Have you ever seen a tent suspended between trees? I remember seeing this concept a few years ago on social media and was super interested in trying it out. Well, we recently had the opportunity to test out the Tentsile Flite 2-person Tree Tent and have put together a little review based on our limited experience using it.
I will preface this review by saying this is purely a product review based on finding a suitable location, putting the tent up, improvising a sleeping situation, and pulling the tent down. We did not do a full camping test so our feedback is somewhat limited in this regard.
Living in San Francisco we are surrounded by parks and rugged coastline with ample tree cover. At first I thought this would make it pretty easy to do a test but as you will read below, it was a little more difficult than I had hoped. I have broken this review into sections to make it more digestible. Here goes...
The first impression was that the tent was quite heavy in comparison to other 2-person tents. This is due predominantly to the ratchet and D rings. For a 2-person tent, it felt significantly heavier and bulkier than normal. When I compared it to similarly priced 2-person ground tents it was at least double the weight, if not more, coming in at 4.7kg (10.4lb) .
It took quite some time to find 3 trees that would work (due to the required distance apart, the arrangement of the trees, and the girth of each trunk). I realize there is a ground kit but this was not included so I couldn't review it and this also would be extra weight (1.5kg) and cost ($85).
This need for a rather specific tree arrangement will eliminate some sites completely if there are no suitable trees (or no trees at all). Of course, it's important to remember that a standard ground tent has its own issues if the ground is uneven, rocky, or too wet. As you'll read in my conclusion, there is actually a good crossover between the issues for a ground tent vs a tree tent.
Once we found 3 suitable trees, it was far more time-consuming and complicated than I expected to put the tent up. If I was tired due to hiking, or it was the end of the day I would not want to take on this battle. Not to mention if it was raining (which it did while we were packing up).
That being said - I'm sure it would get easier and quicker with more practice but there are inherent issues that come with this design.
Aligning the tent between the 3 trees was challenging, especially trying to get each strap the same height on each tree.
Tensioning the straps took some effort. If you have never used a ratchet system before this is going to be quite frustrating for your first few attempts. It took me around 6 or 7 attempts before I managed to get an even tension on all 3 straps so that there wasn't a significant sag in the floor of the tent.
Once the tent was erect and taut it was extremely comfortable to lie down on as a single person. As soon as we both jumped in we sorta sank together into the middle and there was not a lot of room.
With a pack and other items it would have felt even tighter and the extremely low roof felt a little claustrophobic.
Due to the hammock-style of the tent you would probably not need to pack sleeping pads if you're in a warm climate (saving around 800g based on 2 pads) which is a plus. However, if you were taking this to a cold climate you would most definitely need those sleeping pads for insulation as the floor provides no insulation at all.
No matter how taut you end up getting the straps, this tent is much more affected by wind than a standard ground tent. It's significantly harder to erect in windy conditions and sways even in light winds.
Where it comes into its own is the benefit of being elevated during heavy rains/flooding which is a huge plus. If you've ever set up your tent near a creek or low-lying land and then had rain overnight you know how sucky getting flooded camping is.
Being elevated also means that air can flow beneath the floor of the tent. This could be a benefit in warm conditions but would not be good in colder temperatures, especially if you don't have a sleeping pad.
Given the limited interior space, there is a small mesh bag that can be hung below the tent. This is actually quite a novel idea as it gives a lot more space inside the tent while keeping the bags dry though there are a couple of issues.
Firstly, you would not want to keep any food in your pack as this could attract critters. Secondly, you also wouldn't want to keep anything valuable in your packs as it's much more accessible to theft.
As you can see from the picture below there is a massive benefit to this design which basically gives you a place to sit and chill out that's out of the sun and rain. This was a huge benefit when we finished putting the tent up and wanted to get out of the rain.
Due to the size of the tarp, it's also pretty easy to get into or out of the tent from underneath without stepping outside.
