User Review: Glacier's Edge Galaxy

This is a 2 man, 3 season tent

First the specs

True Weight; 5.9 lbs

Fly; Ripstop polyester. 3000mm water pressure protection. All seams are taped. Has a window vent in the back of the tent.

Poles; 3, 8.5 mm Duraluminum

Inner tent; All no see um down to 10" from the floor, then you have 6' ripstop polyester down to the bathtub floor 3000mm polyester. Attaches to the poles with quik clips.

Footprint; Exactfit polyethylene

Stakes; 6" square (very light, and strong)

Size; 7.5' x 4.5' x 41"

This tent doesnt come in a box. No waist. That was my first plus.

I first set this tent up in my living room. I was very impressed by the roominess, the walls go nearly straight up. Giving 2 persons plenty of head space. Plus that means more usable space inside of the tent. Two large people could sleep in comfort. There are 3 spring loaded clips that hold together the poles where they cross. This way they won't rub on each other. All the other clips are plastic. All clips are sewn on heavy seams with a 3-4" square fabric reinforcement. This should disperse the pull from the no see um upper. The rainfly is taped and waterproof. It has clips to hold it down. No stakes needed. The stitching looks great, so my first impression is very good.

On to the field test....rain, rain, and more rain! The Pacific Northwest is good at this. 48 hrs of rain and winds gusting up to 30mph. A fair test. Not a drop got in. Tent stood solid. I did no seam sealing or waterproofing. I slept in comfort and at peace. So one might think "a perfect tent at last"........Well.......Far from it.

The vestibule is small, only one backpack can fit into it. Then you must craw over it to get in or out. The rainfly could use 3 more tie out points 2 on the sides at the bottom 3/4 of the way back. These would stake out the fly farther away from the inner tent. Providing better ventalation and sheding the rain farther from the inner. The 3rd would be attached to the vent fly. This would hold it open better. Tarp clips would easly do this. A very cheap fix. Lastly the two pockets on the inside basicly lie on the floor. I'm going to cut them off and sew them 6" higher. I dont want to roll over on my glasses!

Over all a good bang for the buck. If you wish to see a similar tent look at TNF Tadpole 23.

Glacier's Edge is a trade mark of Fred Meyers. The tent is made in China by Lhotus

Update: February 23, 2012

I've been using this tent for two years now. And there is a need for an update.

First; Weight 5 lbs 1 oz

I did this by getting a lower weight footprint. And replacing the guy lines. I no longer use the stakes that came with the tent, as the environment that I use the tent in dictates longer and stronger ones.

The area that I use this tent is the Pacific Northwest coast and 3 miles inland. Season; Winter.

After being out on the trails, or in some cases non trails, I have found this tent to be my peace of mind tent. 4-5 days of nonstop rains, winds gusting over 50 mph, with little to no tree cover. This is the tent I want to have with me. The Glacier's Edge Galaxy knifes though the wind without a flap, and sheds water like a seal. I sleep in comfort knowing that it will not fail me no matter what mother nature throws at me.*

There is a modification you must do to the setup of the tent to get to this point. That is you must carry 3 tarp clips. I carry tarp clips all the time. I just find so many uses for them. But with this tent in these conditions it is a must. Without 3 more stake outs the rainfly will flap and not be as taught as it should be.

Like I said in my first review the first 2 clips should be between the two stake outs on the sides of the rainfly. The third should be at the rear of the fly. Please note that this is differant than in the first review. These three stake outs are a MUST in nasty weather.

On to some more cons that I didn't report on my first review;

First of all there are no loops inside the tent for a light. This would be an easy fix. But I have chosen to use those to use those silly little tie offs used to hold the netting open. Who leaves the netting open on their tent anyway? I'm glad I didn't cut them off. :) This works but still there should have been a loop.

Secondly if you look at the pictures in my first review you will notice that the door of the inner slopes under the rainfly's opening. This is a design flaw. It allows moisture to drip into the inner tent. So care must be given opening the rainfly.

Once again I would give the Galaxy 5 stars for bang for the buck. But for the small design flaws I give it 4. Last year I saw this tent for sale for $49. If you happen to see it at this price, and you plan on wet wet weather, pick it up.

* Mother nature can get plenty nasty with wind gust over 100 mph, rain by the buckets. I do not camp when this happens. If you chose to you do  you do it without my blessing. :D Good luck and happy trails.