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I've been using the Snugpak Ionosphere tent for over 4 years now and the question is; is it worth the money? How has it held up? This is a followup review; 4+ years in the making!
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Price : $140 for green version $170 for the tan version on Amazon. Retail is $223
Weight : 3.3lbs / 1520 g.
Colors : Green and Tan
Amazon Link : www.amazon.com/Snugpak-Ionosp...
This is a product which hasn’t changed much since it was released a long time ago back in 2012 and the truth is, it really doesn’t need to change much because it was such a great product. From the quality, to the functionality to the price, this is one of those rare tents on the market which is well worth the price.
I originally did my review of this tent back in 2013 and have continued to use it over the years and I love it just as much now as I did then. It’s one of those products that I pull out of my gear storage every few months to use; especially when I’m heading out on the trail with my buddies. Speaking of which anytime that a friend asks to use a tent or to borrow one, this is one that I grab because it’s lightweight, it’s sturdy, storm worthy and is large enough to work with most people.
So you may be wondering what has changed with this tent since arriving on the market; not much! Snugpak does off this tent in an additional color; Tan and it looks great!
What many don’t know about this tent is that it is often used in military circles; field shelters, training, jumping and so on. That allows says a lot about the quality of this product and it’s something that I can backup with my own use. This tent has seen more nights out than I can count and with my buddies, double that number.
Think of this tent as a bivy which is the size of a small tent; low profile but that’s large enough for anyone to use. Also there is enough room for your gear as well.
Thanks to the bug netting, bugs and mosquitoes aren’t an issue.
If you are in a dry location you can use the tent alone as a bug net,
If the weather changes, you can put the rain fly on in about a minute.
There is plenty of room in the interior--so much so that I can actually fit both myself and my pack inside of it. I’m a short dude, 5’5” or so but this works the same with my buddies who are 6ft, 200 lbs.
If you’re a tiny person, you can crawl headfirst into the unit and turn around. I can crawl in and turn around, if you are taller or less limber, back into it.
The entrance is very easy to get in and out of It, which can be very helpful if the bugs are out in force or its pouring rain.
The tent rolls up neatly and doesn’t take up much space in your pack.
For the average backpacker or beginner this is one of the best bangs for the buck out there. If you want a no frills, one man tent that you can man pack with ease, this is a great tent.
DAC TH72M anodized aluminum poles with pre-curved sections, press fit connectors, and color coded for an easy setup.
Setup is simple.
Break down is too.
Quality is very good as this tent continues to live on without any issues. The materials and quality match the price in my opinion. This isn’t a high-end ultralight tent and it won’t perform like one.
Excellent waterproof during heavy downpours and even mild winds around 25mph
Big enough not to feel claustrophobic
Aluminum stakesare strong enough and have taken my abuses very well. They aren’t the best out there by any means but you do get a TON of them! 16 in total!
Works very well when set up in the bed of my truck. This isn’t a free standing tent so I use some ducttape to anchor. A friend of mine liked this idea and often sets it up in the back of his Toyota Tacoma.
Not perfect;
Could use a mesh pocket on the roof of the tent to hold a light
This isn’t the easiest tent in the world to get into and out of. If you are over 6ft, it can be comical to watch.
Not free standing
Floor material has held up well but I have continuously used an ultralight ground sheet with it. This has held a lot.
Condensation is possible with this tent in certain situations. For me it has never been extreme but noticeable depending on temp and humidity.
Cant sit up in it.
Because of the colors it can be amazing for stealth camping
My advice before buying this tent is to consider the size; will it work for you? It is a bivy/tent; keep that in mind before you make a purchasing decision.
Most of the complaints that I have seen in regards to this tent come from people who didn’t pay attention to what it was that they were buying.
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