Moss StarDome III

Review Date
June 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: riverken ,  Paddler

Price Paid:  $737.00 at RIVERSPORTS

Summary:
The Stardome 3 is by far the best tent I have ever owned. Through unbelievable winds and torrential downpours I have always been dry and comfortable. I lived in this tent in 2-3 inches of water and never got wet. I have never even sealed the seams(per Moss instructions) and after 10+ years of use I have never witnessed a leak! I have literally seen the floor resemble a waterbed and still no leaks. I cannot possibly exaggerate the quality. I have spent at least 120 nights in this tent.

Customer Service:
When a pole broke after 5 years of use and 60+ straight nights in the tent; Moss immedietly sent a new one with out question.

Similar Products Used:
Numerous inexpensive tents.

Review Date
July 2, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Paul (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Moss

Summary:
The best tent I've ever owned and the one I use when I absolutely, positively need to stay dry and protected. I've had my Moss Stardom III for 10 years now, and have probably used it for 100 nights total in that period. I live in Alaska, and the weather here can be severe, and I've also used it north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, where it was blowing and storming pretty consistently. This is a great tent -- the best I've ever used. It is heavy and harder-than-average to set up, but the sheer durability and quality of this tent make up for it. After 10 years, this tent is still in great shape.

Review Date
August 31, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Eric Fischnaller(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Vancouver, WA

Summary:
I've had this tent for five years, and no complaints so far. Anyone that is backpacking in adverse conditions - sleet, snow, hail, and all of the stuff that this tent is designed for obviously is more awesome than I am! I have no complaints about the weight, although it is heavy and you may want to look into the Stardome DST (very similar design to this one, but a bit smaller and uses the lighter poles and a bit lighter weight fabric to come out at a modest 7 pounds as opposed to the 11 or so of this tent) for backpacking/light-weight packing. Usually, I'm giving my drybag to one of the rafts, and off I go, so weight really isn't an issue for me. I have had a chance to extensively test it both in high winds, heavy rains, and other adverse conditions and can attest to its soundness and waterproofness. I have yet to get someone to go snow-camping with me, but considering the last time I did that, I had a Costco-Special, I'm looking forward to a dry snug night when that time comes. The Moss Lifetime Pole Guarantee is no joke, I used to sell these things, and I had a customer that had his tent all wadded up in the canopy of his truck and his poles laying about loose, and he backed over one in his truck (obviously thrashing on it like you could otherwise not accomplish), and Moss didn't even ask, he just got a new one!

Similar Products Used:
I've had a number of crappy tents over the years, and have nothing to say but good things about this one! Once, I was on a weekend-long "Guys" camping trip and it POURED DOWN RAIN the whole time. Every other tent ended up sheltering under the Moss Parawing and the Moss Outfitterwing that we had set up over our kitchen by the end of our weekend - I was happy as a bug in the rug, not a drop coming through. As far as the price, you get what you pay for! I could have six pieces of crap for the price of this one awesome shelter. There's a few things that you can get away with cheaping-out on when it comes to the outdoors, but clothing, safety gear, and shelter aren't any of them!

Review Date
August 28, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: cbd(Unregistered User) ,  Car Camper , from murfreesboro, tn

Summary:
The best tent I have ever used, heavier than other models, but well worth the money.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 23, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: BDavis(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Nashville,TN USA

Summary:
This is a fine tent. It rained on us all weekend and the only completely dry tent in the place was this tent. I do agree that the setup is difficult if done solo, but still manageable. The old adage about by something once comes into play on this tent, pay now or pay more later.

Similar Products Used:
None