Camping kit that has a number of uses is a fine thing. That’s why we’re keen on the idea of a utility tent, screenhouse or shelter to add to our packing list.
Here’s our round-up of easy-to-put-up, airy things that can be gazebos, dining tents, sunshades, rain shelters or driveaway awnings for campervans….
DECATHLON
Decathlon’s own brand is famed for its small pop-up shelters like this £30 two-second one (150cm wide and 110 cm high).
Our favourite buy is the fantastic Arpenaz Base Fresh (in medium for £80 or large for £120).
- Floor size: 250x250cm (M) and 300x300cm (L)
- Height: 215cm and 235cm
- Weight: 7.7kg and 11.8kg
- Pack size: 57x18cm cylinder and 65x25x25cm rectangular
- Price: £80/£120
KHYAM
Khyam are famed for their umbrella-style set-up that really is super-quick.
So, we’ve tried out their simple Screendome over a summer of sun and rain. It kept us dry for a family party in the garden and it made a great awning for a VW California Beach.
Fast to install – 20 seconds! Plus lots of head height, big windows and two full side doors, plus a sun canopy that can be attached to the side of your van using tarp clips and bungees (or another clever workaround of your choice!).
- Size: W300 x L300 x H205 cm
- Pack size: 102 x 21 x 21 cm
- Weight: 9.5kg
- Price: Around £240
There’s a more sophisticated Screenhub that, sadly, isn’t available anywhere at the moment (not even Khyam have it). You can add bedrooms, remove the side panels or clip in a groundsheet. It’s a bit big when packed and one of the heaviest we’ve tried. We’ll update this if it comes back into stock anywhere.
- Size: W300 x L300 x H210 cm
- Pack size: 108 x 32 x 32 cm
- Weight: 22kg
- Price: £400
COLEMAN
Coleman make shelters that provide protection from the sun, the wind and the rain, thanks to their WindStrong™ system. The range has shelters of all sizes with vented canopies, shock-corded poles, patent-pending hubs and guylines.
Event Shelter
A range of sizes – from family-sized to massive with sunwalls and groundsheet options. There’s a fast-pitch model in two sizes as well.
Floor size: From around 300×300 to 460x460cm
Max height: Around 230cm
Weight: 15 to 22kg
Pack size: 30 x 23 x 83cm to 100 x 22 x 35cm
Price: From around £120 to £350
Event Dome
The Coleman Event Dome is a lighter version of the shelter, and there are two sizes available. Weatherproof and foldable walls give more shelter from rain and wind.
- Floor size: From around 350×350 to 450x450cm
- Max height: Around 218/228cm
- Weight: 11 to 15kg
- Pack size: 64 x 22.5 x 22.5cm and 65 x 26 x 26cm
- Price: From around £170
Coleman Cortes
Not exactly a shelter, but a tent with versatility – and one of our favourite tents, in fact.
The Coleman Cortes Octagon has six large windows and hinged doors that open like real doors. The flysheet can be removed to transform the tent into a bug-proof screenroom.
- Floor size: 396 x 396 cm
- Max height: 215cm
- Weight: 20.7kg
- Pack size: 85 x 30 x 30cm
- Price: From around £200
VANGO
Airhub Hex
What a lovely-looking gazebo shelter. In a choice of colours, a single inflation point (three valves), three large side doors and six mesh windows. Detachable groundsheet and pump included.
- Floor size: 340 x 390xm
- Max height: 240cm
- Weight: 14kg
- Pack size: 70 x 37 x 37xm
- Price: Around £360
Hogan Hub
An event shelter that can be totally open or fitted with (included) side panels. Pole and sleeve construction in a choice of large or medium size. Groundsheet available separately.
- Floor size: 350 x 350cm (280 x 280 M)
- Max height: 225cm (210 M)
- Weight: 9.43kg
- Pack size: 66x20x24cm
- Price: Around £200 (L) £140 (M)
EASYCAMP
EasyCamp Day Tent
Day Tent
This dome-style shelter has fibreglass poles, four large side windows with curtains, a sewn-in groundsheet and large front and rear doors. The doors can be set up as a canopy. Some people complain of the build quality, but it’s a cheapish option.
