ramonortiz55
Adventurer
I have been looking for a ground tent for awhile now. Most of you realize that I already have
a roof top tent that I camp out of.
.
.
.
.
So the question is - Why a ground tent?
.
.
I wanted a ground tent for a few reasons:
.
.
1. I wanted to invite my younger siblings to our camping trips - Obviously, we couldn’t all
fit in the RTT, so I decided I needed to find a suitable ground tent.
.
.
2. I don’t have my RTT mounted at all times - If the wife and I want to get away, we can
always leave without having to setup the RTT on the 4runner or tacoma.
.
.
3. I am planning a multiday trip to White Rim Road in Utah - There will be NO basecamp.
Therefore, packing up a RTT every morning and setting it up every night can be a bit of a
burden.
.
.
Then enters my quest in the search of a good ground tent. I wanted something that was
fast and easy to setup. Something that I could put together and have me not regret leaving
the quick setup of an RTT behind.
.
.
I did a little bit of research: YouTube, Amazon reviews, Random Internet reviews of brands
like REI, North Face, Oztent, etc.
.
.
One thing I didn’t notice is many FORUM reviews.
.
.
So I decided to put one together.
.
.
I came across the Malamoo tent by Oztent :
.
.
They have 3 versions of it - Classic, Xtra (two available colors), and Mega.
.
.
Which to pick? - I reached out to Family Tent Camping - https://familytentcamping.com/
.
.
They helped me choose the Malamoo Xtra - Enough room for two people, plus a little more
for gear.
.
.
Okay, okay, enough of all the ******** chat, show us the pictures! - Tell us more!
.
.
The tent weighs 8.5 lbs, sleeps three, and has a footprint of 9'10" (l) x 6'6" (w) x 4'1" (h)
It has an advertised setup and collapse of 3 seconds.
.
.
That is what sold me on purchasing the tent - quick setup according to the reviews
and youtube videos.
.
.
The tent packs up in a circular bag about 2 - 3 inches thick. The bag is about 36" diameter.
12 year old kid for comparison.
.
.
.
.
The bag has handles to be carried as a "shopping bag" or straps to carry as a "back-pack"
I do not suggest using this thing for hiking .. Wayyy too big.
.
.
.
.
The bag itself looks like its made of nice, well sewed material. Same fabric that tents are
made of.
.
.
Upon opening the carrying bag - The instructions on setup and collapse are found sewn
directly to the bag. I like this - I tend to keep paperwork of everything …then misplace it.
By having it attached, there are less chances of it being lost.
.
.
.
.
Close up of the instructions:
.
.
.
.
I literally pulled the tent out of the bag, placed it on the ground, and it sprung open.
Just. Like. That.
.
.
Very impressive - No hassling with any loose tent parts, no wondering if you can put
the tent up before sundown, no forgetting to leave parts at home.
Very minimal setup. It is literally a no brainer.
.
.
.
.
.
.
So first thing I did is roll up the entryway, this is held in place with straps and toggles:
.
.
.
.
This revealed a small area in front of the main cavity of the shelter.
.
.
Perfect size for storing wet gear, muddy shoes, backpacks, everything you DON’T want to
have inside the actual tent room.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Before I jumped in I decided to walk around and check how many anchor points it had.
.
.
5 total anchor points 3 on one side, two on the other.
.
.
.
.
The back end of the tent - Opposite from the entry way has the only window (not counting
the door) - Could this tent use more windows? In my opinion, yes. My wife thinks two
windows are enough.
.
.
One thing I did notice was that the rear window screen can't be opened.
Something that I am used to having on my RTT.
.
.
The other version, the Malamoo MEGA has windows on the sides, but I felt that tent was
a bit too big for me.
.
.
.
.
Now let's go inside:
.
.
Leave the shoes at the front door
- I have a size 12 boot - for size.
Notice how the flooring isnt attached to the tent?
.
.
If this area is ever muddy from shoes, I could easily wash it out and just have the water
drain easily.
.
.
.
.
Inside the tent there are two pockets - one on each wall for keeping small articles. Phones,
keys, wallet, etc.
.
.
.
.
Here is a view towards the entrance - I am sitting with my legs stretched out - that's how
much room is in the tent!
.
.
.
.
Here is a view towards the window screen that can't be opened, legs stretched out.
.
.
.
.
I am 6'1" and can lay down in this tent BOTH ways and not touch the walls. Plenty of room
for up to three people or two people plus gear.
.
.
One thing I really do like about this tent is that the rainfly is actually attached to the whole
setup. No need to carry or attach the rainfly as a separate element during setup.
.
.
Here is a snapshot of how the rainfly and the tent are separate - even at the windows.
.
.
The gray fabric is the interior tent, the green fabric is the rainfly. I am laying down,
taking the picture from the bottom up:
.
.
.
.
How the rainfly is actually permenantly attached to the tent frame on the outside.
