Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25059
column : gear_ $310 6 lbs, 4 oz 96" 46" Floor area: Vestibule: Poles: Comments: 44 ft' 11 .5 ft' 2 (plus brow pole) Spare and simple with smart tension shelf over doorway 4 DOORS: There seem to be as many door designs down to individual preference. Best test: Lie inside the up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Do tentmate, then squeeze through a tiny opening? The big -hang-to-the-side- doors. It's also crucial that the zi ing, so try the zippers from various positions. If the zipper open from different angles without collapsing STORAGE: Tent interiors are where the most have to clamber over your Cyclone stands out with two r system works to your lik is strong, you can pull the door frame. Comments: appear to have taken place. The tent belly is now likely to be studded with storage sp;ace�ltoo much, in fact. Pockets often line the lower walls, stitched at the top edge of sacrifice headroom but keep items within reach and The cleverest innovation: the tension shelf. It advantage of a structural divot formed over the doorway by the exterior brow results in a space large enough to hold a sleeping Marmot's funky stuff sack--c:alled a burrito h", hanging satchel. 6 FLOO R: The least understood part of the tent is ularly in wet weather. Most floors are constructed nylon taffeta used for the canopy, but make sure a been deployed on the bottom. greatly decrease the possibility of leakage. But most tested have a single seam across the middle of the footprint smaller, increasing ventilation and giving KEEP AN EYE OUT for other developments. eliminates the need for a rainfly but increases the still more expensive than traditional double-wall tents, Sierra designers are developing exciting and sexy new le-wall technology, which for innovative ventilation, is the prices will come down. for capturing tension between pole outlays and tent fabric. Sierra's TerlseoriM--lhle name and concept taken from a Buckminster Fuller idea-may result in a new within the next two years. ,_ -ncl .tllI the most important. partic a tighter weave of the same layers of waterproofing have Then look at the seams. Seamless 1l0("S'-�ISU,�llV found in smaller tents When it comes to buying tents, here's a simple rule: Don't trust the specified dimensions. Set things up, try them out. Retail outlets often rent tents-if one of the tents on your short list is available, rent before you buy. There's no buying recommenda tion quite like the faith experienced equipment sellers place in their rentals, which have to be cheap and idiot proof. And for ideas of good spots to try out your rented or newly purchased tents, see Urban Access (p 86). Past Urban Access destinations are available online at www.bluemagazine.com. floors. Common gear lofts from wet floor edges. but beavy tent with a large, uS.eful vestibule -t.;