Overheard a guy at REI say his tent is 'bomb proof' but he can't set it up in under 45 minutes

I was at the REI in Denver last Saturday checking out some new sleeping pads when this dude was bragging to his friend about his heavy canvas tent. He said it can handle a hurricane but he spent half an hour just trying to find the main pole sleeve in the dark. Does anyone actually want a tent that tough if it means wrestling with it every time you camp?

3 comments

3 Comments

butler.finley7d ago

Build from experience with those heavy canvas tents. 45 minutes is a serious time sink when you roll into camp after dark and it's raining. The whole "bomb proof" thing is great for a base camp where you set up once and stay a week, but for weekend trips or moving spots every day, that kind of setup time kills the vibe. I'd rather have a tent that's maybe 90% as sturdy but pops up in 10 minutes flat. Less time fighting with poles, more time cracking a beer by the fire.

derekjenkins7d ago

Pops up in 10 minutes flat" is a beautiful dream. Last trip I spent 20 minutes just trying to figure out which pole went where in the rain, then another 15 convincing my wife I knew what I was doing. Got it up eventually, but the beer tasted a little less cold after that. I'd probably trade some "bomb proof" for a tent that doesn't make me question my life choices in the dark.

ray_hernandez6d ago

Yo @butler.finley, color coded poles saved my sanity, why not try that?