Showing posts with label family camping tents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family camping tents. Show all posts

1/16/2011

Eddie Bauer Family Dome Tent 9'x9' Review

Eddie Bauer Family Dome Tent 9'x9'
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I mean it. That's where most of this thing wound up. In the dumpster.
Poles are even worse than the average these days. You put it up, you'll break it.
Ground cover they supply with it is stronger than toilet paper, but not a lot more. I used it to protect the bottom of an old Coleman tent I borrowed to replace this one. Worth one trip.
I managed to cannabalize the fly, and can use it as a sun break, where trees are many and winds are low.
I got it at Target, you know, "what you see is what we got", marked way down, for less than you'll pay here or other places, I don't know about WalMart or the shadier kind of flea markets.
Eddie Bauer's products are garbage generally. Don't think it's an acceptable alternative to LL Bean, Coleman, Moosejaw etc. Most of their stuff breaks, wears out, disintegrates, leaks, etc. as the case may be. Before you get back from wherever you went.
"Made in China". Everybody does it, right? Who cares about those little old ladies in Maine, right? Nobody, I guess, Mr. Freedman, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Bush. But dang! Can't somebody exercise some quality control?

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11/28/2010

Chinook Twin Peaks Guide Fiberglass Expedition Tents 6 Person Plus 2 Doors Height 6.75FT New Review

Chinook Twin Peaks Guide Fiberglass Expedition Tents 6 Person Plus 2 Doors Height 6.75FT New
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The first time setting this up (in our garage), it took my husband and I only 30 minutes to set up the tent, and another 30 minutes to set up the fly.The directions were decent, but they don't tell you that it is color-coded which helps. The direction on the fly is incorrect - you need to place the spine pole of the fly into the web pockets before you drape it over the tent.

Very roomy with plenty of ventilation.We placed ours on a light tarp that was a very close footprint of the tent itself.

It is probably a known item to frequent campers, but having only used the very small tents, it took us a few minutes to figure out what the toggles were for inside and outside the tent (securing the rolled up unzipped divider).Velcro tabs on the fly to hold it on the poles were also designed but not in the directions.

We'll be camping with it this weekend with some rain in the forecast and I hope to have a follow-up review. The zippers seem well-made with velcro fastners to keep the elements out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Chinook Twin Peaks Guide Fiberglass Expedition Tents 6 Person Plus 2 Doors Height 6.75FT New

Product Description:
Featuring another innovative design concept in family/group tents: Chinook's InterDome, a 2 tent-in-1 system, for double the living space.One very roomy sleeping dome, plus a functional and practical screened dome with a removable heavy-duty floor will make you the envy of the campground.Features: Extremely large screened dome is big enough to fit a picnic table;Both Interdome rooms have plenty of headroom with peaks that are 6'6" high;Heavy duty, oxford nylon floor on main dome will stand up to repeated camp cot and foot traffic;Very durable PE floor on the screened dome can be removed if necessary;Two large doors on the fly double as sun and rain awnings;Extra long tent fly has delta panels to help keep rain well away from the tent floor and body;Designed for a quick and easy set-up so you can enjoy the great outdoors faster.Specifications: Capacity: 6 person +;Fiber Glass poles tent weight: 28 lbs 8 oz (12.9 kg);Poles: 4 + ridgepole;Doors: 2 doors;Height: 6'9" (206 cm);Floor: 13'8" x 9'4" (417 x 285 cm);Body area: 128 ft2 (11.9 m2);with vestibule area: 142 ft2 (13.2 m2);3 season.

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11/14/2010

Eddie Bauer® Sequoia 7-Person Family Tent - 16x10' Review

Eddie Bauer® Sequoia 7-Person Family Tent - 16x10'
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this tent for some Cub Scout outings and have regreted it.It happened to rain and of course the tent leaked.I tried it again on another camping trip and once again it rained and leaked.The design is flawed with rain coming in the side air vents.It can be a cheap poor quality tent in good weather, but don't use to stay dry in rain.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eddie Bauerandreg; Sequoia 7-Person Family Tent - 16x10'



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10/29/2010

Coleman Bayside 8-Person Family Tent - Orange Review

Coleman Bayside 8-Person Family Tent - Orange
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this tent last summer in anticipation of a 4-day camping trip.I will admit that i was initially attracted to its aesthetic appeal, however, the monsterous amount of space and ample screening sealed the deal!

I set it up in the yard soon after it arrived to seal the seams and to acclimate myself with it's assembly.The instructions are stitched right into the carrier bag so they can't be misplaced or torn - a nice feature, in my opinion.

The poles are color coded and easy to fit.The tent went up in about 15 minutes.... and that was just because I was new to the process.

