Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test

by ron on May 17, 2011

Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent
BIG Coleman Red Canyon Cabin Tent, SAVE BIG! A big 17 x 10' floor, to sleep up to 8 people... this Red Canyon is the Gra... Click Here for More Surprising Details >>

Coleman SunDome 7-Foot by 7-Foot 3-Person Dome Tent (Orange/Gray)
Great for small-family car campers and small groups, the Coleman Sundome 3 Tent sleeps three people comfortably. It meas... Click Here for More Surprising Details >>


Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top.

COLEMAN Oasis 6 Person Family Camping Tent w Waterproof WeatherTec 12 x 10
COLEMAN Oasis 6 Person Family Camping Tent w Waterproof WeatherTec 12 x 10 $79.99
Time Remaining: 18d 9h 39m
Buy It Now for only: $79.99

6 8 Man Person 2+1R Tunnel Outdoor Camping Family Tent 3 season FREE Carry Bag
6 8 Man Person 2+1R Tunnel Outdoor Camping Family Tent 3 season FREE Carry Bag $137.99
Time Remaining: 40m

10 12 Man Person 2+1room Large Tunnel Camping Tent Family Group Tent W Carry Bag
10 12 Man Person 2+1room Large Tunnel Camping Tent Family Group Tent W Carry Bag $175.99
Time Remaining: 15h 40m

Huge Exclusive Large Family Camping Tent The Bostonian 12 15 Person 23X13
Huge Exclusive Large Family Camping Tent The Bostonian 12 15 Person 23X13 $224.99
Time Remaining: 4d 14h 37m
Buy It Now for only: $224.99

SUISSE SPORT WYOMING FAMILY CAMPING TENT 8 PERSON 3 ROOM EIGHT PEOPLE 3 ROOMS
SUISSE SPORT WYOMING FAMILY CAMPING TENT 8 PERSON 3 ROOM EIGHT PEOPLE 3 ROOMS $120.00 (2 Bids)
Time Remaining: 1h 39m

Tahoe Gear Prescott 10 Person 3 Season Family Cabin Tent
Tahoe Gear Prescott 10 Person 3 Season Family Cabin Tent $149.99
Time Remaining: 13d 20h 2m
Buy It Now for only: $149.99

Outdoor camping family dome tent sleeps 4 NEW 7 x 8
Outdoor camping family dome tent sleeps 4 NEW 7 x 8 $28.00 (18 Bids)
Time Remaining: 43m

Mars 18 X 13 x 6 Premium 6 Person Man Family Camping Tent w Bonuses New
Mars 18 X 13 x 6 Premium 6 Person Man Family Camping Tent w Bonuses New $199.00
Time Remaining: 1h 10m

HUGE 9 Person 4 Room Tent Rain Cover Dome 18x13x78
HUGE 9 Person 4 Room Tent Rain Cover Dome 18x13x78 $169.85
Time Remaining: 1d 12m
Buy It Now for only: $169.85

Oberon 26 X 22 x 7 9 15 Person X Large Camping Tent Villa w Bonuses
Oberon 26 X 22 x 7 9 15 Person X Large Camping Tent Villa w Bonuses $269.00
Time Remaining: 40m

NEW Coleman Instant 8 Person Two Room Tent Fully Taped Seems 14 by 10 Foot
NEW Coleman Instant 8 Person Two Room Tent Fully Taped Seems 14 by 10 Foot $227.69
Time Remaining: 12d 6h 24m
Buy It Now for only: $227.69

8 10 Person Family Large Tent Outdoor Camping Fiberglass 210T PU3000 Orange+Gray
8 10 Person Family Large Tent Outdoor Camping Fiberglass 210T PU3000 Orange+Gray $139.99
Time Remaining: 1h 1m

Coleman WeatherMaster 6 7 8 9 10 Person Large Screened Tent Family Cabin Camping
Coleman WeatherMaster 6 7 8 9 10 Person Large Screened Tent Family Cabin Camping $208.84
Time Remaining: 3h 8m

NEW COLEMAN Camping Evanston 8 Person Family Screened Waterproof Tent 15 x 12
NEW COLEMAN Camping Evanston 8 Person Family Screened Waterproof Tent 15 x 12 $149.95
Time Remaining: 27d 19h 9m
Buy It Now for only: $149.95

NEW REI Hobitat 6 Tent Six Person
NEW REI Hobitat 6 Tent Six Person $200.00
Time Remaining: 1d 4h 17m

Tags: , , , , ,

Related posts

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

JEHIAHL May 17, 2011 at 2:33 pm

I loved this. I test gear in my shower sometimes. The car wash is a great idea.

smokemansmoker May 17, 2011 at 3:31 pm

The black diamond I noticed you kept nozzle way back away from the tent compared to other tents.

PatriotPrepper May 17, 2011 at 4:07 pm

LOL Great Job! Very cool. Good info and a great way to test a tent. I subscribe to Backpacker Magazine. It is filled with great stuff. Keep making videos!

WalkandTravel May 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm

Hmmm…good fun test! Agree that they haven’t been pitched properly so this may affect the results in the test. Still pretty cool test – may have to get my jet wash out and pitch some tents in my garden to try them out! (Very Americal and I’m sure the Leeds University Outdoor Research Labs wouldn’t approve!) :-)

pinkskud May 17, 2011 at 4:20 pm

sorry but this is the worst tent test i have ever seen. you need to peg the tents down and pitch them properly.

raisnboergoats May 17, 2011 at 4:55 pm

This is a great way to test these tents. Very informative actually help me decide to buy the black diamond for my next adventure.. thanks

dmiller226 May 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

where was this recorded at?

NoClue468 May 17, 2011 at 5:54 pm

Best test equipment video posted. Super informative

NCHiker1970 May 17, 2011 at 6:04 pm

good info!

dragonflychainsaw May 17, 2011 at 6:27 pm

great video very informative

LoveRise May 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Great tests now it would be beneficial to test those same tents especially the single walled one for condensation inside the tent on a cold mountain air night to cover all bases!

mattdangerpaul May 17, 2011 at 7:56 pm

Pretty good. much better than destroying a whole bunch of backpacks

fredalan May 17, 2011 at 8:18 pm

This was sweet! and very informative! 5*

athiker7209 May 17, 2011 at 8:43 pm

I agree, that was a much better test.

bubbeal May 17, 2011 at 9:19 pm

enjoy everything you all post, keep up the good work!

Varghjarta May 17, 2011 at 9:54 pm

Great video, I feel this is more practical information for me then the backpack test with the car and everything. I wish you guys included more tents though, make a huuuge and looong video for us :)
Thumbs up!

Leave a Comment

Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree

Previous post: Kelty Shadehouse Accessory Wall Tent

Next post: The Coleman Instant 14- by 10- Foot 8- Person Two Room Tent is the one which you should buy.