Blacks Aquila

An all round decent tent with a few more features than similar lookng cheaper models from other manufacturers. Notably the silver skin which helps to reflect sunlight making it a little darker and cooler inside. Good for festivals and camp sites.

I've used this tent 3 times now, and it's just about roomy enough for 2 adults. The porch is airy and allows entry to the tent from 3 directions.

The included LED lighting system is handy for finding your way into your sleeping bag at night, but not bright enough for reading. I think Blacks should make this optional and adjust the price accordingly. A good head torch is invaluable for most camping and exploration situations, and doesn't have to cost the earth.

The tent comes with standard steel tent pegs which should be upgraded depending on the conditions you intend to use this tent in. I have yet to test it in howling winds and driving rain, but I think it should stand up to most 3 season general-camping use in Britain.

Good size and nice specs. However, one of the first times out two poles broke: wind a little strong but not very.

Blacks were very helpful and took it back and gave us credit.

The Blacks Aquila tent is ideal for light summer use.Its not really suitable for regular heavy use. We thought it would be a lightweight 'quick to erect' tent to take on occasional weekend's away.Though its classed as a 3 berth its definately too small for 3,but quite fine for 2 people and holds two single matresses well with room to breathe!

We first used it on a trip to Scotland in August and little did we know that on a our second night it would face a 'hurricane wind' due to a really bad spell of weather. It was brill and despite being battered all night long by heavy winds and rain it stood it's ground well, though some of the guy ropes kept slipping.It was completely waterproof and the inner tent was dry and fine.

We liked the fact that you can use any or all of the 3 openings depending on where you pitch.

We did not like the fact that the ground sheet was flimsy and had only one hole to secure it to inner tent - it did keep flapping up in the wind.

The outer nylon is quite good qualilty and the tent provides lots of flaps to allow air to get in and out.

However the ground sheet and inner tent fabric are not very strong and after one use some of the stiching around the inner tent to ground sheet split and needed a patch.

The tent is really easy to find in a field due to the silver fabric on the top . Its quick to put up and qite cool in the summer.