10/14/11

Poler Man Tent Review


Road tripping on a bike is just like backpacking when it comes to deciding what gear to bring. I obsess on trying to pack as little as possible and still have everything I need, plus a little bit. Each trip the load plan gets slightly modified, but certain things like a canteen cup, fire, coffee, headlamp and tools always go. Recently we got the hook up from the fine folks at Poler




Now, other than a brief stint with an el Cheapo Wal Mart tent a couple years ago, I have always preferred a bivy sack if there is a chance of getting wet or just went commando with a wool blanket or light sleeping bag in the desert. Setting up a typical tent in the dark and tearing down with a hangover in the morning gets old about day three and the superfluous stuff gets chucked. A bivy packs down nice and tidy, may include a single pole, (or may not). I dig the efficiency and the lack of moving parts, but the stoicism can lose it's charm pretty quick. Now that I've had a few nights in this Poler unit, the bivy is stowed and I've embraced the luxury of a quality tent. I used it on the Gypsy Run last month and my kid poached it from me last weekend in Baja.



The whole tent is really just a fine net if you choose to leave the fly off, which is perfect for the desert and beach camping we enjoy. If there is a chance of rain or heavy dew, the fly goes on over the top. The benefit is superb ventilation and less set up, with a back up plan of water-proofing only a minute or so of extra work away. With the fly on there is a small vestibule for stashing stuff out of the rain, but also out of your tent, ie: dirty boots, helmet, etc. Unlike a lot of single-person tents that have an entrance on the front, this one has it on the side so it's easier to crawl into after a long day and there is ample room for getting situated.



The support poles are all hooked together with shock cord through a couple lightweight joints so there is less fumbling around in the dark. It all packs down to a reasonable size and compression straps mean you can actually fit it in the rip-stop bag without wrestling and then cinch it down to it's minimum size. $170 is a heavy hit for a tent, but like good boots, quality motorcycle parts or other stuff you can make last a long time, it's worth saving for and treating well.


Yes, I endorse a Therma-Rest pad and unicorn Pillow-Pet for ultimate comfort.


Check out Poler stuff here.

6 comments :

Anonymous said...

+1 on unicorn pillow. I too use my daughters pillows for camping.

BoBo Jufat said...

... That's not his daughters.

CC Rebels said...

Same design as the msr hubba. very nice

rustrocket84 said...

Bill did you buy a shovel? and I'm pretty damn bummed about the no Mexico trip and that I'm missing the Slab City trip this year. Going to have to plan something for up in NorCal for next year. I'll check with you and see what weekend will work for you SoCal guys.

Bill said...

Rust. Yep. Was Walt's bike. Special 79 Jay's before that. Now it found a home on the left coast.

Michael said...

Bill this seems like a great product, looks nice and comfy too!