On to seam sealing... You are going to need more than one bottle of seam sealer to do the whole thing... I got 2/3rds of the way around and ran out.I packed it up after that and finished sealing the day that we arrived at the campground.

During our stay we received one night of TERRIBLE rain!This tent DID NOT LEAK !!!Not one drop!It was really fantastic!

Dismantling is simple.The tent does fit back in the bag (with a little effort.... be sure to squeeze out all of the air as you roll and do so as tightly as possible).

Th

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman Bayside 8-Person Family Tent - Orange

Product Description:
Spend less time worrying about your tent and more time enjoying the great outdoors. This tent comfortably sleeps up to 8 people and is perfect for your next family camp out. Setup is quick and easy the first time and every time with instructions sewn right into the carrying bag. The innovative, hinged door swings open and has an easy-close fastener to shut, eliminating the need to zip the door every time you leave the tent. No need to fret about the chance of rain-the Coleman WeatherTec System is designed to keep you dry.

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10/17/2010

Columbia Conrad Ridge Screen Dome Tent Review

Columbia Conrad Ridge Screen Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We have used this tent for 2 nights.It is large!Our family of four slept in the "inside" room, and kept our luggage and chairs in the "outside" room.The divider is pretty flimsy, but it serves to provide a bit of privacy.We had an REI tent before, and my husband thinks that the REI one was built much better.But, it was too small for our family.It rained during our trip lightly, and there were no leaks.We used it in 35 degree weather at night, and I felt a bit cold.The only side of the tent without a full rainfly is the "inside" room.You can zip up the window, but there is still a draft on cold nights with that side.I guess it allows the tent to breathe, but I would not recommend this tent for people who camp in the cold frequently.Overall, the kids loved having room to spread out, and it was a great buy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbia Conrad Ridge Screen Dome Tent

Product Description:
Bring the family to the campsite and still have room to spare with the Columbia Conrad Ridge screen dome tent. The Conrad Ridge--which sleeps up to eight people--is spacious and versatile, with a pair of rooms that function either as two sleeping rooms or as a bedroom and screened-in shelter. As a result, you'll have plenty of elbowroom while you sleep, and you won't have to pack an extra tarp for rain protection. The tent also includes four large no-see-um mesh windows, roof vents, and side vents, so you'll enjoy optimum ventilation even during rainstorms. And thanks to the factory-sealed fly and floor seams and the polyester bathtub floor--which wraps up the sides and is protected by a rain shingle--the Conrad Ridge keeps the wet weather at bay.
The tent also stores plenty of gear in addition to its eight campers, with two mesh interior pockets, a gear loft for smaller items, and two hanging cupholders. Finally, the tent sets up easily thanks to its freestanding design and combo clip-and-sleeve assembly. Other features include a single large D door, a rain shingle, a room divider, a woven reflective zipper pull, and a flashlight loop. The Conrad Ridge tent comes with poles, stakes, and an oxford nylon carrying bag with expandable gussets.
Key Features:

    Capacity: 8
    Dimensions: 15 by 10 feet
    Weight: 33 pounds, 2 ounces
    Area: 150 square feet
    Interior height: 6 feet 8 inches
    Pack size: 28 by 10 inches
    Poles: 4
    Pole size: 9.5mm (2), 11mm (2)
    Pole material: Fiberglass
    Doors: 1
    Hooded fly: Yes
    Windows: 4
    Gear loft: Yes
    Floor material: 190T polyester taffeta, 1,000mm coating
    Fly material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating
    Wall material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating/no-see-um mesh
    Roof material: No-see-um mesh/190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating
    Netting: No-see-um
    Style: Modified dome
    Use: 3 seasons

About Columbia Sportswear
Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.
Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.
The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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10/16/2010

Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent Review

Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The other lady S. Haley obviously started having problems when the poles were missing, so from then on out she wanted something to complain about. The openings are there for a reason and are closable.

The double arch makes it one of the largest area tents in its class, and it is waterproof unlike all others in its class. The overhangs on all sides allow for the largest opening of the screen system I have ever seen, especially during adverse weather. At 28 lbs it is not intended to be a backpack tent, but could be humped in for a short distance. The tent is of very high quality, unlike the Coleman options in class. The Wenger products offer sealed floors and seams, polyester taffeta fabric with two coats of polyurethane coating, the windows are massive for great air flow, an electrical port for supporting electrical devices (generator or for backyard camping), a mud mat, a gear loft for storing the lighter stuff that is always in the way, shoe pockets, and a removable rain fly for an open air experience during those clear sky camping outings.

