I love my Hydra it's a Amazon exclusive claiming a higher hsh & floor than the Helvellyn & arguably the better colour at 128 it's a good buy, I don't mind the weight as I won't be using this for multi day trips. It's been out in some serious wind here on the Pembrokeshire coast & been rock solid. It's a very forgiving tent to pitch & handles uneven ground better than most my other tents ...I wish Vango would sort the bloody pegs out though 😁
Glad to see vango revive the hydra. I still have the original one the hydra 200 +. Which i have owned for 20 years and still use on occasion that is a pitch inner first
Good review. I've had mine 2 years now and its a Palace compared to my dd hammocks superlight tarp tent.. During the warmer months if you want more room and rain wind security you could always just take the outer and use a bivvy bag/sleeping bag inside. It is a very warm tent. Very robust, yes heavy if multi-daying but can compromise on other stuff you take. The porch ie the center section if you have walking poles can be guided out to give full opening of the doorway 😁👍 For the price, its great value and should last years.. Definatley change the oe pegs though.. could do with a vestibule footprint, mine hasn't got it.. But other than that, I love mine..
@Mr. Wild Wales 2 poles upside down, guided out. That way you can have full opening views with both doors open tied back and the mini porch lifted out of the way 😁 With the right sleep system ide even say its almost a 4 season tent so long as its not hurricane type weather..
@@hikermikem8 the “ribs” (where the poles are) at the roof will keep snow on the roof, and the snow (especially if its wet snow) will most likely collapse the tent. So definitely not 4 season tent unfortunately.
Just completed a 5 week motorcycle trip around Europe using the Mirage Pro 200. Stood up to plenty of rain fall, which some times went on all night, and five or six thunder storms. Kept me dry and without any damage. Would recommend and have every confidence in it keeping my dry for many years ahead.
I own this tent and have been out with it a few times. Overall good tent. My biggest complain is way too big gaps between the outer tent lower edge and the ground. Especially it’s seen at the right-hand side of the porch - see 2:40. The gaps let a lot of wind into the tent. I’m afraid that really strong wind will get underneath and will tear off the outer tent. The gaps also let rain to wet the inner tent. Solution for me is to take a sheet of tarpaulin slightly wider than the inner tent and use it as a footprint, rolling its edges up to cover the gaps - helps with rain, but not with wind. Another annoyance - the inner tent is quite low and you touch it when changing clothes. My inner tent also has a “saggy” rear wall, which touches my sleeping bag. The inner door zipper is jamming in a few places. Other than that it’s a good tent.
I haven't noticed the wind coming underneath but I would think it would help with ventilation? Have a look at the lanshan 1 and the gap under the porch on that is ridiculous!
well done sir great review simply spoken but with massive knowledge enjoyed this thanks for putting this up we celts gotta look out for each other classsssssssssssss
Excellent video, buddy. I love my Hydra 200 - it has never let me down in any weather. Yeah, it's a bit weighty; but for the space you have, I think it's well worth it. I had the Banshee 200 but the headroom is terrible. I'm 6'3", so I could hardly sit up in it - but the Hydra is no problem for headroom or length for sleeping in. The porch is a godsend! I found a nice porch floor for mine - so I can keep my pack and boots off the floor and also not get my knees wet when I crawl in! Cheers!
At 6'4" I couldn't even lie down in the Banshee, everything hangs in your face.....the Hydra is leagues better, but I would still view it as a 1 man tent. At 6'4" it's barely long enough, but then what is?
I'm pretty sure the reason Go Outdoors get manufacturers to rename some of their products for sale in G.O. stores is because of their Price Match + 10% promise, if you can find the same product cheaper elsewhere. So you can't get a price match on a Helvellyn and a Hydra, because they're supposed to be different products.
Bought this about 4 years ago as an "Amazon exclusive" the only negative point I found was nowhere to hang a lantern from, other than that it's brilliant. Regarding snow loading, shouldn't really be a problem as it's not a 4 season tent. ATB Mark.
Also called a "mirage 200" and mine the only negative that u didnt mention is that on mine the groundsheet is very lightweight even compared to a banshees floor
I've seen a few of these knocking about they seem a really sturdy tent you often see DOE and the scouts use them.the materials will be very robust and that's why there pretty weighty but should last year's
I got a Hydra 200 too…….the latest batch are better quality as they are made in Bangladesh. The Orion 200 is another tent I have from Amazon. Really good buys as sometimes they go below £100 as on both occasions buying my two tents.
