My old tent finally gave up after eight years

I bought a basic two person tent for about $80 back in 2016 and used it maybe twice a year. The zipper on the fly started sticking last fall, and this spring it just gave out completely on a trip near Bend. I replaced it with a similar model from the same brand, and the difference is wild. The new fabric feels thinner but way stronger, and the poles snap together much easier. Has anyone else noticed big changes in basic gear from the same company after a few years?

3 comments

3 Comments

blair8953mo ago

Ever wonder if the thinner fabric is why so many brands switched to those skinny little stuff sacks? My old tent bag was huge but the new one is half the size.

wendyc533mo ago

My 2014 Big Agnes tent had a rainfly you could practically stand on. The replacement I got in 2022 feels like tissue paper in comparison, but it hasn't leaked once in heavy rain. They seem to have switched to some new kind of thin, strong fabric across the board. It's lighter, which is nice, but it doesn't inspire the same confidence when you're stuffing it back in the bag. I guess the tech just moved on.

jordanm1918d ago

Honestly, I gotta push back on that a little. My 2016 Big Agnes tent had that thick rainfly and it started leaking after two seasons of moderate use. I actually swapped to a newer model last year and while the fabric feels scary thin, it's been through some serious downpours without a drop inside. The old heavy material might have felt tough but it was also more prone to delamination over time, which is a real pain. I think the trade off for weight and packability is worth it, especially if you're not dragging it over rocks every weekend. Technology moved on for a reason.