Packing up was very straightforward though also took a little longer due to the need for wrapping straps and tree wraps. This was definitely not a factor though. It was really as simple as releasing the ratchet, untying a knot, and disassembling.
I really wanted to love this tent. It looks cool and has some interesting applications. Unfortunately I don't think this would be my go-to tent for camping unless I knew that there were plenty of trees and it wasn't a long hike in.
However, I do think there is a market for this type of tree tent, especially the fun-factor for kids. This would make the perfect tent to take the kids on a camping trip. Imagine the fun they would have climbing in and out.
I also think this allows for some extreme camping that would simply not be possible with a standard ground tent. I've seen these pitched over rivers and even across canyons. It certainly makes for an epic social media post (which ironically is what first drew me to the design).
After providing our feedback from the review, Tentsile came back to us with the following tips:
"There are instructions available on Tentsile’s Youtube channel that explain how to adjust the underfloor strap so that you get two individual berths, and don’t roll into the middle."
"Although finding three trees in the right configuration can be difficult for a first-time setup, Tentsile has a guide on their Youtube channel that gives some tips and hacks for finding the right angles. They have also developed an App which can be used to help with this."
A reusable water bottle is essential for travel – whether it’s for a short hiking trip, a long-haul flight, or something in between. Today, many airports allow travelers to fill up their water bottles at refill stations after clearing customs, helping them stay hydrated while reducing single-use plastics.
There’s a huge range of reusable water bottles in the market, coming in all sizes, weights, materials, and colors. We tried several stainless steel water bottles from Super Sparrow to see how they stacked up.
This water bottle can hold a generous 51 ounces (oz) / 1500 milliliters (ml), perfect for quenching the most insatiable of thirsts. While the material is not stainless steel, it is made from a 100% toxin-free, US-imported Tritan Co-polyester plastic, that is free from harmful BPA chemicals. The transparent design is very useful to see how much water you’ve consumed, and how much water you need to refill.
The pinhole above the main opening allows air to escape ensuring a steady flow with the typically bubble release that you get from most water bottles.
While the bottle has hand grips for where you would hold the bottle to drink it, the grips are designed on the other side. What this means is if you use the grips, you’re holding it in at a 90-degree angle to then drink from the nozzle. It’s a minor feature flaw, but it means that the grips go unused.
Something else to be conscious of is the small pinhole above the main opening. If you don't have this lined up so it's vertically above when you take a sip it will leak water on you.
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Holding 25oz / 750ml, this bottle is perfect for a quick day trip. The water bottle comes with 2 straws that you can stick underneath the lid to sip from, but you can also do without this and still easily sip without these straws. This series has a ton of fun patterns – I was drawn to the cheerful pineapple yellow design – and there are also bright and colorful birds, flowers, and fruit style options. This is a great lightweight yet robust water bottle that is easy to carry around.
So far, so good! I personally am used to the wide mouth versus the straw design for drinking water bottles, so it would be great if Super Sparrow could also extend the pattern design series to its wide mouth options for those who prefer this.
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This bottle holds 25oz/750ml, a good option for a day trip. Available in a range of solid colors, this bottle, like the ultra-light stainless steel water bottle above, comes with two straws that you can stick under the sport cap to quickly drink from without removing the cap. The main difference with this bottle is that it is perfect for anyone who can’t decide whether they want a sport cap (drinking from a straw), or a loop cap (twisting the lid open to drink).
Rather than stick to only one option, why not do both? This is also the perfect bottle combination for someone who wants to carry hot and cold fluids.
No complaints so far! The dual cap options are a welcome inclusion so you can choose which to use, depending on your activity. The immense range of colors only means that you could spend a lot of time weighing up your options ahead of purchase… Am I more a “lavender” or a “jade” color water bottle person?
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Reusable water bottles have become increasingly popular not only as a more eco-friendly option, but as a more cost-effective and convenient must-have while traveling. Super Sparrow is a fantastic option as its bottles don’t contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound that can be found in many everyday products such as shatterproof windows and eyewear, which has also been linked to a range of health issues.
