This tent is great for headroom and there is loads of space in the bedroom compartment for two with loads of gear also. The square living area is a bit tricky for space if you have chairs, table and cook stand and we've found its easier using a side door than the front door. The worst thing about this tent is that due to the lack of any import being given by the designers to ventilation, condensation builds up really badly on the inner of the tent, and after our first use with ours this last easter in the Lakes where it peed it down constantly, we had a vertiable lagoon in the front of the tent and an intereting pond that formed on the roof of the inner sleeping tent. They should invent a pleat or something in the outer doors that you can peg out to create a storm guard so that you can open the bottom of the side doors in a shower to keep the rain out but help with ventilation during cooking etc. If Gelert do this now I want royalties, thanks. We also had a lot of bother with the small triangular windows leaking water in massively through the seams and this collectd and dripped down the toggle that would hold the "curtain" open almost in a steady stream - no wonder we had a pond! Again, huge design flaw as due to the shape of the tent and positioning of the poles, the rain that lands on the top of the tent is channelled down over the window between where the poles cross. There is a lot of water that runs off this area and it goes right over the window seam at a vulnerable water ingress point which seems stupid, and not only that, if you get a lot of rain its all directed on to the same two points on the ground at the bottom of your little waterfall right next to where you step out of the side doors which can create a nice pair of twin bogs either side of your tent. It does state on the tent itself that is is "Weather Checked" - One would assume this means against rain but they havent been specific, I think it actually means it was checked that it could withstand an afternoon of balmy may sunshine; I mean, this IS also 'Weather'. We gave ours a very good coating in grangers Fabsil which has helped a lot, but after using it in Wales for the last few days where all weather was experienced except a snow storm, it still goes let a little water in at the window top seams and of course has done nothing for the ventilation problem and cannot. Also, beware you put the poles through very carefully as the metal end of the pole can scratch and damage the delicate pockets very easily.
On the upside, the size of the tent is really good where head height and the sleeping inner tent is concerned. As it pitches outer first its quite quick to put up if there is two of you. I wouldnt dare attempt putting it up on my own as the main two poles that run from front to back are so long there would be a worry of straining and breaking them. Someone really needs to "Krypton Factor" crawl under the poles to the inside of the tent and lift the centre part to support them whilst someone else raises them from the outside! Once the outer is mostly assembled you can dive in to shelter if youre assembling in a storm, and the inner bedroom tent hangs from the outer by a series of toggles and hooks that clip into the corners of the groundsheet.
The tent pegs out very low to the ground round the skirt which is great for stopping driving rain getting in, and the inner groundsheet is tanked to a good height which again helps keep rain out. If only it didnt create so much of its own dampness within - am starting to wonder if this is the first ever combined tent slash paddling pool concept.
We also bought the clever add-on footprint groundsheet that you can peg out to put the tent over. Some people say this is good for assisting with pegging the main tent out so you dont under/over stretch it or get it skewiff. I think pegging this tent out square is easy, and the main benefit is that it keeps the underside of the tent clean and dry for quick packing away/less cleaning down when you get home. If youre in a mega storm striking you can shove the mucky footprint away without feeling too guilty and knowing everything will be simpler to clean down when you get home. (Although, put the groundsheet in a bag before attempting to put it back in its bag as its a really right fit if not rolled very well and this helps its passage and keeps the outer bag clean)
There are very fine mozzie nets you can close over the open doors which is great if you are using the tent in warmer weather and dont need to keep the Lakes/Wales rain out! This tents probably a great one for taking abroad in summer when the weather might be a bit more predictable. I would say that if youre going to use if in everything the UK can throw at you most of the year round, a good soaking with Fabsil is a must, and we are considering getting the canopy for the front to create something to hide under when trying to get into the tent in the rain so we dont have to dive straight in getting mud on the ground sheet and dripping everywhere. It would also mean you can open the front door to assist with the ventilation issues without worrying about the rain. I do think this is a clever thing Gelert did; make a tent so badly ventilated you HAVE to buy the expensive porch if you want to carry on with it. Either that or get one of those mega absorbant door mats. That might be the way to go!
| Age range | Adult |
|---|---|
| Color | Calliste Green/Sweet Pea/Charc |
| Material type | Polyester |
| Seasons | Spring Summer |
| Features | Waterproof |
| Sport | outdoor lifestyle |
| Brand | Gelert |
| Manufacturer | Gelert |
| Item model number | TEN271B41 |
| Package Dimensions | 69.4 x 32 x 27.2 cm; 16.1 kg |
| ASIN | B004O6MGKI |
