The Vango Omega 250 is a tunnel tent that's been a reliable choice for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, Scout groups, and budget-conscious backpackers for years. It's a proper two-person tent with a genuinely useful porch area. The tunnel construction uses PowerLite 7001-T6 aluminium poles that strike a decent balance between weight and rigidity, whilst the colour-coded system means you won't be scratching your head during setup. The flysheet is made from Protex Eco material, which Vango produces from recycled single-use plastics, offering 3000mm hydrostatic head protection with fully taped seams. The groundsheet sits at 6000mm, so you're covered for wet ground pitching.
What sets this tent apart from basic two-person options is the extra-large porch created by an additional pole. This gives you proper storage space for boots, rucksacks, and cooking gear without cramping the sleeping area. The all-in-one pitching system leaves the inner clipped to the flysheet, which speeds things up when you're tired or the weather's closing in. You can also pitch flysheet-first if you need quick shelter. The inner features breathable mesh sections paired with solid polyester, and the bathtub groundsheet extends 10cm up the walls. Dual side access doors make it easier to get in and out without climbing over your tent mate, whilst diamond clear windows and mesh vents help manage condensation.
Vango's TBS II (Tension Band System) braces the tent against sideways wind pressure, which is worth having on exposed campsites. The reflective guy lines are a practical touch for night-time toilet trips. The inner doors are O-shaped for smooth one-handed operation, with privacy curtains you can toggle up when needed. The riser porch groundsheet clips in to create a clean, dry area that reduces draughts coming through the entrance. At this price point, you're getting a tent that's been weather tested to EN ISO 5912 standards and meets fire retardancy requirements. The pack size is ideal for cycle touring or hiking trips where you're splitting gear between two people, making this a purchase for consideration.
Vango Omega 250 Tent Features
- Tunnel tent construction - A quick and easy to pitch design that reduces overall weight without compromising on internal volume
- All-In-One Pitching - Quick and easy to pitch and pack away by leaving the inner clipped into the flysheet. It can also be pitched flysheet-first without the inner to provide a simple shelter.
- PowerLite Alloy Poles - Lightweight and durable poles made from 7001-T6 aluminium that balances weight and strength
- Colour coded poles make it quicker and easier to pitch your tent
- Protex® Eco Ripstop Flysheet - Created from recycled single-use plastics to reduce our environmental footprint, this 68 denier ripstop polyester is waterproof to 3000mm HH and has fully taped seams, providing durability and reliability camping in all condition.
- Inner tent made from durable polyester and breathable mesh to increase ventilation and reduce condensation for a comfortable night's sleep
- Durable 70D PU backed polyester groundsheet that's durable and easy to clean with a waterproof 6,000mm HH rating
- Bathtub groundsheet that extends 10cm up the inner tent to keep you dry in harsh weather
- TBS®II - Unique to Vango tents, our Tension Band System creates a triangulated shape inside the tent to brace against strong and changeable winds and reduce sideways deformation. TBS®II is easy to adjust and can be securely stowed when not in use.
