Camping Tent Reviews

Wenzel Ridgeline 7 X 7-Feet Three-Person Dome Tent

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:30:32 +0000

The Wenzel Ridgeline is an inexpensive way to get you out in the wild, even if it’s the backyard. The Ridgeline is a 7ft by 7ft tent that can sleep three adults or five children or fourteen babies it’s your choice all though that is a lot of babies. Wenzel gave the Ridgeline a dome shape that has a low raking making for a great tent in high winds. Structural integrity is achieved with Wenzel’s shock-corded fiberglass frame with pin-and-ring system set up. The weather is warded off thanks to the ridgeline’s patented weather armor. Keep your load light throughout extended hikes and extended cycling activities while using Wenzel Ridgeline dome tent. Compact enough to match easily about the backpack or saddle bags, the tent is wonderful for a myriad of camping and situations. The Ridgeline includes such features just like a Dutch Zip D-style door for straightforward entry. Campers may even appreciate the sun and the rain Weather Armor polyester fabric, memory coating, and sonic-sealed tub-style floor that are dependably rugged and resist leaks of all types. Ventilation is key in the design and comes through thanks to the roof vents and sealable windows. Protection against the elements comes the way of double-stitched, lap-felled seams that provide a shingle effect against water; water-repellent threads, zippers, and webbing; a hooked fly that increases weather protection; a gear loft and hanging pockets for easy-access item; and handy storage duffel. The Ridgeline carries a 10-year limited warranty. At 7.3 Lbs carrying weight the Wenzel Ridgeline is light enough for all your adventures. Portable and light-weight the Wenzel Ridgeline offers room enough for 3 campers within a section of 49 sq ft. The sonic sealed polyethylene tub-style floor is welded not stitched getting rid of needle holes that induce a possible area for water seepage. Double-sewn, lap-felled seams through your body from the tent give a shingle effect against water. All threads, zips and webbing are given superior water repellency programs to enforce these critical areas. A gear attic and hanging pockets provide areas for products that require quick access. Storage duffel is incorporated for transportation and storage.

We have found the best price for Wenzel Ridgeline 7 X 7-Feet Three-Person Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description

Base: 7 by 7 feet
Center height: 50 inches
Interior space: 49 square feet
Sleeps: 3
Door: Dutch D-style
Floor: Welded polyethylene
Frame: Fiberglass
Pegs: Steel
Carrying weight: 7.3 pounds
10-year limited warranty

Review Time - Wenzel Ridgeline 7 X 7 is a great tent all-around and when you factor in the price, it’s no wonder why large retailers zoom through these. The faults are few with the Ridgeline tent, it has all that we look for in a tent
We have found the best price for Wenzel Ridgeline 7 X 7-Feet Three-Person Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Tent

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:01:16 +0000

This year Mountainsmith introduced their latest award winning achievement, the Morrison 2 person tent. Mountainsmith used real world knowledge of campers to design and build the Morrison. The footprint of the Morrison is a monster 43”x 56”x 92’ totaling 35 square feet which allows you to place your gear with you or if you bring a dog along that likes to sleep at your feet. Dual vestibules also accommodate gear and pets by keeping them out of the rain or sun. Guidelines are reflective since everyone always trips over them. Ventilation is a breeze thanks to the ventilation mesh wall ports built into the Morrison. The rainfly even has ventilation ports if more airflow is needed. Clip construction makes it easy to connect the fabric body of the Morrison 2 to the 7000 series aluminum alloy poles. Mountainsmith further ensures watertight performance with fully taped, bathtub floor construction.

We have found the best price for Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description

Three season flexibility
Two doors and two vestibules
Free-standing four corner tent
Bathtub floor construction
Taped floor seams
Mesh wall panels
Detachable ceiling loft pocket
Interior mesh storage pockets
Clip-pole attachment for lighter weight and better breathability
Guyout attachment points
Reflective guide-lines
Tent fly ventilation windows
Color-coded buckle attachment of tent and fly
Grommet pole attachment
Reinforced V-stakes
7000 Series aluminum alloy poles

Review Time

Moutainsmith hasn’t the name for camping like other brands out there but there is a difference. The Morrison 2 impressed me because it took what ideas for improvement that were stuck in my mushy brain and made it a reality. I like storage space in a tent and usually when a tent maker says two people, they usually mean two lovebirds. My cousin and I went camping in what they called a two man tent one time and he still won’t answer my calls. We were sardines in a nylon can. The Moutainsmith respects personal bubbles by giving you a very generous footprint to which we had room for my girlfriend’s bi-polar black lab to sleep with us and bite my feet all night. Oh the reflective tripwires, I mean guide wires are awesome. I have even been sober and still taken down more tents than a raging elephant at a P.T Barum circus. The vents in the rainfly, clip on pole hooks, aluminum (Oww-you-minion if you’re a brit) poles are some of the evidence of a clever design that is all over this tent yet it still weighs less than big name 3-Seasons and costs less to boot. We really do like this tent and when I have company other than my cousin I will bring this along. We collectively give the Mountainsmith Morrison a 9.5 out of 10. 10 being an automatic helicopter tent with WiFi and a built in Barista. UN

