Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is a beautiful tent. As with every Sierra Designs product I've ever owned, the quality is impeccable. I was camped for two weeks in a forest, and the tent withstood a couple of rainstorms without leaking a drop.
But, some design questions made this tent less than ideal as far as I'm concerned.
First, the tunnel design seems to require a pretty even surface to pitch it on. Over the years I've successfully used dome tents based on a square, crossed-pole design on the same bit of land. But, with the Wu Hu, variations in the surface had the center of the tent dipping a bit in the middle. Also, with this design the end walls are less vertical than my dome tents', which cuts into the vestibule's utility.I think the vestibule would be much more useful with a separate hoop.
My main problem with this tent has to do with how a tent of this size is likely to be used: at a campground rather than for packing out. The extensive screening is nice in theory, but eliminates privacy, not good if you you're camped at a busy spot. You can only get some privacy with the flaps zipped almost all the way down, which pretty much counteracts any ventilation advantage the screen offers since it's a full-coverage fly. It would be great if the door ends had opaque panels a couple of feet high, rather than the sides. Better yet on one door -- that way you could pick which end to use for the front based on whether you're at a busy campground or a more remote spot. (By the way, i did think of hanging a blanket, but there are no loops located in places that would make this practical).
Also, the fact that the vestibule's center flap has no loops or grommets in the corners seriously reduces the advantages of a two-zipper vestibule. When you're able to stake or guy out the flap you can make a scoop to take advantage of a breeze, or a canopy for a shady place to sit in front. Lots of possibilities that this tent can't take advantage of. I plan to sew some web loops onto the corners, but for someone without a sewing machine or grommet tool this might not be an easy fix.
As I said before, this is a beautifully made tent, but you might think twice if you want even a little privacy.
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Product Description:
Capable of housing a party of four with ease, the Sierra Wu Hu basecamp tent is terrific for backcountry expeditions. The tent offers a revolutionary pole configuration that acts a bit like a tunnel (big on the inside, livable as all get out) and a dome (freestanding and easy to pitch) all at once. As a result, you can rest up for your big ascent in comfort. The tent also includes two doors and two vestibules for easy entry and exit.
The Wu Hu 4-person basecamp tent with rainfly and vestibule. And thanks to the 70-denier polyester body material and 68-denier polyester fly material, the Wu Hu holds up to heavy use through the seasons.
Features:
Bathtub floor: The tent's raised, taped perimeter seam keeps water from seeping in.
Drop door: The tent doesn't include a zipper at the bottom of the door, thus keeping out cold air drafts.
Dye-free optic white canopy: Optic white canopies transmit light more effectively to create a brighter and more pleasant environment inside the tent. Sierra Designs produces the optic white canopy without the use of chemical dyes.
RCT swift clip: This twist clip from DAC clips perfectly to any pole diameter and removes with a simple twist.
Vented vestibule:
The vented vestibule allows for additional air circulation.
Specifications:
Trail weight: 12 pounds 9 ounces
Fastpack weight: N/A
Packed weight: 14 pounds 6 ounces
Number of doors: 2
Interior area: 55 square feet
Vestibule area: 17 + 17 square feet
Peak height: 66 inches
Floor material: 75-denier polyester
Body material: 70-denier polyester
Fly material: 68-denier polyester
Number of poles: 4
Poles: DAC 17, 10.25/9.0mm
About Sierra Designs
Since 1965, innovative products have helped Sierra Designs to become one of the most renowned outdoor brands in the outdoor industry. With over 40 years of experience and an intense passion for the outdoors Sierra Designs has been able to create some of the best performance products. Not only are their products reliable enough to help thrill seekers like Eric Larsen summit Mount Everest and journey to both the North and South poles, but they promote a harmonious relationship with the environment we play in as well. If that's not enough; just ask the editors of Outside Magazine, National Geographic, and Backpacker Magazine. All of whom have presented Sierra Designs with numerous gear awards.
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
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