REVIEW: Boutique Camping 4m Pro Bell Tent

Boutique Camping 4m Pro Tent

I was offered the option of testing a 285g standard bell, which Boutique have been selling for a while.
However, they had new stocks of the 'Fireproof Pro' -fire resistant heavier weight canvas in, so I opted to test one of these instead.

Initial reaction was that all seemed good.  Thicker guy ropes in purple with personalised sliders.

Pole thickness was fairly standard on both centre pole and a frame.  Nice top opening bag (easier to get the tent back in)

The canvas was thicker, however it does have a plastic finish feel coated onto it.  I prefer the softer treated canvas, but had no issues with condensation, so it wasn't a major problem.

There is a flue hole already incorporated in the roof, I didn't think was a particularly good placement.   Its quite far back into the tent, and renders using an inner useless, unless you could somehow angle the inner right into the door frame at the front.  If using a side stove, then you have no option other than to make another flue exit anyway.

I'm never a fan of pre-fitted flue holes in tents for these reasons 1.) It's invariable positioned badly.  2.) It will be rendered useless dependent on whether you get a roof or side exit stove

Groundsheet was the heavier weight 540g and was fine.  Pegs are fairly standard.  Stitching quality was good, with no obvious shortcuts on seams etc.  Zips good quality and glided well

Mesh doors are always a bonus, and it was nice to have these

So overall it appeared to be a nice little tent.  Until it rained.

No torrential downpour, but some showers, and it resulted in puddles pretty much everywhere.  It appeared to come from the lower zips, the a frame and even dripping from the seams and further into the tent as well.

The tent hadn't been weathered prior to this use, so I thought it would be only fair to retry the tent a second time.  So after drying off, I pitched again at home to test the waterproofing.

It has been outside for about 5 days, and there are no points where it could wick etc (fairly empty tent), but unfortunately the waterproofing was just as bad as before, if not worse.  Not just a few drips which is quite acceptable, but over an inch of water pooling around the main A frame, running in the back of the groundsheet, and just drips and puddles everywhere.

As a new product, perhaps revisions have been made, as the item wasn't for sale at the time of me testing it, or it may have just been a one off rogue tent in the batch

However, it is hard for me to recommend it with any confidence, as its let down purely on the waterproofing

Although Boutique do some really nice accessories, and are brave enough to develop a wide range of coloured tents (standard 285g, which generally seem to get better reviews)...


Manufacturers Website Spec:-

• Our first fireproof bell tent!
• British Safety Standards: BS EN ISO 5912 and BS 7837
• Heavy duty 385g per sqm 100% natural cotton canvas
• 100mm pre-cut flue hole for stoves 
• Includes integrated canvas flap with velcro, to cover the hole when it's not in use
• Available with single door only
• Luxury bell tent with heavy duty zipped in ground sheet (540g per sqm)
• New secondary mosquito door, with thicker guy ropes and extra strong pegs
• Thickness of pegs: 6mm and 8mm

Our exclusive Bell Tents by Boutique Camping aims to provide you with prominent luxury and comfort away from your home. There is a 4 and 5m tent, both with heavy duty zipped in ground sheet, which gives you the option to unzip and roll up the sides whilst you lounge and enjoy the surroundings around you. Available in an array of colours and patterns, our bell tent also come with 4 zipped windows and air vents at the top to allow more airflow.

The 4m tent is perfect for couples however can sleep 4 adults comfortably, luxuriating in an open-plan bedroom whilst the 5m tent is perfect for larger families and groups.

All our Bell tents are made from 100% natural breathable cotton canvas that drapes down from the centre pole and is held tight by ropes to create that distinctive vintage shape outside and to compliment the wonderful soft ambience within.

We are keen to give our customers the best and build upmost comfort combined with luxury; following feedback, we have introduced a secondary mosquito netting door, as well as a thicker 32mm centre pole, thicker guy ropes and durable pegs that will not bed and change shape once they are hammered into the ground.

With added branded zippers and metal guy ropes, to add that exclusive Boutique Camping touch And finally, all our Bell Tents Canvas’s are treated with mould, rot and water repellent. We recommend that you re-proof the canvas after approximately a year; this of course is dependant on how frequently it is used however we generally recommend reproofing after 52-60 weeks.