Testing a Cheap Amazon Tent in Wild Camping UK Conditions
Trying Out a Budget Amazon Tent for Wild Camping
Wild camping is often associated with premium gear—Hillebergs, OneTigris, or the trusty OEX Phoxx 2. But what if you’re just starting out? What if your budget is tight and Amazon is your go-to gear shop?
That’s exactly the experiment I took on this week. I picked up a Purebox tent from Amazon for under £50 and decided to take it on a full wild camp test in the woodland. Over 3,000 reviews and a four-star rating gave me hope—but would it hold up in real-world camping conditions?
First Impressions: Cheap from the Start
Unpacking the Purebox Tent
As soon as I unzipped the bag, things went downhill. The tent wasn’t even rolled properly. Inside were the cheapest pegs I’ve ever seen—they looked like silver toothpicks. The guyline was frayed, and honestly, the build quality already had me nervous.
But, commitment is commitment. I set about pitching it.
Pegged out the inner (just barely)
Set up the fly (which didn’t fully tighten)
Watched the outer press against the inner, which is a big no-no
Noticed the groundsheet was made from two stitched pieces, inviting water
Inside the Tent
Spacious? Yes. But cheap materials everywhere you look. A flimsy mesh pocket, ribbon loops for hanging gear, and zippers that felt ready to go at any moment.
Campfire, Dinner & a Bit of Hope
After the laughable tent setup, I needed a win.
I fired up a new wood stove from Amazon I had recently bought—actually a decent bit of kit. On the menu: sausage, mushroom, and pepper skewers wrapped in tortilla with salad, mustard, and ketchup (yep, I went gourmet).
Insert image: Wood stove with skewers cooking
Stove worked like a charm
Dinner was actually solid
Tent? Still looking like a budget fail
Overnight in the Purebox
Despite my doubts, I crawled into the tent for the night. Here’s what I found:
Pros:
Size: Genuinely roomy. Could fit 3 people.
Cons:
Zippers: Felt like they'd fail at any time
Construction: Poor stitching and design
Poles: Weak and easily bent
Groundsheet: Not waterproof by design
Flysheet: Touched the inner, risking condensation and drips
Something Strange on Amazon
Here’s where it got weird.
When I first found this tent, it had over 3,000 reviews and cost £49.99. When I checked back a day later, it had 12 reviews and cost £59.99.
I suspect review manipulation and price-jacking. Amazon seems to promote it when it's bought frequently, despite questionable quality.
My Advice:
Don’t fall for it. Spend a little more for a reliable budget tent like:
OEX Phoxx 2 (long-term favorite)
Highlander Blackthorn
Vango Soul 200
Key Takeaways
Cheap Amazon tents can mislead with inflated reviews
Build quality and weatherproofing were poor
Use reliable brands for proper wild camping
Budget wisely—gear you trust is worth the investment
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
Final Thoughts
This wild camp wasn’t a complete bust. I ate well, enjoyed the fire, and slept surprisingly okay. But the Purebox tent? It’s not making another trip with me.
If you’ve tried a budget tent off Amazon, let me know in the comments. Or if there’s another unknown brand you'd like me to test, drop the name and I might give it a go.
Thanks for reading—and as always, leave no trace and stay wild.
Can a budget Amazon tent handle wild camping conditions? Let's find out! In this video, I test one of the cheapest tents I could find on Amazon during a real wild camp. With wind, rain, and uneven ground, this is no staged backyard test. Watch as I set it up, sleep in it, and see if it can actually keep me dry and comfortable.
A spontaneous wild camp in a forgotten woodland using the DD Frontline hammock. No tarp, just stars, birdsong, and a full mental reset.