Vango Banshee 200 Tent - 2011 Reviews

I have had this tent over a year now. Used it many times, in all types of weather. It is very lightweight and packs up small. If you are looking for a tent to carry then in rucksack or on bike, then it's excellent. I take the poles out the stuccsack & it packs up even smaller then. The pegs are a little flimsy but I always have a few rock pegs with me for firmer ground. Space is limited. I have used it for 2 people, but it is cramped and very little room for kit. Much better as a 1 man tent and very good for that. No problems with strong wind (the tent, not me) but I have had a few issues with water dripping in. This was in severe wet weather and it could be that I need to re waterproof the tent. Water seems to collect on top, near the poles at the low end and then seep through after some time. I also noticed that at the taller end, the outer & inner often touch. This is because the outer sags a little, the guy pulls it out fine at the top end but I may adapt mine with another line nearer the bottom to stretch the outer out more.
Overall, it's a great tent for any time you need to carry one with you. If I had the car with me though, I would take my heavier and larger Hurricane 200.

Have had this tent now for 2 years and found it really reliable. Packs up small and is easy to pitch.
Great tent for single campers who want a bit od space or a cosy 2 sleeper. Ideal for scouts. Im 6foot 2 and find it okay, sleep at angle is some advice for the giants or bigger tent.

I bought one of the older models of these tents in 2010. Since then its had quite a lot of use and abuse. I've used it in an exposed spot in the Lakes in gale force winds and it stood up really well, for the weight it is simply brilliant. Due to the netting on the inner tent and venting system you do feel the cold a bit in winter but equally its keeps the tent nice an airy in summer. On the down side I am over 6 foot so I do struggle a little for room (I would have to lop off both my feet to be able to stretch out). Ive found that I can just about squeeze my empty pack and boots under the porch and still have use of the entrance. I would prefer a slightly bigger porch area for cooking in bad weather. All in all though it's an excellent tent for a variety of conditions and an great price compared to some of its competitors. Would highly recommend.

Incredibly light and robust little tents. Probably at their best for 3 season use due to the amount of mesh on the inner, but they are easy to put up and strike, very stable and well made. Probably a bit tight for two and kit inside. It's worth noting that after pitching for the first time you can actually strike as a one piece which meats you can pitch it in in the rain keeping the inner dry.

This tent is really light, sets up easily (will take a bit longer first time round), and folds and packs up with no hassle. The construction is good for its price. Size-wise it's fine for two plus some kit, it's worth mentioning the tent isn't symmetrical, so you get some extra space for storing stuff but not masses. Though with the weight saved you can pack another plastic sheet and some string to make a shelter for stuff you don't desperately need in the tent, as opposed to buying a bigger, heavier tent. All in all good value.

I have just completed a, back garden,test run.(including sleep over).It has not disappointed on any of the spec. or expectations.It would appear that slight modifications have taken place around vents and guy lines from instore item and what was delivered...I would just advise caution to tall persons,I am 5 feet 9 inches and, I believe, any taller and I would not be able to fit, lying straight and flat

Over all I'd say this is an excellent tent. Great value for money, light, very easy to put up, and roomy.

I use it as a comfortable one person tent, although two could fit if needs be.

The only negative I have to say about it is that, on a recent trip, where it rained non-stop for a day or so, the ground sheet did let some water in. But that was pretty exceptional circumstances. Prior to that I've had no complaints whatsoever.

I bought some Banshee 200 tents for use with my Scout Troop. They are very lightweight which is ideal for Scouts to carry in their rucksacks during expeditions. Pitching the tent was fairly simple, only two poles and a handful of pegs. The size inside is good for two Scouts plus their kit. Two adults would fit in but it would be very cosy. Taller people might struggle as the door is fairly low. Striking the tent was also fairly easy, the inner can stay clipped inside the outer which makes pitching it much quicker. It also fits into the bag easily. The low profile of the tent gave it good stability in high winds when we were camping on an island. Drying the tent after a wet weekend is fairly simple too. Its size means it is easy to handle and It doesn't take up a lot of space when hung up or laid out. All in all, the tent is well suited to lightweight hiking.

not much room inside,i am 6 foot and the feet and head touch both ends.a large build up of condensation inside

exellent tent used daily on the pennine way once clipped together u dont need to unclip the inner lots of space for ureself and a rusksack stirdy and exellent waterproof really good price well worth getting

brought this for myself to go backpacking and wild camping for which it's suited well. It's light enough to carry solo and pitches in no time at all, 5 minutes max. I tend to leave the outer clipped to the inner (Usefull little trick) to save time and ensure that the inner doesn't get drenched in the fickle weather. The inside lifts out well when pulled, i'm yet to get any build up of condinsation due to the generous mesh interior and for this i would recommend it without hesitation. Unless you're the bivi and tarp kind of guy of course.
I have also used it for all my dofe camps and expeditions and it is very light shared between two people. It is very good to keep waterproof for so long and keep the weather out and the warmth in.


