In this Episode of TOGR, Luke is waterproof testing the Snugpak Ionosphere Tent; will the problems that are presented during this rain event be deal breakers?
Find out now!
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Thanks to The Outdoor Gear Review some big changes are taking place at Sierra Designs as some major improvements are being made to their products that are exclusively offered at Target.
This is an episode of Company's Respond and Luke will be sharing with you all that was discussed with his conversation with the company! .... 100% Agenda Free : This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
In this episode, Luke is discussing the Catoma Stealth 1 Person Military Tent as it is going into testing now and in fact, the Test Night Episode will be coming up on Thursday as the Stealth 1 will be enduring Hurricane Zeta as it comes into the area!
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Luke has been testing out the Target Exclusive Sierra Designs Crescent 2 Person Tent and as he suspected, it doesn't live up to the claims which have been made by Target nor Sierra Designs.
Why would they even release this tent?
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This is a very inexpensive tent which I got in for the sake of reviewing as I am always looking for a good quality tent that I can recommend.
Even before getting this tent in, I had my concerns based upon the materials of the tent and also the hydrostatic head rating.
Even with my concerns, I gave this tent a chance to prove me wrong but unfortunately my worries and concerns were warranted as this tent has simply failed in its most important job.
You may be wondering why I am reviewing this tent and the answer is simple; these type of tents sell more than any other; the cost is low and those who are thinking about getting out for the first time will be drawn to it especially when they see how much the average tent costs.
With that being said, with this review, I am focusing specifically on the pros and cons and my thoughts; I have done a preview on it if you are interested to learn more about it once the review is done.
Cost : $60
Weight : 6.5lbs
Body Waterproof Rating : 600mm
Rainfly Material : 185T taffeta Polyester
Pole Material : Fiberglass
Review Pros :
will keep the bugs outs
fairly easy to setup – takes 10 minutes or less
Good size
colors are ok
Review Cons :
Inexpensive – most of the time this is a pro but in this case, the quality was lowered to the point where the tent can’t be recommended; quality over price!
Not waterproof – I’ve done one initial rain test which involved around an hour of mostly light rain with 10 minutes being moderate rainfall. The tent leaked in numerous locations and is not weather ready.
Heavy – car camping weight
Fly has to be velcroed to the poles for proper form;
Summary :
To put it bluntly, I recommend this tent to only those who live in dry airid locations. That’s it.
If there is a chance of rain, forget it.
It isn’t waterproof and it simply can’t protect you if the conditions take a turn for the worst. It can handle a light shower but will ultimately soak through. Because of that, this tent shouldn’t be used any further than you backyard. If rain comes in, based on the leaking that I have had with mine, you needed to be able to escape to cover.
I don’t recommend it for car camping.
I’m always looking for a good deal when it comes to outdoor products but I’ll never give something a free pass when it fails at what the company stats that the product is capable of.
Body Waterproof Rating: 600mm Rainfly Material: 185T taffeta Polyester Pole Material: Fiberglass Stake Material: Steel Ceiling Material: Polyester Protective Qualities: Wind-resistant, Waterproof, water-resistant, UV-resistant, Flame Retardant Season compatibility: 3 season
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Claims :
Great for lightweight camping Large exterior storage space Breathable mesh body with full-coverage rainfly Quick set up in 5 minutes - clip system Gear loft and convenient lantern loop Electronic port 10 year limited warranty
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Observations:
Waterproofing - 600mm hydrostatic rating - this is incredibly low and any rating below 1000mm isn’t considered to be waterproof. To be honest, I didn’t know that the rating even went this low but after some research I discovered that this is the same rating that most Ozark tents have which explains why they are perform so badly in the rain.
Keep in mind that for every person who says that their Ozark tent didn’t leak there are ten people who had bad experiences. If you got lucky, good for you. Moving on.
I’ve never seen a company refer to vents as climate control before.
Electronic pass through - can bugs get through?
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I will be reviewing this tent honestly and with an open mind just as I do with all products that I test out. I purchased this with my own money and the only agenda here to is to provide information so that you can make an educated purchase decision.
What You Get : Stuff bag, 6 Guylines, 10 Tent Stakes
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Setup :
One impressive feature of this tent is that it can be setup in multiple ways;
Use stick, use trekking poles, you can setup a ridge line or you can even use trees if they are close enough.
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Review Pros :
+ Overall quality is very good with the exception of some loose threads here and there.
+ Perfect size for 1 person and their gear.
+ Good design
+ Awning is excellent and it can be left open in rainy situations as long as the wind isn’t driving it
+ Multiple ways to setup this tent which translates to a lot of options
+ Bug mesh does exactly what it is meant to do; keep bugs out.
+ Good zippers; they can get caught occasionally with the door
Impressively waterproof; handled rain event after rain event including a full 18 hours of heavy rain fall which involved over 3”
Excellent value for the money
Back vent will help with condensation so if you think that you will have to seal the tent up, have it directed so that it can maximize the air flow
++++ I would love to see the back mesh being larger as there is really no reason for it no to be
Review Cons :
Being that this is a single walled tent, one needs to be prepared for condensation! In certain situations if you had to seal this tent up say for really bad weather, moisture can be a major problem.