@@MrWildWales I just bought an OEX Jackal 2 for £86 three weeks ago! I got my Hydra for £98 and the Orion for £95….The OEX Phoxx 2 is arriving soon and that was £70……. Crazy cheap really for what you get tentwise all brand new from outlets
I did a lot more research and just bought one. My conclusions where these: Its a cracking low-budget entry to four-seasons camping. The Hydra and the Helvellyn are almost identical as you say, although apparently the Hydra has slightly better HSH The Hydra has very slightly different dimensions, has slightly more headspace (4cm?) and its darker green The Hydra is an Amazon exclusive but both the Hydra and the Helvellyn are cracking tents Apparently (dont quote me) but the Helvellyn footprint ground sheet fits the Hydra.... (but I make my own) Snow load on the spine is only an issue if you dont use the guy lines. The spine design is apparently great for shedding water and snow ... not that Ive tested it yet The hydra has a track record of doing insanely well under battering weather conditions. As you say correctly its heavy .... at 3kg its almost at army-surplus-tent levels of heavy. I think the Hydra is a bit of a donkey, but its a way to spend £150 and get a genuine 4-seasons tent. Sure its heavy, but its got a really nice porch and a track record of surviving in horrible weather conditions.
Nice review. I recently bought a Vango Mirage 200 which is similar to the Hydra. Like you say, a very decent tent, and I agree with you about the pegs. Do you have any tips for better pegs for 3 season camping?
Cracking tent. I have the cloud peak 2 also, which I like. But the Hydra is much cheaper, more sturdy and better quality in my opinion. It was a mission to get the footprint though. I managed to get one from the USA, £27..00, which included postage.
I think my only negative with the tent is the door why they didnt install a 2 way zip baffles me or even placing thr zip from the top rather than the bottom would have been handy to have the door half and half for ventilation ect
Brilliant review mate, I got this tent last week and have a review first look vid up on it, you did a better job though lol, the helvellyn has a 3000hh and 4000hh floor and a brighter green colour more your vango green, if your looking for a footprint the helvellyn one fits, 24.99 I think on amazon, itching to get out in mine, oh did you notice the two weird roof pockets above the door ? Not 100% sure if there supposed to be for a lantern or something else ? Also apparently you can roll the whole door up according to vango, but I didn't really check tbh.
I am trying to decide between the Hyrda 200 and the Scafell 200. I know the hydra is a bit heavier but that's not an issue. Are the sit up height and ability to cook in the porch area similar? What's peoples thoughts on which to get? Cheers
@@MrWildWales Cheers for reply mate 👍 I keep leaning towards one then changing back! I know both are entry level tents, just wondered if the semi geodesic hydra would fare better in winds than the tunnel scafell/nova? I have a phoxx 1 at minute but its like a coffin. No good for spending any time in other than to sleep
Spent ages looking at tents. Was going to go berghaus but I like the porch on this. Mines arriving this afternoon from Amazon. I did look at the helvelyn to compare them as they look the same but it’s got a lower waterproof rating than the hydra so opted for that because it’s the same as the berghaus I was originally going for. Like this colour better but would be better if the inner wasn’t orange.
@@MrWildWales thanks. I’d have preferred a bit of black out. Got a bigger Coleman with black out and it’s great for people like me that don’t do early morning 😬
Looks good. Gonna check price+ weight. Want a 2 man under 3kg tent. (Mmm 2.8kg is ok to take on bike, am after a summer tent for a novice). So far have liked Coleman darwin, oex jackal plus rakoon2 and the vangos look ok. Any other out there 2.5kg ish?
@@MrWildWales Actually just ordered the naturehike cloud up3 P.s Nice reviews oh if you can suggest a light weight mattress for a 6"1 chap am all ears boyo!
Several companies do very similar tents. Another one is Snugpak. There are variations of course, but the style or structure is all but the same throughout. Out of all of them, I'd go for the Hydra............