To sum up, i'm impressed, I wouldn't share with anyone again, one night i bivi'd whilst he snored but good value, light enough to carry for the trip and easy to pitch. I didn't buy it intending to share however we managed, tight squeeze but that's what it's all about. The tent pegs are a little "bendy" but oh well, buy other ones, the compression sack is a tight fit as you'd expect and not the thickest, mine has a hole in but it's lightwieght afterall. I use drybags instead and put the poles down the side of the rucksack. Inside are usefull pockets, one hangs from the room, the perfect place for your compass and other necessities. Another good feature, the poles and good, they practicaly put themselves together thanks to the elasticated connectors and follow the sleeve without much help. Brilliant!

I took this tent backpacking in the rainforest, Queensland Australia and it coped well under numerous downpours of torrential rain. I'd definately recommend it. It was so easy to erect and put away. It's only downside was the tent pegs - because they were lightweight, they couldn't cope with the hard ground and bent straight away so I had to buy new stronger ones. Besides that it was perfect!

Great little tent for one ,bit of a tight squeeze for two but managable. Quick and easy to pitch and when your used to it can be done in the dark without too much trouble. Good venting but doesn't get drafty. Got caught in a good downpour late in august and not a drip entered. All in all I'd recommend this to anyone who needs a lightweight tent for trekking and backpacking from spring to autum. I'm sure it'd do for an over night during the winter but I'm not going to do that myself, let someone else I think :p

I brought this for myself to go backpacking and wildcamping for which it's suited well. It's light enough to carry solo and pitches in no time at all, 5 minutes max. I tend to leave the outer clipped to the inner (Usefull little trick) to save time and ensure that the inner doesn't get drenched in the fickle weather. The inside lifts out well when pulled, i'm yet to get any build up of condinsation due to the generous mesh interior and for this i would recommend it without hesitation. Unless you're the bivi and tarp kind of guy of course

Me and a mate took this to snowdonia over Easter and this is the flaw really. It's a two man tent if you don't mind throwing your bags at the bottom with your feet resting on them and waking up to frozen boots. It's too small for two people and their gear basically. I'd suggest the Vango Banshee 300 (the three berth tent for the extra 0.5kg) share the load and it's next to nothing. Same shape just a little wider and i think only an extra £10.

We met a guy there and he had the same idea as us but was driving so he brought the Vango Omega 350, if you have the luxury of a car but still want a smallish tent i'd advise you go with this, generous porch for you gear and a lavish sized "bedroom" ample for two

To sum up, i'm impressed, I wouldn't share with anyone again, one night i bivi'd whilst he snored but good value, light enough to carry for the trip and easy to pitch. I didn't buy it intending to share however we managed, tight squeeze but that's what it's all about. The tent pegs are a little "bendy" but oh well, buy other ones, the compression sack is a tight fit as you'd expect and not the thickest, mine has a hole in but it's lightwieght afterall. I use drybags instead and put the poles down the side of the rucksack. Inside are usefull pockets, one hangs from the room, the perfect place for your compass and other necessities. Another good feature, the poles and good, they practicaly put themselves together thanks to the elasticated connectors and follow the sleeve without much help. Brilliant!

I put 4 stars because I can't admit it's a true two man tent with room for the extras. If you have no gear then atleast you'll be keeping each other warm.

Correction to my review: it appears the new 2010 version IS outer pitch first. Damn - I got the older version :-/

Very light and packs up very small. Rather breezy inside and yes: very cramped (my wife calls it 'the coffin') (I'm just 6 foot and have to go diagonal and either my head or feet still touch the inside). Very quick & easy to put up - 5 mins is possible with practice.
Still, its perfect for carrying your house on your back, especially wild camping trips, with its small footprint and handy green colour ;).

Also product description is wrong as of May '10: you pitch the inner first, not outer.

Yes this is very very light, and really easy to put up. However, i'm 6ft 1 and this was getting to the point of being uncomfortable. There's no headroom at all and you need to be double joined to get out without touching the outer sheet.

I think Aldertings is writing about another tent as at 6'5 he'd be touching either end of the tent and this is an inner first assemble tent not outer, so in the rain you are going to get soaked.

There is no room at all for bags in the "porch" my boots just fit in without touching the outer.

Not hugely impressed.

However, in good weather it will make a reasonable base for the night,

This is a great little tent, brilliant for one person, but you could fit two. I just fit comfortably and I'm 6 foot 5! This tent is incredibly light, yet strong and sturdy. It comes with the lightweight pegs which go in easily, in its bag its very small fits in easily and its got a bit of slack n strap on the bag. Very easy to put up to, doesn't take long at all, outside first so your alright if your in the rain. Brilliant tent, excellent delivery by Go Outdoors and I'd highly recommend it!

This tent is sufficient for use in -6 temperatures as i was in last night and i would recommend it due to its small pack-size and weight. It is a very open tent to the air/wind but is excellent against rain and frost...... plus its quick to dry!

I purchased this tent to use for camping and cycling around the UK. Therefore my first considerations were pack size and weight.

This tent is so light you dont realise that you have a tent in your backpack or in your panniers, the size is small enough so that you can even put it in a daysack or just strap to your bike.

As well as being small and light, pitching the tent is also very easy on my own the first time took less than 10 mins and is now much less.

If pack size, weight, and ease of pitching are your first considerations you will not be dissapointed with this, it will also sleep 2 with room in the porch for your bags.

In Summary a great tent for all UK conditions at a fraction of the cost of small 'mountain' tents which often weigh more as well!