As long-time reusable water bottle drinkers, we found that the water in these bottles seemed to taste better, and hope that these bottles will continue to hold up over a long period of time. We also really liked the extensive options they have – there are standard mouth, wide mouth, straw top, and mugs and tumblers, with sizes ranging from 12oz/350ml to 51oz/1500ml – which should satisfy everyone’s thirst.
Travel can be one of the most amazing experiences in life, but packing and keeping all things in order throughout the trip can be very challenging. I always try to pack my things neatly before every trip, but after only a couple of days, everything turns into a complete mess.
I have to rifle through my bag to get something every single time and this process can be so frustrating. Having the proper gear can help you get rid of this unhappy scenario and using packing cubes may be the solution.
The Idesort Packing Cubes are luggage organizers available in several colors and are functionally every bit good. They are ultra-light, durable, zip smoothly when overstuffed, and open all the way, making packing & unpacking a breeze.
The set offers 8 cubes in 4 sizes (large, medium, small and slim) and 2 colors with a label on different packing cubes to help you keep things separate and easily identifiable. These different-sized cubes are great options for all circumstances and are perfect for suitcases and backpacks. I tried to squeeze in more and was pleasantly surprised about the mesh top’s elasticity. Plus its durable nylon fabric and solid easy-pull zippers make it possible to stuff them full without worrying about breakage. The large mesh panel allows for clear visibility without unpacking the travel bags to locate what you need.
These packing cubes are helpful not just for travel but also for closet organization or other space-saving purposes at the office or home.
I also got a 5 set of travel packing cubes with a garment folder. The 17″ garment folder is perfect for business trips as it keeps your formal shirts and dresses nice and wrinkle-free. A plastic plate with folding tips printed on it is included inside and a secret pocket where you can put your tie, handkerchief, and other kinds of travel stuff. It’s very convenient to use and can hold a lot of luggage as well.
Rip-stop Nylon
Black, Blue, Grey, Green, Rose
Large: 17.3″x 12.5″x 4.5″
Medium: 14.9″x 10.6″x 3.9″
Small: 12.9″x 8.6″x 2.95″
Slim: 11″x 6.7″x 3.9″
Garment Folder: 17″
The only drawback would be the thin sides that can’t stand up on their own, which makes them slightly difficult to pack. It’s nice that these packing cubes are water-resistant, however, there is a mesh screen so they are not entirely waterproof.
Overall, the Idesort Packing cubes do deliver their promise of affordability, durability, and functionality. They are a great solution for messy packers like myself. Not only do they help you pack and unpack your luggage neatly, they also help you fit more things, making life so much easier. A definitely must-have travel accessory.
Grab yours on Amazon
If you’ve ever visited another country you no doubt know that powering your devices can be a challenge. Unfortunately, there is no universally adopted power configuration, meaning that you’ll definitely need to invest in a power adapter at some point.
With so many options available, how do you make sure you’re choosing the right one? Today, we are reviewing the Passport Pro, a new travel adapter by Zendure.
Whenever I travel I’m always faced with the problem of figuring out what power is being used in the country or countries I’m visiting. I tend to take quite a few devices these days that require regular charging including a laptop, phone, camera, drone, power bank, GoPro, and electric shaver.
I have a few different travel adapters that I use, mostly cheap ones that are very limited and take up a lot of space yet power only a single device at a time. The Passport Pro’s multiple USB ports allow me to charge nearly all my devices at the same time which is great.
Some of the main issues I’ve found with these types of devices are that the pins can be loose in the socket and the weight of the adapter can often pull out from the wall. The Passport Pro has a slim design that definitely goes a long way toward solving this problem.