- Floor size: 290 x 290cm
- Max height: 200cm
- Weight: 7.9kg
- Pack size: 75x21cm
- Price: Around £120
QUEST 
Cheap and cheerful pop-up options from Quest. They say the spring-up frame system allows one person to get it set up in under a minute. Getting it back down…that’s always the tricky part. There are Pro versions of the two screenhouses that are a bit lighter and more refined.
Elite Screenhouse 4 and 6
With optional sidewall blinds.
- Floor size: 244x244cm and 350x350cm
- Max height: 210cm
- Weight: 11.5kg and 15.5kg
- Pack size: 167x16x16cm and 185x18x18cm
- Price: Around £160 to £240. Also have a look on Ebay (we found lots new as well as secondhand)
Outwell Naples
Something a bit different – a sort of pre-arranged tarp from Outwell. The height can be adjusted by bringing in the sides, but we wonder whether it’s more limited in use than just a normal (versatile) tarp. It does have fibreglass poles and sandbags for beach use.
- Floor size: 200-350 x 350cm
- Height: 150-205cm
- Weight: 5kg
- Pack size: 62 x 14cm
- Price: Around £70
Zempire
The Shelter Dome Deluxe is a stunner, but it’s heavy. The base model costs around £120 (a bargain at the moment at Winfields, but usually around £300). You do need to pay extra for mesh side walls, however.
- Floor size: 350x350cm
- Height: 210cm
- Weight: 17kg
- Pack size: 74x29x29cm
- Price: £120-£300
KAMPA
Air Shelter
In two sizes and easy to pitch, thanks to their inflatable columns. They come with removeable side panels.
- Floor size: 300x300cm and 400x400cm
- Height: 225/230cm
- Weight: 6.5/8kg
- Pack size: 64 x 30 x 30cm
- Price: Around £400 including side panels
KELTY 
Screenhouse
Very handsome and well-respected. A choice of medium or large.
- Floor size: 274 x 335cm (M), 335 x 396cm (L)
- Max height: 188cm (M), 193cm (L)
- Weight: 6kg (M), 8.3kg (L)
- Pack size: Around 25 x 60cm (details vary)
- Price: £200 to £300
CASART
Not a known brand, but a very affordable shelter with zip-in walls. And under £100. You’ll see it’s marketed under a number of different brand names too. We’re guessing it’s not top-quality, but it’s big, light and might just work for you.
- Floor size: 330x330cm
- Max height: 255cm
- Weight: 7.5kg
- Pack size: 69x19x15cm
- Price: Around £100
If you’ve found a multi-purpose shelter you love – easy to put up, strong and handsome – do let us know. Oh, and have a look at our driveaway awnings choices too.
AND don’t forget the multipurpose tarp!
A simple tarpaulin, a couple of poles and some rope could be all you need to create shelter from the rain, a sunshade, a bit of extra space….the tarp range at OutdoorGear is great.
Bungee cords for guylines
Thanks to ex-para and now car-camper Tommy Graham for his tip on using stretch rope or bungee cords when tying down tarps and other shelters. Go for reflective or bright-coloured
Tarp poles
Clever fasteners
Buy yourself extra tarp clips
Camping gear must-haves – our 60 best finds
Read More
Where can I get the Wenzel Horizon ( around £100 ) and the Easycamp Day Tent ( Also £100 )or the Kampa( 350sq at about £150 ),,
Also any reader reviews.
I want a fairly robust tent to use as an extra room for my Motorhome….Thanks.
ED: The Horizon is listed on Amazon at just over £100. The Biscayne is slightly better thought of by readers. People do love them, but you need to remember that they were really designed for clement weather, so don’t expect them to withstand gales and downpours.
The Easycamp Day Tent is another model best suited to fair weather, but still quite cheap. The Wenzel wins out for most readers, though.
The Kampa Shelter isn’t really going to give you an extra room, as it’s designed more as a gazebo with optional sides. Sturdy, though. The Day Room isn’t currently available, I’m afraid. We’ve left the link in place in case it returns!
The Kelty ones are probably the best for your needs, but rather more expensive. So, if you’re looking for a spare room mostly for good weather camping, we’d choose the Wenzels. If you want it to be useable in any weather, have a look at the quick-to-pitch tent article for some more ideas – some of these would do the trick? And how about an awning? We’ll be reviewing these very soon (subscribe or follow us on Facebook to get updates).