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Tent Reviews: Outwell Oakland XL

Tent and Awning Reviews Index  >  Outwell  >  Oakland XL Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:
Discontinued
5  (more 5 berth tents)
26.30 KG
£539.99
2
Fully Sewn-in
In one
Average User Rating:
8.47/10 from 75 reviews

Viewed: 154151 times

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75 Reviews of the Oakland XL         Showing 01 to 10          Page:   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8  

By: Skatey  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

We love this tent! We bought it to replace a big dome tent which was impractical and it works perfectly for our family of 5.

The light makes the large living area pleasant to be in if it does happen to be raining and there is enough space for all of us and we can fit a table and chairs inside if need be.

It is really easy to pitch although we had problems with the front pole the first time we used it.

Our only niggles are:

- the condensation, although I think that is the downside of all the light.

- the front door. We have an awning if camping for more than two nights, but without this, if its raining its very very easy to let water in if the fly screen isn't properly closed. And my kids haven't always been great at ensuring it is propely closed!
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By: Bobetjo  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2011   Rating: 

Since you cannot edit your reviews, this is my third one and this tent drops another star. It started on six and is now 4. Previously I mentioned the front pole snapping, fraying pole channels, tearing anchor points. Two more poles have since broken.

Our weather master lasted almost eight years with very few hitches.

The front of this tent is clearly designed wrong. The back has plenty of guy points and anchors. But the front is weak. If you position with the back t the wind that is fine, but sometimes you don't know where the wind is coming from.

As regards erecting it - IGNORE THE VIDEO. As I mentioned before, that shows one man easily carrying the tent on screen. He has not got the poles in the bag which weigh as much again. Two fit strong men erect the tent in calm conditions.
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By: Foggy5512  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

This is our first serious tent and we chose it very carefully. We love it. It's stood up to the heaviest rain I've probably ever camped in although we haven't experienced Shell Island wind in it yet! There's plenty of room and plenty of light which makes a huge difference on rubbish rainy days. The only downside is the bottom of the door doesn't zip so it can get a bit draughty but other than that, an excellent all round family tent.
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By: MattK84  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

This summer I have bought the Oakland xl 2012 model (with a storm cover) for use by myself, my wife and our 16 month old. It is the first decent tent I have owned (our previous tents being from Aldi and Tesco) therefore I was admittedly going to be pretty easy to impress. Nevertheless I am rather satisfied with my £250 investment.

Upon first using it at the Just So Festival I was somewhat underwhelmed. As other posters have said, the toggle curtains are fiddly and the bottom of the outer doors are shut only with Velcro pads which are a purely cosmetic addition in the presence of any breeze. Futhermore, on my tent, adding the storm porch pole to the side door causes the front side section to be stretched very tightly and surely placed under a lot of stress. I actually unlatch one of the front fibre pole latches to reduce the strain. This issue is likely unique to my tent - it seems the side porch pole is marginally too long for the fabric.

Our recent outing to Shell Island really put the tent through its paces. We arrived to good, but typically breezy weather and pitched in what was at the time a sheltered location. The wind promptly shifted and over the course of our stay we had heavy, wind driven rain. The bottoms of the outer doors flapped around but due to the inner doors having a waterproof lower section no water entered.

Our final night saw the tail end of some hurricane hit (28th August 2014) and our tent was in pretty exposed location. We didn’t get any sleep that night (our toddler slept right through luckily!) as it hit our tent pretty much head on and I feared for the front fibreglass pole. Nevertheless, not the front pole, nor any other part of the tent gave way which is more than can be said for many other tents that night. Our neighbouring tents both failed in part (broken fibreglass poles) and some tents were completely flattened. Even for many of those tents that survived it was a case of bending rather than breaking. Many fibreglass tunnel tents were half the size they should have been!

The tent certainly earned its keep that night. I bought the tent knowing advertised the storm rating and thinking it would be okay in high winds but never really expecting that it would be needed. When the tents either side failed, the idea that ours would go with a toddler and an already very grumpy and stressed out wife was frankly terrifying – she would never have wanted to go camping again!
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By: Nige P  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2011   Rating: 

Unable to edit my last review, so here's an update. I still rate this tent highly, and I've not suffered snapped poles that others have, but this model has no overdoor porch and is such a pain in the wet. Last night, in a storm, the bottom flap blew in and when we woke this morning, it was to a small lake by the side door. The 2012 model has a porch over the top. Before we left home, my son asked if we were taking the side extension. I couldn't see the point for just 2 nights. I wish I had now! Hence the dropping of a couple of stars.

However, on a positive note, the tent didn't leak from any seams and it was very sturdy in the high winds. It's roomy for 3 people and light and airy with the number of windows. So, still a good tent and I wouldn't swap it, but get a side extension for a water free interior.
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By: Bobetjo  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2011   Rating: 

I placed an earlier review but it seems you cannot edit it. Anyway in the past year this tent has dropped a couple of stars. More faults developed.

As other reviewers have mentioned this is a roomy tent and quite waterproof. Having used this tent I concur with most of the positive comments. The negatives that drop this tent down to a six are on build quality. The tent has been used a total of five times over three years.

First the front carbon fibre pole snapped, and getting a replacement was a real pain. Outwell were not helpful and the shop where we bought it did not reply to emails.

Then the seam on the side door where the plastic anchors attach tore for about an inch.

Then the elastic joining the pole sections broke.

New faults - a tear where the steel poles thread through. Repaired with duct tape.