68mm x 49mm x 66mm
195g
100-250V/AC 50/60Hz 10A Max (1000W/100V or 2500V/250V)
3 standard ports and 1 USB-C port
Black, White
$35 USD
My first gripe is something that unfortunately cannot be avoided due to the nature of the device but I really wish there was some way to make these power adapters even smaller (or for the world to adopt a central pin configuration). This is one of the sleeker adapters I’ve found, yet it is still like carrying a small block in your pack which is never fun.
While the Passport Pro can be used in over 200 countries, I found it to be lacking a couple of important pin configurations. The ungrounded 2 pin plug is still somewhat common in older hotels and homes in the United States and also Australia though this is a safety issue. Zendure has chosen a safety-first stance which I appreciate.
With a wonderful form factor, this is perfect for powering multiple devices during your travels. Just be prepared to pay a little more due to the fast charging and safety this device provides.
Grab yours on Kickstarter
I’m all about action and adventure; you name it, we love to go hiking, biking, and climbing. It’s important to stay hydrated during these types of activities but I’m personally not a huge fan of carrying a water bottle and prefer a hydration system instead.
Here is my open and honest review.
I tested the Crave Outdoors Hydration Pack by putting it through its paces on a local run. Even though the bladder is BPA-free, I would certainly suggest washing it out prior to use to avoid the plastic taste you get with new products. After washing the bladder I found it to be very easy to fill up under our bathroom sink.
It did take a fair amount of fiddling around to get the straps perfectly positioned, but once done, it was quite comfortable and I really liked how light it felt, even with the full bladder weight. At least you should only need to make the adjustments one time.
There are a few pockets incorporated into the shoulder straps where you can store a small snack, like a health bar or an energy shot along with your keys and a place to keep some cash or a credit card.
As you can see, my first-generation Moto X fits (very snug). If you have an iPhone or later model android, you are out of luck and will need to keep it in the main compartment.
Waterproof 600D/PVC polyester
1.5 liters of water in hydration bag + approx 2 liters of additional internal capacity
454g (16oz) with an empty bladder
43.2cm x 5.1cm x 25.4cm (17″ x 2″ x 10″)
Blue, Red, Green
4 in the front, 2 inside pack (includes bladder pocket)
Due to the setup of the straps, it is hard to get a perfectly snug fit on your back. The strap buckles are also difficult to adjust and could be replaced with a much simpler system. It would also be better if there were two sizes available (perhaps a child and adult version).
The front-facing pockets need to be able to accommodate a five-inch or bigger phone. Currently, only a four-inch phone will fit. It would also be nice to have a small, zip-up pocket inside the main compartment to store valuables such as a wallet.
This is a great buy if you are looking for a decent hydration pack for under $50. If they can make some of the small improvements mentioned it will be an even better buy!
Grab yours on Amazon
Packing is one of those tasks we both love and loath. We love it ’cause it has a direct relationship with the excitement of an upcoming trip, yet we hate having to ‘tetris’ our clothes and belongings into our backpacks, only to remove and repack at every stop.
Well, loath no more! I recently got to test out Eagle Creek’s packing cubes, and they were a godsend. Here’s why…
I got to test two different versions of their packing cubes. The first was the Eagle Creek ‘Pack-it’ Specter Compression Cube Set (as shown on the left), and the second was the regular Eagle Creek ‘Pack-it’ Specter Set (as shown on the right).
The only real difference between the two was that the compression set contained a medium and large cube, each of which had an additional zipper that allowed the cube to be expanded (see image below). The regular set contained a small, medium, and large cube. The small cube proved to be the perfect size to fit all my toiletries.
One of my pet peeves is having to find specific items at a moment's notice in my backpack, especially when I am away on an extended trip. The huge benefit of packing cubes is segregation. You can separate your underwear in one cube, your t-shirts in the other, and toiletries in another. This makes finding things a whole lot easier and provides a barrier should something spill in your pack.
By rolling your clothes and compressing them in the cube, you end up making more space in your pack. It’s a little like those vacuum-sealed bags (without the vacuuming).