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Mountain Trails South Bend 9- by 7-Foot, 4-Person Sport Dome Tent

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:42:17 +0000

Mountain Trails has introduced their south bend edition 9 x 7 four person tent. This tent is designed with the mobile camper in mind. For years Mountain Trails has continued to bring inexpensive outdoor products to public. Many people fear the quality of an item if it is cheaper in price than they were expecting. These however are the acceptation to the rule. The structural integrity is based on the two interlacing fiberglass poles. The poles are shock corded to allow great strength yet flexibility in the event of strong winds. The poles are anchored by a pin-and-ring system that makes setting up the tent a very quick and anger free event. This design makes rising and collapsing the tent almost as fast as on instant pop up tent yet since this can be parted out means the other three campers with you can bear some of the load. The size of the tent makes a good versatile size that can be used for a number of different people from, hikers, bikers, cyclists, music festivals, to car camping. The price is so reasonable that you will be wondering why people spend so much on them. The 9 x 7 dimensions can sleep four adults but that is about all you will fit in there, in order to make the most out of the space Mountain Trails added a utility pocket and a gear loft up top to store as much as possible. For ventilation the tent is designed with mess roofing in order to put a breeze through the tent. Mud is not a problem thanks to the mud mat that can be used for putting on and taking off you boots without bringing it all in with you.

We have found the best price for Mountain Trails South Bend 9- by 7-Foot, 4-Person Sport Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description

Base: 9 by 7 feet
Center height: 52 inches
Interior space: 63 square feet
Sleeps: 4
Door: D-style
Windows: Polyester mesh
Floor: Welded polyethylene
Frame: Shock-corded fiberglass

Review Time –This tent just can’t be beaten. Yes of course there are tents that can stand up and handle more than this Mountain Trails but if you compare prices than they are usually three or four times as expensive. Ok now let’s look at tents the same price. We have tested all kinds of outdoor gear and yes it usually is what you get for what you spend. Hear however you get a tent that a few years ago cost three digits by big names. It’s simple, effective, light and inexpensive. Unless you are a four seasons camper that gets in some serious predicaments than you will fare well with the Mountain Trails South Bend. UN

We have found the best price for Mountain Trails South Bend 9- by 7-Foot, 4-Person Sport Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Eureka! Solitaire – Tent (sleeps 1)

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:50:55 +0000

Hmm let’s see, a company founded in 1895 in New York State that made canvas coverings for wagons as well as tents and American flags. Eureka! has made some of the best tents on the market with several historical expeditions under their belt. Eureka! still is based out of New York state and is a piece of Americana.

They have utilized all their wisdom over the years to develop the Solitaire as well as others that can take the elements abuse yet still be packable and light weight. Laugh at your friends in their bivy sacks as they get relentlessly beaten up by hail or swamped by a torrential downpour while you stay nice and dry. Thanks to the tunnel tubular design you can withstand high winds and the amount of space between you and the roof keeps a temperature cushion that fight internal tent condensation which is an advantage over the bivy sack as well. Inside is just over 21 square feet of space stretching 8 feet in length which allows you to store your gear unless your 8ft tall. Width is nearly 3 feet which makes for a nice roomy amount to toss and turn in because it’s hard to sleep when you can hear your friends in the bivy sacks getting pelted outside. Weight is nice and light at 2lbs 9oz and packs to 4in x 17.5in making it a great tent for solo adventures weather it’s a hike, expedition, cyclist, overnight kayak trip or if your wife now thinks the couch is even to good for you. Eureka! used their standard 40D nylon no-see-um mesh with a 70D taffeta rain fly and floor making the Solitaire a very durable tent.

We have found the best price for Eureka! Solitaire – Tent (sleeps 1) at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description

Area: 21.33 square feet
Floor size: 2 feet, 8 inches by 8 feet
Center height: 2 feet, 4 inches
Wall fabrics: 40D no-see-um mesh
Floor fabrics: 70D nylon taffeta
Fly fabrics: 70D nylon taffeta
Pack size: 4 by 17.5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds, 9 ounces
Nylon pole sleeves
Three storm guyouts fly
Two storage pockets
One flashlight loop

