Moss Olympic

Review Date
June 22, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: ridgehawk(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler

Price Paid:  $450.00 at alpine shop

Summary:
i've had my moss for 6 years... it's a fantastic tent... sets up easy... great ventalation... i've been in some serious storms in the boundry wateres... never had a drop of water nside... i love this tent.... mine was just stolen during a home invation... looking for a replacement... antone that has one for sale ... please contact me

Review Date
July 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: yuri(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Ottawa

Price Paid:  $495.00 at MEC

Summary:
A bombproof shelter that is a great roomy tripping tent for two. We used this tent on our recent 8 day trip through the outer reaches of La Verendrye park in Quebec and it proved to be an excellent choice.

We had tremendous wind several nights and the Olympic's aerodynamic shape and bombproof construction meant we slept soundly with no flapping nylon. The large adjustable vents are great since a few nights we slept with them closed due to cold air but then opened them on other nights for great venting. We never experienced any condensation and even through some very nasty driving downpours the tent remain completely leak-free.

This tent is a great living space with the large vestibule and amazing interior height. The vents are well worth any extra weight they might add to keep condensation away; friends on the trip had lots of water build-up on the inside of their fly and their tent only has two tunnel vents.

The construction of this tent, made in the USA, is impeccable. The zippers are all replaceable with clever little gates and the stitching is incredible - everything is bar-tacked! The clip system for the fly works very well and I like the fact that the doors have a high bottom ridge to keep out crud when you're taking off your boots. The continuous pole sleeves make setting up and taking down child's play and the pole quality is top-notch too.

Some have complained about the weight; well, this comes with being a full-on 3-4 season tent. I'm sure this tent would weigh less if it didn't have the many zip-open vents and was made of lesser-quality material but then it wouldn't be a Moss. You pay for what you get and this is a top-quality product; if you want light weight you need to go to a smaller design. Or, you could buy someone else's "mesh special" and wonder why you are cold, wet and have to buy a new tent every two years...If you are a weight-weenie then get a Starlet for those trips where every gram counts. For my hiking trips that is what I use.

Too bad this tent is discontinued; it has been replaced by the Odyssey. Get one while you can!

Customer Service:
Moss have excellent customer service. On my Starlet I asked for a manual (mine was missing at the store) and they replied within hours.

Similar Products Used:
Many Eureka products
Moss Starlet (my backpacking tent)

Review Date
March 5, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: DP(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Detroit,MI

Price Paid:  $450.00 at The Benchmark

Summary:
I have found the Moss Olympic to be a great tent for backpacking and canoe tripping. We have used it in high winds (> 60 mile an hour gusts) and big time downpours without any blow-downs or leaks. Due to its robust construction, it is somewhat heavy for backpacking -- especially if you have to carry the whole tent in one backpack. Its best to split the weight with a partner on long hauls. However, as a tent for canoe tripping it is a delight. The little extra weight is not a problem, and the sturdiness and spaciousness (i.e., for two) makes it a pleasure. The vestibule is quite adequate for any gear that you need to keep out of the elements. Note that we have mostly used the tent in more northern climates (upper MI and northern Ontario), and being a 4-season tent it could prove to be on the hot side in warmer climates (we have also used it in Tennesse, Georgia, and Florida). The construction of the tent is top rate. We have owned the tent for approximately 7 years, and many trips later - no repairs.

Customer Service:
We have never had to have the tent repaired, and therefore have no experience.

Similar Products Used:
Walrus Archrival
Walrus ? model
Eurieka ? model
Sierra Designs ? model

Review Date
February 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Pat Sandt(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Brighton, CO, USA

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Mountain Miser

Summary:
I bought my Olympic years ago. I love the space and I can guy it to be relatively strong in the wind. After about 5 years, the zippers stopped working and Moss provided replacement pulls. That fixed some of the zippers, but after about 5 more uses, all 8 zippers on the tent and fly failed (in the middle of a trip). Moss has not changed the zipper size, although they might have changed the design. They still think the problem is the pulls, although the new pulls did not fix all of the zippers the first time. Although they claim this is a common problem, I've never had zipper problems to this extent before (even with much older and more well used tents). I suspect a design flaw which is causing zipper stress. I expect a tent to last longer.

Customer Service:
Although Moss was responsive the first zipper failure, they did not help at all this last time. I contacted the regional rep who told me that the design hadn't changed and suggested no remedy.

Similar Products Used:
My old tent (used for 14 years) was a JanSport Trail Wedge.

Review Date
July 18, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: hideichi hiratsuka(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from miyagi kenn japann

Summary:
i can't express myself in english.because i live in japan.so i want know can i buy from your shop.please let me know about it.

Customer Service:
i like moss tent and american product.

Similar Products Used:
patagonia arbor snowboard