Both types of cubes are made with a very durable, lightweight nylon. You really don’t want any additional weight when packing and I definitely didn’t feel any difference by using the cubes.
Silnylon Ripstop
3 liters to 13.5 liters (expanded)
45 grams to 63 grams
14 x 10 x 4cm to 36 x 25 x 10cm
There are not a lot of areas to go wrong with a product like this but one feature I would like to see changed is the zipper. As you can see in the photo (right), the zipper stops on one side.
This is most certainly not a deal-breaker, but it would be quite a lot easier to load items if the zipper opened the whole way.
While the nylon material used seems strong, I did catch it in the zipper on a couple of occasions which could potentially result in a small tear.
While a little on the expensive side, these packing cubes are quality and worth the investment if you are looking to travel and with a limited lifetime warranty you can’t go wrong.
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On my last trip, I got to test out the Outdoor Products Amphibian Weather Defense Pack, a waterproof daypack purpose-built for outdoor adventures. The pack held up great even though it was tossed around the back of our trailer at times.
At first, I was concerned that there would not be much room but I was surprised at how much stuff I could actually fit in the main compartment. The big downfall was that this meant I spent a lot of time looking for an item that was buried at the bottom.
Overall the pack was very comfortable, even in high temperatures where I would have expected my back to sweat more. This is a great choice for rock climbers and canyoners who will be out in the elements and want to keep their gear dry.
Even though the pack only has a single storage compartment, I managed to pack quite a lot into it (enough for my 7 day trip to Yosemite).
Here is the full list of items that it fit:
Note: I wore the shoes, hat, and sunglasses.
420 Denier fabric with TPU coating
20 liters
687g (24.25oz)
58.5cm x 24cm x 19cm (23″ x 9.5″ x 7.5″)
Blue, Red, Black
Yes – welded seams and watertight, roll-top seal
The pack is basically one big container, so don’t expect to be using the other pockets too much. It would be nice to have some form of organization in the main compartment. Perhaps some pull-out sections like with the laptop compartment on the Outdoor Products Power Pack Glide 2.0. I found it a little annoying trying to find items at the bottom of the pack.
Additional gear loops would be great so you could hang your water bottle or other items that didn’t need to be inside the pack. There is currently no way of carrying a water bottle other than inside the main compartment.
If you need a basic durable waterproof pack this is an excellent choice. Just be sure to use packing cubes or similar to organize your gear.
Grab yours on Amazon
If you’re like me, travel can be a drain on the system. You see, I’m a very light sleeper. It really doesn’t take much to wake me from my slumber – a little street noise, a few people talking in the next room, that couple having sex down the hall – or worst of all the guy in my dorm snoring at the top of his lungs.
A couple of months ago while reading a travel article I came across these funky earplugs that looked like they had teeny tiny speakers in them. Of course, I was immediately intrigued and searched their website to learn more.
Designed by Doppler Labs, DUBS Acoustic Filters are a new breed of earplugs that use a sophisticated filtration system to reduce sound pressure at different frequencies. In simple terms, they turn down the volume while still allowing the sound through.
The main use case is for festivals or concerts where you really want to be able to hear the music clearly and not just receive a hot mess of noise. If you go to lots of loud concerts you should be taking steps to protect your hearing – period. DUBS are designed to even out the frequency curve while providing 12 dB of noise reduction so that the final product sounds natural.
So how did they fare in travel-related situations? I was lucky enough to be sent a pair to test out on my recent trip. Here are the results:
First of all, the packaging looks great. They fit neatly into a little carry case that you can pop into your pocket.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting a set of earplugs to produce the same level of noise reduction as an expensive pair of noise-canceling headphones, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent amount of ambient noise reduction with the DUBS.
The ambient or white noise you are subject to while flying is something that many people overlook. As soon as you try a pair of noise-canceling headphones you will realize just how loud it really is on a plane.
