SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS

BACKPACKER VIDEOS

Email this page RSS feed
User rating:
-

Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test

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.
Click Here

READERS COMMENTS

if backpacker is a poser why are posting on their website and what does that make you also the fact that you think that your opinion matters is also troubling i think that the tests where done on budget and they got thier points across so in conclusion keep your mouths shut about the site and comment on the product only
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 confused

its amazing to me that people have to be so negative. Thank you for your efforts. What a great idea. Like paul Go somewhere else. Bill R where is your magazine and test videos???? Get A life
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 whynot1911

Good call on the Traindodge...awesome band!
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 BionicEarHiker

I love how well this duplicates real life conditions...
Posted: Oct 20, 2009 Dylan

i like the beer that snuck in there. i have to admit i agree with the skeptics on this one though. not really my idea of a test, but it does look like a lot of fun, and i suspect thats what its really all about.
Posted: Oct 20, 2009 Mike

Poser magazine my ass! Gear lab is a sick idea and if anything at all, is fun as hell to watch. Good work Ted and Genny!
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 Griztopher

Depending on the municipal water supplying the car wash, the test is probably seriously flawed. How you may ask?...
City water is always harder than rain water and hard water dosen't penetrate nearly as much as soft water which is much 'wetter'. Even in Seattle where are city water was rain not that long ago, by the time it gets to our faucets (or car washes) it's much harder. Rain water is about as soft as water gets and much 'wetter' than harder water.
cheers
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 gagaSeattle

Cool Test. Paul you are an idiot.
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 Mark

+1 on what Paul said. Not a very professional test - a sustained 24 h rainfall/ snowfall test in the wild would have been more appropriate.
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 hikinginfinland.blogspot.com

Thank you for thinking of this kind of test.
Now we have another yardstick to measure some of the tents. When do you plan to test some more?

John F
Posted: Oct 18, 2009 John F

How do you know they didn't edit out any tents. Why only these four and these four brands. wouldn't call it conclusive, more like exclusive.
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 Bill R

Real test that allow for an interactive feel; how about sleeping bags, jackets and other gear next?
Be-well till the next pause is captures!
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 Summit

Great idea, the only thing I would have liked to see is how much water the floor can resist on a long period. Happy to see tents that will protect me from direct rain but if you have to sleep a few hours you don't want to wake up all wet.
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 Matt A

Nice test guys.
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 BP Fan

Ted Alvarez rules.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 AC

I would have liked to see the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee tested as well - since I've used one for several years now and am personally quite impressed.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 Joe Katz

Love the test idea. Good idea!
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 jim

Proof positive that Backpacker is a poser magazine. Complete amateur rubbish.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 Paul

This is too cool....Looks like a Black Diamond for me!
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 Stephan A

man, this is great. entertaining, and also sweet that you didn't do some ad-dollar-era bullshit like editing out the tents that leaked -- nice going, Backpacker!
Posted: Oct 14, 2009 kelly c

ADD A COMMENT

Your Name:

Comment:

My Profile Join Now

Most recent threads

The Political Arena
Public health care
Posted On: Nov 20, 2009
Submitted By: 4wheelbob
The Political Arena
Just Suppose?
Posted On: Nov 20, 2009
Submitted By: kykcamper
  1. Gear Lab: Boots Torture Test

    Can any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, ...
  2. Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves

    Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to ...
  3. Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test

    Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted ...
  1. Survival Skills: Survive a Bear Attack!

    Learn how to deal with a black bear or grizzly encounter with Shannon Davis and ...
  2. Essential Skills: Map a Trail with Your GPS

    Assistant Map Editor Kim Phillips shows you how to us a GPS and digital camera ...
  3. Trail Chef: Bake Pizza On A Camp Stove

    Can't call Domino's? Assistant Editor Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan shows you how to ...

TIP 13: Train Heavy

Wearing a weighted pack on your training hikes burns more fat and builds stamina.

Special sections - Expert handbooks for key trails, techniques and gear

BACKPACKER Food & Recipe Center
The ultimate trail-ready archive for all your recipe needs. Click Here

GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need. Columbia logo

Fix-It Center
Make your gear last forever with this ultimate DIY guide.

Backpacker's Gadget Guide 2009
Pathfinder logo The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks, and everyone in between.

YES! Please send me my 2 FREE trial issues of BACKPACKER
and my FREE digital Survival Skills 101

Your subscription includes the FREE digital Survival Skills 101 – a guide with everything you'll need to get out of trouble fast!
NAME
ADDRESS
ADDRESS 2
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
EMAIL (req)

If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $12 and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 73% savings off the newsstand price! If for any reason I decide not to continue, I'll write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing.

SUBMIT MY ORDER