If you want to save money and get 1/3rd the tent, buy a Coleman, if you want something that lasts and is well built get a Wenger Swissgear.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent

Product Description:
Spacious enough to sleep seven campers, this 14 x 11-foot family-sized domed tent with 72 inches of head room at the center has 121 square feet of space on a rounded, sonic-welded polyethylene floor to keep out ground moisture and a removable fly with factory-taped seams for rain protection. The tent is made of polyester taffeta and includes large mesh side windows with protective awnings and a mesh ceiling for ventilation. A shockcorded color-coded fiberglass frame provides easy set-up. Other features include a mud mat outside a "D"-door, a port for electric-cord access, and an inside gear loft and organizer pockets. For storage and transport, the tent packs inside a zippered duffel bag.
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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10/14/2010

Suisse Sport Montana Tent Review

Suisse Sport Montana Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Suisse Sport Montana 14 x 10 screen porch tentSize/Features do matter in a tent, your campsite is what you make it!

I was comparing this tent to the Columbia Cougar Flats II and the Eureka Copper Canyon both are about 33% more money than this tent and similar in size and style.I liked the screen area better and saw the poles were pretty weak on the Eureka and even though the Cougar flats is bigger it has less usable room because it slopes more like a dome tent.First impression, I opened the box and saw it has a zipper storage bag.
The color was black so it should stay clean.

The total weight is just under 30lbs,the frame is quality 19mm steel poles with larger fiberglass pole.

The shape of this tent has almost vertical walls which gives you maximum space.

87" high ceilings so it doesn't seem like you are in a cave I like all the sizes of this tent.

The big window on the screen side gives you a nice place to keep your gear at night or while you take a hike or dip in the lake.I like to have some airflow in a tent and this one has 4 window and 7 vents, we never plan on camping in the rain, so that is another reason we picked this tent it has a 1000mm coated fly in a rainstorm it would surely keep you dry.

Sleeping specs: it shows 5, so really 3-4 + you could do 2 on the room side and 2 kids in the screened area and be really comfortable.

It came with 6 steel pegs and 7 plastic pegs they look decent, I usually use the spike style pegs which are easily ordered on Amazon, 10" Galvanized-Steel Tent Pegs - Set of 10TIP: if you order them online they will save you from the local camp store pricing!

Final analysis:Color is good, dark on bottom to protect from dirt nice earth tones on the sides no crazy camp colors!Easy to set up with a quality storage bag.

I will modify this review if things change but at a savings of 33% over the other tents this was a great Fishgriller deal!

Fishgriller approved.....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Suisse Sport Montana Tent

Product Description:
Family style dome tent with screen porch

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9/29/2010

Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 Tent Review

Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This tent is a great product with well-written & easy to follow instructions for set-up. We set it up in or driveway a few days before our trip in about 10 minutes just so we'd know there wouldn't be any trouble once we got to our destination. The sleeping quarters are spacious - we had one queen size and one twin size air mattress with room to walk in between and room for our suitcases. Large window openings let in the breezes. Nice to have the option to use the door out of the sleeping quarters as well as thru the screen room. The screen room is great, too. No floor, obviously, but our next trip we will invest in a piece of outdoor carpet to place on the ground in it. This tent is large, but we are tall people and so it was nice to be able to stand straight up and walk around and not have to hunch over as with our previous dome tents. We spent a week at the beach in this tent and had no problems. There was even a severe thunderstorm that lasted about an hour one day - HEAVY rain and wind - but it held up just fine. The floor of the tent was dry as a bone, and no leaks at all. The only thing was that the fly over both ends of the tent collected rain and my husband had to run out and dump it out a couple of times. Otherwise, I say this is a great product and well worth the cost.This will be the tent we use on every trip now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 Tent

Product Description:
Sleep or lounge in luxurious comfort in the Eureka Copper Canyon tent. Designed using Eureka's StormShield technology--which combines moisture-repelling materials with a tough, reinforced construction that resists against wear and tear--the nine-pole, cabin-style tent is built around an 80-square-foot sleeping room, with space for six camping pads on the floor or two cots and gear. On the other side sits an 80-square-foot screen room that offers ample protection on particularly hot or rainy days, along with a sod cloth along the perimeter to keep insects from getting inside. Combine the two rooms and you have the perfect tent for family vacations and long camping trips, with the vertical walls providing plenty of functional space.



The tent's floor plan includes sleeping space for six people.Each room also offers multiple entrances, with a side-opening, twin-track main door for the sleeping room, an inverted T-style door with roll-back storm covers for the screen room, and a side-opening interior door for easy passage between the two. And campers will love the multiple skylights--one for each room--which let you gaze at the stars in the evening or read in comfort in the daytime.


