Tent Showcase: Outwell Bear Lake 6
Tent Showcase Index > Outwell > Bear Lake 6 Reviews
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Yes
6 (more 6 berth tents)
54.70 KG
£1,269.90
2
Bathtub
In one
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Average User Rating:
9.2/10 from 69 reviews
Viewed: 49840 times
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69 Reviews of the Bear Lake 6 Showing 21 to 30 Page:
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By: Mark+Jill Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating:  Date: 05/12/2010
We bought the BL6 after looking around for most of the summer 2008. Before the BL6 we had a trigano so we were looking out for a canvas/polycotton and the bear ticked all the right boxes.
As others have said it's heavy and it is a two man job to put up, although we now use the Yeomans way which we find much easier.
We have now used it for two years and have no issues with quality, our only grumble is that the front canopy does not go to the ground.
This is a great tent and we would recommend it to any one.
2 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?  
By: Tenthappy Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:  Date: 02/11/2010
Tent selection:
After much deliberation and trudging around camping shows last Easter, I chose the Outwell Bear Lake 6 and am very glad that I did. Yes, it is expensive and heavy but it is polycotton and just so quiet in the wind and also not so stifling in the summer heat. It is nothing less than an awesome tent and looks like it means business (other campers do feel the need to check it out when you are pitched so not for the shy and retiring amongst you).
Tent durability:
Out of the tunnel-style tents, it was the only one I saw with extra side poles that connect the arches and this makes it that bit more stable. We have had wind and rain and this tent just shrugs off the elements with an air of superiority. On a coastal site, we saw one tent in the bin after a windy night but nothing seemed to have happened to the Bear Lake 6 - all the poles seemed to be in their correct shape. I would also recommend paying extra for the footprint - this is brilliant in wet/muddy conditions and ensures a dry tent and groundsheet when packing down - the footprint is lightweight and easy to wash and dry before you go home. The tent is attractive and well made, with loads of room for a family and the large table and all the other things you need for camping. Nothing has broken or ripped after a full season of use and mud splashes sponge off easily. It has withstood the onslaught from the children, so that must be a sign of quality and durability. Another plus point is that it is an investment. When I was looking, I saw fairly old ones going on well-known online auction sites for ludicrous sums of money.
Ease of setting up:
Although setting up is straightforward (it is obvious which poles go where etc), it is not a quick put-up and the whole unit weights a ton. I'm sure you could do this by yourself, you just wouldn't want to put yourself or your back through the hassle. We are used to camping and have put up this tent a few times now but bank on 1-2 hours from start to finish (including putting up the inner tent and getting all the beds inflated and table set up etc). The zip on the (very well made and sturdy) groundsheet is also fairly hard to operate and would benefit from a little spray with something to ease its passage before you go. I would recommend getting a couple of extra wheelie bags and dividing up the poles and zip-in groundsheet and also the tent and inner tent to reduce the weight of individual bags.
Ease of transportation:
We have a large car and scoffed when we saw comments about people needing a trailer with this tent. One camping trip and a large portion of humble pie later, we now also have a camping trailer and life is that much easier. Top tip: fit out the rear of your trailer with a camping fridge and oven/hob and it parks perfectly under the front awning to make for more comfortable cooking.
Summary:
So in summary, not cheap but I am banking on getting £600 back in a couple of years so why not camp in style! We tried camping this October and with electric hookup and a little heater, this was nice and cosy and even the kids were snug at night. Another top tip, once you have a trailer you will have the space to afford yourselves the luxury of taking a 15 tog duvet and pillows, so much nicer than a sleeping bag. I put all the bedding in those plastic storage bags, which you then shrink down by sucking out the air with a hoover. Take a 12 volt pump with suck action and it does a pretty good job during the packing down to come home. Would I recommend this tent to a friend? Definitely, treat yourself and don't forget to buy the trailer while you are at it!
