91 Reviews of the Bear Lake 6
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By: Travellerrr Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating:
We love this tent. Big windows, three doors, two bedrooms, zip in bucket groundsheet to keep out any weather, flyscreens on windows and doors.Great for our family of four and also for accommodating extra guests (we have had grandparents stay).
We also have the front extension, which we would say is essential for a guaranteed great camping experience even if the weather buckets down - we've got young kids so having the extension provides an admin area (we set up our table/chairs, food/chiller, cooker and bikes/buckets/toys in this area) leaving the inside for reading, rolling around, playing if it is too mucky to be outside. We have camped without the extension, and we coped, but really regretted leaving it at home.
We recommend the footprint too, as it allows (almost) everything to stay clean and dry (provided tent is dry) when you pack up, even if the ground is wet/muddy.
If you've got young kids the carpet is excellent, however with older kids (or none) it may not be needed - nice to sit around on but another thing to clean and pack up.
One thing I would say, is if you haven't seen this tent set up go and find one, so you can get a sense of how big it is; it does take at least two people to put up, and also takes up a lot of room in the car (we've an estate and had to get a roof box).
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By: RobertSongs Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating:
Upgraded our sunncamp vario 6 to the Bear Lake 6. Pitched it for the first time this week had to do this on my own while my wife kept our two kids busy and it was easy I used the one pole in at a time method starting from the front and working towards the back then I pulled the canopy up at the end. To get everything set up right down to opening a bottle of wine to celebrate took just under two hours.
It is a big tent and comes in two very large bags which were larger coming home than they were going but I packed it up in a bit of a hurry with dark clouds threatening and in heavy winds so I am gonna have to repack it when the weather is better as space is of premium in our car. I did not bother weathering the tent before use as it clearly says on all the literature provided that this is NOT required on our two day stay at Top End Farm in Beds we had typical British weather HEAVY rain, strong wind And Sunshine the tent was completely water tight and hardly moved in the wind when the sun shone. It stayed very comfortable inside by just opening a couple of side vents above the windows.
All in all I think you would be hard pushed to find a better tent it was pricey but worth it. We are looking forward to spending many holidays around the country in a fantastic tent.
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By: Steveandjo Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:
We bought the BL6 last year and it has been through some very rough weather. Whilst other tents(and campers) were giving up our tent stayed firm and did us proud. You can now get a front canopy for it making extra space. The tent is heavy! and does not pack away small. So we had to invest in a trailer as well. OK to put up, best with 2 people. All in all a fantastic tent. No tent envy here!
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By: Timjsearle Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:
Bought this last spring-2010. Love the tent. The 4 berth side of the inner is large enough for our 3 tier inflatable kingsize airbed. With fitted sheets and quilt is home from home. We wanted a tent with sturdy groundsheet to withstand dogs wear and tear. This zip in one is excellent. Windows are good and can be opened when weather is warm. Only minor con is, although not tricky, takes a lot of huff and puff to erect. However, once up, it's quality all round. We paid just under £700 for a new box unopened one at a camping show. Well worth it.
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By: Tonyduck Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:
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!
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By: Jon_tee Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating:
To be fair the tent is pretty much ideal for all family camping situations, from a weekend break to a week or two away.
The Bear Lake is pretty much the best all round tent money can buy.
The Polycotton material ensures you are kept cool in the morning while other campers are forced out of their 'oven like' tents, following the sunrise on a fine day.
Conversely this tent is extremely robust in poor weather; it can withstand the wind better than others, providing a safe haven in the unpredictable English weather.
Pitching is NOT a formidable task despite its size. The exoskeleton is made up of four semi circular poles, (five if you include the canopy), and is kept simple by the symmetrical (simple) design of the tent.
Consider carefully from where you purchase your Outwell tent!
Although prices vary considerably, ensure the retailer has a no quibble replacement/refund process on faulty/defective tents.
It is worth noting that Outwell refuse point blank to deal with the consumer. Outwell (Oase Outdoors) leave the customer service completely to the 'tertiary company', (the retailer).
In this case: Yeomans Outdoors who provided appalling customer service following purchase of a defective tent. They initially refused point blank to refund/replace, and generally made life very difficult.
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By: Tenthappy Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating:
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!
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By: Paul Reddington Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating:
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
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By: Stuandtan Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating:
After spending weeks, and I really do mean weeks, researching tent reviews on here and watching endless videos online. We'd also been to Go Outdoors and our local specialist indie shop, Norwich Camping and Leisure and received some great advice. We really wanted a poly cotton to cut down on the plastic bag rustle and stuffiness of regular polyester tents. A few quid more, ok nearly double, but so much more comfortable.
We wanted loads of living space and the Bear Lake does that. We can get two large hammocks in there and still have plenty of space for storage. I'm 6'5' and the good lady is 5'11' so we need good head room, we also need plenty of room in the bedroom area too. Another big 'YES' for the Bear Lake.