The built-in sweep-out point makes it easy to ditch dirt.The Copper Canyon sets up easily, with a combination steel and fiberglass frame, clip attachments, and a ring and pin assembly. And thanks to the zippered E! Power port, you can even bring a grounded outdoor extension cord into the tent without letting pesky insects in as well. Other details include seven total windows, a full-panel mesh roof, two gear lofts, a built-in sweep-out point for ditching dirt, a storage pocket that keeps your essentials organized, and sewn-in loops along the screen room perimeter for suspending a rope light. The three-season tent measures 16 by 10 feet on the floor, offers a center height of 7 foot 3 inches, and weighs 36 pounds 3 ounces. All Eureka tents carry a lifetime warranty.
About Eureka!
Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka's long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company's annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka's new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women's Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Want to read more honest consumer review about Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 Tent now ?

9/26/2010

Coleman WeatherMaster 8 Tent Review

Coleman WeatherMaster 8 Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We bought this tent based on reviews and were not disappointed.We used it for our family of 4, our dog, and a lot of extra gear that we didn't even need.There is a lot of extra room in this tent, and I'd say it can sleep 6 very comfortably, and 8 if you don't have any gear in the tent with you.There is the potential for 2 "rooms" in the tent via a partition that clips in place in the middle of the tent, with a zipper down the center.We didn't use the partition, as our children are young and wouldn't stay on their side anyway.There is a neat little zipper in the rear of the tent for an electrical cord access, which we did use from our campsite.

There was plenty of headroom, and I could easily stand up in the tent and walk from end to end without ducking, and I'm 5' 10".With all the windows open, there is a LOT of airflow, and ventilation was not a problem during the day when it was hot.The only thing we experienced that we didn't expect was that night the temp dropped into the 30's, and with only 4 people in the tent and so many cubic feet of airspace, it got pretty chilly in there, even with all the windows up.(Keep in mind that we didn't pack for cold weather.)

Setup was a snap, and directions are printed on a sheet sewn into the inside of the bag so you won't lose it.I set up the tent to inspect it after I received it, and it took about 30 minutes with me really taking my time.Second attempt on the campsite, the directions were unnecessary as the setup was simple, and it took only 15 minutes with help only for draping the rainfly over the large tent.

In short, I would recommend this family tent without reservation, and look forward to having many camping trips with family and friends in it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman WeatherMaster 8 Tent

Product Description:
From the electrical access port to the vented Cool-Air port, the Coleman WeatherMaster 8 tent is packed with features for comfort and convenience at the campsite. The WeatherMaster 8 is outfitted with Coleman's exclusive WeatherTec system, a series of technical features intended to protect you from inclement weather and nasty storms. WeatherTec tents are built with a coated polyester fabric combined with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers, all designed to keep you dry when the rain comes down. The tent's welded waterproof floor and inverted floor seams, meanwhile, dramatically increase the water resistance by hiding the needle holes inside the tent and away from the elements. And in addition to offering fully taped rainfly seams, the included rainfly covers the doors and windows tightly and incorporates easy-to-use Velcro frame attachments. Add in a strong, wind-responsive frame--which uses redesigned poles and guy-out triangles to anchor the tent--and you have a shelter that performs like a brick house during a storm. In fact, Coleman is so confident in its WeatherTec system that it exposes its WeatherTec tents to a rain room that simulates nasty downpours, and to a wind machine capable of blowing hurricane-force gusts. The results? Even after the tests, Coleman guarantees its WeatherTec tents will keep you dry.
The WeatherMaster 8 boasts a footprint of 14 by 9 feet and a center height of 82 inches, helping up to eight people sleep comfortably in the tent with elbowroom to spare. Campers have their choice of sleeping in one large room or dropping down the zippered divider and sleeping in two. As an alternative, they can use one room as a bedroom and the second for gear and food storage. Campers will also love the Coleman Variflo adjustable ventilation system, which lets you control the airflow in conjunction with the vented Cool-Air port. Other features include an easy-to-set-up design with continuous color-coded pole sleeves and shock-corded poles; reverse angle windows; a privacy vent window; an interior gear pocket; an electrical access port; and easy-to-follow instructions sewn into the durable carrying bag, which comes with extra storage bags for the poles and stakes.


The tent's generous sleeping area accommodates up to 8 people. Specifications:

    Center height: 82 inches
    Fly: Polyester taffeta 75 denier
    Mesh: Polyester 68-denier inner tent
    Floor: 1,000-denier polyurethane, 140 g/m2
    Base dimensions: 14 by 9 feet
    Poles: 11mm fiberglass
    Country of origin: Made in China
    Warranty: Limited 1 year

About Coleman
More than 100 years ago, a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit and a better idea began manufacturing lanterns in Wichita, Kansas. His name was W.C. Coleman, and the company he founded would change life in America. A man plagued with such poor vision he sometimes had to ask classmates to read aloud to him, Coleman saw a brilliant light in 1900 in a drugstore window that stopped him in his tracks. He inquired about the light inside and discovered he was able to read even the small print on a medicine bottle by the illumination. The lamps had mantles, not wicks, and were fueled by gasoline under pressure instead of coal oil. Soon afterward, Coleman started a lighting service that offered a "no light, no pay" clause--a big step forward for merchants who were burned by inferior products that rarely worked--and drew substantial interest from businesses that wanted to keep their lights on after dark.
In the ensuing years, Coleman expanded its product line well beyond lanterns. The company's current catalog is thick with products that make spending time outdoors a pleasure. There are coolers that keep food and drinks cold for days on end, comfortable airbeds that won't deflate during the night, a complete line of LED lights that last for years, powerful portable grills that cook with an authentic open-grill flame, and much, much more. Coleman has truly fashioned much of our outdoor camping experience, and expects to do so for generations to come.


