Lara Dunn tested the Highlander Respite 1 Person Tunnel Tent in mid-Wales. Here’s her verdict on this budget tent option.
The dark-green Highlander Respite 1 Person tunnel tent is extremely easy to erect, pitching flysheet first or inner and outer together as one. Two, different sizes of aluminium pole insert easily to give immediate structure to the tent, but it isn’t until its four guylines are deployed that the shelter has structure.
Lara Dunn’s verdict
At the price, it feels like a useful and cost-effective option for camping where good weather is expected, but better options are available if rain is likely.- spacious
- good front porch
- pitching takes practice
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: $177 / £129.99 Weight: 1744g Pitching: as a unit or outer first Flysheet: 75D, 210T polyester ripstop, 4000mm HH Inner: Breathable polyester with DWR Groundsheet: 190T polyester, 5000mm HH Poles: Front 8.5mm, rear 7.9mm, aluminium 7001 Pegs: 13 aluminium 7001 pegs Porches: 1 Inner dimensions: width 100cm, length 210cm, height 80cm highlander-outdoor.com |
A good deal of practice is required to position lines correctly for adequate tension, in order to avoid sagginess or water pooling. It was also difficult to arrange tension sufficiently without the inner and outer touching in bad weather, a shame given how waterproof the polyester ripstop flysheet material is. Additional guy points at the sides might help mitigate this, but the design does not currently include these.
Space inside the tent is reasonable, thanks to its decent length and generous width at widest point, with enough clearance for both a mat and kit. There’s even a stash pocket and a short washing line inside. However, the low head clearance does mean it can feel stuffy, despite a mesh ventilation panel at the feet.
The front door also doubles as ventilation and features a full-sized mesh panel, making for good insect proofing. The porch at the front of the tent is usefully deep and well-sized for either storage of a mid-sized pack and boots, or for cooking in bad weather.
Thoughtfully, the flysheet fabric is also fire retardant. At the price, it feels like a useful and cost-effective option for camping where good weather is expected, but better options are available if rain is likely.
Testing conditions
Lara used the tents on backpacking adventures in early spring at lower-level locations in mid-Wales. Temperatures were variable but weather was largely favourable. Weights are for total pack including stuffsack, poles and pegs and measured on Lara’s scales.
This review was first published in the August 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. To compare this tent to others in its price range, read our guide to the best budget tents.