The best example was when I wanted to watch a movie. The flat exterior surface of the DUBS allowed me to comfortably wear the headphones provided by the airline. This combination worked great, blocking most of the outside noise while letting me hear through the headphones clearly.
This is where I was hoping for a miracle but the reality is, there is still a way to go before I will be drifting peacefully off in a dorm room (I doubt this will ever be the case). To be fair, the company doesn’t make any claims that the product is suitable for light sleepers.
One of the big pluses for me when comparing a pair of DUBS to a standard pair of disposable earplugs was that it allowed some of the noise to come through. There is nothing worse than feeling like you can hear every bodily function when you are wearing earplugs at night. In fact, I dare say it is just as detrimental to my sleep as not wearing them.
Though they look great, DUBs still have some room to improve before travelers should look to replace their disposable earplugs on the road.
Grab yours on Amazon
UPDATE: We were contacted by a representative of Doppler Labs and it seems that we were wearing the earplugs slightly wrong which could have affected the results of our tests. The following image shows the correct use.
Doppler Labs would like to point out the following – DUBS were designed to filter and reduce volume, not to eliminate noise. For example, a pair of DUBS will effectively protect a user’s hearing on an airplane by reducing the damaging decibel level of the jet engines, while still allowing the user to engage in conversations with the passengers around him or her. They are not designed or created to eliminate noise for someone that is sleeping.
For all you digital nomads out there, this is your perfect daypack! The Outdoor Products Power Pack Glide 2.0 daypack offers the perfect combination of storage, access, and comfort for all of your important items during your travels.
Frequent fliers will especially love the detachable laptop sleeve for those pesky airport scans and there is ample room to store all of your camera and electronic equipment.
High-density polyester twill.
18 liters
1.5kg (2 lbs. 5 oz)
45cm x 31cm x 17cm (17.7″ x 12″ x 6.5″)
Pewter, Military Olive, Black
Yes – removable fits 15″ laptop sleeve
My only negative was that I wish it was a little lighter, given the durable materials used combined with the vast array of compartments, this would be a difficult challenge.
In addition, it would have been awesome to include the option of a removable divider for the main compartment. This way all you photographers could section off your DSLR camera and lenses better.
I was totally surprised at how much stuff I could jam into this pack without losing any comfort. This is now my “go to” carry-on bag and is perfect for short trips.
Grab yours on Amazon
If you ever decide to make your way over to Europe for a bit of backpacking and camping, the Quechua brand sold through the Decathlon chain of stores can be a surprisingly cheap alternative. A case in point is the Arpenaz 2. This budget 2-person tent turns out to be a lot better than one would expect for the price of £ 25 GBP.
Falling into the category of a standalone tent with collapsing fiberglass poles that cross and fit onto corner metal rings for setup, the first thing you notice is that the material does not feel skimped on. The resilient plastic bottom is topped with a standard mesh top with one zip entranceway, but the cover flysheet that easily fits over the top does a pretty good job at keeping out the condensation of the morning and fairly heavy rainfall.
Being a simple construction, the tent packs up quickly, and the storage case is of a size that lets you get it back in after the first unpacking, unlike some other brands that never seem to squeeze back in unless factory folded.
120 cm wide by 205 cm in length. Max. headroom: 110 cm.
2.4 kg
16 cm diameter / 57 cm long
Green or Blue
2 years
£ 25 GBP
The only gripe could really be that the flysheet does not go out too far from the entranceway, meaning you have to bring all your gear in with you and can’t leave those smelly backpacker boots sheltered outside to air out overnight. As for the space inside, there is more than enough room for yourself and all you carry, though two people inside will get crowded, especially, as mentioned before, that you have no extended external fly to keep your kit protected outside the tent on a rainy night.
If you're looking for the best canopy tents for wind, here is our best resource.
Though it may be a fraction of a centimeter too long and just a hair heavier than you would care to haul around for an extended time, the low price, ruggedness, and quality sure make up for it.
Grab yours on Amazon