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9/25/2010

Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent Review

Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Don't mess around with cheap $100 tents. Spend the extra money on this one and you won't go wrong. I tried the $119 Costco special and was extremely disatisfied. The Kelty tent had too many large panels that kept catching the wind and waking us up all night. This tent is especially great in the wind and stays solid even for one this size. It's light weight and packs up nicely. The best feature is the room divider that will divide the tent into two symetrical individual rooms...A great feature when two couples are camping together or if you want to put the kids in their own space. Each side even has its own door so you won't disturb the whole tent when getting up for the bathroom in the middle of the night.

We used the tent without the rainfly for the first time last trip and loved sleeping under the stars with full mosquito netting over the entire ceiling.

This is a well-made tent that will rival The North Face tents costing $450 or more. My Dad took his North Face tent back to REI and bought this one for $200 less at the Columbia outlet store.

Happy camping!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent

Product Description:
Bring the family to the campsite and still have room to spare with the Columbia High Trail dome tent. The High Trail--which sleeps up to eight people--is spacious and versatile, with a room divider that turns the tent from one large room to two smaller rooms. As a result, you'll enjoy plenty of elbowroom while you sleep. The tent also includes four large no-see-um mesh windows, roof vents, and side vents, so you'll enjoy optimum ventilation even during rainstorms. And thanks to the factory-sealed fly and floor seams and the polyester bathtub floor--which wraps up the sides and is protected by a rain shingle--the High Trail keeps the wet weather at bay.
The tent also stores plenty of gear in addition to its eight campers, with two mesh interior pockets, a gear loft for organization, and two hanging cupholders. Finally, the tent sets up easily thanks to its freestanding design and combo clip-and-sleeve assembly. Other features include two large D doors for easy entry and exit, a woven reflective zipper pull, a flashlight loop, a small Camp Port for stretching electrical cords into the tent, and two mud mats sheltered by an overhanging semi-vestibule. The High Trail tent comes with poles, stakes, and an oxford nylon carrying bag with expandable gussets.


Key Features



    The High Trail sleeps up to eight campers and offers a roomy 165 square feet of space.
    Capacity: 6 to 8
    Dimensions: 15 by 11 feet
    Weight: 28 pounds, 2 ounces
    Area: 165 square feet
    Interior height: 6 feet 6 inches
    Pack size: 29 by 10 inches
    Poles: 9
    Pole size: 19mm steel (2), 9.5mm fiberglass (7)
    Pole material: Fiberglass and steel
    Doors: 2
    Hooded fly: Yes
    Windows: 4
    Gear loft: Yes
    Floor material: 190T polyester taffeta, 1,000mm coating
    Fly material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating
    Wall material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating/no-see-um mesh
    Roof material: No-see-um mesh
    Netting: No-see-um mesh
    Style: Modified hybrid dome
    Use: 3 seasons

About Columbia Sportswear
Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.


Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.


The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.


Amazon.com Tent Guide


Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:


Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.


Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.


For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.


Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.


Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.


Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.



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9/22/2010

Wenzel Klondike 16 X 11-Feet Eight-Person Family Cabin Dome Tent (Light Grey/Taupe/Red) Review

Wenzel Klondike 16 X 11-Feet Eight-Person Family Cabin Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
FANTASTIC! The first time we set this tent up, it was in the house, just to get an idea... Took us about 15-20 minutes. It wasn't bad at all. But it DOES take two people!! Our first experience on the road with it took us to the Grand Canyon where we arrived at 9:00pm. It took us again less than 25-30 minutes to set it up(in the dark) using only a couple flashlights.. Do make sure you stake the corners down FIRST before you raise it. You need one person outside the tent, and one inside to raise it. After that, using the stakes to secure it was a breeze...Having so many windows and a full mesh ceiling was great for star gazing after a long day.We put a king sized mattress in the second room, and had plenty of space to move around.. This tent is so big, our puppy (Shih Tzu) named Kujo, got plenty of exercise just running from the door back into the 2nd room.

The first room is great to leave all your bags,cloths,shoes etc....and it has a floor in it, so you are not walking on dirt like some two room tents...

