If you’re considering the Vango Helvellyn 200 for your next wild camping adventure, you're likely wondering how it performs in real-world conditions. Endorsed by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) and built for rugged use, this semi-geodesic tent promises durability, portability, and ease of use but how does this 2-person tent fare? We took it to the top of Beinn an Dothaidh in Scotland for a summit camp to find out!
Related: Top 10 Tents for Wild Camping
Design and Build Quality
As mentioned, the Helvellyn 200 boasts a semi-geodesic design, which means it uses intersecting poles for increased stability and is great for maintaining its structure in high winds. At 2.59kg, it strikes a good balance between weight and strength, making it suitable for backpacking and multi-day hikes. The low-profile pitch ensures it remains steady in strong gusts on top of the summit, though the trade-off is limited headroom (less than a metre at the highest point).
Material Quality
- Flysheet: Vango’s Protex 70D polyester with a 3,000mm hydrostatic head
- Groundsheet: Durable 70D polyester with 6,000mm hydrostatic head
- Inner Tent: Breathable polyester with mesh panels for ventilation
The materials are decent for the price of the tent and exactly what you need from a backpacking tent - lightweight yet robust, and designed to keep you dry even in heavy UK downpours.
Poles and Pegs
There are three colour-coded aluminium poles (7001-T6), which are fairly lightweight whilst still offering a reliable amount of strength and durability. There is decent amount of give in them for pitching but never felt like I was in danger of snapping them. The pegs are nothing special, pretty lightweight and probably susceptible to bending in tougher terrain but were fine for our purposes.
Setup and Pitching
Ease of Setup Pitching the tent posed no issues after we’d picked our spot. It’s definitely worth trying to familiarise yourself with the process before heading out. If you don’t have access to an outdoor space even just taking the tent out of the bag, checking everything is there, reading the steps included on the packbag or watching an online tutorial if there is one can make life easier.
Space and Comfort
- Sleeping area dimensions: 220cm (L) x 120cm (W) tapering to 105cm (foot), 95cm (H)
- Porch/Vestibule: Single entrance with enough room for 2 packs, boots, and a stove
For a two-person tent for wild camping, the Helvellyn 200 offers a sufficient amount of room. The inner tent dimensions measure 220cm in length, 120cm in width (tapering to 105cm at the foot end), and 95cm in height by the porch. As you’d expect from a trekking tent (though you’d be surprised by how often we get asked) the headroom is nowhere enough for standing but adequate for sitting-up in to cook at the porch or soak in the views. If you favour more space then it’s sometimes worth going up a size i.e. opt for a 2-person if you’re solo camping or a 3-person tent if there are two of you. I prefer the benefit of a lighter and more compact tent but each to their own!
Sleeping Area
The sleeping area was snug but functional though there was little floor space left after our two sleeping mats were inflated. It was definitely smaller than the last tent we tested and review – the Tryfan 200. So if you favour more space and don’t mind the extra weight then probably worthwhile considering that.
Vestibules and Storage
There is a single porch at the entrance of the tent, which can be configured in a variety of options to suit your use and conditions. It’s not a massive area by any means but provided ample space to store both our packs, our hiking boots, walking poles, and Trangia camping stove. And there are a couple of mesh pockets, one on each side of the entrance for storing your essentials.
Ventilation and Condensation Management
Thanks to its mesh panels and vented doors, the tent handles condensation well. On our summit camp, we had no issues despite fluctuating temperatures. For spring and early summer conditions, the airflow was excellent.
Will try to take it out again later in the year and will update the review to reflect its performance in varying weather conditions.
Weather Resistance
Rain Performance
While we didn’t encounter rain during this trip, previous experience with similar Vango materials in heavy showers showed solid waterproof performance. Consider adding a footprint or groundsheet to protect the base when packing down on wet terrain.
Wind Performance
As we had this pitched on the summit of one of Scotland’s Munros I was expecting some strong winds and happy to report that this held up. I was impressed by its structural integrity throughout our camp with no bending, swaying, or flapping.
Seasonal Adaptability
Although Vango markets the Helvellyn 200 as suitable for "year-round use," we’d recommend it for 3-season camping. It may not provide the insulation or snow resistance required for true winter conditions, but it’s a reliable all-rounder for UK spring through autumn adventures.
Weight and Packability
- Packed weight: 2.59kg
- Packed size: 46 x 17cm
This isn’t an ultralight tent, but it’s highly manageable especially when split between two hikers. I strapped it to the front of my pack comfortably and the weight to strength ratio is pretty decent all told.
Pros and Cons of the Vango Helvellyn 200:
✅ Stable semi-geodesic design, which easily handled windy conditions.
✅ Lightweight and durable materials
✅ Good ventilation and no condensation.
✅ Freestanding structure makes it versatile for different terrains.
✅ Easy to pitch with intuitive pole sleeves.
❌ Not a lot of head room.
❌ Only one vestibule porch entrance.
Final verdict: Is the Vango Helvellyn 200 worth it?
The Vango Helvellyn 200 is a fantastic tent for wild campers looking for reliability, ease of use, and great weather protection without breaking the bank. Whether you’re tackling a DofE expedition or planning a solo wild camp, this tent delivers great value and performance.
Final Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
