The Mountain Hardware Bridger 6
You can search online and read every review, but how do you know if a tent is going to be the one you want and the one that will last? You need to test it in the field, on windy days, and in downpours to see if it fits your needs.
I have had the Mountain Hardware Bridger for two months now. I have been out in the elements for 18 days over the weekends and on a couple of little trips on long Holiday Weekends.
First, roll out the groundsheet, which is longer than the tent; the design here is to provide a complete blanketed entryway (genius). The tent setup is pretty standard, with three poles and a large carabiner at the tent's peak. The two largest poles clip into the carabiner. Do this first, then attach the smaller clips to the poles; this is the fastest and best way to set up the tent I found. The tent's height is enough for most people to stand in; at 74 inches.
The tent is mostly mesh, so the views will be incredible if the night is clear. The bathtub bottom is a little higher than other tents I have had, providing extra protection from moisture, which is a huge plus.
This last week, many storms rolled through, and water accumulated and moved throughout the campsite. I stayed perfectly dry; thank God for their bathtub design.
The best feature of the tent, which makes it more difficult to set up, is the enormous rain fly. I can handle it myself, but a shorter person may struggle until they figure out how to set it up for themselves. The rain fly is 86 inches longer, providing a deep porch. The entryway of this tent was the deciding factor in making this purchase. I have sat under the porch area during heavy rain storms and stayed perfectly dry.
As for how it handles the weather, it is a champ. The poles are bulkier, and all the seams on the rainfly do not allow rain to seep in after a good soaking. Being this is a large tent, it can act as a parachute on a seriously windy day. There are many extra tie-downs to secure the tent. I suggest getting better stakes. The ones provided are the cheap aluminum ones, and they can bend when pounding them into solid ground. Just go online and purchase the MSR Groundhogs; they have always worked great for me in all types of soils.
Now, the most important thing is, did I stay dry? Well, on my birthday weekend, I went out, and the forecast said rain, and it rained for all three days. Not just a sprinkle, but many complete soakings, and I stayed 100% dry. No leaks, no condensation, just a dry tent, and a happy camper.
I would 100% suggest this tent to car campers and anyone who needs a base camp. The tent is priced very high, but it is always on sale on multiple websites. When I was searching online, I bought the 6-person tent because it was cheaper than the 4-person tent.
Extra Notes and Highlights:
I was unsure about purchasing a white tent, but I love it; the light is soft and natural.
This tent has everything. It has so much panel storage inside and a couple of extra pouches that you can mount on each side of the porch for things you want to leave outside (I love this feature).
Just purchase new tent spikes.
You get what you pay for. This tent's exceptional construction will ensure its long life.
The tent bag is awesome. I have never bought a tent with such a nice storage system.
Link to website:
Comments