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Hi all. Newby here. Superb forum, really glad I stumbled onto it. You all seem lovely friendly people, so I'm sure you can advise me. I am looking to tour France, by car, in a couple of weeks...maybe myself and a pal. We have roughed it before in a small dome tent, but having seen stand up tents nowadays with smallish footprints (Yes, were all getting older, getting down isn't a problem yet, but getting up again is getting tougher!)) I have been tempted first by the OUTWELL OREGON 5...and then by its poly cotton sister...the BALTIC SEA L. Basically it seems to be same tent but the new material.

I really like the look of the TROUT LAKE also as it has a slightly smaller footprint, 50/50 bedroom layout and I think the dividing wall does not have a raised seam like the OREGON/SEA 5, but the TROUT LAKE is £350+!!  Yes it does have the zipped quality ground sheet however and alloy poles...but weighs 37KG total on the downside...and finally I might have to travel miles to see one in the flesh!

I have seen the OREGON 5 synthetic, opposite a BEAR LAKE 4 with the poly/cotton, so could kind of imagine.

I  reckon if this Poly Cotton really works then Outwell have a real winner with the Baltic Sea and Trout Lake Tents. I see from recent posts there are a lot of people interested in them but are wondering how they perform. I see from last year the Bear Lake seems to have been well received apart from some reports of badly fitted front doors. The camp guy informed me that BEAR 6 only was 2006, with the Bear 4 new for 2007. He SEEMED honest when he told me that all the Bears he has sold had not come back and was unaware of the door issue.

I like others, have compared this new material to the synthetic tents and it really does smack of quality, so, like everyone else, I'm hoping Outwell have really got a good idea here. The man at the shop, HCCC, says next year this is going to be the really new thing and even more tents will be using it.

Even if I go on my owncamping, it looks easy enough to pitch singlehanded and is a really good size for me. We don't really live in the tent much, just use it as our sleeping quarters, cups of tea, breakfast, glass of wine in the evening before hitting town and maybe staying the odd day on a nice site. We move almost every day however, so here are my queries...that I forgot to ask the man!

Can the Poly Cotton tents be packed away when still damp?

Can you touch the inside of the outer skin when its raining without creating the Osmosis effect with this new Polycotton?

Do you have to proof these new Outwells before using? I overheard the Campshop guy saying 'rarely required' to a couple, as it is POLYcotton, not totally traditional canvas.

Do you know if the Living room ground sheet can be attatched on the BALTIC SEA, as the man in the Tent shop said they are just flat footprint...The OUTWELL video however show the ground sheet being rolled up the inside of the skirt and clipped in...the video is of the SEA M, but I would assume that is the same as the large.

I feel I think, like many others do, that we are sort of guinea pigs for this new material. I could see one or two couple at HCCC walking up and touching the Bear 4 skin, but in the end walking away to the synthetics.

So BEAR LAKERS...anymore info is badly needed please!

By the way, the Bear Lake 4 and 6 REALLY do look good tents. Just a bit big for touring.

I bet this post will knock up quite a number on viewings as I'm convinced there are many out there like me who are interested in these Outwell tents and want evidence that the P/Cotton really performs.

Looking forward to your replies. Once again a fantastic Site with a great friendly Forum...I've already told my brother about you all. Keep it up guys and gals! Shimmy.

Hi Shimmy and welcome to UKCS.

We were in our local Outwell dealership today as we wanted to have a look at the Trout Lake and they told us that Outwell tents are in very short supply at the moment. They just dont seem to be shipping them as the season winds down and they have had several orders rejected by Outwell as no longer in stock this season.

I cant help with advice on specific models, just wanted to warn you before you set your heart on one that it may not be available, particularly the more expensive Polycotton range as dealers tend not to keep them in stock but order as demand dictates.

Carol

Hi there

Not so long ago, we invested in a Bear Lake 6.  We were slightly sceptical about the new polycotton material, but we love it.  We have been camping in all weathers with it and it has not let us down.  In torrential rain it stayed bone dry, and doesnt leak if you touch the fabric inside.  It's a stable tent that remains comfortable inside even on the hottest days.  We didn't proof ours beforehand.  The only thing to be aware of with the polycotton is the weight.  The BL6 comes in two bags but even then they are quite heavy, so if you are planning on moving around frequently, then they may not be the tent for you.  For us, it was definately money well spent and I would be reluctant to go back to the usual fabric variety.  Let us know how you get on. 

Thanks for the replies guys...I was hoping piglet that this new poly mix might not shrink so readily! I wouldn't want to take the chance and end up struggling at the next site trying to pitch a slightly shrunken tent.

I reckon the weight I can handle as it is one of the smaller tents. The Bear Lake 6 is a big piece of kit.

Any suggestions would be welcome for a Tourer about the same size...I suppose the obvious thing is to get the Oregon 5...yes its synthetic...but its the size and shape that caught my eye in the first place, It's Cheaper,would be lighter and easier to put up, seems to have a few good reviews and it can be packed away damp...Can't it?

Shimmy

Thanks tent tester...have a good trip.

Piglet...are you absolutely sure that you can't, or shouldn't pack it away damp. This is a real downer for me as I really fancied one of the smaller outwells in PC.

I can see also that if I was touring with one, and I had packed away damp that morning, I would imagine its going to be a lot heavier to pitch at the next site in the evening. Also, even for families who might have ferries to catch or need to get home, sitting watching a tent dry is a dodgy business. Sods law says that just as you awake to get ready for departure the heavens will open and it will not stop until your ferry (non-refundable) is a dot on the horizon!

Shimmy.

We have packed canvas away wet in the past. You just need to get it back up or dried off asap to avoid mildew. Touring with a wet canvas in the back of your car could cause condensation and if you are happy to handle a wet canvas putting it up on your next stop then you shouldnt have a problem. We have all had to pack away a wet tent to return home at some time. Just be sure to get it dry as quick as you can.

We are going to buy either the Trout Lake or Cabanon Guadeloupe next Spring. The Trout Lake is favourite for its bigger living area. We dont see packing it away wet as being a major problem. Its going to happen so you just have to deal with it as best you can.

Carol