Moss Tents Tent

I've owned Moss tents for decades. They are sturdy, well designed, and built to last. If you have them= keep them!

I'm doing my annual "clean out the gear" ritual and inspecting various camp items. This is the "Hobitat-2" set up for cleaning/inspection. I didn't insert the third pole because of problems with the sleeve fabric (see note below).

I have two Moss tents I bought in the 1980s when working for an outdoor retailer. Both were made in the USA.

One is a simple, 2-season, 2-person tent, with one door at end, full cover rainfly, vestibule.

The other is a 4-season expedition tent, called an "E2-Hobitat" and branded with an REI label, and is the identical color scheme to the Moss (tan/burgundy). Moss and REI formed a joint partnership to produce this tent. I still have the original brochure—they call it a "summit tent" with steep walls to shed snow, extremely stable in high winds.

Both tents have held up well. Both are remarkably sturdy and well designed. They are rugged and well ventilated. Aluminum shock corded poles, full rain fly, large vestibules to store gear outside.

The E2 has two doors, one with vestibule. 3-pole system, with a 4th pole to hold vestibule away from tent.

Both are free standing, set up and pitch easily with one person. It's been a while since I used them, but I don't recall any problems. Good headroom, storage pockets, loops inside for gear lofts.

These are "lifetime" quality tents. I haven't used mine for years, but I can't imagine selling them. They would cost too much to replace, and I doubt I'd ever get Moss quality in a replacement.

They are perhaps not as light as current tents since they use metal vs. Plastic/nylon in grommets, hooks etc. Stitching, material, water resistant coating all holding up well for many, many years with periodic cleaning.

Edit: I've uploaded photos, and also have a question re:a problem with the burgundy nylon fabric, shown on this tent. The pole sleeves have  become tacky, making it difficult to slide the shockcorded aluminum poles during setup.

The material sticks to itself, and also to the rip=stop material. The color has transferred to the beige tent walls during storage. The walls are different, lighter weight rip-stop material.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and/or can recommend a solution? I'm not sure if this is due to age, and/or something degrading in the fabric, or perhaps the tents were slightly damp when last put into storage.

This material is used on the storage bags, the pole sleeves and on the floors of the tents. The sticky feel is most pronounced on the storage bags and pole sleeves. 

It is happening in both tents, but is more pronounced in the Hobitat.

My Moss is over 25 years old. It is in excellent condition. I have camped with 3 sons and a wife in it many times. I just pulled it out of storage today and it looks almost new. My sons grew up camping in this tent in the deep forest areas.

My family has camped in this tent many times through hot weather, rain, and snow. When this tent was made , men and women took pride in what they produced, especially for Moss. I know four fully grown adults can sleep in it very comfortable. It was sold to me as a four season tent.

About 5 years after I purchased the tent I noticed some of the outside protection material was peeling off. I called Moss and they had me send it to them. In about two weeks I received a new tent along with a Moss apology. They said they had never seen this happen to one of their tents before. They told me this tent had a lifetime warranty and if I every had any more problems just call them. I never had another problem.

When companies like Moss go out of business, it is a loss for the generations to come. It has been my experience that most companies nowadays do not have integrity that workers had 25 to 50 years ago. Moss tent had great people. When I purchased this tent I paid nearly $600 for it. It was well worth it. 

I do not have anything negative to say about Moss Tents. I am 66 years old and still camping in my Moss tent. If all goes well, my grandchildren will love this tent as much as my children did. 

I have owned this tent for about 35 years. Bought it a L.L. Bean. Always was there when needed. Good camp tent for canoe trips. This last trip to the St. Croix, I noted the fly was losing its water proofing. Still solid, poles good, no tears, but no longer waterproof. Any way to restore that?

Wish I could get another!