Outwell tents?

[jk6661]

I'm in the market for a large (minimum 140 sq. ft.), high-quality, relatively easy-pitch, 3 1/2 season-ish (i.e. into late fall and early spring anywhere in the continental U.S.) family ground tent. I've looked at Springbar, Kodiak, Turbo, Oz, Jet, Cabelas, and others. I decided against 100-percent cotton canvas because I don't have anywhere indoors to dry it out where I live in rainy, humid Maryland. I'm ok with polycotton because of the decreased drying time, and obviously straight polyester is fine. Price is not an issue.

Anyway, I ran across Outwell. It appears to be almost non-existent in the U.S. but popular in Europe. They make big, inflatable tunnel tents that seem easy to pitch, innovative, and well-thought-out. However, I have a few concerns, especially (1) apparently no U.S. dealer support, and (2) tent stability due to air expansion and contraction with temperature. They must have thought about the latter, and the tents are rated for 60 mph winds properly staked out, so maybe it's not a problem. Anyone have experience with these tents? I did a search in the forum and found almost nothing. While we're at it, any other brand suggestions?

 

[jk6661]

No one? Really?

 

[Paddler Ed]

I read the post yesterday, but couldn't structure an answer in my mind.

I am a daft Pom based in Australia, so know the ranges quite well.

Depending on model, I'd say that most Outwells are really Spring, Summer and early Autumn (Fall) rather than a full 3 season. I'd not truly trust the inflatable tents, and I'd certainly not call them a 3 season tent... have a look at some of these for other ideas as to what a 3 season tent is - notice the lack of family sized tents (that would be the 140q ft size)

My personal choice would be to look at the ranges from:
-Wild Country
-vauDe
-Robens
based on your requirements

I like these Hilleberg tents having used them in the past, but too small and too light weight...

 

[jk6661]

Thanks. Why wouldn't you trust them/call them a 3 season tent?

 

[Honu]

snow peak landlock tent something to check out maybe
they also make a smaller tent you can still stand in that has the no floor main area inner sleep area design forgot the name
we have one and its been very nice as a basecamp kinda tent with a sleeping area in the back that can be put in or taken out as needed

have had it in some heavy winds and did well think they call it a 4 season ? and from other pics have seen it in heavy snow
we have had it in super heavy rain and hail and no issues
it might be to big though ? takes a bit to set up but not that bad once you do it a few times
things we like with the internal sleeping tent kinda thing you can keep it zipped and clean and still have a area to change and prep and do things inside the tent

 

[Paddler Ed]

Thanks. Why wouldn't you trust them/call them a 3 season tent?

-Hydrostatic head - a 3/4 season tent tends to be 5000mm
-Fibreglass poles (or no poles at all in the case of the air tube) rather than alu
-Materials used for the groundsheets
-Tent frame layout - a geodesic (either full or semi) or a well designed tunnel tent is a lot stiffer (with the tunnels they are susceptible to orientation to the wind however)... the only other one that is really worth looking at the Lavuu or A-Frame types, but those are marmite styles - you either love it or hate it.

Hope that all makes sense - I have a bit of a tent problem, not helped by working for a fair few years in outdoor retail stores, so have everything from Aussie Swags to a big polycotton tunnel tent (Dutch, from Obelink) with 4 lightweight backpacking tents in between (MSR Zoid 1.5, Wild Country Mistral, VauDe Mark2 and an el cheapo Aussie geodesic one)
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