The 2 nights we spent at the Grand Canyon we experienced 75 mph winds.. This tent DID NOT MOVE! The only thing we could hear was the wind, not the sides flapping in the wind like most tents.. We have recieved many compliment on this tent..

I researched every 8-12 person,family tent out there with three things in mind..1) Tall enough to move and walk around in. 2) It had to have a screen ceiling. 3) Had to have shock cords...BINGO !!I HIGHLY recomend this tent to everyone. When Wenzell designed this, they found a winner....I am so proud of this tent, We can't wait to go on our next road trip...

Walmart had the best price of anyone.. I "researched it!":)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Klondike 16 X 11-Feet Eight-Person Family Cabin Dome Tent (Light Grey/Taupe/Red)

Product Description:
Spacious and weather-resistant, the Wenzel Klondike 16-by-11-foot family dome tent sleeps up to eight people in its two rooms, making it ideal for large families or smaller families with lots of gear. The tent is taller than most other tents at 6.5 feet, letting campers stand up straight while inside. In addition, the tent includes an attached screen room that keeps bugs out and lets breezes in. The screened room functions as a sun shelter on bright days, a picnic room when mosquitoes are nearby, or a nap room during lazy afternoons. You can also zip up the walls of the screen room to create a secondary sleeping area. And campers will love the tent's full mesh roof option, which delivers plenty of ventilation throughout the evening, and the double-staked Power Corners, which increase the tent's stability in high winds.
The Klondike is made of rugged, weather-repellent Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. The tent also includes double-stitched, lap-felled seams throughout the body, providing a shingle effect against water. Other features include a fiberglass frame, a removable fly, two hanging pockets for easy-access items, and a storage duffel.
Specifications:

    Base: 16 by 11 feet
    Center height: 78 inches
    Eave height: 61 inches
    Interior space: 98 square feet + 60-square-foot screened room
    Sleeps: 8
    Door: Inverted T-style, interior flex style
    Floor: Welded polyethylene
    Frame: Fiberglass
    Pegs: Steel and plastic
    Carrying weight: 27.3 pounds
    Warranty: 10 years

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent Review

Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased the Coleman Hooligan 3 for car camping and used it for the first time this past weekend.I did not purchase through Amazon as I found it locally for $20 off, but I feel the Amazon price is fair and would not hesitate recommending it at the current price ($79.99 on 28 Jul 2009).

The first thing I did upon bring it home was un-pack it and set it up, followed closely by applying a silicon water repellant spray to the entire rain fly.This is imperative, especially with a tent at this relatively low price point, since factory waterproofing often leaves much to be desired.

Setup was quite simple and pretty quick.I set it up alone during the at-home shake down, but had my fiancée to help at the campsite over the weekend.It does go a little faster with two, but it's very doable solo.The poles are typical fiberglass with shockcord and insert into sleeves on the tent; I would have preferred clip-on hooks rather than sleeves so the tent can be erected after you bend the poles individually, but for the price of this tent it's acceptable.

The tent itself is composed mostly of screen material with a door on one side and a small zip open vent on the other.If you want any kind of privacy at all, the rain fly needs to be on the tent at all times.The floor of the tent is made up of heavy duty plastic tarp material and looks like it will hold up well if taken care of.The floor of the tent is large enough for a Intex® Camp Air Bed with Pump with about a foot of room to spare on two edges if you push it into the corner.With a smaller air mattress or just sleeping bags you would easily have room for a substantial amount of gear if you kept it to two full-size occupants.

The rain fly goes over the tent and covers it pretty much to the ground.There are no windows, save the entryway and a small ventilation opening opposite, but it's not really big enough to be considered a window.Don't expect to have much of a view from inside the tent.The rain fly attaches by hooks at the corners of the tent (rings where the tent poles attach) and hook-and-loop strips which wrap around the poles to keep it aligned.The system works pretty well, but could certainly be better, though that would raise the price of the tent.

One of the key features of the tent, at least for my application, is the vestibule.This was a rather important item for me as I bought this tent for family camping and wanted to be able to put a porta-potty nearby for my fiancée and three year old daughter to use in the night without traipsing all about the wilderness.I haven't actually used it for this yet, as the campground we stayed at had facilities very nearby, but based on the amount of space it should work out fine.Aside from the potty, it also makes an idea place to store shoes and any wet items that shouldn't come into the tent itself.We had a small (15 gal) tote and a couple pairs of shoes out there and still had more than enough room to get in and out of the tent.There is no floor in the vestibule, but I remedied that by getting a ground cloth that was a bit larger than the footprint of the tent and using the excess to form the floor.Works great and helps keep the inside of the tent free of dirt and mud while keeping your shoes nice and dry.

