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Tent Reviews: Outwell Minnesota 4

Tent and Awning Reviews Index  >  Outwell  >  Minnesota 4 Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:
Discontinued
4  (more 4 berth tents)
23.60 KG
£369.99
2
Fully Sewn-in
In one
Average User Rating:
8.48/10 from 42 reviews

Viewed: 90474 times

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42 Reviews of the Minnesota 4         Showing 31 to 40          Page:   1   2   3   4   5  

By: Colin Rogers  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

We are currently waiting for a refund after experiencing the following.

Porch pole ends force the tent fabric apart . Can't close zip on door. Had to secure ends with electrical tape to side poles to relieve pressure. Having to use cable ties seems to be the only answer.

Tent won't centralise on top poles. The ring pins stitched on the non adjustable(not long enough)webbing straps on the non door side hold the tent fabric down to the ground. The adjustable straps on the door side have to be wide open . This leaves the SIG up about a foot on that side. Heavy duty pegs have to be used through the ring pins to force the side poles inwards to the correct width to get the SIG to lie on the ground. The SIG is still up about a foot on the porch side.

The side porch is as useful as a chocolate teapot . You get drowned by the waterfall down your neck going in and out in the rain.

The Notice Board is loaded with these complaints.
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By: Lazy Dazy  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

We have only had one outing in this but thought it was great. Bought the sun canopy as well but think we will also get the extension as it might be of more use here in Scotland.

First time we pitched it (in the back garden with no witnesses) took an hour but second time it was 30 mins and no divorce papers served. When we actually pitched it for the first time in public, we got it down to 20 mins and it went like a dream.

Only two of us so plenty of space. We open up the two bedrooms and use as one big bedroom.

Agree with an earlier comment that the canopy could be tricky if I was adding it on my own (5'4') but a dawdle for hubby (6'2').

All told, very happy with it and looking forward to adding fairy lights and introducing hubby to glamping.! I wish!
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By: John Duffield  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

Having just returned from a very windy Somerset we can gladly say that the Minnesota 4 stood up to all that was thrown at it not like some tents nearby which did not fair very well with the rather strong winds. The front extension was a godsend offering much needed respite from the elements. Welcome additions were the footprint & carpet which helped keep it warm & dry.
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By: Andygazdrew  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

Same bugs as above really. My rain porch pole snapped the 2nd time we used it, but I'm getting a new one free of charge. And you do need the front extension, I'm hoping to get one soon. Having said that I love my tent ( call it our 2nd home!), and can't wait to get away again
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By: Former Scout  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

The “Minny”, on the face of it, is a simple but effective design. It is a tunnel tent with a generous head-height that is pretty-much uniform throughout the length of the tent. The poles are steel which lends the tent great strength and stability in the wind – we had some very strong gusts and the Minny stood tall and straight throughout. It is simple to pitch, though some strength is required to get the pins into the bottom of the steel uprights (or was I just feeling feeble that day?) The bedroom pods are genuinely 2x2 with sufficient room for a double inflatable mattress in each. Also, the fact that the tent is SIG throughout means that it is warmer in the cold (no drafts) and bug-free.

The Minnesota is the poor-man’s Montana: lower hydrostatic head material, shorter living-area and simplified side door porch; and these compromises are reflected in the lower price. In truth, only one of these compromises creates any real inconvenience; we endured constant, heavy rain and suffered no water ingress and the living area was quite adequate for four. But I do have concerns about the side door.

The first problem with the side door is that the fibreglass pole that is bent to form the canopy puts a lot of stress on the zip and material of and around the door. On my tent this stress even caused damaged to the material where it was stitched to the zip. It should be noted that not everyone has experienced this problem which suggests that this is a quality-control problem rather than a fundamental design flaw. After discussing this problem with other members on this forum a simple solution has been suggested: use plastic cable ties to more closely align the plastic ferules (the black plastic brackets into which the ends of the fibreglass poles slot) to the upright steel poles which are far more able to take the stress of the bent fibreglass pole than the tent material or zip.