Every Vango tent I've ever had has fallen apart at the seams, stopped buying them after the last one didn't even hold out for the duration of summer 21. I used it maybe a dozen times. I now avoid the Vango brand altogether.
that tent is made by so many companies that you cant imagen the Hannah Rider 2 , the Alpkit Tetri, the OEX Bandicoot 2 i think they are made by the same machine in the same factory even know the name of that to hehehehe and you can use the same footprint for all of them some them have different doors and vents but other than that they are totally the same (i know i am the biggest tent freak ever) the best of them all by a mile though would be the Marmot Grid 2 with DAC poles 40D sil fly and 70D floor i used to own one but it was stolen from my car and i been hunting for one ever since but they stopped making them about 10 years ago ..... about the Vango names its generation based and they just did it again so the new Nevis 100 is called the Apex 100 now and has a yellow inner ..... a quick question the brown leather hiking boots Drufus are wearing on most camps what are they? they look a bit like boots from the norwegian brand Alfa but i dont think they are so what are they?
You could be right there lots of manufacturers who put their name to this shape tent. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot are made by one factory. I realised Ive owned about 30 tents myself now 🫣Drufs boots are scarpa ✊️
@@MrWildWales i think i owened over 300 tents over time i got over 50 tents at my house right now and i just ordered 1 more (something quite rare that you might like) i mostly buy a tent every 1 or 2 month (i know i am mental) i do have my favorites though
the Hydra is a higher spec than the Helvellyn. Hydra Doors two way zips and a zipped mesh cover in the innner door. Helvellyn not got those features. Hydra 5000HH, Hellvellyn 3000HH.
I bought this last month from Amazon Uk and unfortunately the quality is terrible. Stitch quality is poor and all over the place. Hole in outer shell and materials have been cut ragged in places. I have no idea how it got through quality control. Amazon will not deal with warranty even though vango know of the issues. Will buy decathlon next time as better customer service
Can't make up my mind on this tent.....it's short if you are over 6 foot, 205 cm in practical terms is the max length, NOT 225cms., and the inner is a bit saggy and flops around a bit. It could be so good.................it is pretty good really, not withstanding..........
The whole front of the tent does actually roll up out of the way if needs be 👍
I love my Hydra it's a Amazon exclusive claiming a higher hsh & floor than the Helvellyn & arguably the better colour at 128 it's a good buy, I don't mind the weight as I won't be using this for multi day trips. It's been out in some serious wind here on the Pembrokeshire coast & been rock solid. It's a very forgiving tent to pitch & handles uneven ground better than most my other tents ...I wish Vango would sort the bloody pegs out though 😁
Yeah I much prefer the dark green it blends in better.
Glad to see vango revive the hydra. I still have the original one the hydra 200 +. Which i have owned for 20 years and still use on occasion that is a pitch inner first
Ah I didn't know its been going that long! 😀👌
Thanks 👍
Just ordered one from your link. Thanks for sitting up in the doorway (needed to see that) and thanks for using a tripod. All the best.
Hope you enjoy it!
Good review. I've had mine 2 years now and its a Palace compared to my dd hammocks superlight tarp tent.. During the warmer months if you want more room and rain wind security you could always just take the outer and use a bivvy bag/sleeping bag inside. It is a very warm tent. Very robust, yes heavy if multi-daying but can compromise on other stuff you take. The porch ie the center section if you have walking poles can be guided out to give full opening of the doorway 😁👍 For the price, its great value and should last years.. Definatley change the oe pegs though.. could do with a vestibule footprint, mine hasn't got it.. But other than that, I love mine..
Great idea with the walking poles to lift it up!
@Mr. Wild Wales 2 poles upside down, guided out. That way you can have full opening views with both doors open tied back and the mini porch lifted out of the way 😁 With the right sleep system ide even say its almost a 4 season tent so long as its not hurricane type weather..
@@hikermikem8 the “ribs” (where the poles are) at the roof will keep snow on the roof, and the snow (especially if its wet snow) will most likely collapse the tent. So definitely not 4 season tent unfortunately.
Lots of information there. You've covered every detail very well. Great review. Thanks.
No problem at all glad you liked and found it useful! 😁
Just completed a 5 week motorcycle trip around Europe using the Mirage Pro 200. Stood up to plenty of rain fall, which some times went on all night, and five or six thunder storms. Kept me dry and without any damage. Would recommend and have every confidence in it keeping my dry for many years ahead.
