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Tent Reviews

What to Expect: Cheap Tents Performance

Cheap Tent Set-up Time.

Regardless of the size and shape of the low-cost tent you choose, it should be easy to set up and take down. At times, such convenience is critical; one user writes in a tents review on Amazon that he set up his Wenzel South Bend in pitch black darkness in less than five minutes. For budget campers who are specifically concerned about speedy set up, the Wind Ridge Instant Tent may be the perfect choice: The central hub support structure was designed so that even beginning campers can set up in less than one minute. Tents reviews on Amazon support this claim, and at least one camper looks forward to setting up this low-cost Wind Ridge Instant Tent model during future camping adventures.

The Coleman Hooligan garners praise in a tents review on Hubpages.com for being easy to set up thanks to its single pole design. An experienced camper posting a tents review on Walmart.com says the Wenzel Klondike is a cinch to setup, and he expects it would be just as simple for novice campers.

Low-price Tent Weather Protection.

To get the most out of your camping expedition, you'll want to be comfortable and protected from uncooperative weather. Dome tents, in particular, are designed for stability and to deflect wind and shed rain and snow. Although not a dome tent, tents reviews on Walmart.com say the Wenzel Klondike provides fairly good protection. Note, however, that the front windows of the Wenzel Klondike only zip on the side, so you’ll always have air flow but you might get an unwelcome burst of cold air; on the other hand, the back room of the tent is well protected and provides warmth without being stuffy. Coating the tent seams with a seam sealer before venturing out adds a dose of protection. After a first outing with the Wenzel South Bend, for example, one camper writes in a tents review on Amazon that he noticed some condensation so he’ll waterproof the fly and tent floor before using it again; other consumers, however, say they remained dry even through some rain. A full rainfly made of coated nylon that is easy to put on and take down gives the best protection against bad weather. The Coleman Hooligan, with its waterproof floor, sealed seams, and full rainfly cover gets points in tents reviews on Hikingtent.org for providing good ventilation and dry shelter; comments echoed in a tents review on Amazon. By contrast, tents reviews on Walmart.com gripe that the rainfly on the Ozark Trail Dome Tent is difficult to position and rain seeps into this low-cost tent if the fly is not attached correctly. A common complaint posted on Target.com about the Eddie Bauer Alpental Sport Dome Tent (starting at $90, Amazon) is the difficulty of setting up the rainfly, making it less than useful in sudden rain storms.

Inexpensive Tent Durability.

The durability of your cheap tent is largely determined by its pole support system. Weak structural support can easily dash your camping plans; one reviewer post on the Target website notes that that the aluminum poles in the Eddie Bauer Alpental Sport Dome bent during a windy campout in the desert, forcing the camper to retreat to his/her truck. Another review on Amazon of the Rothco Camouflage GI Type Bivouac Shelter Tent notes that the aluminum poles on this cheap model have small plastic knobs on the end designed to slip into a grommet that break easily, even with minimal stress.

The fabric of your bargain tent also affects durability. The consensus among experienced campers, according to user reviews, is that material quality trumps weight when deciding which cheap tent to buy. Lighter materials may be more convenient to transport, but sleeping without a tent would be most inconvenient. One user of the Rothco Camouflage GI Type Bivouac Shelter Tent writes on Amazon that s/he chose this tent due to of its four-pound weight only to discover that the floor was made of a very thin fabric rather than a waterproof material; the floor ripped and frayed upon first use and this frugal camper now carries an additional tarp that adds unwanted weight to the load.

Low-cost Tent Warranty.

Longtime campers suggest that a well-constructed tent can last 15-20 years if properly maintained. There is, however, no defined life expectancy for cheap tents. Specific stipulations about the warranty of your economy tent can be hard to understand, so ask a sales associate before signing on the dotted line. Even a lifetime warranty won't cover sun damage to the fabric of your tent. On that note, bargain tent reviews say polyester is more resistant to damage from ultraviolet rays than nylon, but if the tent is used only occasionally and/or is pitched away from the sun, the choice of material becomes less important. Warranty terms also vary by manufacturer. Most Wenzel tents are backed by 10-year warranties that include either repair or replacement of any defective part, while Coleman tents typically have limited one-year warranties. The Ozark Trail Dome Tent advertises a 180-day warranty, but limits coverage to repair only.

And finally, it's important to purchase your budget tent through a reputable source, one whose staff (or website) can clearly explain the warranty provided by the manufacturer. You also want to determine whether the retailer accepts returns on camping equipment, just in case quality becomes an issue once you carefully inspect it at home.

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Products Mentioned in This Review

Rothco Camouflage GI Type Bivouac Shelter Tent (1-2 person tent
Eddie Bauer Alpental Sport Dome (3-5 person tent)
Ozark Trail Dome Tent (6+ person tent)
Eureka Apex (1-2 person tent)
Wind Ridge Instant Tent (3-5 person tent)
Coleman Squaw Creek (6+ person tent)
Coleman Hooligan 2 Backpacking Tent
Wenzel South Bend Sport Dome Tent, Yellow/Black/White
Wenzel Klondike 16' x 11' Tent, Taupe and Light Grey

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