There is not much information online about this outdoor equipment, so I decided to put in my two cents worth.
I tried searching for the manufacturer’s website but found nothing. I wish they would place their contact information on the box or something. An email address would help.
Anyway, so here’s my latest review on the Apexus Tadpole tent.
Material:
According to the information on the box, the inner tent is made of “breathable nylon”. It did not specify the type though. The sides, running all the way to the back are striped with mesh for better ventilation. It also has a double door that serves the same purpose. The eyelets are rustproof brass.
The rain fly is made of 190T PU coated Nylon. The seams are sealed with water-proof tape. Two double-runner type zippers run the front side of the fly for the “door” and all ten important corners of the fly are sewn with a strap and a shock cord for stability when properly pegged.
The poles are made of lightweight aluminum alloy – a far better material compared to its fiberglass counterparts.
No information about the floor material was provided. I’m guessing it is polyurethane coated nylon.
Rating: 3/5
Weight:
The tent’s trail weight is relatively heavy at 2.35 kilograms*. For a hiker or mountaineer who wants to pack it light, anything above 2 kilograms is a killer. Sure, the extra third of a kilo is considerably light. But not when you’re planning to walk for hours up a mountain with everything in your pack.
Rating: 1/5
Pitching and Striking:
Now this is where the “no-hitch-pitch assembly” kicks in to play. The tent is very easy to pitch; so easy, that one person can set it up in 2 to 3 minutes – from the bag to full on rain proof tent. Plastic clips on straps sewn to the tent make it easy to set up; even easier to strike. One does not have to go through the trouble of maneuvering the poles through narrow sleeves and running back and forth from one end of the tent to another.
The tent comes in its own bag. But I prefer to use a polyester-nylon stuff sack to keep it flat. I like it better that way, because I carry my tent (save for the poles and the pegs) inside my pack, not outside it.
Rating: 4/5
Stability:
Nothing rides out a storm like a tadpole. It’s very aerodynamic.
Rating: 4/5
Price:
I think it’s rather pricey.
Rating: 2/5
Others:
Vestibule – There is not much vestibule area. But there’s enough for your boots and slippers. You would have to sleep with your backpack inside your tent. Rating: 1/5
Pegs – Twelve aluminum pegs are included. Length: 6 inches (end to end including bend) diameter: 5 millimeters. Rating: 3/5 (hey, I would have given it a 4/5 if the pegs were 9 inches long!)
Tensioners – 2 tensioners (guy out lines) are included in the package. Each with its own plastic 8-runner.
I always have a little trouble with the 2-layer door. It does not have clips attached to the cord to hook on to the sides. So I end up having to tie it in a knot with the stitched loop. A minor setback for some, but not for me. Attention to detail is of great importance to me. So I opted to attach a pair of mini carabiners for each layer of door (one for the mesh, and another for the nylon door).
I may still have to add more information about the tent. Feel free to ask me a question by leaving a comment.
Happy trails!
Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave nothing but foot prints.
– A mountaineer’ s creed
*Owner’s measurement. Weight information is not included in or on the packaging.
Canned Thoughts 