This is compounded by the very thick mesh which is tent uses; this happens to be some of the thickest, tightest mesh that I have seen before; it keeps bugs out but also, limits airflow which is vitally important with a tent like this. The mesh that was used with this tent does limit ventilation and will increase the temp inside of the tent; this is good for winter camping, not so great for warm weather camping.
Materials will stretch somewhat so adjustments will need to be made over time.
Tent needs to be fully guyed out for the best possible shelter - this translates to a longer than average setup time
the Water repellent treatment which has been done to this tent is extremely aggressive and may need to be reapplied in the future for the tent to continue to be waterproof.
I have heard of individuals having issues with leaking; I haven’t had such an issue but even if you do, a little seam sealer will solve your problems.
Summary :
For the money, this tent offers excellent value and is a well thought out product that I have no problem recommending. There are numerous reviews on this product but I didn’t see many mentioning the most important aspects that one has to keep in mind before purchasing this product and when using it;
Condensation and ventilation.
With your setups, you will need to think about heavy rain fall and what you are going to do during such events. For an example, I would angle the opening of the tent towards the wind so you can obtain as much air flow as possible.
For stormy adventures, you may want a tarp to setup over the awning so that the tent can remain open and condensation will be lessened.
A Major storm system is incoming which will bring flooding rains to the area; the Lone Wolf ventures to Lone Wolf Mountain for multiple days to put two OneTigris Tents to the test!
The OneTigris Bungalow 2.0.
The OneTigris Tangram.
Will there be failures? Will there be leaks? What animal will continuously visit the camp over the course of multiple nights?
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TEST NIGHT RETURNS with the Kelty Military Field Tent! In this episodes we will see exactly just how much rain this tent can handle while discovering its strengths and weaknesses.
In this episode Luke is discussing with you all how to stay bug free while using a tarp as part of your shelter system. He touches upon multiple pieces of gear which can add to your comfort and more importantly, safety!
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Always : When setting up camp, take time and clear the area as good as you can; pick up stick, rake leaves as bugs will make their homes under such debris and will also use such as insulation.
Side note : This is one reason why you should think twice before using debris as insulation in a bushcraft situation or survival event. Right time and place folks. More on this in the future. Options :
Traditional Bivy – open and closeable; bivys have many pros and cons and I have a video discussing these if you are interested in learning more
Bug Bivy :
Tent Body - consisting of poles and mesh and floor inner. If you have a tent already and a tarp, you are set as you can use the body from any tent. There are some companies who make bug tents for specific use with a tarp.
Another example - Catoma Adventure Shelters IBNS (Improved BedNet System)
You may be thinking, why don’t you just bring a tent and the biggest benefit here is airflow; this is especially beneficial for areas where you have high heat and high humidity. With this sort of setup, you will be far more comfortable than being in a tent.
Mosquitoes Net : You can also find mosquitoes net online from many companies; this works but isn’t my favorite option due to difficulty of use in some areas. Being influence by the wind unless you take further action, no floor and so on.
Groundsheet which has been treated with Permethrin – this works for what may crawl its way to you but you will have to treat yourself for the flying variety. This is an option which I’m surprised to see on youtube that no one else mentions. Works very well but in some areas may not be completely bug free especially in areas where you have genetically modified mosquitoes like in Montana.
With these setups, you can piece together lightweight systems which will keep you dry, provide excellent air flow and will keep you bug free. This is more important than ever thanks to the rise of lyme disease. Lyme Disease isn’t to be messed with; you don’t want it so be smart folks!
Systems will vary in terms of weight and also price; it all depends on what items that you piece together.
This is the newest tent from Walmart and there are serious problems which you should be aware of. The Lithic One Person Tent and likely the others has issues that you need to be aware of before you spend your hard earned money.
Weighs only 3.7 lbs or 3 lbs minimum trail weight (tent body, rainfly, and poles).
Packs down to just 4.7 x 4.7 x 18" so it fits easily inside your backpack without taking up all the space for your other gear.
Stuff sack has pitch instructions printed right on the outside (just in case you forget) and separate bags are included for poles and stakes.
7001 aluminum poles, attachment hubs, and V-stakes provide superior strength while keeping weight low.
Pole design creates nearly vertical sidewalls for maximum livable space in the 80 x 37 x 42" dimensions.
- Tent body, rainfly and floor all have 2,000 mm waterproofing
- Raised bathtub floor keeps the water out when the storm is raging and the rain is falling sideways.
- Custom footprint is included at no extra charge to protect the tent floor from abrasion and ground moisture.
- One huge door offers easy in-and-out and tucks into its own special pocket to keep it out of the way.
- Full mesh tent body offers excellent ventilation. The no-see-um material keeps bugs out and allows for counting the stars.
- Full-coverage rainfly shields from the storm and creates a large vestibule for storing gear and muddy hiking boots.
- Rainfly features two pop-out vents to increase airflow and cut down on condensation when needed. - Interior pockets keep small items off the floor, and a center hook holds a lantern for lighting up the place.
- Reflective guy lines ensure you won’t trip over them after the sun goes down.
