My last tent started to die, the zipper broke. It was a Wenzel Sycamore. I like that tent. Fairly big, though. It has lasted us for at least 8 years so far.But the zipper went. So, when I started to shop for a new tent, Wenzel was on the top of the list.
The beartooth looked very close to what we wanted. Slightly smaller than the Sycamore, which is what we wanted, or we would have just bought another Sycamore.
When we FIRST used it :- One of the poles cracked, a piece fell off somewhere and I couldn't quite find out where it was to go. So, it was pretty obvious, within about 1 hour, that it was going back. I was very disappointed.
It's a VERY odd shape inside. Some sort of pentagon, kind of. Sort of like a rectangle with a triangle tagged on to the top. The unfortunate problem is it makes the internal space quite odd. We have 2 queen size blow up beds, which worked fine with the Sycamore.
Now, they fit in this one. So size is not a problem but due to the rather odd layout inside the tent, both beds ended up touching each other right at the door, then had about 2' apart at the top; so a kind of inverted triangle. This meant we had to step over the beds to get in to the tent to start with.
Due to the odd internal shape, it was also not possible to push the beds right to the edge of the tent. It just wouldn't fit.
The fly sheet essentially lies flat on to the tent fabric. The Sycamore uses guy ropes to pull it out from the tent to give a bit of overhang. It just seemed more "weather friendly" on the Sycamore. It's not much of a problem, since we very rarely go camping during any sort of rainy season but it was just another nail in the coffin and was another reason to send it back.
When it came to packing away, due to the odd shape, it was rather weird. The sycamore, since it was symetrical at least, folded easily. The Beartooth, however, I could not quite figure out what way to fold it best. I suppose I should have taken some photos as I unrolled it to start with.
During set up, the poles seem to be under a great deal of stress, which is why I think one of the poles cracked. The "super 5 way quick set up" thing was just useless. It takes a minimum of 2 people to set it up; best with 3. The sycamore could be set up by one, but 2 is much easier (an adult and one child is fine).
So, it's been sent back. We still have our old Sycamore (it has zipper problems), and I think we'll end up buying exactly the same model again. I so wanted this tent to work. If it hadn't been for the pole cracking, we'd have put up with the other oddities.
Reasons for buying:
1. Cheap.
2. Wenzel, we had a great experience with the last one
3. Fast delivery from Amazon.
Reasons for not buying:
1. Cheap. The poles seem to be of poor quality.
2. Very odd shape.
3. Bits fell off.
4. A pain to roll up when done.
Recomendation: Buy the Sycamore.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Beartooth 14- by 10-Foot, 5 Person Pentadome Family Tent
Product Description:
Sturdy and weather-resistant, the Wenzel Beartooth 14-by-10-foot Pentadome tent offers plenty of center head room and a large sleeping area, making it ideal for a couple of campers with lots of gear or a family of five with a dog. The Beartooth is made of rugged, weather-resistant polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. The welded polyethylene tub-style floor, meanwhile, includes a rain shingle that creates a watershed effect, so rain doesn't seep in through the seams. And campers will love the variety of ventilation points--including three Dutch D-style doors and three polyester mesh windows--all of which are aided by an updraft ventilation system that improves the overall airflow.
The Beartooth is also quick and easy to set up, with a five-way center hub with a ping-and-ring system, along with a lightweight, shock-corded fiberglass frame. And should you need a place to stash your wallet, keys, and iPod while sleeping, you can turn to the overhead gear loft. Other details include water-resistant thread, zippers, and webbing; a removable fly with hoop frames over the doors, and ABS plastic pegs.
Specifications:
Base: 14 by 10 feet
Center height: 72 inches
Area: 86 square feet
Capacity: 5 people
Carrying weight: 18 pounds
Warranty: 10 years
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
Buy cheap Wenzel Beartooth 14- by 10-Foot, 5 Person Pentadome Family Tent now
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