Its one complete fabric, per se.
.
.
.
.
a roof top tent that I camp out of.
.
.
.
.
So the question is - Why a ground tent?
.
.
I wanted a ground tent for a few reasons:
.
.
1. I wanted to invite my younger siblings to our camping trips - Obviously, we couldn’t all
fit in the RTT, so I decided I needed to find a suitable ground tent.
.
.
2. I don’t have my RTT mounted at all times - If the wife and I want to get away, we can
always leave without having to setup the RTT on the 4runner or tacoma.
.
.
3. I am planning a multiday trip to White Rim Road in Utah - There will be NO basecamp.
Therefore, packing up a RTT every morning and setting it up every night can be a bit of a
burden.
.
.
Then enters my quest in the search of a good ground tent. I wanted something that was
fast and easy to setup. Something that I could put together and have me not regret leaving
the quick setup of an RTT behind.
.
.
I did a little bit of research: YouTube, Amazon reviews, Random Internet reviews of brands
like REI, North Face, Oztent, etc.
.
.
One thing I didn’t notice is many FORUM reviews.
.
.
So I decided to put one together.
.
.
I came across the Malamoo tent by Oztent :
.
.
They have 3 versions of it - Classic, Xtra (two available colors), and Mega.
.
.
Which to pick? - I reached out to Family Tent Camping - https://familytentcamping.com/
.
.
They helped me choose the Malamoo Xtra - Enough room for two people, plus a little more
for gear.
.
.
Okay, okay, enough of all the ******** chat, show us the pictures! - Tell us more!
.
.
The tent weighs 8.5 lbs, sleeps three, and has a footprint of 9'10" (l) x 6'6" (w) x 4'1" (h)
It has an advertised setup and collapse of 3 seconds.
.
.
That is what sold me on purchasing the tent - quick setup according to the reviews
and youtube videos.
.
.
The tent packs up in a circular bag about 2 - 3 inches thick. The bag is about 36" diameter.
12 year old kid for comparison.
.
.
.
.
The bag has handles to be carried as a "shopping bag" or straps to carry as a "back-pack"
I do not suggest using this thing for hiking .. Wayyy too big.
.
.
.
.
The bag itself looks like its made of nice, well sewed material. Same fabric that tents are
made of.
.
.
Upon opening the carrying bag - The instructions on setup and collapse are found sewn
directly to the bag. I like this - I tend to keep paperwork of everything …then misplace it.
By having it attached, there are less chances of it being lost.
.
.
.
.
Close up of the instructions:
.
.
.
.
I literally pulled the tent out of the bag, placed it on the ground, and it sprung open.
Just. Like. That.
.
.
Very impressive - No hassling with any loose tent parts, no wondering if you can put
the tent up before sundown, no forgetting to leave parts at home.
Very minimal setup. It is literally a no brainer.
.
.
.
.
.
.
So first thing I did is roll up the entryway, this is held in place with straps and toggles:
.
.
.
.
This revealed a small area in front of the main cavity of the shelter.
.
.
Perfect size for storing wet gear, muddy shoes, backpacks, everything you DON’T want to
have inside the actual tent room.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Before I jumped in I decided to walk around and check how many anchor points it had.
.
.
5 total anchor points 3 on one side, two on the other.
.
.
.
.
The back end of the tent - Opposite from the entry way has the only window (not counting
the door) - Could this tent use more windows? In my opinion, yes. My wife thinks two
windows are enough.
.
.
One thing I did notice was that the rear window screen can't be opened.
Something that I am used to having on my RTT.
.
.
The other version, the Malamoo MEGA has windows on the sides, but I felt that tent was
a bit too big for me.
.
.
.
.
Now let's go inside:
.
.
Leave the shoes at the front door
- I have a size 12 boot - for size.Notice how the flooring isnt attached to the tent?
.
.
If this area is ever muddy from shoes, I could easily wash it out and just have the water
drain easily.
.
.
.
.
Inside the tent there are two pockets - one on each wall for keeping small articles. Phones,
keys, wallet, etc.
.
.
.
.
Here is a view towards the entrance - I am sitting with my legs stretched out - that's how
much room is in the tent!
.
.
.
.
Here is a view towards the window screen that can't be opened, legs stretched out.
.
.
.
.
I am 6'1" and can lay down in this tent BOTH ways and not touch the walls. Plenty of room
for up to three people or two people plus gear.
.
.
One thing I really do like about this tent is that the rainfly is actually attached to the whole
setup. No need to carry or attach the rainfly as a separate element during setup.
.
.
Here is a snapshot of how the rainfly and the tent are separate - even at the windows.
.
.
The gray fabric is the interior tent, the green fabric is the rainfly. I am laying down,
taking the picture from the bottom up:
.
.
.
.
How the rainfly is actually permenantly attached to the tent frame on the outside.
Its one complete fabric, per se.
.
.
.
.
