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Edit: people say this tent is NOT waterproof so I can't recommend it
This tent is being discontinued, which explains the steep discount. Great tent, and roomy, but be aware that it's not appropriate for extreme wind (poles can bend) and the stock stakes and guylines aren't great. REI's warranty is now one year.
The new replacement is called the Wonderland, and doesn't have a full coverage rainfly (!)
Jeff R · 5 days ago
I cannot recommend this tent, NOT WATERPROOF/RIPS
My first time using this tent we got a rip in seems near the floor as the tent did not sit flush to the ground and the pole design seemed to cause additional stress in that area. I tried several times to make sure I was setting up the tent properly and in all cases there was strain in this area. I took the tent back and got a replacement. The replacement has similar issues so we had to be really careful while using it. I have used the replacement tent mostly for back yard camping and have only used it a handful of time over the past few years. Recently during a backyard camp it rained steady overnight and I was extremely disappointed to find water dripping through the seams in many places. I checked for damage and there was none. I took the tent to REI in hopes that something could be done however since it was outside of the 1 year window the people in store would do nothing but recommend water treatment options. I have a smaller 6 year old Eddie Bauer tent that I have not had to treat, have used way more than this tent, and have had 0 issues with rain getting in the tent. So the fact that I was being told I needed to spray waterproofing on this tent after only using it a handful of times didn't sit well with me. I called customer service while in the REI store and explained the situation and they at least decided to ship me some free waterproofing and tent repair items. At least they did something for me however I am still upset that I spent roughly $400 on a tent that is not waterproof. It makes me feel like I should have just got a cheapy from Walmart instead. I also learned the lesson of not testing the tent in the rain during the 1 year warranty period. I guess it was stupid of me to think that REI would stand behind their products like they once did. Stay away from this REI tent and but something from another brand.
Get a Coleman for hobby campers. It's quarter the price of this and built well enough.
Five years ago I would have disagreed with you. I own a fair amount of REI brand gear. But the company has been distancing itself from actual outdoors activities lately. They are going more for the "outdoors lifestyle" crowd now. They have stopped carrying a lot of backpacking gear and their house brand gear feels like more of an afterthought that capitalizes on their name at this point.
You sound very inexperienced. Like any tent, a few moments sealing seems will take care of any water issues. It's not rocket science.
?? Personally, I've never had any waterproofing issues with this tent. Had mine for over a year now. I camp at least once a month either on my property or at a state park here in Texas.
you can carry it on your back, sure, but as he said it's not a backpacking tent. For backpacking you want lightweight, though you're not usually looking for a 4 person tent for backpacking either, but w/e.
The weight for a backpacking tent isn't insane. It being 3 season for this weight is. In winter there are thermal advantages to being in a group so we divy up the weight of the tent. The problem with this weight class is that weight should not be much of a concern.
At this price and weight point check out the gizelle t4. Much more durable. The only issue is the length when closed can be an issue for storage and transport for some. But it's much more durable, faster pitch, and a replacable /repairable/removable floor. I used it for 5 days in downpouring rain and only got a few drips through a seam.
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My family is camping freaks that get close to two months a year in a tent. We have two 8p tents that my wife and I use depending on location, and she sets them up like an apartment. We have a Big Agnes Flying Diamond when we need bomb proof, and Marmot Guest house for a more summer feel. We also motorcyle camp, and I did 7 states and the Shawnee Nation with my two man Big Agnes last summer. When the wife camps on the bike, we take an 8 year old REI Half Dome 4p that is still very strong. To date, we have over 100k US miles on our Honda St.
I recomended REI to our friends who purchased the 4p Kingdom, and it unfortunately leaks in FL thunderstorms. I felt so bad that I gave them my Kelty Noah Tarp, and they make it work. It seems to be dependent on how much wind you get with your rain and the direction of the wind.I have had great experience with REI tents for the most part, but not that version.
On a side note, I cannot recommend Big Agnes customer service enough. They answer Facebook messages almost immediately to deal with issues. It takes 8 weeks with a Marmot during busy season. BA is my going away recomendation on service alone.
Couldn't agree more on service from big Agnes, those guys rock.
Top Comments
This tent is being discontinued, which explains the steep discount. Great tent, and roomy, but be aware that it's not appropriate for extreme wind (poles can bend) and the stock stakes and guylines aren't great. REI's warranty is now one year.
The new replacement is called the Wonderland, and doesn't have a full coverage rainfly (!)
More discussion on this tent here [reddit.com]
Jeff R · 5 days ago
I cannot recommend this tent, NOT WATERPROOF/RIPS
My first time using this tent we got a rip in seems near the floor as the tent did not sit flush to the ground and the pole design seemed to cause additional stress in that area. I tried several times to make sure I was setting up the tent properly and in all cases there was strain in this area. I took the tent back and got a replacement. The replacement has similar issues so we had to be really careful while using it. I have used the replacement tent mostly for back yard camping and have only used it a handful of time over the past few years. Recently during a backyard camp it rained steady overnight and I was extremely disappointed to find water dripping through the seams in many places. I checked for damage and there was none. I took the tent to REI in hopes that something could be done however since it was outside of the 1 year window the people in store would do nothing but recommend water treatment options. I have a smaller 6 year old Eddie Bauer tent that I have not had to treat, have used way more than this tent, and have had 0 issues with rain getting in the tent. So the fact that I was being told I needed to spray waterproofing on this tent after only using it a handful of times didn't sit well with me. I called customer service while in the REI store and explained the situation and they at least decided to ship me some free waterproofing and tent repair items. At least they did something for me however I am still upset that I spent roughly $400 on a tent that is not waterproof. It makes me feel like I should have just got a cheapy from Walmart instead. I also learned the lesson of not testing the tent in the rain during the 1 year warranty period. I guess it was stupid of me to think that REI would stand behind their products like they once did. Stay away from this REI tent and but something from another brand.
39 Comments
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I recomended REI to our friends who purchased the 4p Kingdom, and it unfortunately leaks in FL thunderstorms. I felt so bad that I gave them my Kelty Noah Tarp, and they make it work. It seems to be dependent on how much wind you get with your rain and the direction of the wind.I have had great experience with REI tents for the most part, but not that version.
On a side note, I cannot recommend Big Agnes customer service enough. They answer Facebook messages almost immediately to deal with issues. It takes 8 weeks with a Marmot during busy season. BA is my going away recomendation on service alone.