Quest Fifth Season

I love this tent now. It has literaly withstood a hurricane on the east coast. i also subjected it to 2 feet of heavy, wet late-season snow up at James Peak, Colo., and it shed it like a dream. It has kept me warm when i've slept in it alone and down right toasty when i had a friend (or 2). it has a massive front vestibule that can fit two packs with room left over to cook in, and a smaller rear one that is only moderately useful.

There are a few problems though. The first time i had to set it up the vestibule pole kept poping out, but this was easily rectified by snapping in all the quick-releases on the fly first. The major problem is because of the pole system they have chosen. it uses an attached hub that is clunky, although they have fixed that in this year's version, and the 4 main poles are bulky and hard to arrange when you have to take it down. i had to buy a much larger stuff sack for it to make it even possible to do in the field. i have never had to take it down in a wind/rain/snow storm, and i do not relish the thought of doing so - it might be next to imposssible. but i still love my tent and think its advantages outweigh these problems.

this tent is awesome and takes a beating. time and again i had it set up in new hampshire for a whole winter season. it is still sturdy and rainproof. plenty of room and is almost 3 and a half feet high inside. the inside length is 6 feet 4 inches and the front vestibule will hold 2 packs loaded and more gear. guyed out it can withstand hundred mile an hour winds! the snow loads are 2 feet or even more and it sheds snow nicely. it vents moisture perfectly and warms up well in cold weather. there's a back vestibule that can only cover over boots but when both vesties are open and screen flaps open the tent works well even in warm weather. sort of heavy but if you want a bombproof tent and room to use in inclement weather and you're a big man this tent's for you!

The Fifth Season has performed well for me in the Canadian Rockies and the Purcell range of British Columbia. This tent performs well for all but extreme mountaineering conditions, but it is not designed with mountaineering in mind. Vestibule is good sized, but vestibule entry could be better. When opening the vestibule from inside you have to reach WAY down across any gear stored and get soaked by the condensation accumulated under fly. Also general construction, especially the floor, is ultralight and requires care when using. Otherwise I love this tent. It has kept me and my family including a rambunctious 2-year-old cozy and warm through snow and rain.

I love how easy this tent is to set up. The vestibule on the rain fly provides ample room to store any gear you want to leave outside. The price of the tent is an estimate because I was fortunate enough to get mine at an oulet price. The tent is well worth the money paid. Handles rain and wind with ease.