Walrus Zoid 2.0

Review Date
April 6, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Cadenza ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $140.00 at REI

Summary:
Walrus is now owned by MSR Corp www.MSRcorp.com and the Zoid 2 is still going strong with further improvements. The floor is now seam-sealed from the factory and has a coating of 5000 PU. The rainfly has a peak vent that can be opened from the inside to increase airflow. At each of the 4 corners of the rainfly ceiling is a loop for guying-out in case of strong wind, something I haven't had the need to do. My tent came with 11 alu-alloy needle stakes, 4 guy lines & adjusters and a pole repair tube. Total package weight is at 4lbs, 10oz. However, you can get by at 4lbs since only 6 stakes are necessary to set it up... and if you leave the extra stuff at home.

I really like the 2 doors, easy to get in and out for 2 people (5'8" and 5') without bothering each other. The vestibules aren't large enough for the packs but great for boots, stove, water filter, etc. Floor area is tight but allows for 2 standard long sleeping pads with some space left for clothes at the head and foot ends. Both front and rear halves of the zippered section of the fly can be rolled up for ventilation, which is another strong point of this tent. If it gets cold and with the fly completely zipped, condensation will form on the inside of rainfly but not the mesh as long as it doesn't touch the rainfly.

Customer Service:
None needed yet.

Similar Products Used:
Peak 1 Inyo - same style but smaller & light with only 1 pole and no peak vent. Mountain Hardwear Lightwedge 2 - great tent (larger floor) but only 1 door, smaller vestibule and 2 pounds heavier!

Review Date
September 12, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: RC(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $95.00 at Campmor, NJ

Summary:
I am a former archaeologist turned IT consultant, so I am used to camping "in the bush", as we archeologists say. I am used to hacking my way through the brush on a construction project with machete and flagging tape, or going to work with green camo pants and coming home from work with totally BROWN camp pants (mud).
I know my tents.

I bought this tent at a closeout price at Campmor, NJ (floor model). It was to replace the Walrus Arch Rival, which I loved, but found it a pain to get in and out of. I also found the Arch Rival to be a bit clammy, despite the fact that it was rated as a very well ventilated tent. (I sleep very hot).

This tent is very easy to set up. Usually, I am set up and napping before others companions even begin to set up their tents.

The Zoid 2.0 is everything that the Arch Rival was, --and more. I like the double doors/vestibules, and the various configurations the vestibules can form for venting purposes. I no longer worry about sleeping hot, and the tent has a ton of space for one, although I would recommend a very intimate friend if you sleep with two people.

I have used the tent multiple times in heavy rain and storms. One time in early spring (April), during 5 cold days of rain and wind (sitting a bit back from the top of a bluff overlooking the Northern Long Island Shore--about 30 mph winds). The tent held up superbly. To be safe, I added additional guy lines to the black tabs on top of the tent, and I slept like a rock.

The Zoid was not clammy at all despite the wet conditions, and I found it to be very warm and comfortable, since I usually have adequate layering and a very good sleeping bag.

I have never had an issue with condensation, or leaks through the fly of the tent. Since I always place a 4 mil home-cut plastic groundsheet from Home Depot INSIDE of the tent with the sides about three inches higher than the footprint of the tent (self-made bathtub), I have never gotten wet EVER, whenever I go camping. It makes for a very dirty and additional wear on the tent bottom, but that's a small price to pay for a dry tent.

I just wish I could buy another Walrus Zoid for the price I paid. MSR makes this tent now, but for $199, I think that's a bit much.

Overall the tent was a steal for the closout price.

Customer Service:
Never had to deal with them.

Similar Products Used:
All types.

Review Date
February 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: gqbriel (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $180.00 at campmor, nj

Summary:
Used this tent on a mountain biking trip across europe and chose it for its light weight and especially for its small pack size length. extremely roomy for one person and tons of gear. although i have crammed 3 people inside on two occassions with all gear outside. appreciated the various vestibule setup options and snap buckle attachment. easy to set up, but set up during rain results in wet interior with all the mesh. no leaking during strong storms, but lots of condensation even without the rainfly. not recommended for heavy snow fall when i awoke with the tent sagging a few inches from my face. after about 100 uses the durability became a problem with tears at the seam of tent wall and meshing. upgrade of stakes recommended. overall it is a good tent for 3 season backpacking and cycle touring and has a great value at about 180 dollars.

Customer Service:
'way to be busy to be talking to you attitude' when i called about tent repair and the turn around time was up to 2 or 3 months!!!! tent repair would nearly cost half the price of the tent.

Similar Products Used:
sierra designs, mountain hardwear, and the north face

Review Date
January 9, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: plaidfro(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Provo, Utah

Price Paid:  $125.00 at Parks Sportsman

Summary:
So far my favorite tent. Very Lightweight!!! and very compact. I don't mind that it's not free standing (have you ever come back to camp and had your tent blown over?). I use it in temperatures down to 20 degrees... good thing I have a good bag. Any colder and I would use my Walrus Starstreme.

There is a vent on the rain fly that I left closed on my last trip and that was the first time that moisture built up on the surface. Get a good bag, leave the vent open and this is an awesome tent.

Customer Service:
I've been told they'll take care of anything.

Similar Products Used:
Walrus Starstreme (Good 2 person Winter Tent)

Review Date
October 14, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Joey (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Ruston, LA

Price Paid:  $159.00 at awgear.com

Summary:
This tent is a good deal for the money. I have used in dry conditions to practically monsoon. First the good points: the tent is very light and packs very small, has a good overall volume and floor space for one, the two doors make easy entry from either side, it has abundant mesh which I like, and finally it's a good value for the tent
Now the bad points: the tent has way too much condensation on the rainfly even with no rain and low humidity, it's too tight a fit for two, the vestibule on either side are long and narrow so you can't store much under except shoes (you can put more in the tent if it's just one sleeping in it though), the rainfly has a tendency to sag under extreme rain, and finally you have to stake it out to pitch it (but I knew that when I bought it)
Overall a good tent.

Customer Service:
The stuff sack that came with it had a small tear in it. I called customer service and they sent me another after a couple of weeks free of charge.

Similar Products Used:
None