This is a pretty interesting tent. I've had it for 2+ years now and have use it a few times. I feel ya...it's not a true 4-person tent due to that sudden taper towards the end. We lucked out and found 20"x66" Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pads on a clearance sale at the time. We can use tall/wide 25" pads in the middle for my wife and I, then use the shorter 20" wide Air Core pads on the sides for the kids. This way everything actually fits pretty well and can last a family of four with young kids quite awhile (or at least until they reach a height of 5'6" or better). it would be nice to have a true 4 person backpacking tent option in this weight class, but this was as close as I could find at the time. I also lucked out and got it on a super sale for about $230:).
I bought this tent for $250 shipped with the floor pad and I've used it twice already. Actually used it at Big Bend National Park in December 2022 with temps in the low 30's and it was great. Did well in the wind and it comfortably fit 2 grown adults and 2 small children. We aren't tall, I'm 5' 7" and it was plenty big. We were able to fit 4 Thermarest Basecamp sleeping pads. Loved how easy it was to setup, which took me around 15 minutes. The bag it stores in is clever and makes the tent take up very little space. Granted we went in my Jeep Gladiator so space wasn't an issue, but the fact that it's small and lightweight is a plus. Let's me pack more stuff.
I have two kids and a wife as well and I went with the River country products trekker 4. Here’s my reasons: 1) 7’2” x 9’ =65 sqft 2) peak height of 80” 3) super durable floor 4) 4.6 lbs 5) only $100 Cons: 1) pyramid style trekking pole tent so kids could break the center pole if they rough house 2) no features and very few pockets 3) sloped sides because it’s pyramid style For $100, if they destroy it, who cares and it’s huge inside. For how often we will backpack with kids, it will work.
I just picked one up for 200, planning on using it for myself and my son so we'll have plenty of room. Thanks for the info as well, ventilation does look to be it's biggest oversight.
What did you end up using as a tent with your dad friends? Love the look of the tent, but me and my 2 boys are over 6'+. Love to hear what you settled on. Tks!
@@DadCamps We use the Mountainsmith Bear Creek 4 tent when we backpack and only use 1 tent. It's fantastically roomy and tall. It's fairly light and an easy pitch too. But it takes up alot of real estate and I was looking for something more compact. Alas I don't think anything smaller exists for 3 dudes 6'2" and up. Thank you so much for your honest and thorough review of the Maxfield tent!
Thanks Adam! Interesting option. Klymit is not known for high end stuff (at least not that I've experienced). So when I saw the price around $420, I was pretty surprised. But it's listed at 5lbs which is legit for a 4 person tent. Curious how it will hold up over time.
Why does a premium tent NOT include enough tent stakes to properly pitch for poor weather? Thats the final straw for me. I will no longer buy incomplete tents.Thanks for the video dad.
I totally agree! And not only should there be enough but they should be premium stakes too! Why should they expect the tent to be all high end materials and then make us go to a 3rd part to get good stakes?
This is a pretty interesting tent. I've had it for 2+ years now and have use it a few times. I feel ya...it's not a true 4-person tent due to that sudden taper towards the end. We lucked out and found 20"x66" Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pads on a clearance sale at the time. We can use tall/wide 25" pads in the middle for my wife and I, then use the shorter 20" wide Air Core pads on the sides for the kids. This way everything actually fits pretty well and can last a family of four with young kids quite awhile (or at least until they reach a height of 5'6" or better). it would be nice to have a true 4 person backpacking tent option in this weight class, but this was as close as I could find at the time. I also lucked out and got it on a super sale for about $230:).
Slammin deal at that price! Sounds a great setup you got there.
I bought this tent for $250 shipped with the floor pad and I've used it twice already. Actually used it at Big Bend National Park in December 2022 with temps in the low 30's and it was great. Did well in the wind and it comfortably fit 2 grown adults and 2 small children. We aren't tall, I'm 5' 7" and it was plenty big. We were able to fit 4 Thermarest Basecamp sleeping pads. Loved how easy it was to setup, which took me around 15 minutes. The bag it stores in is clever and makes the tent take up very little space. Granted we went in my Jeep Gladiator so space wasn't an issue, but the fact that it's small and lightweight is a plus. Let's me pack more stuff.
Good to hear! Yeah I really think it was just the height factor that ruled this out, all of us being over 6’ was a deal breaker.
I have two kids and a wife as well and I went with the River country products trekker 4. Here’s my reasons:
1) 7’2” x 9’ =65 sqft
2) peak height of 80”
3) super durable floor
4) 4.6 lbs
5) only $100
Cons:
1) pyramid style trekking pole tent so kids could break the center pole if they rough house
2) no features and very few pockets
3) sloped sides because it’s pyramid style
For $100, if they destroy it, who cares and it’s huge inside. For how often we will backpack with kids, it will work.
Cool! Sounds like a great budget option to explore!
Solid vid, man. Thanks for the very useful review and showcase of the pluses and minuses.
Thanks! Glad it was helpful.
Great review!! 8+5=13 is correct. The tent is probably lighter than the extra large flask on your desk. Keep 'em coming!
When the flask is full, yes, I think you’re right.
I just picked one up for 200, planning on using it for myself and my son so we'll have plenty of room. Thanks for the info as well, ventilation does look to be it's biggest oversight.
Wow - smoking deal!
where did you find it for $200?
What did you end up using as a tent with your dad friends? Love the look of the tent, but me and my 2 boys are over 6'+. Love to hear what you settled on. Tks!
We actually ended up using 2 tents. You can check out that trip here, if you want: ua-cam.com/video/oZQUKgHjEWg/v-deo.html
Also, yeah you and 2 boys over 6' would probably be too big for this tent.
Let me know if you find a better option for you 3!
@@DadCamps We use the Mountainsmith Bear Creek 4 tent when we backpack and only use 1 tent. It's fantastically roomy and tall. It's fairly light and an easy pitch too. But it takes up alot of real estate and I was looking for something more compact. Alas I don't think anything smaller exists for 3 dudes 6'2" and up. Thank you so much for your honest and thorough review of the Maxfield tent!
@@BrandonSmith-nl2jg haha true that! 😆
Thanks Adam! Interesting option. Klymit is not known for high end stuff (at least not that I've experienced). So when I saw the price around $420, I was pretty surprised. But it's listed at 5lbs which is legit for a 4 person tent. Curious how it will hold up over time.
Agreed they may not be known for high end, but I haven’t had any issues with their other products not lasting. Have you seen/heard much of that?
@@DadCamps No just based on reputation and typical price point. I'll have to check more of their stuff out.
Why does a premium tent NOT include enough tent stakes to properly pitch for poor weather? Thats the final straw for me. I will no longer buy incomplete tents.Thanks for the video dad.
I totally agree! And not only should there be enough but they should be premium stakes too! Why should they expect the tent to be all high end materials and then make us go to a 3rd part to get good stakes?
Good luck with that. Let us know if you ever find such a tent. Maybe those offered by Kifaru?