Tent waste is a huge issue in the UK, especially come summer and its schedule of festivals.
According to the Association of Independent Festivals, some 250,000 tents are discarded at festivals every year, with the vast majority loaded onto trucks and dumped at landfill sites, many of which are already at capacity. So much for ‘leave no trace’.
It’s a sorry state of affairs from every angle, not least because for the rest of the year, easing the environmental burden sits firmly at the top of most people’s agendas.
We diligently separate household waste for recycling, many have adopted sustainable periodwear like moon cups, reusable pads and period pants, while reusable tote bags live folded in our pockets and handbags to carry 11th-hour purchases back from shops.
So why, given the expense of tents in the first place, are we so quick to dump them after a single weekend?
Bone idleness aside, many campers believe that a small tear or zip malfunction renders an entire tent useless. While it’s true that a tent’s inner components are built to sit snugly inside the shell as a whole design, that’s not to say you can’t replace the bits that have done their time.
Worn-out ground sheets and torn inner tents can be swapped for new, allowing you to keep your tent in good working order for longer.
A decent inner tent is the most crucial aspect as this space essentially functions as a bedroom. You can just about live with tears in fine weather, but the second it rains, you’ll know about it. This being the UK, dark clouds are never far off.
Rips and tears can also affect an inner tent’s insulation, meaning it will feel colder at night, and can affect light levels, which is frustrating when you’re trying to get your 40 winks.
If you love your tent but your inner compartments have seen better days, we’ve found the best replacements to try instead. Not only will it cut back on unnecessary waste, but inners are usually cheaper than buying a brand new tent, so you’ll save precious pennies too.
We’ve picked a range of sizes, shapes and special features in our inner tent guide so you’re bound to find something that works for your tent.
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Bed Tent Pop Up Tents for Adults
Dimensions: L 57 x W 57 x H 7cm
Sharing a tent with friends is a great idea in theory, but when you need quiet or alone time, this pop-up design comes into its own. It’s a blackout bunk with a zip fastening for extra privacy. Sleeping single occupancy and covered with fine mesh to maintain airflow, it can accommodate a single air bed and pillow, creating a snooze chamber where you can get some quality rest in.
Buy now £56.99, Amazon
Andes Universal Inner Awning Tent Camping Caravan Bedroom
Dimensions: L 200 x W 180 x H 175cm
It may not look like much, but if you’re looking for a functional inner tent, this one has it in spades. It can accommodate up to three people with a top layer made from breathable polyester and a sewn-in PE groundsheet to stop dampness from seeping up.
Because you can never have enough of them, pegs are included to anchor the tent and there are pockets inside to try and keep things organised.
It’s a rather tall design, so best suited to large tents or set up inside caravan awnings to create additional sleeping space. Also available as a smaller two-berth design.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Quechua Adaptable Bedroom for Living Room Air Seconds Base Connect Fresh
Dimensions: 225 x 140 x 180cm
With hook attachments to connect to the underside of the external skin, this temporary bedroom can make use of the empty living space inside a large tent, transforming it into an extra bedroom if needed. The best part is that it's large enough for two campers to stand up and get dressed, a massive draw that anyone who’s struggled with less headroom will instantly understand. Comes with a two-year warranty.
Buy now £44.99, Decathlon
Outwell Free Standing Inner Tent Blue
Dimensions: 2.2L x 1.3W x 1.5H metres
Gaze out across any festival tent city and you’ll find it peppered with this tent style. Aside from two-person pop-up tents, it’s one of the most popular designs around; sturdy and with just enough space for two people and their stuff.
Whether the inner it came with is soiled, broken or torn, this inner tent will make an excellent replacement. Simply line it up with the outer tent’s zip door and clip it onto the underside to use.
Buy now £57.59, Amazon
Tutti Bambini CoZee Go Night Shade
Dimensions: L133 x D98 x H65cm
Designed for children, this sleep compartment can easily be used on family camping adventures to give your little ones the shuteye that they need. The blackout tent is finished with UV 50+ protection and there’s a mosquito net to keep bugs at bay too.
Buy now £25.00, Dunelm
OLPRO Free Standing Inner Tent
Dimensions: W140 x H130 x L190cm
If you don't mind about an exact fit and just need to create a temporary sleeping area in an awning or within a larger tent, this pop-up design could be the best bet. Designed solely for snoozing, the piece is crafted from fine mesh to keep air flowing through the space and there's enough space to slip in a double air bed. Everything folds down into a circular bag for compact storage afterwards.
Buy now £59.00, Decathlon
FORCLAZ Replacement Inner Bedroom - MT500 Tent Mesh - 2 person
Dimensions: 210 x 108 x 120cm
Forclaz’s tents regularly make top ten lists, so when one 'breaks down', it can be disheartening.
Keep your Forclaz MT500 tent alive and kicking for longer with this replacement inner bedroom compartment, made from lightweight mesh to keep air circulating. It's made from dope dyed yarn which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 46 per cent when compared to traditional dyeing techniques.
Comes with a five-year warranty.
Buy now £54.99, Decathlon