4 from 4 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: HELEN.H Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 15/10/2010
Myself and partner can put this tent up without injury or argument. Yes it is that easy. Its comfy and very roomy. It has withstood high winds without so much as a sound. Truly fantastic to stay in. Well designed and thought out. Will be using it for many more trips yet. Still need to add more words so. Ground sheet good and thick. Great head space and well designed ventilation. Performs beautifully on every trip we have used it for. Its a real star
1 from 1 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Hillybilly15 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 11/10/2010
On reaching retiring age and our overdue mid life crisis we purchased BL6 and took up camping. For over 2 years we have thoroughly enjoyed using this tent. Yes.Its heavy and Yes.There are drawbacks at our age.The muscles are not as strong as they were.But the joys of using this superb tent far outweigh the issues. We also purchased the side extension which is ideal for extra storage and cooking but why oh why Outwell didn't you put a door on it making it more versatile. A few problems with the front door zip (which I understand have now been solved in newer products). We also have a Nevada M with front extension but we are glad we took BL6 on our recent trip to Arran. Gales and rain were the order of the night, so bad the ferries stopped sailing. With gusts of wind up to 90mph and rain the like of which I have rarely experienced the BL6 stood proudly while all around campers/caravanners were battered into submission.Tents and awnings ripped and poles bent while we sat it out snug and SMUG. BL6 is definitely a considered purchase at a hefty price but I would recommend this range to anyone it is an excellent product
2 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Sunvalleysue Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: Date: 24/09/2010
We bought the Bearlake 6 in August 2010 after reading positive reviews by UKCS members and we wasn't disappointed,we LOVE it.
Yes it is heavy and does need a bit of car space,but its quite easy to put up once you have a had a couple of goes.
We experienced wind and heavy rain on our first outing and it stood up well,not letting a single drop of water in.
The ZIG is very thick (weighs 13 kg) and is really top quality,as are all the materials used on the tent.The front canopy zips off when not in use and keeps the rain away from the front door,a bonus when you are returning when its raining,giving you chance to take your wet things off before entering the tent.
We zip off the ZIG and keep it in a separate bag.This way it keeps the weight down and makes the tent easier to roll up and put away.
We keep the inner in another bag.
The polycotton fabric is much more stable in wind than polyester and also much cooler when the sun is shining on it.
1 from 1 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Tonyduck Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: Date: 21/09/2010
Just been on our first weekend away with our BL6. Took 2 boys (2 and 5) and we found we had tons of space. Pretty quick to put up (we arrived at the campsite at 7 pm so had to be quick to put it up in daylight!). Zip in groundsheet fab. Only niggle is I'd prefer a 3/3 split for the inner tent/bedrooms as the 2 sleeper pod is a bit cramped for an adult and a child with inflatable mattresses.
Other than that, buy one! The weight will help build your muscles!
1 from 1 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: W25mat Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:  Date: 20/09/2010
My bl6 was great until I found a hole in the front window fly screen which you bl6 fans might think is not usual but having camped with a fellow bl6 owner who may I add was also on there first outing in there new 2010 tent also found holes in there canvas and had several leeks on the seems . I was also camping with a Montana 6 which also had a fault consisting of a over stitched zip which meant the window would not open is this just very unlucky or is it common . I'm sure the shop where we got them from will help us out but the problem should end with Outwell but as with most big companies you cant contact them.
1 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Paul Reddington Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 06/09/2010
Go on, you know you want one! We spied BL6 pitched at Yeomans August 2009 and despite the hefty price tag to go with the hefty construction, bought it, plus the side extension and footprint groundsheet - handy for sizing up your pitch.
Reasons why we bought it:
Cooler and quieter than all the nylon tents on a hot breezy day
Looks great - colour and shape
Sturdy feel to the material and all the zips
Less prone to the UV damage that the nylon ones also on display at Yeomans (since April) showed
Great reviews all over the internet
Good size for me, the missus and three boys
We took it on a two site 14 day trip last year (talk about jumping in the deep end!) to Gloucester and Noongallas in Cornwall. I took the precaution of proofing it with a tent sealer in the garden before we left, and had no trouble with leaks, other than our fault where the baby's cot was putting the bedroom inner in touch with the outer material.
The BL6 coped great with everything the British weather had to throw at it, especially in Cornwall. Torrential rain, high winds (this year we had 40mph gusts at Norfolk) and we love it.
On the negative side, the bedroom inner had a clip and strap missing out of the pair at the rear, which meant the remaining one took all the strain and the material ripped. Yeomans were extremely helpful, after seeing that all the other stock had the same fault they sewed a strap onto our inner for us and gave the option of swapping for a brand new one, which we will, as one of the bedroom pockets is split.
We have had some difficulty with the front door zip, best to erect it with it shut and not to over-tension nearby pegs.
The front canopy is great to sit under, but really needs to have two removable panels that go down to the floor, as when the wind is up, you have to have a windbreak erected. We found it really hard to cook at the windy Cornish site, due to the pitch not being large enough to erect the extension, which we now use for all our cooking gear. When I get round to it, I'm going to make two clip-on side panels - anyone know who sells the clips?
We cart it round in a trailer as it's heavy and the three bags (with the side extension) take up a lot of room.
Like others, we have a lot of people admiring it and have given 'tours'. In Norfolk this Bank Holiday there were three more on site, plus a BL4 which was fine for a couple with no kids.