Our first night out in the tent it thunder stormed pretty hard; we were confined to the tent for almost an hour and were unable to converse with our friends (in their tent no more than 10' away) over the rain, even when shouting.The tent held up to it great, though how much of that is due to the tent and how much the extra waterproofing I can't say.There were a couple of very small drips, but nothing that would have ruined our night had it continued raining.I intend to touch up the waterproofing before our next outing in two weeks and this should solve the drips, hopefully.VERY impressed with this tent in wet conditions, overall.

One thing to be aware of is that the entry into the vestibule is relatively low and somewhat small.I am average height (67" 170 lbs) and had no trouble getting in and out, but someone a bit larger and/or less spry might have problems getting in and out.

A couple of issues:

The stakes are cheap aluminum and will bend if you are trying to drive them into hard soil.I bought a 4 pack of nail-style steel stakes and used them for the corners of the tent and they worked out fine.I will be getting a few more to use for staking out the vestibule and the guy lines for the rain fly as well, but for light-duty camping in good weather and soft soil you might be able to get away with the cheap factory stakes.

There is a small pole that holds the ventilation opening open that I had trouble with as it kept popping through the grommet meant to hold it in place.Not a big deal, and only took a second to fix, but annoying none-the-less.I'll rig something up to prevent this next time we go out, should be a simple matter of a small washer or a swatch of cloth.

Overall I am very happy with the tent, especially since I found mine on sale.It has a few quirks, but will work for me until I save up enough for a nicer tent and probably a while after that too.It sets up and packs away easily and would be difficult to beat for the price.Don't forget to waterproof, it is VERY VERY worth the time and money to keep yourself (and your stuff) dry.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent

Product Description:
A great choice for casual campers/backpackers, motorcyle riders, RV campers and scout troops, the Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent is designed for easy setup. The Hooligan 3 sleeps 3 people comfortably, with an 8'x7' footprint and center height of 4'10". The full rainfly and dry-entry vestibule provide convenient access and adjustable airflow as part of Coleman's Comfort System; the entirely-mesh inner tent provides maximum ventilation. Continuous pole sleeve and an exclusive pin-and-ring design make setup a breeze with the 8.5mm & 6.3mm fiberglass poles.

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9/16/2010

Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Taupe) Review

Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This tent was a lot bigger than I expected it to be, which is a good thing.It is very roomy, so if you have a lot of people (or just a lot of stuff), this will work great.There is enough room for multiple adults to stand up straight without hitting their heads on the ceiling.Despite the fact that it is so big, it is very easy to set up (I set it up on my own, with no help).My only complaint is that the air circulation is rather poor.The windows are rather small compared to the size of the tent, so unless you have the rain fly off, it is very stuffy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Taupe)

Product Description:
Spacious and weather-resistant, the Wenzel Great Basin 18-by-10-foot dome tent sleeps up to nine campers in its two rooms, making it ideal for large families or smaller families with lots of gear. The Great Basin is made of rugged, weather-repellent Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. The sonic-sealed polyethylene tub-style floor, meanwhile, is welded and not sewn, eliminating needle holes that might otherwise attract water seepage. And campers will love the variety of ventilation points--including two mesh back-to-back D-style doors and two polyester mesh windows--all of which are aided by an updraft ventilation system that improves the overall airflow.
The Great Basin is also easy to set up, with a shock-corded fiberglass frame and a pin-and-ring system. And when it comes time to hit the sheets, you can either create one huge sleeping room or roll down the divider curtain to create two separate rooms. The rooms can function as individual bedrooms for the campers or as a sleeping room and living room. Other details include two gear lofts for storage, two hanging pockets, a removable fly with a hoop frame over the door, and a storage duffel.
Specifications:

    Base: 18 by 10 feet
    Center height: 76 inches
    Area: 159 square feet
    Capacity: 9 people
    Stakes: Steel and plastic
    Carrying weight: 24 pounds

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


Buy NowGet 33% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Taupe) now ?

9/14/2010

Coleman WeatherMaster Screened 6 Tent Review

Coleman WeatherMaster Screened 6 Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've camped for many years, first as a Girl Scout and then as an adult.My husband had never camped, let alone in a tent.I took him out in this tent to a National Forest campground in the Shenendoah mountains, and it rained steady for a week.This tent saved the vacation.The middle room served as our dining and rec center, providing ample space for our small camp table where we ate and played cards.The screened porch was a perfect vestibule, and on sunny days it's a great place to relax, nap, read and escape from the bugs.The sleeping room is perfect for two adults and a queen-sized air bed.The middle room will comfortably sleep an entire family, or serve as the "living room", gear room, work room, etc.It has a high ceiling with a loop for hanging a light.The over-cover and Coleman construction make this the driest tent I've ever experienced.After a week of steady rain, not one seep, weep or drip.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman WeatherMaster Screened 6 Tent