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Observations :
Height is good but length is rather short. If you are 5’10” and above, your head and heals will touch either end. With your sleeping bag, you will have issues with rubbing the fly and potentially getting your bag wet. If you are approaching 6’ I wouldn’t recommend this tent due to limited length.
I believe that the larger 2 and 3p versions are longer.
Ventilation looks good.
Freestanding Looks like the tent can be setup with the footprint and with the fly without the body; this is what we will call a hasty hooch setup.
I like that the pitch instructions are printed on the storage bag
This episode is all about Bivy's and Luke will be going over the Pros, the Cons, When, Where and Why to use them...also, when not to.
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Truth About Using a Bivy
The topic of this video deals with Bivy’s and specifically on when to use them and when not to. Before going any further, do keep in mind that these are my thoughts, my experiences and are based on using bivys for decades. Since I started the channel, you all have seen me use a bivy in rain with a tarp, in freezing rain and sleet all by itself, you have seen me use them in cold conditions below 0f and in the snow. I have also a bivy on warm summer nights in very humid conditions.
To start, lets go over what a bivy is;
Bivy sack, aka, bivouac sacks are specialized pieces of gear and like any tool will have a right time and place to use. This is true with virtually any piece of gear but bivys are especially polarizing in terms of use; they can be amazing in certain situations or downright awful!
It was invented to serve climbers who wanted lightweight emergency weather protection for sleeping bags during multiple-day ascents, particularly on big walls.
Early bivy sacks were little more than waterproofed nylon slipcovers for sleeping bags—good for shielding sleeping bags from rain, not so good when ventilating vapor produced by body heat.
Types of Bivys :
Structured vs. Non-structured. Structured bivy sacks are great if you like a little bit extra wiggle room. They give you extra head space and breathing room. Non-structured are perfect for when you reach extreme elevations, and you really need to cuddle up to hide against the elements.
There are also Bivy Tents like the Ionosphere but that is more of a tent than a bivy and won’t be discussed in this video.
Fabrics. There is a wide range of materials which are used for bivys including gore-tex, nylon, and so on. Goretex in general is the most expensive due to the waterproof and breathable properties of gore-tex…those benefits translate to heavier weight. Nylon will be less expensive, less breatable, lighter in terms of weight.
Openings. Some allow for you to crawl in, some unzip and you plop yourself inside of. Some can be closed up completely to block bugs and some will remain open.
Size/weight. While fabric has a lot to do with the weight of your bivy sack, there are plenty of options to choose from in size. Because the bivy sack was created for the minimalist, you do have many ultralight options. Remember, not all bivys are light and in fact, some can be heavier than a 1 person tent.
Pros : Generally lightweight, can add up to 10 degrees to your sleep system which may be desired for cold weather trips, most are either waterproof or at least, water resistant, can be bug proof if your model is sealable, when using a bivy by itself and in good conditions, you are going to be able to make camp in places you never thought possible; locations were are impossible for tents and other shelters. Block the wind wonderfully. Super easy, simple and quick setups
Cons : Not a good solution for rainy and wet conditions unless used with a tarp, bivys add numerous degrees of warmth to your sleep system which you may not desire if it is warm and humid. Condensation issues are common with bivys, bugs can be unless your bivy features a way to seal up the entrance….if you can seal yourself in, you will be adding more warmth and will be limiting your venting…that equals more moisture. Bivys are generally very limiting in terms of space….if you love being restricted and having limited amounts of room to move around, you’ll love a bivy (most people don’t like either of these). If you are a fan of sprawling out and having a lot of space, a bivy can take some time to get accustomed to.
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It is time to announce the winners of the River Country Trekker 2.2 Tents! Did you win? Find out now and if you did, please contact me ASAP with your shipping address and I will get these out ASAP!
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I've had enough people show interest in these River Country Trekker 2.2 Tents that I have decided to do a giveaway. If you want one, enter now in the comments on Youtube for your chance.
Today Luke is here to review the latest version of the Trekker 2.2 tent from River Country Products and will share with you what the company has told him concerning the problems with the latest version and what is in store for future versions.
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A Camping Adventure featuring all sorts of new gear which Luke is currently testing out and amongst those products the focus is the newest version of the River Country Trekker 2.2 tent.
Rain is on the way.....how bad can this tent possibly be?
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This is part 3 of the Hot Tent Challenge and in this episode, Luke is working on some Fixes and Mods for the Black Orca Iron Wall.
In the previous episodes, you all got to vote on the tent that we are to use and the majority selected the Black Orca Iron Wall Tent. From there we took it out for a night of rain to discover if it would leak and it did; now it is time to fix the shortcomings and issues of the Iron Wall before we vote on the stove that we are to buy to use with it.
With the Hot Tent Challenge, this is the order;
Part 1 involves a setup, overview and initial impressions of the tent which you decide to base the challenge around.
Part two will be to test out its waterproof abilities to learn if anything needs to be addressed before moving on to the next step.
Part 3 will be the installation of a stove jack and fixing issues.
With Part 4 we will locate and install a stove.
Part 5 Lastly it will be the adventure with the stove itself.