A very solid tent!
I own this tent and have been out with it a few times. Overall good tent. My biggest complain is way too big gaps between the outer tent lower edge and the ground. Especially it’s seen at the right-hand side of the porch - see 2:40. The gaps let a lot of wind into the tent. I’m afraid that really strong wind will get underneath and will tear off the outer tent. The gaps also let rain to wet the inner tent. Solution for me is to take a sheet of tarpaulin slightly wider than the inner tent and use it as a footprint, rolling its edges up to cover the gaps - helps with rain, but not with wind.
Another annoyance - the inner tent is quite low and you touch it when changing clothes.
My inner tent also has a “saggy” rear wall, which touches my sleeping bag. The inner door zipper is jamming in a few places.
Other than that it’s a good tent.
I haven't noticed the wind coming underneath but I would think it would help with ventilation? Have a look at the lanshan 1 and the gap under the porch on that is ridiculous!
Another brilliant video with a great review 💪🏴👍🍻
Thank you mate! Cheers!
well done sir great review simply spoken but with massive knowledge enjoyed this thanks for putting this up we celts gotta look out for each other classsssssssssssss
Nice one pal!
My dad had the 300 when I was a kid, bloody good tent from what I can remember (I'm 36 now), spent many a stormy night at Beddgelert campsite in it
Great review, hope you're well and having a great weekend ✌🏼👍🐱
Thanks! You too!
Excellent video, buddy. I love my Hydra 200 - it has never let me down in any weather. Yeah, it's a bit weighty; but for the space you have, I think it's well worth it. I had the Banshee 200 but the headroom is terrible. I'm 6'3", so I could hardly sit up in it - but the Hydra is no problem for headroom or length for sleeping in. The porch is a godsend! I found a nice porch floor for mine - so I can keep my pack and boots off the floor and also not get my knees wet when I crawl in! Cheers!
Thanks mate it's a quality bit of kit!
100L plastic garbage bag works well as the porch floor :)
At 6'4" I couldn't even lie down in the Banshee, everything hangs in your face.....the Hydra is leagues better, but I would still view it as a 1 man tent. At 6'4" it's barely long enough, but then what is?
I'm pretty sure the reason Go Outdoors get manufacturers to rename some of their products for sale in G.O. stores is because of their Price Match + 10% promise, if you can find the same product cheaper elsewhere. So you can't get a price match on a Helvellyn and a Hydra, because they're supposed to be different products.
That's an interesting point 👍😊
You've got a point there
Bought this about 4 years ago as an "Amazon exclusive" the only negative point I found was nowhere to hang a lantern from, other than that it's brilliant. Regarding snow loading, shouldn't really be a problem as it's not a 4 season tent. ATB Mark.
There is a loop for a lantern just above the “door” inside the inner tent.
Whoop whoop Vango Crew 🎉😅 that thing shouldn’t dissolve around you when you sleep like that one in Snowdonia did 😆
Built a bit more solid for sure ha
@@MrWildWales it’s the tent version of a dad bod 😂
Also called a "mirage 200" and mine the only negative that u didnt mention is that on mine the groundsheet is very lightweight even compared to a banshees floor
Yes I see what you mean it is the same thickness as the fly
I've seen a few of these knocking about they seem a really sturdy tent you often see DOE and the scouts use them.the materials will be very robust and that's why there pretty weighty but should last year's
I've noticed a lot of the vango tents are recommended by doe. Most of us write them off because of the weight but this seems a solid thing
@@MrWildWales yea there very solid because of the wear and tear they get they have to use heavier materials
I got a Hydra 200 too…….the latest batch are better quality as they are made in Bangladesh. The Orion 200 is another tent I have from Amazon. Really good buys as sometimes they go below £100 as on both occasions buying my two tents.
I thought £128 was cheap!
@@MrWildWales I just bought an OEX Jackal 2 for £86 three weeks ago! I got my Hydra for £98 and the Orion for £95….The OEX Phoxx 2 is arriving soon and that was £70……. Crazy cheap really for what you get tentwise all brand new from outlets
You had some right bargains there mate!
Thanks for this mate.
Really needed a first hand account of this tent
Glad I could help
Thank you, good review by the way 👍
Thanks for watching!
