Moss Outland

Review Date
September 19, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: chris carroll(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from claryville, ny

Price Paid:  $240.00 at REI-outlet.com

Summary:
Got to add to the pile of killer reviews on this tent. I've only been in a couple bodacious rainstorms in this tent, but was bone dry in both. Even when the dog joined me and shook himself all over the inside right before bed, we woke warm and dry, the storm still raging outside.

Recently I was camped with my family in my Moss Little Dipper at Assateague Island Seashore in Maryland. Around midnight a storm blew in. My wife anxiously looked over at me and asked if we'd be alright. I nervously assured her we'd be just fine in our Moss. Sure enough, as the night wore on the rain and wind only increased and I heard the periodic slamming of car doors as people bailed out of their collapsing tents to spend the night sitting up in their cars. I woke up occasionally to keep watch on the storm and make sure my promise of the tent's fastness was true. Indeed, Liz slept right through and the baby never made a peep.

I tell that story to illustrate the fine workmanship and design I expect of Moss. My Outland is similiar in design an construction, but in a handy single serving size. My dog recently passed on and now the Outland feels palatial. Even with the (large lab) pooch I had room to get comfortable with ease. One essential feature is the fact that I can sit up in my camp chair, bottom half encased in my sleeping bag, and read away as many hours as I'm trapped in the tent. Nothing like being cozy, dry, and comfortable in the middle of nowhere. The vestibule's not good for much more than boots (I'd go for the hooped outland if I were to buy this tent again...), but the interior is spacious and efficient.

This tent is certainly heavier to carry than a bivy sack and/or tarp but is worth every ounce when the weather is wailing.

Customer Service:
Excellent. Lifetime warranty.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
August 23, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: joliver(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from vancouver

Price Paid:  $210.00 at mountain equipment coop

Summary:
I bought the Netting Outland as wanted a small sturdy tent with good ventilation for mainly summer camping in the northwest. Although weight isn't a huge issue for kayaking I wanted a tent that I would not need to or feel obliged to share with others! WIth ithis tent there is simply NO discussion re: sharing!! Sometimes I like my soluitude when I'm out there! I do also have a Sierra Designs Comet CD which I do share! WHile others have claimed to pack two people into the 25 sq foot Outland I cannot imagine how they achieved that miracle! I am 5'6" and store my drybags outside the tent and find it pretty snug.
I LOVE this tent, though wish there was a little more (like 6 inches) space lengthwise to extend my full-length thermarest completely. This tent pitches SO tightly, the rain bounces right off, and the wind doesn't even touch it. Love having the door open and seeing the world go by fomr the vestibule in the mornings. People have been fascinated by the size and sturdiness of the tent,even though the netting Outland is of course mostly netting! I haven't had the chance to sleep with the fly off yet but look forward to uninterrupted stargazing...perhaps in baja. I was considering the Terramoto (Walrus) as an alternative and though would have liked the extra room it offers, there is no comparison between the quality of the fabric in the two tents. I like the fact that the outland has no fancy bells and whisltes, just a simple, solid tent that will do what it claims to do. GLad I bought it!

Customer Service:
excellent service when I called Moss before buyoing the tnet. Teh customer Customer service staff own outlands themselves and talked of their personal experinces. Very helpful

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
January 26, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: kim leith(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from san diego ca. USA

Summary:
This tent has served me well on many a trip.
I once pitched it in a low spot and that night a
huge rainstorm dropped so much rain the tent was literally in 8inches of standing water. NOT one leak. (I seam-gripped it)
Very well made,(it's a 92) and has no worn signs
yet. The only knock I have is I wish the door was
a side-hung instead of at the bottom.

Similar Products Used:
No other single man tent on the market has showed me enough to give it a try.

Review Date
January 4, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Joe Shmoe(Unregistered User) ,  Car Camper , from Neptune, CA

Summary:
Bombproof? Oh yeah? I like to see someone stick a real-life bomb inside the Outland and blow it up, and then still say it's bombproof. People, the word "bombproof" is is a tired cliche. Having said that, the Outland is a worthy tent (used it in the Altiplano of Bolivia), but it's certainly not "bombproof". Stop with the superlatives!!!

Review Date
December 22, 1999

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark Novak(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Ithaca, NY

Summary:
I haven't used the tent as much as those who've reviewed it before me, but I too second the "bombproof" nature of this tent. What I like most about it is the attention to detail that has been put into it's construction - the little things like gear storage pockets in the vestibule. However, I disagree with the others shen it comes to the volume of this tent. For one person, I thought it was huge. In an emergency you could sleep two people in it (a little cramped and w/out gear) and there's plenty of headroom to sit up (e.g when changing clothes). It is a bit on the heavy side for 1 person, but if you're looking for light weight, I wouldn't be looking for freestanding tents. Expensive, but probably worth it.