With side panels on the front porch and better quality control - 10/10
3 from 3 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Suzy Warren-Harris Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: Date: 31/08/2010
I am in love with my tent. I love every aspect of it. I have just come back from a week away (my first time in my new tent), with my 2 children and we experienced some of the worst weather you could imagine ever. The tent was amazing!
My Dad kept telling me that I should weather my tent, but unfortunately, I ran out of time, so decided to go for it and weather it whilst I was in it! We experienced a small leak during the torrential rain. Other people at the site however were flooded. The 30mph winds made no impression at all on the tent. It was as sturdy as it is heavy. The noise of the rain was heard, but was nothing like my old plastic tent. In fact, I would say that the noise was more from the tents around us, rather than mine.
My children had plenty of room in their bedroom, my only disappointment was that I had bought the discontinued 'kids bedroom' on ebay to go with it, and was unable to put it in, as it didn't fit the 2010 bedroom, but will try and fix that some how! The other larger bedroom was plenty big enough for 4. We had all of our bags in there as well.
The polycotton fibre kept us warm in the cold weather and stayed cool in the hot weather, especially when we opened up the windows and side doors - it was cooler than being in my house!
I had so many positive comments from people passing by, about how fabulous my tent was, and they're right! I bought the side extension too, along with the footprint and carpet. I would recommend that if you are ever camping in the rain/cold, that both of these items would be invaluable.
To cut a long story short - if you have the money, and you want to go camping for many years to come - but this tent! I AM IN LOVE WITH MINE!
3 from 3 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
By: Nkawecki Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: Date: 10/08/2010
Love it, Love it, LOVE IT!
What more can I say. Yes it is expensive but you get what you pay for and you won't be using the BL6 for a few seasons, this tent is for LIFE!
The whole feel of the tent is first class, from the moment you open the box it screams QUALITY! The bag that the tent comes in is the same material and style as the tent, the pegs are more robust than the standard pegs, poles perfectly made and slot together beautifully. The ZIG is a great innovation and keeps the drafts and bugs out, even though a bit tricky to find the starting point when you first pitch. And the pitching is a joy. Everything is tolerance great and there is no struggling with getting the rings into the bottom of the poles. Took me 20 minutes to pitch on my first attempt and sure I could easily do it in 10 by the end of the season. The vents and windows are great keeping the tent cooler than any I have been in thus far. Inside is spacious and light with enough pockets for any family to keep everything tidy. The inner tent clips in great and can be tensioned to form a great shape. We also bought the carpet and side extension which are bought of the same quality are really finished the tent off and make the whole space that more homely!
Only bad point is the weight of the two bags. The first bag has the outer tent, inner bedroom and front porch, which to be fair is heavy, and am glad that the straps on the bag are made of stern stuff! Then the pole and ground sheet bag. If you’re not a 15 stone beef cake like me then get an extra pair of hands, they are extremely heavy especially when lifting in and out of a trailer. But this does emphasise the quality and this thing does not move or make a murmur in the strongest of wind!
Have read a few comments about the front door on earlier models but have to say ours is perfect and very easy to open and close.
All in all great tent and glad we spent the extra. The only reason we could think off to change this tent would be to go for the Wolf Lake 7!
2 from 3 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?
69 User Reviews of the Bear Lake 6 - Showing 21 to 30 Page:
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Manufacturer's Description
This spacious version of the Bear Lake sleeps 6 persons comfortably in 4 + 2-berth inner cabins that have standing height. Easy to pitch, the stability of this tent is enhanced by the sturdy alloy pole system and the numerous guying points. Other strong selling points include the zip-out tarpaulin groundsheet in the living area, the zip-off front canopy, low-light windows, no-see-um mesh screen doors, 2 side doors, 1 front door, and excellent all-round ventilation. Bear Lake 6 is a high-quality family tent that will provide years of service life and trouble-free camping.
Specifications:
Flysheet: Outtex® Airtech
Inner tent: Polycotton
Floor: PVC Tarpaulin
Pack size: Tent: 40 x 101 cm / Poles: 24 x 100 cm
Weight: Tent: 38.6 kg / Poles: 13.1 kg
Poles: Alloy poles #6063, 22
Features:
• Zip-off front canopy
• Organiser pockets
• Full length mesh pockets in the inner tents
• Lamp holder and light cable tidies
• Reinforcement patch on all stress points
• Adjustable pegging points
• Luminous guy ropes
• Heavy duty Outwell zips
• Outwell doormat included
Optional Extras:
• Carpet
• Footprint
... there may be more info on their website
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