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Three Things To Know:
- Tough but lightweight: The OEX Bandicoot II Ultralight Tent weighs just 1.63kg but handled wind, rain and intense sun during testing on Exmoor.
- Spacious and smart: Roomy enough for two people and gear, with dual side doors and a porch area that makes shared camping easier.
- High quality, mid-range price: At £475, it’s an investment but one that delivers premium materials, four-season protection and long-term durability.
Capacity and Comfort
Weather Protection and Durability
Weight and Packability
Features and Design
Here we have an ultralight tent that doesn't compromise on size, is both durable and waterproof, and can fit in the water pocket of your backpack. At just 1.63 kg, the OEX Bandicoot II Ultralight 2 person tent is a little heavier than some lightweight tents, but this is a great piece of kit for hiking, backpacking, cycling or even just impromptu camping weekends. I put this tent up for the first time in the dark, and tested it in a damp field, in both wind, rain and intense sun, and it held up incredibly well.
Just over a year ago, JD Sports owned brand OEX released its line of ultralight tents for hikers, backpackers or those that just want to shave a few kilos off their packs. They are sold exclusively through Go Outdoors, Blacks and Millets.
Since 2015, OEX has made it its mission to create high quality outdoor gear made to endure all the UK climate has to throw at it. While £475 might be more than some are prepared to pay for a lightweight tent, the technology in this mid-range ultralight weight tent is far superior to that of lower range, cheaper models, and the top-range models can easily make it into the thousands.
My key test of the Bandicoot II Ultralight tent was at a campsite in Exmoor National Park between Somerset and Devon, over a weekend where the weather went from scorching sun to torrential rain and wind, and back again, every couple of hours.
Capacity and Comfort
I’m 5”4 and found the tent perfectly spacious enough for me, even with my 50-litre bag in the tent. I tested getting in it with a second person, two sleeping bags and two roll mats and, like Doctor Who's TARDIS, it was surprisingly roomy on the inside. The inner part of the tent is 215cm x 130cm x 98cm (LxWxH), which means that the taller camper might find the length a bit cramped depending on how much they move around in the night, and how much extra space they find comfortable.
Weather Protection and Durability
The thought of trying out an ultralight weight tent in such changeable conditions, I must admit, did have me reaching for a more heavy-duty model just before I left, however, not one to shy away from a challenge, I pulled myself together and took the Bandicoot to the Somerset moors.
Once I got to Exmoor, in the dark I might add, I pulled out the contents to find the inner and outer sections, both made from advanced waterproof and durable N-Liten silicone Nylon fabric, OEX Endura poles made from high tensile aluminium, ultralight guy lines and aluminium pegs. The tent also comes with a tube of silicon ‘seam sealer’ to apply along the seams of the ultralight tent to fill the gaps left by the stitching process to keep it waterproof in heavy rain - a lighter alternative to tape. I didn’t use it this first time, however, during future uses I will mirror OEX’s advice of sealing the seams occasionally to help the fragile seams stay watertight for four season camping, all year round.
The silicone infused waterproofing is also applied to both sides of the outer of the tent, rather than a surface layer, making the tent last longer and reduces flaking over time.
Silicon and Nylon are lighter and more flexible that PU-coated polyester fabric, and repel moisture on both sides of the sheets, meaning condensation build up is reduced, keeping the tent warmer and dryer, and significantly reducing the risk of mould and mildew.
It’s important to note that OEX says on its website that their equipment is designed to “handle the toughest conditions in the UK,” and while we can get everything from snowstorms to heatwaves, this tent might not be the best choice for hiking in countries prone to more extreme weather.
Weight and Packability
Apologies for stating the obvious, but the first thing I noticed about the Bandicoot was its incredible lightness. Weighing only 1.63 kg, it’s roughly the same weight as my full one litre water bottle, and with the packed dimensions 49cm x 20 cm x 9cm, it very conveniently slotted into the water bottle holder of my backpack, and I barely noticed its weight. The outer case also comes with a handy roll top handle with a clip, so it could be clipped on to a pack as well, although the material is thin so it might be worth testing this out before committing to it.
One of my main criteria when looking for a tent, especially when camping solo is, is a tent that's easy to pitch. I can happily confirm the semi-geodesic Bandicoot II Ultralite Tent was incredibly easy to pitch, even in the dark, and took around ten minutes with just three poles, and inner and an outer later attached with hooks.
Once up, I saw that the low-profile silhouette of the tent was designed to help reduce the effect of high winds. This has become one of my favourite pieces of kit, it's neat, light, comfortable and won't cause arguments when you get to the site.
The Bandicoot II Ultralite Tent was also incredibly easy to take down and pack away, taking less than ten minutes even on the first try. It was so easy I didn’t even worry about the dreaded moment when I had to get it out again at home to dry it out.
Features and Design
The living area was spacious, with a porch area big enough to sit in and store bags, and a handy windproof area to prepare food. The dual side doors on either side of the porch were also a nice touch in such a simple design, meaning that sharing campers don’t need to climb over each other to get out. There is also an option to the OEX Feral UL Tarp which weighs 420 grams and is sold separately.
Value For Money
While £475.00 is undoubtedly a lot of money, this tent has become a favourite piece of kit for me due to the ease of use. The freedom it gives me, and the high quality design means I know I can carry it myself, and I'll be protected in light weather, and that's worth the price tag in my opinion.
Sustainability?
In terms of sustainability, there's not a lot of information out there about this tents rating, which usually suggests it hasn't been a priority. With the very specific materials ultralight weight tents tend to require to make them so light, there isn't as much wriggle room for factors such as sustainability. There is no mention of recycled materials, or certifications such as Global Recycled Standard (GRS) OR OEKO-TEX, which would indicate a higher level of commitment to environmental issues, however, OEX have put significant effort into the longevity of this tent, including built in reparability.
Should You Buy It?
It's a resounding yes from me. It's unusual in my experience for the tent to be an afterthought when it comes to the stress of packing for a trip, or setting up a camp, but the lightweight element of this tent combined with how easy it is to put up and take down make it a perfect companion on hikes, cycles and other travels.
If you're not a fan of products that take a bit of maintenance then this might not be for you if it's going to be your main tent, as the seams will need to be maintained with the silicon ‘seam sealer’ to elongate the life of the tent. Equally, while I found it spacious, taller people might find it a bit cramped.
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- Find out more in our guide to the best tents.
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