From Free to Premium: My Wild Camping Tent Evolution
The Start of the Journey: A Humble Blue Tent
Like many wild campers, I didn’t start out with a big budget. My very first wild camping tent was a Lichfield Treklite 200, a little blue two-man number I picked up for free off Facebook Marketplace. Subtle? Absolutely not. Functional? You bet.
Despite being an inner-first pitch, it was fast and super simple to set up. Tons of mesh made it ideal for summer trips, and it had some nifty touches — like mesh baskets for your phone and a couple of pockets. I watched films, munched on Werther’s Originals, and learned what it meant to be outside.
Key Takeaways:
Great ventilation, zero condensation
Excellent for summer
Basic but charming
Level-Up: The OEX Phoxx 2 v2
Next up, I decided to invest — but not heavily. Enter the OEX Phoxx 2 Version 2, a £60 gem from Go Outdoors. This tent took things to a new level with a compact footprint, better materials, and more weather resistance. While the vestibule space was lacking and the toggles left something to be desired, it got the job done.
The biggest downside? You can’t really sit up. There’s one spot where it’s kind of possible — but expect to feel cramped.
What I Loved:
Great value
Double door access
Quick pitch system
Limitations:
Cramped interior height
Flimsy door toggles
First Four-Season Tent: The OneTigris Stella
I was ready for four-season camping, so I made the jump to the OneTigris Stella. This blacked-out beast was massive compared to my previous tents. Loads of headroom, blackout interior, and a surprising weight under 3kg made it an enticing mid-tier choice.
That said, it wasn’t perfect. The flysheet sits high off the ground, which isn't ideal for wind. Mine even came with a small zip defect — easily fixed with pliers, but still annoying.
Why It Was a Game-Changer:
Room to move and change
Easy to sit up and relax
Hang points and pockets everywhere
But Also:
Flysheet sits too high
Zip quality issues out of the box
Final Form: The Hilleberg Soulo
This is it — the holy grail. After years of upgrades and lessons, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Hilleberg Soulo, one of the best one-person tents in the world. It’s not cheap — but every detail, from the storm flaps to the quality clips, screams premium.
It’s outer-pitch first with the inner already attached, built for brutal storms and sub-zero temperatures. I’ve used it in snow and gales on Kinder Scout — zero issues, zero worries. The footprint adds protection, and the vestibule is surprisingly spacious for solo use.
Hilleberg Highlights:
Unmatched durability
Windproof, waterproof, bombproof
Lifetime gear investment
Reflecting on the Journey
Going from a free blue tent to a Hilleberg Soulo wasn’t just about gear — it mirrored my growth as a camper. Every setup taught me something new. Whether it was the joy of a freebie, the reliability of a budget buy, or the confidence that comes with premium protection, each tent played a role.
Wild camping is a journey. If you’re just starting out — don’t worry about having the best. Find what works for you, upgrade when it makes sense, and enjoy every minute of it.
Have you had a similar journey? What’s been your favourite tent or biggest upgrade so far? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear about your wild camping evolution.
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Discover my wild camping tent journey, from a free Facebook Lichfield to the premium Hilleberg Soulo — a true gear evolution for serious campers.
From a free Facebook tent to the world-class Hilleberg Soulo — my full wild camping tent evolution and what I learned along the way.