OEX
OEX Bandicoot II Ultralite
Where it fits
- Also works for
- Backpacking and wild camping
- Not for
- Winter mountain
Why these labels
- Backpacking and wild camping: Light to carry: 1.4 kg
- Winter mountain: 3-season rating, not built for winter storms
From the maker's stated use and the published specs.
- Summer wild camp: 6/10 UK, roughly May to September, nights above about 8 °C, sheltered pitches.
- Three-season hills: 6/10 UK hills in spring and autumn. Wind, rain, and nights near freezing.
- Winter camp: 4/10 UK winter or high ground. Below freezing, strong wind, possibly snow. Capped at 4: needs the maker's 4-season rating.
- Weight: 7/10 How much it adds to your pack, compared with the whole market.
Two light-minded campers sharing on UK three-season trips
- Sleeps
- 2
- Seasons
- 3-season
- Min. weight
- 1.45 kg
- Flysheet
- 1,500 mm
- Inner length
- 215 cm
Packed size 8.82 L, 49 x 20 x 9 cm Compare with a 2-litre bottle
About one and a half 2-litre bottles long and about twice as wide. Drawn to scale.
Where to buy
Blacks £319 In stock. Free delivery. Standard delivery £4.99, free over £95.
View at shop: BlacksMillets £319 In stock. Free delivery. Standard delivery £3.99, free over £70.
View at shop: MilletsGO Outdoors £380 In stock. Free delivery. Member price £248.97 is not included. Free delivery over £80.
View at shop: GO OutdoorsPrices checked 8 Nov 2026 on each shop's own page; shops can change them. We earn no commission on these links; shops are listed by price. More
Our ratings (out of 10)
1 to 10, compared with the whole market. Each says what it's based on. How we score
Weight
From maker's figures 7/10How much it adds to your pack. This is the whole tent: two people sharing can split it. 7: Better than most.
OEX's weight without bag and accessories of 1,445 g sits in the 1.0-1.49 kg band (1,630 g all-in; Countryfile weighed 1.63 kg).
Rain protection
From maker's figures 5/10How well it keeps out heavy, long rain. 5: Does the job. Average for wild-camping gear.
Fly 1,500 mm is the 1,500-1,999 band, band 3 (5 out of 10); the floor is 3,000 mm, so no point is taken off. Countryfile says the seams may need re-sealing to stay waterproof. The maker's figure, not re-tested.
Wind
From reviews 7/10How steady it stays in strong wind on open ground. 7: Better than most.
Three independent sources (Countryfile 3, Phil Waud 4, Three Men And Ben 3): average 3.3 out of 5, so 7 out of 10. Countryfile's weekend in wind and rain: it held up. Phil Waud has had it up in about 56 km/h wind with no flapping and calls it very solid, but says the light fly lifts off the ground while you pitch in wind and the porch door can unzip itself. Three Men And Ben pitched it on a windy summit and one windward side caved in because the pegs and guylines weren't tight.
Space
From maker's figures 7/10Room to lie, sit up and keep kit inside. 7: Better than most.
OEX's inner size 215 x 130 cm is about 2.8 m2, so 1.4 m2 each, in the 1.35-1.59 band. That is length x width of a semi-geodesic shape that probably narrows at the feet, and 130 cm is only 65 cm a head. Countryfile's 163 cm tester found it roomy with a second person and two mats, but warns taller people may find it cramped.
Packed size
From maker's figures 5/10How much room it takes in your rucksack. 5: Does the job. Average for wild-camping gear.
No litres published. 49 x 20 x 9 cm is a box of 49 x 20 x 9 = 8,820 cm3, so about 8.8 L, in the 7-9.9 L band. Countryfile fitted it in a rucksack bottle pocket.
What reviewers say (out of 10)
Ratings marked * are from reviews and are not part of the trip score. They are reviewers' scores, not our own measurements. How we score
Pitching*
Estimate: only 2 reviews about pitching (fewer than the 3 we need, so never above 8) 8/10How quickly and easily one person can pitch it, including in wind and rain.
2 reviews on pitching, e.g. "the semi-geodesic Bandicoot II Ultralite Tent was incredibly easy to pitch, even in the dark".
Reviewers disagree on this.
Condensation*
Estimate: only 1 review about condensation (fewer than the 3 we need, so never above 8) 8/10How dry it stays inside on still, damp nights; higher is drier.
1 review on condensation, e.g. "I did n't have any condensation at all.".
Durability*
Reviewers' average 7/10How well the fabric, poles, zips and seams hold up over seasons of use.
3 reviews on durability, e.g. "to help the fragile seams stay watertight for four season camping, all year round.".
In short
Good for
- Two light-minded campers sharing on UK three-season trips
- Cyclists, bikepackers and walkers who want two doors and a porch at about 1.6 kg
- Couples who accept a snug inside in return for low weight
Strengths
- 1,445 g without sack and pegs (1,630 g all-in) for a two-door tent
- Two doors and a porch with sitting height for one person
- Packs to about 8.8 L (49 x 20 x 9 cm)
- Low, semi-geodesic shape suited to wind, according to OEX; Countryfile pitched it in about ten minutes in the dark
Weaknesses
- Fly 1,500 mm is the middle band, and the seams are sealed with silicone rather than taped: Countryfile says they may need re-sealing
- Only 130 cm wide inside, and taller sleepers may find 215 cm cramped, Countryfile says
- Wind scores 7 from three reviews; pitching has two usable reviews and durability has no real-wear evidence yet, so both are estimates, not reviewed scores
- Countryfile says it may not suit countries with more extreme weather than the UK
- OEX gives no season rating; we list it as three-season, the cautious choice (OEX's own copy says year-round UK use)
- OEX is GO Outdoors' own brand, sold only through GO Outdoors, Blacks and Millets
- Phil Waud says the light fly lifts in wind while pitching and the porch door can unzip itself unless tied back; he also finds the poles heavy
Sources
We haven't tested this ourselves. Every score comes from these specs, tests and reviews.
ShowHide sources (7)
- Millets: OEX Bandicoot II Ultralight Tent (spec page: weights, fabrics, HH, sizes)
- GO Outdoors: OEX Bandicoot II Ultralite Tent (same product code 705624, same specs, retail price)
- Countryfile: OEX Bandicoot II Ultralite tent review (one weekend on Exmoor)
- Phil Waud (YouTube): OEX Bandicoot2 UL review (owner who has pitched it many times, including in about 56 km/h wind)
- Three Men And Ben (YouTube): When UK Wild Camping gets Difficult, OEX Bandicoot II UL (summit camp in high wind, Lake District)
- Phil Waud (YouTube): OEX Bandicoot2 UL review
- Three Men And Ben (YouTube): When UK Wild Camping gets Difficult, OEX Bandicoot II UL