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Serac Sequoia XL (Double) Review

10/20/2016

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Don't I Like Look Soooo Happy?
Serac provides a simple, comfortable and easy to use hammock system that is affordable for anyone that wants to try and get into a hammock for either sleeping or lounging. You will notice, I mentioned hammock system not just a hammock. Whats the difference you might ask? Well if you new to hammocking you may see from time to time in your local outfitter or big box sports store hammocks on the shelf for sale. What you are seeing, is just the hammock. 

What the problem you may ask? Well you need straps to hang your hammock. Serac understands this and sells what I consider a full hammock system (hammock, caribiners and straps). Why is this important? First, purchasing these items won't break the bank and second, everything you need to lounge is in the self contained hammock bag. I have plenty of hammock systems that require me to being two or even more little bags for my hammock set up.
Hammock Specs:

Hammock
  • Unfolded Dimensions: 9ft 10in(long) x 5ft 7in (wide)
  • Folded Dimensions: 6in (tall) x 6in (diameter)
  • Weight: 19oz
  • Material: Diamondweave Ripstop Nylon
  • Recommended Maximum Capacity: 500lbs
  • Stuff sack: Attached with compression straps
Straps
  • Dimension: 6ft (long) x 1in (wide)
  • Weight: 6oz
  • Material: Polyester
  • Anchor Points: 10
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19 oz, for a double hammock meant for two is a pretty amazing weight. But the real jewel of hammock is the material itself, lightweight and yet very durable and strong. This was my first double hammock. My girls, always want to sit, or swing or just lounge in the hammock with me but my singles never met the challenge. 

The Serac Sequoia XL Double met and exceeded the challenge to hold only hold to people but do it an a very comfortable way. This hammock is now "our" favorite hammock for napping after a long day of hiking.

Here at Hiking Forward there are a few things that we truly relish when it comes to outdoor products. First is affordability of the product. It shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg to get outside, disconnect, relax and enjoy the outdoors. A Serac hammocks give you this capability with either a single or double system that is a quality and ready to hang out of the bag system that will last for years to come.

Second, we love it when a company is willing to stand by there product. If you are new to hammocking and went online and typed in hammock... you would get hundreds of options. Which one do you choose? Well, I would say the one with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 5 year no questions asked warranty. 

And third, we really enjoy seeing people take an idea, a concept or a dream and make it a reality within the outdoor community. Serac is a two man company. To read their company mission on the Serac website, you would think it was the mission of an outdoor non-profit. Together with the affordability, warranty and knowing that actual outdoorsy guys are behind the design, manufacturing and future of this hammock... easily this is the Ultimate Beginner Hammock for you... or your daughter. Grace keeps using mine. I might have to buy another!

Keep Hiking Forward!

Scott

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Wenzel Great Basin Tent 10

10/4/2016

1 Comment

 
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Every once and a while I get the opportunity to try and review something that is more about my wife and girls then it is about me. Recently, I was contacted by the good people at Wenzel to give a couple of their family camping tents a whirl. Typically, my gear is small, light, packable and meant for just me. I was extremely excited to try out a bigger, roomier and family oriented piece of gear and so was my family. 

We recently gave the Wenzel Great Basin a try during our Labor Day weekend camping trip in Wisconsin. At first look, I will tell you my initial reaction to the tent immediately after setting it up was that it didn't seem as big as I thought it should be. Then, I unzipped the door and went inside. Oh boy! Let me tell you my next thought was I would have driven my Jeep inside and still had room for the family. This tent is YUGE! 

Okay, lets to back to the set up. I and Wenzel recommend that you have two people to set this tent up. Tent set-up is quick and easy and can be completed even by the most novice of family campers. Four poles that sit in heavy-duty plastic feet ensure stability of the tent and superior rigidness and strength. In addition to the overall strength of the the, the tent comes with a rain fly to ensure a dry camping experience. (It is recommend prior to use that the tent seams are sprayed with a tent waterproofer prior to use per manufacturers instructions).

