This review is about an older version. The next version differs in that it does not have a front-back mesh.

This year the tent finally gave up on us. After 11 years. The tent has been set up about 95% of the summer on remote beaches for free or naval camping in the most difficult parts of Greece, all over Greece, and has been transported in 2-3 hours of hiking. It has remained pitched for weeks on beaches with continuous 4-5 Beaufort winds and occasionally 7 and 8. For those who don't know, the salt in the sea air combined with the sun is the worst thing for a fabric, except maybe for mold. It has withstood rain, floods, storms, and in 1-2 cases, even the sea when I set it up in the wrong spot and the wave hit it. Its waterproofing worked perfectly until the 9th-10th year. It has been stepped on by a goat without tearing, the poles have never broken, the zippers have never been damaged, the pockets, straps, etc. have all held up at 100%. The reason it gave up on us was that the exterior fabric dried out from the sun and started tearing. If it wasn't for that, I think it would have easily lasted another 5-7 years. I can't say anything negative about its durability. None. I should note that it was always set up with a protective fabric underneath and washed every autumn.

As for comfort: I think it is one of the tallest in its category. The floor area is not the largest, but it is satisfactory for a double mattress of 135-140 width and belongings. The ventilation is very good, it is a double-layer tent and if you open the front-back, it ventilates exceptionally well. The version I had, of course, was the older one, which had a mesh in 50% of the inner tent. This was its downside because when setting it up in the spring in a mountainous area, I would have wanted it to be warmer.

Practicality:

Setting it up depends on how extensively you want to set it up. If we are talking about 100%, with pegs in all the guy lines (total of 7-8 points), in all the points of the outer tent (total of 4 points), all the points of the inner tent (4 points), opening the perimeter curtains for rain, we are talking about 10-15 minutes. This is the complete setup for strong wind and rain. If the wind catches it like that, with sand pegs, it will probably take anyone inside with it. The tent is unshakeable. The weight and portability are easy, it is small in length and can be carried even in a 40-liter motorcycle top case (GiviE41) because it has short poles. Of course, the weight can increase if iron sand pegs are added, but now there are also aluminum ones. One problem, which exists in all igloo-type tents with 2 X-shaped poles and no separate vestibule with a pole, is that if it rains and you open the outer zipper, rain can get inside. I honestly didn't find any other practicality issues.

In conclusion, the tent is 100% in the top 5 of its category. I emphasize, in its category, because if someone wants to compare it to any MSR tent worth 400 euros, then we are talking about a different category. It is a mountaineering tent, lightweight, extremely durable, which is aimed at people who want to set it up in nature, away from civilized conditions. If someone plans to set it up in organized campsites, etc., I think it's better to get a tent for 60-100 euros, which will have more space and won't require all this weather protection. On the other hand, if someone is thinking of getting a quality tent mainly for setting up in the summer on a beach, occasionally in mild mountain conditions for 3 seasons, and is looking at tents in the range of 300-400 euros, it is better to get this one because the other cheap ones will melt.

Ferrino Kalahari
2009-2020
R.I.P.