Just used my Outwell Bear Lake 6 for the first time this weekend. A lovely piece of kit, but it leaked like a sieve!
In fairness it was a horrible day, chucking it down, but it is a very expensive tent.
I have read a number of threads here about the need to 'weather' new tents and having spoken to the vendor, I was told that the weathering process 'tightens up the weave' and makes the tent more waterproof. Also that if I sent it back, all they would do is to weather it for me and if ok send it back to me and charge me the postage (which at that weight is a consideration/ threat.
Having got past the emotion and disappointment of the first night, the tent was watertight for the remainder of the trip. However, the Outwell site clearly states in its FAQ section, that weathering is NOT REQUIRED
Any comments (constructive ones!) would be appreciated
Thanks
Andy
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Hi, nylon/polyester tents don't need weathering but cotton/poly cotton/canvas tents do. After the tent gets wet the weave will close up and you should not have any problems.
I don't own a genuine poly cotton tent, but you say it was OK for the rest of the trip, so it looks like the cotton content has swollen and solved the problem.
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I don't think there is a definitive answer to this one
I weathered mine and didn't have any leaks as such, it got a bit damp round the window curtain at the front but nothing to concern me
Others haven't weathered theirs and haven't had leaks
You didn't weather yours but did have leaks
Where did it leak by the way?
It leaked mainly through the min roof sections. A bit like living in rented accomodation. Pots and pans everywhere catching the drips!
That sounds like a lot of leakage, I've heard of a fine mist falling the first time it got rained on but not drips
So it rained again on the rest of your trip and the tent was fine? If so sounds like the weave expanded and is now OK but I'd be inclined to check - can you pitch it anywhere and douse it with water and check?
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If you visit the Bear Lake 6 tent reviews you will see two posts by Colettey - the first was about the leaks she had from panels and seams alike on her first wet night; the second is an update confirming that it's been completely watertight since then.
That mirrors my own experience - I had drips forming from two or three seams, a fine mist coming in through a panel on the windy side, and was generally a bit miffed (to put it politely) after my first night. Since then, however, it's been watertight and wonderful through some pretty awful weather.
It sounds (fingers crossed) like yours is going the same way. The only mystery is why Outwell don't accept this and include it in the instructions?
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Topic: Weathering. Clarification please