I did a lot more research and just bought one.
My conclusions where these:
Its a cracking low-budget entry to four-seasons camping.
The Hydra and the Helvellyn are almost identical as you say, although apparently the Hydra has slightly better HSH
The Hydra has very slightly different dimensions, has slightly more headspace (4cm?) and its darker green
The Hydra is an Amazon exclusive but both the Hydra and the Helvellyn are cracking tents
Apparently (dont quote me) but the Helvellyn footprint ground sheet fits the Hydra.... (but I make my own)
Snow load on the spine is only an issue if you dont use the guy lines.
The spine design is apparently great for shedding water and snow ... not that Ive tested it yet
The hydra has a track record of doing insanely well under battering weather conditions.
As you say correctly its heavy .... at 3kg its almost at army-surplus-tent levels of heavy.
I think the Hydra is a bit of a donkey, but its a way to spend £150 and get a genuine 4-seasons tent.
Sure its heavy, but its got a really nice porch and a track record of surviving in horrible weather conditions.
Hope it serves you well mate it's a good buy 😄
Ace review love the tent defo be getting at some point but vango is a good tent maker tbh
I didn't rate the nevis much but this seems really good
@@MrWildWales does look a good all rounder tent
Nice review. I recently bought a Vango Mirage 200 which is similar to the Hydra. Like you say, a very decent tent, and I agree with you about the pegs. Do you have any tips for better pegs for 3 season camping?
This shape peg is good amzn.to/3k5kURs They can still bend and break sometimes but they are good all rounders 👍
Cracking tent. I have the cloud peak 2 also, which I like. But the Hydra is much cheaper, more sturdy and better quality in my opinion. It was a mission to get the footprint though. I managed to get one from the USA, £27..00, which included postage.
Wow you had a right bargain there and I'd agree it's a lot stronger tent and warmer too
I think my only negative with the tent is the door why they didnt install a 2 way zip baffles me or even placing thr zip from the top rather than the bottom would have been handy to have the door half and half for ventilation ect
Always prefer a two way zip I guess with this one you may get a bit of rain coming through as theres nothing covering it
Mine does..........
Brilliant review mate, I got this tent last week and have a review first look vid up on it, you did a better job though lol, the helvellyn has a 3000hh and 4000hh floor and a brighter green colour more your vango green, if your looking for a footprint the helvellyn one fits, 24.99 I think on amazon, itching to get out in mine, oh did you notice the two weird roof pockets above the door ? Not 100% sure if there supposed to be for a lantern or something else ? Also apparently you can roll the whole door up according to vango, but I didn't really check tbh.
Nice one bud! Yeah I forgot to get those roof pockets in it. If you can roll the door up maybe they could tuck into that? No idea!
@@MrWildWales yeah, you roll both the doors up at the centre section and attach to the loops at the arch.
Just bought it, waiting on delivery, hope it holds up in the windiest country in Europe, all reviews suggest it will, fingers crossed.
It's a very solid tent I'd say! What country is that then?
The Emerald Isle, Eire@@MrWildWales
I am trying to decide between the Hyrda 200 and the Scafell 200. I know the hydra is a bit heavier but that's not an issue. Are the sit up height and ability to cook in the porch area similar? What's peoples thoughts on which to get? Cheers
My mate had the scafell, well his was called nova but it seemed a cracking tent. We had high winds and rain one night and it was perfect
@@MrWildWales Cheers for reply mate 👍 I keep leaning towards one then changing back! I know both are entry level tents, just wondered if the semi geodesic hydra would fare better in winds than the tunnel scafell/nova? I have a phoxx 1 at minute but its like a coffin. No good for spending any time in other than to sleep
Yeah that's why I chose the hydra because I intend to use it in windy situations. Scafell would do you if you're avoiding that!
Spent ages looking at tents. Was going to go berghaus but I like the porch on this. Mines arriving this afternoon from Amazon. I did look at the helvelyn to compare them as they look the same but it’s got a lower waterproof rating than the hydra so opted for that because it’s the same as the berghaus I was originally going for. Like this colour better but would be better if the inner wasn’t orange.
