A few notes since this has been my go-to tent for the last two years! For hard soil I just did away with their standard tent pegs, instead I found a cheap version of the iron pegs snow peak offers off of amazon and use those instead. Those and a standard hammer make driving into hard or rocky ground so much easier as they have the strength to split through most stuff. The tensioning you definitely get down over time, one of the most crucial steps for this that I've noticed is in the step where you pull the not-yet-staked-down tent body after pegging down the one side, getting this real taught and lined up will set you up for a good pitch later. That and getting the guy-lines that align with the poles at the proper angle and pretty tight also makes a huge difference. Using all of the guy-lines supplied definitely will cut down on wind noise too if that's a running issue (yes thats a lot of guy-lines, but it makes such a difference!) Love this tent, the only downside I've had myself is that I wish it breathed better in summer. Hot and humid summers here can be a bit much in this tent.
Appreciate the feedback and I hope this helps people in the comments section! I agree with you that 100% a lot of the factors could be worked out by fine tuning the setup. THe guy lines are numerous but the effort is well worth it, as it cuts down on wind noise significantly. And also true that when the sun is coming down hard on the tent, there's not much ventilation. We were also worried about condensation during the night because of this. Unlike most 2 layer tents, this one is both fully enclosed, without a mesh layer, which is beneficial during the winter - not so much in the summer.
Awesome video! I loved how thorough you were and I don’t really find many walkthrough videos of outdoor gear like this. Snow Peak is such an awesome company. I have the Land Breeze Pro 3 and I’m absolutely in love with it. Definitely an all season tent with all of the ventilation and ability to close them from within when the weather turns.
Great review, thanks for sharing this. I'm just starting to look into this model because the price is incredible compared to similar designs by Hilleberg. One question, do the instructions tell you that you have to unclip the inner tent when packing it up, or can you leave it attached? The best feature about these suspended inner tent designs is that you can leave the outer fly attached and pitch it as one which keeps the inside dry in bad weather. It would also save you considerable time during setup and takedown if you leave the inner attached, and it should also help with the initial tension when pitching.
Hello and thanks for the question! I do think the value for what you get is incredible, the only lacking element being the tent stakes. But that's easily upgradeable. In warmer weather, it does lack a bit of airflow but if you're camping in colder climates, that might not be a bad thing. I wouldn't leave the inner tent attached because it would be pretty hard to fold up. The way the outer structure is made, it's with a high tension rod, so i imagine that would make it difficult. Certainly worth a try though since the benefits of it working sounds awesome. I hate dealing with a wet mold tent.
Hey Nick, great question. We haven't been able to test it in "shelter mode" by fully opening up both sides of the fly and both sides of the inner tent. If you don't have a nice breeze, it's going to get pretty hot. Unlike a normal tent where the inner tent is free-standing and usually made out of mesh, the fact that you can't take off the fly or vent it through the top is one of its downfalls. Even during these winter months, when the sun is directly hitting the tent in 70F+ weather, it gets pretty toasty in there.
I just recently purchased the Snow Peak Vault, specifically the Entry TT system. I was quite amazed at its build design. I live in Okinawa Japan and there for the instructions where in Japanese and unable to be read by myself. But any novice camper can easily figure out how to set it up. I’ll be curious to how it does in hot humid weather with its design. But. Then that is also why I bought the Amenity dome M, lol. A more traditional mesh with ventilation and traditional rain fly… Beautiful tents and I highly recommend Snow Peak shelters
That's the best way to do it, just buy both! I was also looking at the taller Alpha Breeze, but the setup looked much more complicated. Hope you're enjoying your setups!
Nice review buddy. I agree re the stakes I have the same with my amenity dome. Snowpeak do sell really good upgrades though which I’ve purchased. Used the tent is horrendous rain this weekend and it held up great but had some leakage through the floor. Otherwise it’s been great. I’m currently trying to sort via warranty with retailer and Snowpeak so will be interesting to see if they live up to their reputation in that respect.
Great video! This beast looks beautiful 😍. I feel it would be soo good in the rain. But not sure how much ventilation for humid hot nights. Also it’s very long. Maybe I’ll end up buying it or opting for one of their smaller tents.
