6 Man Tents collections to compare models within each category.
Vango Tent Fabrics Explained
Vango uses several different fabric types across its tent range, with each designed to suit different styles of camping. The main differences come down to weight, durability, waterproof rating, and overall comfort.
Protex® 70D Flysheet
Protex 70D is a lightweight polyester fabric with a waterproof rating of 3,000mm hydrostatic head. It’s commonly used on backpacking, adventure, and smaller family tents where keeping pack size and weight lower is important. Despite being lightweight, it still offers good weather protection for typical camping conditions.
Sentinel Fabric
Sentinel Fabric is designed to balance durability with manageable pack size and weight. It uses ColourLok Eco technology to help maintain colour and fabric strength over time, along with a 4,000mm waterproof rating for dependable weather resistance. This fabric is used on models such as the Savannah Air, Tacoma Air, and Sierra Air ranges.
Sentinel Excel Fabric
Sentinel Excel is a heavier 150D embossed polyester fabric that offers increased strength and durability compared to standard materials. With a 5,000mm waterproof rating and ColourLok technology, it’s well suited to campers who want extra robustness while still keeping pack size reasonable. This fabric is used on models such as the Sherwood Air range.
Sentinel Elite Fabric
Sentinel Elite is one of the strongest fabrics used in Vango tents, testing at more than double the strength of standard flysheet materials. It also features a 5,000mm waterproof rating and ColourLok technology for long-term durability. This makes it a good choice for frequent campers or those wanting a more hard-wearing tent. Models include the Anantara Air range.
Sentinel Elite TC Fabric
Sentinel Elite TC is a polycotton fabric that blends polyester and cotton fibres. This creates a more breathable material that can help reduce condensation and improve comfort in warmer conditions. It also has a premium feel and strong durability, making it popular for longer stays or regular camping. This fabric is used on the Anantara TC Air models.
Why Buy from WM Camping?
WM Camping has been in business since 1981, so we’ve spent decades helping campers choose equipment that works for them. As a Vango Platinum Dealer, you’re buying from an authorised retailer with direct access to the range, along with advice from a team that understands the differences between sizes, layouts, fabrics, and pitching styles.
If you’re not sure which tent is right for you, contact us we can help you compare the options and choose based on how you actually plan to camp.