- High visibility reflective guylines that are easy to see in low light conditions
- High grip guyline adjusters securely hold tension in even the harshest conditions and can be easily adjusted with one hand
- Lightweight aluminium alloy pegs
- Fully Taped Seams - All flysheet and groundsheet seams are factory taped for a watertight seal
- Entrance has a full mesh door which provides ventilation and keeps bugs out
- O-Shaped inner doors allow smooth zip motion that can be opened with one hand
- Partial mesh inner door ensures maximum airflow whilst keeping out bugs
- Dual side access doors increase versatility and provide a more liveable space on longer adventures
- Diamond Clear Windows - Maximise light and visibility to provide a bright and airy environment
- Toggled Privacy Curtains - Provides privacy when required, can be rolled away when not in use
- Mesh covered vents at each end of the flysheet allow air to flow through and reduce condensation
- Extra Large Porch Space - With an extra pole the porch offers great space for storage. Keep wet kit out of the inner tent and enjoy greater flexibility, for minimal additional weight
- Clip-in riser porch groundsheet provides a clean, dry storage area for kit while reducing draughts and water ingress
- Fast Pack tent bag with an oversized top opening design makes it easier to pack away. Drawcord and compression straps keep pack size to a minimum
- Internal Storage Pockets - Provides convenient storage within the inner tent, keeping essentials close to hand
- Fully Rain Tested - Weather tested to standard EN ISO 5912 for peace of mind. This tent is suitable for use in wet and windy weather. Cautionary level storms and extreme weather should be avoided
- Fire Retardant Fabrics - Meets European EN5912 safety standard
Specifications- Weight : 4.3 kg
- Pitching Time : 12 mins
- EAN : 5059474014469
- Colourway : Forest Green
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vango Omega 250 has a packed weight of approximately 3.9kg including poles, pegs, and guy lines. The packed dimensions are roughly 52cm x 20cm, which fits into most rucksacks or pannier systems. When splitting gear between two people, each person carries around 2kg, making it manageable for multi-day hiking trips or cycle touring.
Yes, the Omega 250 is commonly used for DofE expeditions at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. It meets the durability and weather resistance requirements, with its 3000mm flysheet and 6000mm groundsheet providing adequate protection. The porch area gives enough space for storing wet gear and cooking under cover, which DofE assessors appreciate for safety reasons.
With practice, two people can pitch the Omega 250 in 10-15 minutes. First-time pitching takes 20-25 minutes whilst you familiarise yourself with the colour-coded pole system and peg points. The all-in-one design where the inner stays attached to the flysheet speeds things up considerably compared to tents where you need to hang the inner separately.
The Omega 250 is designed for two people, whilst the Omega 350 accommodates three. The 350 has a wider sleeping area and slightly more porch space, but weighs approximately 1kg more. Both use the same PowerLite pole system and Protex Eco flysheet material, so the weather protection is identical. The 250 is the better choice for two people who want to minimise weight.
Yes, you can pitch the flysheet independently to create a lightweight shelter. This is useful for lunch stops on hiking trips, emergency shelter, or when you need quick protection from rain. You simply leave the inner tent unclipped and pack it separately. The flysheet-only setup takes about 5 minutes and provides covered space for kit or sitting out of the weather.
The inner tent comfortably fits two standard camping mats up to 60cm wide, or two self-inflating mats around 50cm wide with space between them. Large 75cm wide mats will touch the tent walls, which can cause condensation transfer. Regular length mats (183cm) work better than long versions (198cm) as they leave more space at the head end for storing bags.
Shake off loose dirt and wipe the groundsheet with a damp cloth after each trip. Never machine wash the tent or use detergents, as these damage the waterproof coatings. If the flysheet or groundsheet gets muddy, sponge it down with clean water and leave it to air dry completely before packing away. Check the guy lines for fraying and replace them if worn. Store the tent loosely in a breathable bag rather than compressed in its stuff sack between trips.
The peak height in the porch area is around 100cm, which allows you to sit upright comfortably for cooking or getting changed. The sleeping area has less headroom, typical of tunnel tent designs, so you'll be kneeling or lying down inside the inner. The height is sufficient for getting in and out without too much crawling, but you won't be standing up anywhere inside this tent.
The TBS II tension band system helps the Omega 250 handle moderate to strong winds when pitched correctly. Tunnel tents perform best when the entrance faces away from prevailing wind, with all guy lines properly tensioned and staked out. The tent is tested to EN ISO 5912 standards, meaning it's suitable for typical UK camping conditions. Pitch it in a sheltered spot during storm warnings, as tunnel designs aren't as wind-resistant as geodesic tents in exposed locations.
Vango supplies replacement poles, pegs, guy lines, and pole shock cord for the Omega 250 through authorised retailers. If you need a replacement flysheet or inner tent, contact Vango directly with your tent's batch number, which is printed on the label inside the tent bag. Keep spare pegs and guy line adjusters in your camping kit, as these are the components most likely to get lost or damaged during trips.