Yeah, at 17ft, it's VERY long and for certain parks where pad space is limited, that could be an issue. Even in Joshua Tree, we couldn't stay in certain spots due to the confined spaces. Will see how it does in summer weather soon!
Hi Dan! Great video! What’s the white hammer thing that you used to pull the pegs out? Do you have a link to where I can find one? Thank you! Keep camping!
Thank you! The thing I had was from REI, the cheapo $4 thing, but I would recommend something more like this: amzn.to/3dJezIh - there's a bunch of these types of hammer/hooks on amazon!
You have to carry large nails (such as used to hang gutters) for use in pitching a car camping tent in hard soil. Almost no new tent comes with stakes that will work in ground that is hard. You can also pick up army surplus aluminum stakes online or at surplus stores for a bombproof set up. thanks for the video.
hey Eric! they are an old discontinued set of Sorels! I've since worn through them and tossed them.... I've been on a pair of Cole Haan hiking boots lately and they've been excellent!
Grab the snow peak stake sz 30 and their copper head hammer and those will go through tough soil with ease the aluminum stake that come with snow peak tents sucks in tough soil
Here’s a tip: don’t use the back of your axe to pound your stakes into the ground. The back of your axe is not hardened to do that, which will damage/break the axe. Only do if it’s hardened; otherwise, use a mallet or hammer. Something I learned over the years.
im 1 minute in and I can already tell you this is the best video review on this tent on RUclips!
Thanks for the encouragement! Will continue to try and make more.
This review helped me to get a good idea of this tent. None of the pictures online did it justice. Thanks!
Great video and commentary. Happy to have found this channel.
Excellently presented in a simple way with nuanced thoughts and suggestions.
Thank you for the kind words!
A few notes since this has been my go-to tent for the last two years!
For hard soil I just did away with their standard tent pegs, instead I found a cheap version of the iron pegs snow peak offers off of amazon and use those instead. Those and a standard hammer make driving into hard or rocky ground so much easier as they have the strength to split through most stuff.
The tensioning you definitely get down over time, one of the most crucial steps for this that I've noticed is in the step where you pull the not-yet-staked-down tent body after pegging down the one side, getting this real taught and lined up will set you up for a good pitch later. That and getting the guy-lines that align with the poles at the proper angle and pretty tight also makes a huge difference. Using all of the guy-lines supplied definitely will cut down on wind noise too if that's a running issue (yes thats a lot of guy-lines, but it makes such a difference!)
Love this tent, the only downside I've had myself is that I wish it breathed better in summer. Hot and humid summers here can be a bit much in this tent.
Appreciate the feedback and I hope this helps people in the comments section!
I agree with you that 100% a lot of the factors could be worked out by fine tuning the setup. THe guy lines are numerous but the effort is well worth it, as it cuts down on wind noise significantly.
And also true that when the sun is coming down hard on the tent, there's not much ventilation. We were also worried about condensation during the night because of this. Unlike most 2 layer tents, this one is both fully enclosed, without a mesh layer, which is beneficial during the winter - not so much in the summer.
Great video Dan!
Thanks Austin!
Awesome video! I loved how thorough you were and I don’t really find many walkthrough videos of outdoor gear like this. Snow Peak is such an awesome company. I have the Land Breeze Pro 3 and I’m absolutely in love with it. Definitely an all season tent with all of the ventilation and ability to close them from within when the weather turns.
Appreciate you taking the time to watch! I have their alpha breeze tent to review next. Glad you're enjoying their stuff, we love them!
Im thinking of buying this tent as well as the tarp. Would you say this tent would work well with rain and snow.
thank you for what I found one of the most comprehensive review of a tent!
Fantastic! Thank you for your feedback.
Great review, thanks for sharing this. I'm just starting to look into this model because the price is incredible compared to similar designs by Hilleberg. One question, do the instructions tell you that you have to unclip the inner tent when packing it up, or can you leave it attached? The best feature about these suspended inner tent designs is that you can leave the outer fly attached and pitch it as one which keeps the inside dry in bad weather. It would also save you considerable time during setup and takedown if you leave the inner attached, and it should also help with the initial tension when pitching.
Hello and thanks for the question! I do think the value for what you get is incredible, the only lacking element being the tent stakes. But that's easily upgradeable. In warmer weather, it does lack a bit of airflow but if you're camping in colder climates, that might not be a bad thing.
