Aqua-Quest Waterproof & Lightweight Tent 'Hooped' Single Pole Bivy Bag - Orange Model

Aqua-Quest Waterproof & Lightweight Tent 'Hooped' Single Pole Bivy Bag - Orange Model

By Desert Camper

I do almost all my backpacking in the deserts of Southern California. As I go solo most the time I was looking for a lightweight bivy option, and one that was waterproof (I already have a pure mesh "bug bivy"). The Aqua Quest caught my eye because it was large - I'm 6'2, 260lbs so I need something with some shoulder girth. I purchased it and have been very happy with it. It's sturdy and well-made, almost completely waterproof - proven on it's maiden night out when an unexpected desert thunderstorm rolled in and soaked the area for hours. It has a no-see-um mesh top with a rain cover that zips over it when it rains. The "fly" simply folds down so you can just use it with the mesh on dry nights.

Being a single wall bivy a slight "film" of moisture did form where ever my bag touched the fabric, but nothing that was close to soaking my bag. Just a hint of moisture that was more sensed than felt, some might complain but it didn't bother me in the least and I use it as my 3 season bivy go to bag. That's the only reason I said "almost completely waterproof". The "tub" floor was totally dry and I woke up sitting in a puddle of water that had collected UNDER the closed bivy on my ground cloth, which I didn't know about until I unzipped and stuck my hand down to get out.

It's not the lightest bivy out there, but I wanted some decent protection and this does the trick. Sleeping on the desert floor during the spring/summer is asking to be intimate with all sorts of creepy crawlies and I always use either a mesh bug bivy or the Aqua Quest if I'm expecting weather. It is a close fit for me, but then I'm larger than the average guy and I can sleep comfortably in it. I put my boots in the space above my head, a water bottle and jacket and that's about it. My pack stays outside.

One cool feature is the little window in the zip up rain cover. It's like peeping out of a welder's mask and when the lightning flashed I watched the storm crash around me in total comfort.

I bought mine online so I couldn't try it first in a store, but I've been very happy and would recommend it to all.

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Coleman Cobra 2 Two Person Backpacking Tent

Coleman Cobra 2 Two Person Backpacking Tent

By painek

I bought this tent because I was in a crunch planning for a camping vacation. The other tent that I had sprung a leak after I set it up to check it out. When I went inside to have a cup, my daughter went Psycho and started poking holes through the tent multiple times with a stake. I did not have enough to send it off to get it fixed so I bought this. I received the tent and went into the garden to practice setting it up (daughter now named "tentkiller" was at the kindergarten". I was surprised at how easy it was. The inner shell is attached inside with quick release clips and does not have to be set up separately. The poles (2) go through a webbing that is outside the shell of the tent. I think this is really clever because the poles contacting the tent will not be a potential leak point. The stakes go in the front and back inner and outer shell straps. Stake the sides. Stake the ropes. That's it, Bobs your uncle. Start to finish was 6 minutes after the third practice. The tent is roomy on the inside for two people and cozy for two. My wife is on the smaller side so I do think it would be tight for two husky people. The storage area on the entrance is large enough for the shoes and a daypack. The storage on the other side is large enough for the 70 litre pack. Unfortunately, it does not come with a ground sheet for these areas so if it was wet you would have to have a bag or other waterproof item to set your packs on. Dis-assembly was just as easy and fit into the compression bag that it came in. The tent is relatively light, 1.4 kg, and small if packed right. I am happy.

Pros

+ Light

+ Easy setup

+ External frame

+ small when packed

Cons

- no ground clothe for storage areas

- stakes are a bit flimsy

- guy line locks bend easy

Hope this review helps.

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Spacious for two but may be a squeeze for four

 

  Gelert Rocky 4 Person Tent

By Mrs. Katharine Kirby  

We  bought this for our grandson's birthday, as a play tent and to use for sleep outs in the garden. It came in a tidy roll pack the size of a small sausage shaped sports bag with carrying handles, and opened out neatly with the instructions sensibly sewn into the bag. A useful repair kit, labelled clearly for resealing the seams if required, also tent pegs in drawstring bags, the poles also in their own bag, all easy to recognize and understand.

The tent went up in a very short time even with help from little ones. The poles are all thankfully attached to each other by elastic which made it all simple to work out. They fit into clever key arrangements at ground level.

 First up is the inner section with ground sheet all as one for the sleeping area, with a zip opening door into the little porch for storing your stuff all with easy to tie back flaps.

 These flaps allow you to have clear view from the porch or more discreet covers.

 Pockets and pertinent fire warnings are sewn in to the sides of the sleeping area, little air flaps too.

 Toggles and elastic wherever needed, all logical and obvious. Then the waterproof cover goes on and is all encompassing, reassuringly well made and waterproof with guy ties already in place to secure the tent.A few alterations to angles and it looks the business.

I am glad I chose the four man version as really it is quite perfect for two, well roomy enough for comfort. A substantial tent at a great price, should give a lot of pleasure and be useful throughout it's life. On it's first day it was used during a birthday party for 20 children and nothing broke!

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