I think you'll be pleased with it. Bright coloured inners help you see things inside the tent. It blends in really well with the dark green
@@MrWildWales thanks. I’d have preferred a bit of black out. Got a bigger Coleman with black out and it’s great for people like me that don’t do early morning 😬
Looks good. Gonna check price+ weight. Want a 2 man under 3kg tent. (Mmm 2.8kg is ok to take on bike, am after a summer tent for a novice).
So far have liked Coleman darwin, oex jackal plus rakoon2 and the vangos look ok.
Any other out there 2.5kg ish?
This one isn't light it's more built for strength. How about the nature hike cloud peak 2?
@@MrWildWales Actually just ordered the naturehike cloud up3
P.s Nice reviews oh if you can suggest a light weight mattress for a 6"1 chap am all ears boyo!
This looks a lot like the berghaus cheviot 2 which would have been my next purchase but they not only come in bright red
Same here I'm not fond of the bright colour much prefer this style
Several companies do very similar tents. Another one is Snugpak. There are variations of course, but the style or structure is all but the same throughout. Out of all of them, I'd go for the Hydra............
Lovely dog too
Thanks 😊🙏
Apart from the pegs that looks ok. And at least you don't have to seal it 😳😁👍
Im thinking of replacing the pegs for mine, how many pegs would you say id need roughly
Roughly exactly 14
@@MrWildWales Grand. Thank you
Looks very similar to my Snugpak Scorpion 2, and at least half the price. Be interesting to see how it performs in practice. Atb Mally
Yeah very similar though it looks like a couple more nice features on the snugpak!
Also more adaptable doorway and slightly longer than the Snugpak.
Adam the Vango Hellvelyn flysheet is only 3000mm HH and not as waterproof as the Hydra.
Take it easy atb Taff 🤠👊
Ah I see thanks for the info!
Every Vango tent I've ever had has fallen apart at the seams, stopped buying them after the last one didn't even hold out for the duration of summer 21. I used it maybe a dozen times. I now avoid the Vango brand altogether.
that tent is made by so many companies that you cant imagen the Hannah Rider 2 , the Alpkit Tetri, the OEX Bandicoot 2 i think they are made by the same machine in the same factory even know the name of that to hehehehe and you can use the same footprint for all of them some them have different doors and vents but other than that they are totally the same (i know i am the biggest tent freak ever) the best of them all by a mile though would be the Marmot Grid 2 with DAC poles 40D sil fly and 70D floor i used to own one but it was stolen from my car and i been hunting for one ever since but they stopped making them about 10 years ago ..... about the Vango names its generation based and they just did it again so the new Nevis 100 is called the Apex 100 now and has a yellow inner ..... a quick question the brown leather hiking boots Drufus are wearing on most camps what are they? they look a bit like boots from the norwegian brand Alfa but i dont think they are so what are they?
You could be right there lots of manufacturers who put their name to this shape tent. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot are made by one factory. I realised Ive owned about 30 tents myself now 🫣Drufs boots are scarpa ✊️
@@MrWildWales i think i owened over 300 tents over time i got over 50 tents at my house right now and i just ordered 1 more (something quite rare that you might like) i mostly buy a tent every 1 or 2 month (i know i am mental) i do have my favorites though
the Hydra is a higher spec than the Helvellyn.
Hydra Doors two way zips and a zipped mesh cover in the innner door. Helvellyn not got those features.
Hydra 5000HH, Hellvellyn 3000HH.
Ah I see thanks for clearing it up
They change the name to prevent a price match against the product
cheeky blighters
I bought this last month from Amazon Uk and unfortunately the quality is terrible. Stitch quality is poor and all over the place. Hole in outer shell and materials have been cut ragged in places. I have no idea how it got through quality control. Amazon will not deal with warranty even though vango know of the issues. Will buy decathlon next time as better customer service
No way that sucks mate! As you saw on here mine was pretty good all round. Amazon should take it back though surely
Can't make up my mind on this tent.....it's short if you are over 6 foot, 205 cm in practical terms is the max length, NOT 225cms., and the inner is a bit saggy and flops around a bit. It could be so good.................it is pretty good really, not withstanding..........
It was a little snug for me but it felt pretty secure. A good one in the wind I think
@@MrWildWales Definitely👍
There really is no denying this tent looks a Styracosaurus
Would have made a more interesting name 😆
Let me tell you now 😂😂
😆