Once this tent is set up, staked down, tied down and set up per instructions you are left with nothing but a tent that has the potential to offer you all the comforts of home pending how you set it up on the inside. The space provided in the 10 person tent offers a wide variety of set up options. The tent comes with two privacy screens to take this very large tent and make it into three private spaces if needed. 

We decided not to hang the dividers in the tent. Our set up consisted of two queen sized air mattress that we flanked on the left and right side of the tent. I will tell you that we could have easily added a third queen air mattress and still and more then adequate space to move about the mattresses, change clothes as needed, and still had more then enough room for gear. 

Part of the reason we set up the tent and our mattresses as mentioned was simply to take advantage of the airflow per the zippered windows at then ends of the tent at night. Unzipping these windows created a great cross breeze which kept us very comfortable in the evenings.  
Tent Specs:
  • Integrated Tent Light Reflection System
  • "D" Style Door With Inside Privacy Flap Zippered Window
  • Shock Corded Fiberglass Poles With Fast Feet For Easy Set Up
  • Multi Diameter Fiberglass Poles Provide More Head Room And Livable Space
  • Removable Seam Sealed Fly
  • Fly Ridge Pole Provides Protective Awning Over Front Door And Rear Window
  • Mesh Roof Vents
  • Zippered Rear And Side Windows With Inside Privacy Flaps
  • Two Removable Divider Curtains With "I" Zippers Creates Three Separate Rooms
  • Gear Loft And Two Convenience Pockets
  • E Port For Electrical Cord Access
  • Pre Attached Guy Ropes Can Be Used For Adding Stability

FLOOR SIZE: 18 ft. x 10 ft. | FLOOR AREA: 159 sq. ft. | PEAK HEIGHT: 78 in.
Weight: 28 lbs. 2 oz. | Canopy/Fly: Polyester w/ 600MM PU Coating | Floor: Welded Polyethylene
Packaged Size: 27 in. X 10.75 in. X 10.75 in. | Doors: 1 | Windows: 4​
As mentioned, this review and trial run of this tent was more about the reaction of my wife and daughters then it was me. I with a friend set up the tent prior to their arrive, so I got to witness their initial reactions to the tent on first sight of it and experience upon entering it and getting settled. Immediately my wife and girls were in awe of the size, height and just convenience of store pockets loft space and specifically the Tent Light Reflection System. 

This system is like nothing I have witnessed before in small or large tents of comparable price on upwards. Simply put, with the placement of a flashlight, small battery operated or solar powered light or powerful headlamp inside the mesh pocket at the middle of the tent, you create a light that is large enough to cover the whole tent. Most tent fabrics absorb the light at night requiring the use of a personal headlamp or a lantern that then casts huge shadows usually when children as searching for clothes or you are looking for gear. The Tent Light Reflection System reflects the light from your light source out and down minimizing shadows and increasing the overall capability for you or you kids to find what they need quicker. Simply put... Happy Happy!

Check out the video below to see how the Tent Light Reflection System works.
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Convenient E-Port Allows You to Keep Cords in the Tent to Allow for inflating mattresses or charging devices
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Heavy Duty Feet ensure the Stability of the tent overall and heavy duty straps clip in easily when you need the rainfly.
No matter if you and your family are novice of experienced campers this tent provided more then enough room for you and your entire family, gear and will fit however you camp. The biggest item to note of this tent is it's value. For the space you get, the capability to tweak the internal set up from one, two or three rooms as well the new feature and ability to light the tent like no other and the overall comfort offered make this the ultimate outdoor value for any camping family. 

You have heard me say it time and time again, it should't cost a lot to get outdoors. This is a situation where you don't have to pay a lot to get not just you but all of your family or friends outside. This tent brings all the right stuff you need to manage through even the worst camping weather as well as all the conveniences and strength you be happy you have in these scenarios. When the weather is mild the open air capability will delight with a view if the stars for you and your family.

Bottom line, value, space and the capability to mix and match this tent to our families needs, desires and how you camp make it a great fit for your next camping trip.

Keep Hiking Forward!

Scott
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  • Home
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