A new tear in the wind on the front skirt where the guy anchors. Others have commented on the weakness of the front guys.

It is a good tent, but it is quite hard to erect even with two people. There can be a lot of shouting and unless you are quite fit, do not expect to erect this in any breeze. The Outwell video cunningly shows the man only carrying the tent bag on screen. That's why he can lift it. He is not carrying the poles.

I would not be likely to buy this make again.
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By: Bordertroot  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

The holiday was booked,the car was packed including the tent (Icarus 500)when we stopped at my mother in laws for 3 days we decided to have a look at a local tent display off the A127,its like going to look at a puppy,you don't look you buy and we did !

Best thing we did,this is a nice upgrade from the Icarus and had all the improvements we were looking for,the primary ones being the canopy to the side door, steel main poles,much more light,no sagging roof in the rain,and unlike others we liked the toggle curtains.

We enjoyed the Icarus but this was just a wee bit more comfortable
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By: MQuinn  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2010   Rating: 

We have an Oakland XL with side awning and carpet which we bought 3 yrs ago. Just for the two of you but maybe grandchildren in the future.

Finally managed to get away in it this year for trip aroung West of Scotland and North - Oban, Inverness and Gairloch (2 of these places known for having 4 seasons in a day). We were caravaners for many years and although husband has had a few billygoatgruff moments when erecting, setting up and dismantling up the whole thing from car to fully pitched and back again especially when raining or drizzling- we have got this down to an 1 hr and half - the tent itself only takes 1/2 hr. Spacious looks smart on site and managed to withhold a weekend deluge in Rosemarkie (beautiful site but thats another story.

I like the changes that Outwell have made to the tent since we bought ours ie higher spec , stronger guy ties to poles and toggle up windows, rain canopy on side.

Would really like them to make a boot room add on even tho we have a side awning - I just hate those trips to the toilets in the middle of the night and don't want a porta potti in the bedroom or sitting on the carpet.

Have been looking at front awning and considering it as looking to go to the Cote d'azur next year - but husband doesn't think we will need it.

May be too hot a tent as not canvas for this trip - so looking into portable/small air conditioners - anyone any thoughts??
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By: Bellmeister  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

After searching virtually every camping store within 50 miles & reviewing/viewing every tent possible, we decided that the Outwell Oakland XL fitted our needs perfectly.

We are a family of four, two adults, two children aged six & two. The main factors I took into consideration with my purchase was: It needed to be strong, well made, robust, straightforward to erect, two bedrooms, large living space & good enough to last us many many years. Its perfect.

I'm fairly tall so standing room is of utmost priority, I can stand easily. The large living room is spacious enough for us all to lay around, sit around, coloring, crafting, having fun & without the feel of it feeling cramped. Its certainly well made, fairly easy to erect (need two people), two steel poles, two fibreglass poles, all color coded to save confusion. Plenty of windows to allow the light, a good door to the side & larger door to the front which both roll up tightly to give ease of access.

We have made the right decision with this tent so if you are a family with similar needs then I wouldn't hesitate. We have since purchased the fitted carpet, footprint & front awning (see my other reviews) to accompany this already great tent.
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By: Seagherkin  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2011   Rating: 

Got this tent as an upgrade to a cheap flimsy tent as it had windows and space for the dog and us when the weather is not so good. Bought the extension after the first year to give space for sitting/cooking out of the wind & rain. The tent has been superb! It is easy to put up. Even during two weeks of torrential rain and some fierce wind it was like an palace (though it was cold). I am not a very keen camper but this tent makes me happy to go camping for 2 weeks a year.
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75 User Reviews of the Oakland XL - Showing 01 to 10          Page:   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8  

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Manufacturer's Description

The latest Oakland XL is a five-person three room tunnel tent. Key is the superior interior light thanks to the large windows with toggle-up curtains to all three sides of the living area. The eye is instantly drawn to the smart new Foliage Green colour with contrasting roof and trademark Outwell stripes of the Outtex® 4000 outer tent. Pitching is particularly easy with the help of the Outwell Easy Pegging System and pre-attached luminous guylines. Steel poles and the gale-beating Outwell Wind Stabilizer System enhance stability in bad weather while the Rain-safe side door supplies a sheltered entrance. A Duratec fibreglass pole is used to create extra headroom via the weight-reducing Outwell Extended Frame System. Other features include: organiser pockets, adjustable pegging points, reinforced stress points and heavy duty Outwell zips.

Recommendation: Generous family living for up to five in a compact tent that has an unmistakable Outwell heritage.

Type of tent: Three room tunnel tent
Sleeps: 5 people
Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 living room
Pitching way: Flysheet first or as one
Flysheet: Outtex® 4000 (75D 100% polyester taffeta)
with taped seams
Floor: Double-coated 100% polyethylene, 10,000 mm hydrostatic head
Inner tent: Breathable 100% polyester
Pack size: 33 x 78 cm
Weight: 26.3 kg
Poles: Steel poles 19/22 mm, Duratec fibreglass 8.5/12.7 mm

Features:
Large windows with toggle-up curtains
Pre-attached and adjustable inner tents
Organiser pockets
Lamp holder and light cable tidies
Fully seam-sealed flysheet for maximum protection
Mesh pockets in the inner tents
Reinforcements patch on all stress points
Adjustable pegging points
Pre-attached guylines
Luminous guylines
Heavy duty Outwell zips


... there may be more info on their website

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