Sunncamp Evolution 400

Fantastic tent, I have had mine for a few years now, very easy to put up, very easy to take down and fold away neatly in its bag. It has been used in rain and shine, notably Bestival 2008 where it was torrential rain for most of the time, the tent held up very well, a little water got in but due to the amount of rain it was fine. The head room is fantastic and the sewn in groundsheet is something I will definately get with my next tent. One of the best things about the tent is that you can double the 'living area' buy putting down the bedroom section meaning that there is more than enough room for 4 adults to sit round a table and chairs, this has proven invaluble to me!! I would recommend this tent to anyone"

SUNNCAMP EVOLUTION 400

I have had this tent since 2006 and have used it for a 2 week holiday and numerous weekend trips each season. I bought it nearly new on eBay for £60, BARGAIN! It is easy to put up, although the side to side pole can be a bit fiddly. The outer goes up first and the inside then just clips in - excellent when putting it up in the rain!

I use this tent with my wife, we have no kids, so there are just the 2 of us and a dog. There is plenty of room in the bedroom. We have a double inflatable, the dogs bed and still have room for all of our clothes etc.

The living area is about the same size as the bedroom and is completely sealed with a fitted groundsheet. There is enough room for a small table and 2 foldaway chairs and is easily comfortable enough for 2. We've had friends over for drinks in the evening and it gets a bit cramped with 4 people and the furniture, but it's ok if you all sit on the floor!

Our first outing in this tent was for 2 weeks in Cornwall, and it absolutely pee'd down. The wind got up quite a bit as well. The tent stood up to the conditions admirably. There were no leaks and though there were times we both looked at the sides of the tent with worried faces, there was no collapse and no pole breakages. Last year we took it to France. It was hot! There is plenty of ventilation, but you really need to keep the doors open while your in during the day. A porch would be a nice addition, but then it wouldn't be as strong in the wind. It's all a trade off I suppose!

All in all, this has been a fantastic tent and is still going strong and we'll be keeping it for a few more years yet. We'll need to up size if the family gets any bigger though... Probably to the Evolution 600!

I have the original Sunncamp Evolution 400 version. I particularly like the way it goes up so fast, even with no help, the all-in-one pitching, plenty of windows and ventilation, and the tub groundsheet keeping insects and rain completely out. Had no problem with rain ingress, as long as the doors are kept shut. No problems with the zips either, after many weekend trips. I got the carpet too, very nice under your feet. The cheap tarp from Decathlon will keep the rain off a door if you want to leave one open. I have got the problem with the split orange pole though, I replaced it with a slightly shorter 8mm pole which has also split. Waiting to hear from SunGard if they can offer a replacement. I think it originally split when strong winds were blowing against the front of the tent. Best to pitch it with the rear facing any wind.

Ostensibly the Evolution is a great tent and very reasonably priced (£110 in 2007). Its semi-geodesic design makes it very stable in windy conditions in comparison to equivalently sized dome & tunnel designs. It will sleep 4 relatively comfortably with a living area that is almost as big as the sleeping accommodation and a full 2 metre headroom at the centre.

The sealed bucket groundsheet means that the interior stayed dry during the infamous Glastonbury downpours in 2007. The inner tent simply clips into place and can be left in situ when the tent is dismantled. No guy ropes are required in fair weather and 9" pegs come as standard. It's possible for one person to erect the tent if conditions aren't too windy.

BUT

The one major failure I have experienced with all 3 Sunncamp tents I have owned is the zips. They simply aren't man enough for the job. At least with the Evolution 400 you have 2 doors so that if one zip fails then you simply tape it up & use the other door but after just 2 seasons both zips have now failed on mine and the tent is to all intents & purposes useless. In short, much as I like Sunncamp's tents, I will never buy another one until this issue is rectified.

I also found that the pole that goes across the middle of the tent is far too lightweight. Mine snapped twice in windy conditions and had to be replaced by a shortened version of the poles that go lengthways, which are a heavier gauge.

Sunncamp Evolutions is an excellent tent alround but needs an add on awning for rain at door openings but I will still but another one.

This Sunncamp Evolution 400 tent goes up in 5 minutes, very simple very fast and even on my own I can do it in 15 minutes. Sewn in groundsheet, standing room throughout although it is compact if you have to spend a long time inside due to bad weather. Just enough room for table, chairs and our cupboard and cool box.

We have used it in great weather and very bad weather and I know that other people have found leaks but we have always stayed very dry when the doors have been done up. It is also very stable in stormy windy weather. One negatve of the design is that when it is wet and you open the door the water drips inside.

I've used this tent on many occasions and unlike the other reviewer i have had no problem at all with it. I bought the 2008 Sunncamp Evolution model which is different from the previous version. The rain protection around the zips and other modifications make it way better. The Lake District weather can throw 4 seasons in one day and this never leaked once or felt like it was going to blow away.

Easily fits in 2 air beds with plenty of room to spare. The vestibule bit is also pretty big with enough room for 2 chairs and room to keep cooking equipment etc. Plenty of windows allow natural light to enter into the tent and also good for looking out on the world when its chucking it down. Good standing room in both the bedroom and vestibule as well which is good because it means no crawling around on hands and knees.

I liked this tent that much i am now looking to buy its smaller brother the Evo 300 for when i want to go away just by myself.

Good looking tent, but I would not recommend you buy the Sunncamp Evolution 400. Leaked like a burst pipe. Could not believe the raindrops falling inside the tent from the fabric. Tried it once and sent it back to supplier. Better taking the kids Wendy house on a rainy weekend.