Product Description:
Ideal for family car campers, scout leaders & extended camping excursions, the Coleman WeatherMaster Screened 6 Tent is designed for easy setup. The WeatherMaster Screened 6 sleeps 6 people comfortably in two rooms; it has a footprint of 17'x9' and a center height of 6'4". An additional floorless screened room provides extra ventilation on warm days, a great place for meals and gathering, rain or shine, and protected storage space. Coleman's Comfort System allows control of airflow with Variflo adjustable ventilation, including the vented Cool-Air Port, privacy vent window, and electrical access port. Continuous, color-coded pole sleeves, an exclusive pin-and-ring design, and InstaClip attachments make setup a breeze with the 19mm steel poles.

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9/12/2010

Wenzel Big Bend 12-by-10 Foot Five-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent Review

Wenzel Big Bend 12-by-10 Foot Five-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

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I bought this tent thinking the dimensions of 12'X 10' would be plenty big for four people. What is not mentioned is that this tent is hexagonal and that it only reaches 12' X 10' at the very corners. We were able to squeeze 3 cots into the tent with only enough room for our bags under the cots. I would venture to say it would fit only a full sized mattress. Having said that, this is a pretty good 2, maybe 3 person tent. Set up was easy and the door zipper didn't stick like most tend to do. It did not rain, so I'm not sure about it's waterproof capabilities, but the dome shape stood up very well to windy conditions. Bottom line: small, but good, sturdy tent.

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Product Description:
Spacious and weather-resistant, the Wenzel Big Bend 12-by-10-foot family dome tent sleeps up to five campers in its two rooms, making it ideal for mid-size families or couples with lots of gear. The Big Bend is made of rugged, weather-repellent Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. The sonic-sealed, polyethylene tub-style floor, meanwhile, is welded and not sewn, eliminating needle holes that might otherwise attract water seepage. And campers will love the variety of ventilation points--including two mesh doors, two mesh windows, and a mesh roof--which combine to create a refreshing cross breeze on warm evenings.
The Big Bend is also easy to set up, with shock-corded fiberglass poles and a pin-and-ring system. And when it comes time to hit the sheets, you can either create one large sleeping room or roll down the divider curtain to create two separate rooms. The rooms can function as individual bedrooms for the campers or as a sleeping room and living area. Other details include an integrated mud mat to keep the tent clean, a removable fly with a hoop frame over the door, two hanging pockets for storage, and a storage duffel.
Specifications:

    Base: 14 by 10 feet
    Center height: 68 inches
    Area: 94 square feet
    Capacity: 5 people
    Carrying weight: 14.3 pounds
    Warranty: 10 years

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Columbia Bugaboo II Geo Dome Tent with Foot Lockers Review

Columbia Bugaboo II Geo Dome Tent with Foot Lockers
Average Reviews:

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First off, this is a great tent for the money. The directions call for a 2 person assembly but I was able to do it on my own. The foot lockers are somewhat misleading. I was expecting a seperate compartment that held the shoes while keeping the inside of the tent clean. Instead, the foot lockers are a mini doorway into the main tent compartment. It also rained during my trip which sent us all (7 people) into the tent for shelter. The cyclone venting system was AWESOME and nobody felt like it was too stuffy. The next morning it only took the tent 2 hours to completely dry off which isn't too bad considering the sheer size of it ( a.k.a "fabric mansion"). OVERALL, you will definately be happy with this tent!

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Product Description:
Bring the family to the campsite and still have room to spare with the Columbia Bugaboo II dome tent. The Bugaboo II--which sleeps up to five people--is equipped with both a Cyclone venting system and a GoBe Dry rain protection system. The Cyclone system greatly increases the air circulation within the tent, helping you stay cool on warmer days or dry out after a nasty rainstorm. The GoBe Dry system, meanwhile, includes taped seams and an elevated floor to keep the pounding rain outside.
The Bugaboo II also includes plenty of room for storage, with two footlockers, four pocket organizers, a gear loft for packs or valuables, and even multiple cupholders for coffee, soft drinks, or beer bottles. Other details include color-coded fiberglass poles and sleeves for easy setup, a polyester taffeta body and rainfly, and reflective zipper pulls. The Bugaboo II measures 12 by 6.16 by 9 feet (W x H x D) and weighs 21 pounds.
Key Features:

    Sleeps 5 campers
    GoBe Dry ultimate rain protection system
    Camp Port to allow easy passage of cables
    Cyclone venting to allow for better air circulation when rainfly is in use
    2 external storage lockers, internal pockets, cupholders, and gear loft
    Color coded fiberglass poles and sleeves for easy setup
    Polyester taffeta body and rainfly
    Weighs 21 pounds

About Columbia Sportswear
Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.
Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.
The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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