I could go on and on.I normally do! It's heavy and Outwell should have charged another £100 for a proper trolley bag for the main tent but hey ho. I wish they did a better quality carpet but at least the tent has the heavy duty zipped in groundsheet in the main & bedroom area. You really need this if you want comfort and durability. Prepare for colour fading of the canvas in the first six months but it's no big deal in my opinion.
The best all around tent we could find for around £1000 and we paid a whole lot less. Outstanding Outwell! Thanks to Norwich Camping & Leisure too :)
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By: Dbice Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating:
Bought this tent recently and used it on its 1st outing to Norfolk and to north Yorkshire.
Plus points are:-
Its quiet and doesn't rustle noisily in winds and it feels very stable and planted.
Lots of window/door opening and venting options so it doesn't get excessively hot inside in the sun.
We had a terrific thunderstorm with torrential rain 1 day and it was completely watertight. In fact it was soooo watertight that I had left a window open and hadnt noticed it, but later on someone else asked if that was water in the tent! - the rain had come in the open window ( the mesh was down - so disguised the open window!) and collected in the rolled up window pocket - but it didnt leak or drain anywhere - it just stayed there - a huge pocket of water! - I was impressed as to how watertight the fabric actually is.
Negatives - for the size of tent we found getting a double height double airbed into the main bedroom was a tight squeeze if you wanted the bed to be inline with the tent ( which we wanted due to the slope in the ground or one of us would be rolling into the other during the night ). I don't know how Outwell can call this a 6 berth - we felt comfortable with 4 of us - but 6 is just ridiculous!.
There is only 1 place to hang a lamp! - only 1 central hanging point in the centre of the living area isn't really sufficient - id love to sew some into each corner of the living area plus more into the bedroom pods - hanging points are sorely missing in this tent!
The sheet of pockets on the front of the bedrooms and under the front windows are useful - but got to remember to empty them before packing up the tent!
The bag for the tent is great as the tent rolled up actually fits into the bag!
The ground sheet is very heavy and awkward to handle - I realise this comes with the quality and ruggedness of this tent - but it is hard work to fold up after camp.
The front porch is next to useless as it doesn't come all the way down to the ground! - during a heavy rainstorm we had to move everything under the porch to the centre of the porch to stop things from getting soaked - the fabric really needs to reach down to the ground and I might look at buying some fabric to sew onto the bottom of the porch material to do this.
The front extension replacing the porch works in this respect but it has no front protection so in windy wet weather it becomes almost useless as the wind blows the rain in, soaking everything - an optional / detachable window/door panel on here would help greatly.
Outwell are a bit cheeky in that they expect you to utilise the included front porch pole for the 1st leg of the front extension (the extension replaces the porch canopy altogether except for its pole!. We were lucky as this was the tents 1st outing we had the porch bits with us ( and the pole! ) - but I can see situations where some folks would leave the porch pole at home assuming the front extension comes with the necessary poles - which it does only as long as you bring the porch pole with you ( and leave just the porch fabric behind! ).
We also bought the side extension but we find this useless really as its very short only about 1m, (unlike the front extension) - and also it doesn't have a front panel/door so in the rain anything in this area will get wet if there is the slightest breeze/wind with the rain. - I wouldnt recommend buying the side extension for this tent as its pretty much useless! its also quite a polava trying to attach as uv got to get a large piece of extension over the tent roof and guy it down on other side of the tent and at same time trying to make sure its all even and square - took us as long to try to fix the sagging roof (which would have turned into a fishpond if it had rained and we had left it) as it took to put up the main tent! this side extension really needs a front of some sort to give protection from the rain in this area to make it useful.
This is an excellent tent but its not perfect, but what tent is?, however I would still recommend it as a strong, pleasant place to camp in. Its disadvantages are minor niggly points and no tent is a perfect fit for everyone who buys it but I like this tent and will be keeping it for some time I hope.
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91 User Reviews of the Bear Lake 6 - Showing 51 to 60 Page:
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Smart, stylish and full of Outwell innovation, the Bear Lake 6 sleeps six in two bedroms with an airy feel to the panorama front from its large tinted windows. The zip-off front canopy offers extra dimensions of shelter and storage for flexible family tent living, particularly practical for cooking.
Type of tent: Three room tunnel tent Sleeps people: 6 Flysheet: Outtex® Airtech (65% cotton / 35% polyester) Inner tent: Breathable 100% pongee polyester Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 living room Poles: Alloy poles #6063, 22 mm, 2 upright steel poles Floor: Tarpaulin PVC coated 100% polyester, 10,000 mm hydrostatic head Groundsheet: Sealed Ground System, Zip-out Pitching way: Flysheet first or as one Pack size flysheet: 31 x 106 cm Pack size poles: 27 x 106 cm Weight flysheet: 26.3 kg Weight poles: 26.6 kg
