And why I'll never again set off with a cheap tent.
Hi, I'm Katrin and I've been a regular cyclist for about ten years. Maybe you feel the same way I did back then: at first, I thought camping wasn't for me. I always booked fixed accommodations for my cycling holidays because I appreciate having a hot shower and a comfortable bed at the end of the day. But then I reached a point where I realized that constantly searching for accommodation was robbing me of my flexibility.
So, with a queasy feeling, I finally ventured into camping. However, I didn't know back then that you could rent tents. That would certainly have saved me a lot of headaches and money. Instead, I bought a cheap entry-level tent, which, to be honest, has become more of a curse than a blessing. It's sturdy, but also heavy, and the groundsheet already has several holes from being constantly pitched and taken down.
I wanted to test what's important to me in a tent before I buy one.
This year I wanted to do things differently and finally test some high-quality equipment. Why rent and not buy? This way, I can test what's important to me in a tent before I buy it.
Furthermore, I only really have time for a longer tour once a year. So I also wanted to know:
- How easy is it to organize all of this?
- Is the quality really better than my cheap tent?
- How convenient is it to simply send everything back at the end?
Quick, easy and straightforward: That's how equipment rental should be!
To be honest, I didn't feel like a long organizational phase. But that wasn't necessary at all! I went to the website and looked at the different models. The Eddy's Adventure team then recommended two products to me right away:
- Tent: NEMO Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack 2P – Bikepacking Tent
- Sleeping mat: NEMO Tensor sleeping mat 3-season ultralight – Regular Wide
The cool thing is: everything was in our office in Graz just one day after I placed my order. I was really surprised how quickly it all went! This is a huge advantage, especially if you're planning at short notice or unsure when exactly you want to start.
I still recommend three days' notice :-)
On my tour through Austria: the rented equipment was a real game-changer.
Now for the practical test: The tent was fantastic! I could easily attach it directly to the handlebars of my bicycle, leaving plenty of room for my other bags. I was particularly impressed by the "tub" inside the tent, which keeps my luggage dry even if the ground is damp. With my old tent, everything would have ended up soaked.
During my tour through Austria, I encountered some serious summer thunderstorms, but the tent really didn't let me down. Everything stayed dry and stable, which is definitely not a given with cheap tents.
The sleeping mat was also a real game-changer. I used to struggle to sleep on an uncomfortable mat. But with this one, I could really stretch out and didn't wake up with a stiff back. That's important when you're out cycling for several days in a row.
Another plus: Both products were super light and compact. My old tent easily weighs a kilo more – you really notice that after a few hours in the saddle. So, just in terms of weight, it was an absolute relief. And if there's one thing I've learned in recent years: The lighter your gear, the more relaxed the tour!
The convenience of renting: No stress with cleaning and maintaining the equipment.
To be honest, after the trip I was just glad I didn't have to take care of the tent myself. After ten days on the road, I simply didn't feel like meticulously cleaning and drying it.
- Simply dry and shake out the equipment.
- Pack everything up again and put it back in the box.
- Stick on the return label, it was already included.
- Take the box to the post office, and that's it.
Conclusion: For me, it was really worth it.
For someone like me, who just wanted to try something new, renting equipment was ideal. I was able to test whether the high-quality gear really made a difference (spoiler alert: it did!) and didn't have to commit to anything right away. I'll definitely try out other tents and equipment on future trips.
If, like me back then, you're new to camping or still unsure whether you'll really enjoy camping on your cycling trips, then I would definitely recommend renting first. You can test high-quality products without spending a fortune. And if you discover that cycling and camping are exactly your thing, you can always buy the equipment right there.
A major advantage compared to buying cheap: sustainability.
Renting equipment conserves resources because the products are actually used much more often before ending up in the trash.
- Regular and professional maintenance: This is how rental equipment stays in good working order.
- High quality: This prevents damage from occurring so quickly.
- Option for repair: If something does go wrong.
- Use by multiple people: this means the equipment is actually used much more frequently during its lifetime than equipment that is only used once a year.
Just try it out and find out what suits you! After all, bike touring should be fun and not turn into a battle for equipment.
About me:
I'm Katrin, part of the five-person founding team of cyclebee . I've been going on regular cycling trips for about ten years, even though I wasn't originally a fan of camping at all. My first tours always involved staying in fixed accommodations. But to be more flexible, I eventually tried camping – and fell in love with it! Since I don't want to forgo the comfort of a hot shower and a proper toilet in the evenings, I stay at campsites. At cyclebee, we want to encourage people who haven't yet dared to embark on a cycling trip to simply give it a try. That's why we're developing our app. It helps you organize all the information you need for your cycling holiday, so you can relax and enjoy your freedom on two wheels.
