OEX Phoxx 2 Review: A Decent Beginner Tent that isn't for Everyone
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| My OEX Phoxx 2 in Dartmoor |
The Basics
The Phoxx 2 isn’t the best quality tent in the world, but it’s a tidy, low-profile, beginner option that easy enough to carry and pitch. It’s marketed as a two-man tent, but let’s be honest, it’s not. Then again, very few “two-man” tents actually fit two blokes and their gear comfortably. Realistically, it’s perfect for one person and their kit, or one man and his dog (as I’ve tested, with mine snoring happily beside me on the family farmland).
There are entry points and vestibules on both sides which means you can open up the tent for excellent ventilation on hot days. You can use those vestibules to store some kit, but they aren't the largest and are too small for my 70 litre backpack. Absolutely fine for boots, cooking equipent etc though. Even if you can fit all your kit in those vesibules, I still don't think two adults could comfortably sleep in the Phoxx 2 because it is very narrow at the lower end.
The tent has a polyester flysheet with a 5000mm hydrostatic head, meaning it can handle persistent, heavy rainfall. It weighs 2.1Kg and can be pitched in less than 10 minutes. It has two poles and is a tension tent, so it isn't free standing and relies on the pegs and guylines to hold its shape. You basically need to make sure you pitch it in a good spot first time because you can't just shift it about.
The current average price of the tent is £89 but pricing from popular online retailers does fluctuate between £70 and £100 ish depending on stock and demand. Mine was £75 in February 2025, which seemed like good value for money.
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| My dog Wilf in the Phoxx 2 |
Key features
- Capacity: 2 people
- Weight: 2.1 kg
- Pitch Time: Approximately 10 minutes
- Packed Size: 41 x 16 x 16 cm
- Waterproofing: 5000mm hydrostatic head on the flysheet and a waterproof groundsheet
- Ventilation: Breathable polyester inner fabric and the ability to pitch the inner tent alone. Reasonable vents at both ends of the tent
- Poles: OEX Endura poles, pre-angled for stability
- Design: Coffin shape with dual entry points and a low silhouette
- Internal features: Storage pockets and lantern hanging point
Pitching and Setup
Setup is fairly straightforward once you’ve done it a couple of times. The newer Phoxx 2 models have the flysheet attached to the inner, which helps, but I still wouldn’t want to be pitching it in a downpour as keeping the rain out while setting up would be a challenge. The poles and materials feel decent enough, and for the price point, the overall quality is surprisingly solid. That said, if you’re after something really robust and long-lasting, you’d be better off spending a bit more on a mid-range tent from the likes of Wild Country or Robens.
There are two arched poles. One larger than the other. It's pretty easy to pitch and you just insert the poles at the correct ends, peg it out and tension it with the guylines. I'd watched a YouTube video on how to pitch and didn't need to follow any instructions when setting it up in the garden straight out of the bag.
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| OEX Phoxx 2 in Herefordshire |
Comfort and Space
Space-wise, it’s pretty tight, but you don't get a discrete tent and expect to be able to dance in it. I’m about 5'10", and that’s pretty much the upper limit for sitting up inside. Anyone taller will find it a bit claustrophobic and restrictive, especially on a long winter night when you’re stuck inside waiting out the weather. That said, once you’re lying down, there’s easily enough room for one person and load of gear, and the low height makes it excellent stealth camping as it blends into the landscape easily. First time wild campers often feel very nervous about being spotted by a landowner or walker, so something like the Phoxx 2 where you can feel more hidden might help you feel more relaxed.
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| The Phoxx 2 is a great tent for staying discreet |
Performance in the Wind
One of the Phoxx 2’s best features is its shape and low profile, which helps with wind resistance. On that windy night up on Dartmoor, I was pleasantly surprised by how stable it was in 35mph gusts. It flapped a bit, but it held its structure well throughout the night. For such an affordable bit of kit, that’s impressive. It’s not a mountain expedition tent, but it can definitely handle rough weather better than you’d expect at this price. I've seen YouTube reviews describing it as bombproof. I'm not sure of that and I'd definitely trust my Helm Compact 1 more in heavy winds, but that is three times the price of the Phoxx 2.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the OEX Phoxx 2 is a cracking little tent for the money. It’s not luxurious, and it’s definitely not roomy, but it’s ideal for solo campers and stealth camping enthusiasts who want something light-ish, reliable, and affordable. While there are better tents out there, the Phoxx 2 punches well above its weight for its price range.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Very stable in windy conditions
- Compact and discreet. Great for stealth camping
- Decent build quality for the price
- Realistically a one-person tent
- Taller campers can't sit up in it
- Tricky to keep the inner dry in heavy rain
Verdict:
If you’re after a budget-friendly, low-profile tent that performs well in the wind and suits one person (and maybe their dog), the OEX Phoxx 2 is a solid choice. It’s a great tent for beginners who are getting into wild camping. Even though I upgraded to a Wild Country tent for my wild camping trips, I still use my Phoxx 2 for low-profile camping or when I want to take my dog along.
If you aren't that tall and want something cheap but reliable when you start solo wild camping, you can't really go wrong with the OEX Phoxx 2.
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