Review Time

The Eureka! Solitaire is a great tent for those who want to be independent like me. I hate trying to hike in a four person four season tent if I am going solo or with a friend. It is such a waste of space on your pack as well as weight in which you will curse on a 3000’ascending mountain hike. Weight shed is key and all though I do own a very nice, light and expensive bivy sack I do find myself grabbing the Solitaire for the trails. There is something calming about having a roof although nylon over your head in a bad storm which I have road out in both kinds of shelters. We tested a few single person tents and as far price point and design goes we collectively approved the Eureka! Solitaire and give it an 8 out of 10. UN

We have found the best price for Eureka! Solitaire – Tent (sleeps 1) at Amazon – click here to check it out

Eureka! Apex 2XT – Tent (sleeps 2)

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:50:43 +0000

Eureka! has been around forever it seems and has always delivered good solid gear for the adventures. The Eureka 2XT is a 2 person tent that takes in account that you might have gear with you. The 2XT is a free standing dome style tent that gives an almost square footprint of 7 feet, 6 inches by 4 feet, 11 inches. This size tent makes for a roomy excursion giving plenty of wiggle room for two. A majority of two person tents only give a little over two feet of shoulder space for each person which can become very annoying at times especially if the person your camping with has the tendency to have Bruce Lee Kung-Fu dreams where they spend four hours kicking you.

We have found the best price for Eureka! Apex 2XT – Tent (sleeps 2) at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Features:

Complete – coverage fly with 2 vestibules providing element-proof storage & dry entry
2 over-sized, side-opening D-style doors with venting offer ventilation
Zippered window in doors open for excellent visibility & ventilation
Freestanding frame that clips, and post & grommet assembly makes set up easy
Gear loft overhead storage
Lightweight and easy of assembly
Flashlight loop
Bathtub floor wraps up sides of tent to protect against splashing and standing water
Interior corner pockets can be used to keep the door fabric conveniently tucked away
Zipper covers on the fly provide protection from water
Four storage pockets
Sleeps: 2
Seasons: 3
Floor Size: 7 feet, 6 inches by 4 feet, 11 inches
Pack Size: 5 by 24 inches
Minimum Weight: 6 pounds, 5 ounces
Tent Area: 36.86 square feet
Center Height: 3 feet, 10 inches
Doors: 2
Windows: 2
Vestibules: 2
Frame: 8.5 millimeter fiberglass post and grommet
Vestibule Area: 13.81 square feet
Material: 75 denier polyester taffeta, 800 millimeter coated

Review Time

I like room for my goods. I might be a camping hoarder and need treatment for my collection of awesome finds and therefore I need a tent that can enable my so-called dysfunction. This and the fact that I need a “bro barrier” between me and the guy that mistaken his tent for mine during that wacky music festival. That’s why I choose a squared off footprint in order to have “boundries”. The Eureka 2XT is a great choice because it also gives you two vestibules to store gear or that guy that always forgets something but smells. The bathtub floor design is great for the monsoon that ensued the night before. It is a little heavier than I like but I know it is made of durable materials that can hold up well in the elements. We collectively gave the Eureka! 2XT a 8.5 out of 10. UN

We have found the best price for Eureka! Apex 2XT – Tent (sleeps 2) at Amazon – click here to check it out

Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent

admin — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:41:33 +0000

Columbia has made a name for themselves when it comes to outdoor gear and clothing. Through rigorous testing and a great design team they produce some of the finest outdoor gear. Starting out as a small family owned distributor. Often times Columbia pioneers in bringing new and improved products to the outdoor masses. This cabin tent has become the product of years of research and development. It has been constructed out of all of the best fitted supplies Columbia has to offer. The Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Dome Cabin is built to pretty much be a vacation home if need be. The Cougar Flats II utilizes Columbia’s patented GoBe Dry rain protection system to ensure a nice dry indoors or inflaps I suppose. The GoBe dry system works by using waterproof tent wall materials as well as designing the tents stitching to be well removed from any area that could cause rain to seep in.

Ventilation comes easy with Columbia’s Cyclone system that greatly increases circulation air through the tent so you can keep a nice dry tent and keep the smell from the others in the tent from getting to close to your nose. The highlight of this tent is the fact that it offers a cathedral challenging amount of space inside. It is as if you are moving into a loft apartment. The amount of room lets you sleep up to 10 adults comfortably. If you’re taller than most you will enjoy the tall ceiling room. Residents of this palace also are accommodated by the internal pockets, hanging cup holders, storage lockers, and gear loft. With the rainfly comes an awning that gives off enough room to let a few people sit under letting you be outdoors but dry or out of the sun. Other features include a sturdy hybrid steel/fiberglass frame with steel and fiberglass poles, two separate doors, a Camp Port for easy cable passage, and fully seam-taped polyester fly with an 800mm waterproof coating. The Cougar Flats II measures 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet. (W x H x D)

We have found the best price for Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description:

