If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable tent for wild camping, festivals, or spontaneous weekend escapes, the OEX Hyena II Tunnel Tent is one of the most compelling options on the UK market. Designed for two-person use but often favoured by solo campers, this tunnel-style tent offers a rare combination of waterproofing, ease of setup, and portability at a price point that’s hard to beat.
Overview and Key Features
The OEX Hyena II Tunnel Tent is marketed as a two-person shelter, but its compact footprint and internal layout make it especially appealing for solo campers who want extra space for gear. It’s part of OEX’s budget-friendly range, available through retailers like GO Outdoors, Blacks, and Millets, often priced between £55 and £70 depending on seasonal discounts.
Here are the core specifications:
- Tent type: Tunnel
- Capacity: 2-person (ideal for solo use)
- Weight: 3 kg
- Packed size: 50 x 15 x 15 cm
- Pitch time: Approximately 10 minutes
- Hydrostatic head: 5000 mm
- Outer dimensions: 310 x 130 x 115 cm
- Inner dimensions: 210 x 120 x 80 cm
- Poles: Fibreglass
- Colour: Olive green
These specs position the Hyena II as a solid entry-level tent for wild camping, with enough weather resistance and portability to handle typical UK conditions.
Build Quality and Materials
The tent uses a fly-first pitch system, which is a major advantage in wet weather. This means the outer shell goes up before the inner sleeping compartment, keeping everything dry during setup. The flysheet is made from polyester with a 5000 mm hydrostatic head rating—more than enough to withstand heavy rain and damp conditions.
The poles are fibreglass, which helps keep costs down but does introduce some limitations. Fibreglass is more prone to splintering under stress compared to aluminium, especially in cold weather or high winds. That said, for casual use and fair-weather wild camping, they’re perfectly serviceable.
The inner tent is breathable polyester with mesh panels for ventilation. There are adjustable vents on the flysheet to help reduce condensation, which is a common issue in tunnel tents. The groundsheet is sewn-in and made from durable polyethylene, offering good protection from damp ground.
Space and Layout
While technically a two-person tent, the Hyena II is best suited for solo campers who want room to stretch out and store gear. The inner dimensions—210 cm long by 120 cm wide—are tight for two adults, especially if you’re carrying backpacks or cooking gear. For one person, however, it’s spacious and comfortable.
There’s a small vestibule area at the front, but it’s not large enough for cooking or storing bulky items. Most gear will need to be kept inside the sleeping compartment, which is manageable if you’re camping alone.
The tunnel design creates a low profile that’s aerodynamic and stable in wind, but headroom is limited. At 80 cm high inside, you won’t be sitting upright comfortably, but that’s typical for tents in this weight and price class.
Setup and Usability
One of the Hyena II’s standout features is how easy it is to pitch. The poles are colour-coded, and the tunnel structure is intuitive even for beginners. Most users report setup times of under 10 minutes, which is ideal for wild camping where speed and stealth matter.
The tent packs down into a compact stuff sack measuring 50 x 15 x 15 cm. While it’s a bit bulky for internal backpack storage, it straps easily to the outside of most packs. At 3 kg, it’s not ultralight, but it’s manageable for short hikes and overnight trips.
The fly-first pitch system is a real asset in the UK’s unpredictable weather. You can keep the inner tent dry during setup and takedown, which is a major advantage over inner-first designs that expose your sleeping area to the elements.
Weather Resistance
With a hydrostatic head of 5000 mm, the Hyena II is well-equipped to handle heavy rain. This rating is significantly higher than many tents in the same price bracket, which often hover around 3000 mm. Combined with a low-profile tunnel shape and decent pegging points, the tent performs admirably in wet and windy conditions.
Ventilation is adequate, though not exceptional. The mesh panels and vents help reduce condensation, but like most tunnel tents, airflow can be limited in humid conditions. Still, for spring through autumn use, the Hyena II holds up well.
It’s not a four-season tent, and it’s not designed for snow or alpine conditions. But for UK wild camping, festivals, and weekend getaways, it offers more than enough protection.
Durability and Long-Term Use
The tent’s materials are robust for the price. The polyester flysheet and polyethylene groundsheet are resistant to wear and tear, and the stitching is generally solid. The fibreglass poles are the weak point, but replacements are inexpensive and widely available.
With proper care—drying the tent after use, storing it loosely, and avoiding overstress on the poles—the Hyena II should last several seasons. It’s not built for expedition use, but it’s ideal for casual campers who want a reliable shelter without spending a fortune.
Comparisons and Alternatives
To put the Hyena II in context, let’s compare it to a few popular alternatives:
- Vango Banshee 200: Weighs 2.4 kg, costs £100–£150. Offers slightly more internal space and aluminium poles. Better suited for multi-day backpacking but twice the price.
- Naturehike Cloud Up 2: Ultralight (1.6 kg), costs £120–£150. Excellent for long-distance hiking but less durable and more expensive.
- Eurohike Tamar 2: Similar price, heavier (3.5 kg), lower waterproof rating. Better for car camping than wild camping.
The Hyena II sits in a sweet spot: more capable than entry-level festival tents, but far more affordable than ultralight backpacking models. For solo wild campers on a budget, it’s hard to beat.
Use Cases and Ideal Users
The Hyena II is best suited for:
- Solo wild campers who want extra space for gear
- Beginners looking for an affordable entry into wild camping
- Festival-goers who want a compact, weatherproof shelter
- Weekend adventurers who prioritize value and simplicity
It’s less ideal for:
- Long-distance backpackers who need ultralight gear
- Couples who want comfort and space
- Winter or alpine camping
If you’re someone who values practicality, cost-efficiency, and real-world performance over flashy features, the Hyena II is a strong contender.
Final Verdict
The OEX Hyena II Tunnel Tent is a budget-friendly gem for solo campers and weekend adventurers. It’s not the lightest, roomiest, or most feature-rich tent on the market—but it delivers where it counts. Waterproofing is excellent, setup is fast, and the price is unbeatable.
For under £70, you get a reliable shelter that handles UK weather, packs down small, and pitches quickly. It’s ideal for wild camping, festivals, and spontaneous escapes into nature. If you’re new to camping or simply want a backup tent that won’t let you down, the Hyena II is well worth considering.