I wouldn't leave the inner tent attached because it would be pretty hard to fold up. The way the outer structure is made, it's with a high tension rod, so i imagine that would make it difficult. Certainly worth a try though since the benefits of it working sounds awesome. I hate dealing with a wet mold tent.
Good detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of this particular tent. Keep going, and you'll gather more subscribers and commentators.
Appreciate the feedback! Thank you
How do u think this tent would do if day summer temps hit 80°F
Hey Nick, great question. We haven't been able to test it in "shelter mode" by fully opening up both sides of the fly and both sides of the inner tent. If you don't have a nice breeze, it's going to get pretty hot. Unlike a normal tent where the inner tent is free-standing and usually made out of mesh, the fact that you can't take off the fly or vent it through the top is one of its downfalls. Even during these winter months, when the sun is directly hitting the tent in 70F+ weather, it gets pretty toasty in there.
Well presented product demonstration. Thanks Dan!!
I just recently purchased the Snow Peak Vault, specifically the Entry TT system. I was quite amazed at its build design. I live in Okinawa Japan and there for the instructions where in Japanese and unable to be read by myself. But any novice camper can easily figure out how to set it up.
I’ll be curious to how it does in hot humid weather with its design. But. Then that is also why I bought the Amenity dome M, lol. A more traditional mesh with ventilation and traditional rain fly…
Beautiful tents and I highly recommend Snow Peak shelters
That's the best way to do it, just buy both! I was also looking at the taller Alpha Breeze, but the setup looked much more complicated.
Hope you're enjoying your setups!
Man, I miss camping so much. I'll know who to go to for gear recs!!
Nice review buddy. I agree re the stakes I have the same with my amenity dome. Snowpeak do sell really good upgrades though which I’ve purchased. Used the tent is horrendous rain this weekend and it held up great but had some leakage through the floor. Otherwise it’s been great. I’m currently trying to sort via warranty with retailer and Snowpeak so will be interesting to see if they live up to their reputation in that respect.
Great video! This beast looks beautiful 😍. I feel it would be soo good in the rain. But not sure how much ventilation for humid hot nights. Also it’s very long. Maybe I’ll end up buying it or opting for one of their smaller tents.
Yeah, at 17ft, it's VERY long and for certain parks where pad space is limited, that could be an issue. Even in Joshua Tree, we couldn't stay in certain spots due to the confined spaces. Will see how it does in summer weather soon!
Very informative video! Thanks for sharing!👍
my pleasure, thanks for watching!
Great video. This helped me a lot ❤
I'm so glad! I'm working on my next Snow Peak video, coming soon-ish :)
Hi Dan! Great video! What’s the white hammer thing that you used to pull the pegs out? Do you have a link to where I can find one? Thank you! Keep camping!
Thank you! The thing I had was from REI, the cheapo $4 thing, but I would recommend something more like this: amzn.to/3dJezIh - there's a bunch of these types of hammer/hooks on amazon!
thank you!
Thank you, useful video.
For future ones could demonstrate size a bit more perhaps eg by both lieing down/showing beds inside with bags etc
Will do, great suggestion!
You have to carry large nails (such as used to hang gutters) for use in pitching a car camping tent in hard soil. Almost no new tent comes with stakes that will work in ground that is hard. You can also pick up army surplus aluminum stakes online or at surplus stores for a bombproof set up. thanks for the video.
WEeve been using my impact drill + lag bolts and they drill into hard soil in half a second! Really easy and actually less noisy.
Love your boots! May I ask what boots?
hey Eric! they are an old discontinued set of Sorels! I've since worn through them and tossed them.... I've been on a pair of Cole Haan hiking boots lately and they've been excellent!
Excellent video!
Thanks so much for watching!
I love Dan
No, I love Dan
I love you guys
Grab the snow peak stake sz 30 and their copper head hammer and those will go through tough soil with ease the aluminum stake that come with snow peak tents sucks in tough soil
Thanks for the tip! That's such a nice set of stakes!
No problem glad to help they are nice stakes pricy but well worth it
Here’s a tip: don’t use the back of your axe to pound your stakes into the ground. The back of your axe is not hardened to do that, which will damage/break the axe. Only do if it’s hardened; otherwise, use a mallet or hammer. Something I learned over the years.