Tent type: Family
Sleeps: 6 to 10 people
Rooms: 2
Weatherproof: GoBe Dry rain protection system
Venting: Cyclone system for air circulation
Camp Port: Yes
Windows: 2
Doors: 2
Extras: Internal pockets, hanging cup holders, storage lockers, and gear loft
Storage: Wheeled carrying bag
Rainfly: Yes, with 800mm waterproof coating
Dimensions: 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet (W x H x D)
Weight: 54 pounds

Review Time – The Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Dome Cabin is a borderline circus tent. I’m pretty sure you could get lost in the rooms. All kidding aside this is a top pick for you folks that like wide open spaces and wide open tents. If you have a big group coming along you will enjoy all the space and amenities that come built in to this tent. We didn’t quite take our test tent to the outdoors because it happens to be a home weekend football game so we took our tailgating. It was awesome and drew in people like a bug light. It was gloomy when we set up and started a light drizzle that didn’t subside. We had camping chairs out under the canopy and unexpectedly made our tent into a sports bar. It was fantastic and worked and set up better than we had anticipated. We collectively give this tent 9 out of 10 stars. Keep it up Columbia. UN

We have found the best price for Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent

admin — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:13:35 +0000

Coleman knows camping and has been making camping equipment for many years now. They understand that when a large tent is needed for an expedition that it is imperative to get it set up quickly. In the past, 6 person and larger tents would be a Rube Goldberg contraption to set up which would end up causing precious time in the harsh elements or so much frustration to occur that the family ended up sleeping in a bed and breakfast. Well it’s time to forget all of that, because Coleman has taken out the headache with their new instant tent. It’s one step away from George Jetsons’s briefcase popping out a weather proof camping castle.

The Coleman 6-person Instant Tent can be set up or taken down in under one minute. It is quite impressive for such a large tent to be so convenient. Innovative one-piece design keeps the pre-attached poles to the tent, eliminating assembly time and the risk of losing important parts. To set the camping tent up just unfold the tent, spread the tents walls, extend the poles, click remaining loose walls to the attached poles, and lock, and your tent’s ready to go. A ten-by-nine-foot footprint creates enough floor space for two full sized beds and more, while the six-foot center height means most campers can stand fully upright. Structural poles are durable and strong enough to stand up to forceful stiff winds.

Through a system of waterproofing, Coleman’s Weather -Tec System features keeps the weather outside the tent at all times. Features like the Leak-free Seams in addition to fully-taped rain-fly seams; the rain-fly covers windows and doors, and easily utilizes Velcro attachments. Weather-resistant Fabric Coated polyester fabric combined with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers are designed to keep you dry. The floor seams are inverted in order to increase weather resistance by hiding and possible opening deep inside the tent, away from moisture. Welding technology strengthens the tent floor and eliminates needle holes as well as making the floor water proof. Finally there are zipper cuffs to add protection from the outside around all the tents openings.

Engineered wind frames are built to be a stronger, more wind-responsive frame by using redeveloped poles and triangles to anchor tents and increase performance.

We have found the best price for Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent at Amazon – click here to check it out

Product Description:

Instant Tent 6 is ideal for weekend car campers, extended camping trips, scout troops and summer camp.
Sets up in less than 60 seconds
No assembly required – poles are pre-attached
Tent seams are fully covered
Rain Fly is not needed.
Heavy duty Coleman Weather-Tec fabric
Twice the thickness of standard tent fabric, 150D material
Footprint: 10′x9′
Center height: 72″
Doors: 1
Sleeps: 6 people
Inner tent: Polyester taffeta 150D, Polyester mesh 68D
Floor: Polyethylene 1000D
The Coleman Limited Warranty

Coleman has been around outdoor product business in excess of a century, and is constantly on the produce high-quality, affordable tents, lamps, table-top ovens, and much more. All Coleman items possess a warranty against defects in material and workmanship, and also the 6-person Instant Tent features a limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Review Time – The Coleman Instant 6-person tent is a great tent for those that aren’t roaming much further than where their vehicle goes. Weighing in around 20 sacks of beef jerky doesn’t seem like a whole bunch but you can’t eat this delicious tent and for that reason it will be difficult to take on a hike. The fact that the poles are attached to the tent itself also means that it can’t be separated in order to let accompanying buddies take some of the weight (since they too get to enjoy this fortress of solitude). The internal space to the Instant 6 Tent is pretty impressive. The tall ceiling comes in very handy for those unaffected by gravity (tall people). The tent appears to be very water resistant yet we never got a heavy rain day whilst testing it. We did however encounter some brutally hot nights and the tent did a good job of circulating it through. The best part of this tent though is the easy erect____ time, it can achieve in under 60 seconds (moving on). The fast construction and breakdown of the tent will make sure and turn your friends green with envy. You can be first to set up and still drink coffee while they scramble to get all their pieces together. We collectively give the Coleman Instant 6 an 8 ½ out of 10. UN

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