The second problem is less easily or cheaply resolved. A major inconvenience of camping in this green and pleasant land of ours is the very stuff that makes it green: rain. Getting in and out of a tent when it is raining can be a comical affair as you try to un-zip the door, get out and re-zip the door quickly so that water does not get into the tent. Do not be fooled into thinking that the canopy over the side door gives any serious protection from the rain; and you certainly can’t leave the side door open while it’s raining unless the door is in the lee of the wind. The front door, because of its slope, is certainly not an alternative. As a result I would seriously consider budgeting for the extension (~£80) or, at least, Outwell’s canopy (~£65) or a cheaper, generic alternative (the Coleman awning costs about £30). The general consensus of members of this site is that the extension is of much more use than the canopy. It also provides a sheltered cooking area or simply somewhere to sit under sheltered from the sun of the rain. However, assuming that you also purchase the footprint groundsheet and living area carpet you will end up paying a lot more money than you may have first bargained for.

Why then, you may be wondering, have I been so generous in allocating 7 stars? The first problem with the side canopy, should you have it, is easily fixed (though I’ve yet to try it, it does make sense) and the second problem is certainly not peculiar to this tent. So what you are left with is a good, sturdy, spacious tent that four can live in and two or three very comfortably so.
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By: Lmm58  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

We started camping again last year after a 20yr break and found this tent great for the two of us and our dog we had some really wet very windy weather last year and it stood the test well. We have just brought the extension which is much better than the canopy. We have just used it for a week and it was great we also have the footprint, but not sure about that all we can say is the tent was clean but not dry, and the grass underneath was very yellow.
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By: Kirsty12  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

Great tent for two Adults, light and airy, simple to pitch and the front extension is a great idea and gives a great area to cook in. Carpets beautiful and the footprint is a bonus , but all this is irrelevant when you end up getting wet inside! Oh yes, guess what? another leaking Outwell.
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By: Green Pesto  Reason: I've seen one  Made in: 2006   Rating: 

This was on my shortlist of new tents! Really liked it. I do worry that when we saw it, it was a very windy day & it was very drafty inside. I've read comments elsewhere that the Minnesota & its family of Outwells do suffer from condensation or leaking at the seams.

The pole that creates the side porch roof does break.

Personally, I think something like the Outdoor Revolution VRX 5.0i is a better choice for build quality, size & warmth as well as being cheaper at around £160.
1 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?   

By: Emmamac  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

Great tent for me and my 7 year old son. Very easy to put up - takes a little longer with the 2 of us but still manageable. Agree with everything everyone else has said. I also have the canopy; which can be a bit of a struggle to erect if short, but great for doing the cooking under. Little touches such as the storage puches are excellent.
Downside:- front door does let in rain if not using canopy but side has porch so use that.Great tent would recommend to any one.
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By: Janiep35  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

After trying a string of other tents, with varying degrees of success, we finally decided on the Montana 4.

It is very easy to erect and dismantle,in about 20mins, with sewn in ground sheet and bedrooms already attached. The two entrances make it ideal for changeable British weather, providing sheltererd access from different sides, depending on the wind/rain direction.

The bedrooms can be used as two 2 berth or can be easily converted into one larger room for communal sleeping. There is also ample living space should the weather turn nasty

The Montana 4 is ideal for short breaks or for longer trips
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42 User Reviews of the Minnesota 4 - Showing 31 to 40          Page:   1   2   3   4   5  

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Manufacturer's Description

A Minnesota 4 is excellent value for the small family that needs a practical tent. Equipped with both the Outwell Sealed Ground System (OSG System) and the Outwell Power Stability System (OPS System), this tent provides effective all-weather protection against dirt, water and insects. The model is ideal for 2 to 4 persons, packs easily and quickly, and is also well-suited to families who like to combine travelling and camping with a flexible itinerary.

Specifications:
Flysheet: Outtex® 3000 with taped seams
Hydrostatic Head: 3000 mm
Floor: Double-coated polyethylene
Inner tent: Breathable polyester
Pack size: 49 x 80 cm
Weight: 23.6 kg
Poles: Steel poles 19/22 mm, Duratec fibreglass 9.5 mm

Features:
• Pre-attached and adjustable inner tents
• Organiser pockets
• Mesh pockets in the inner tents
• Lamp holder and light cable tidies
• Enclosed rain-safe door
• Fully seam-sealed flysheet for maximum protection
• Reinforcement patch on all stress points
• Adjustable pegging points
• Pre-attached guy ropes
• Luminous guy ropes
• Outwell doormat included

Optional Extras:
• Carpet
• Footprint

... there may be more info on their website

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