Customer Reviews

Rothco G.I. Type Camouflage Bivouac Shelter

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well a one man shelter is excellent for backpacking due to the lite weight. This one looked like it had a good design until I received it and set it up. The first thing I noticed was the floor is completely fabric with no reinforcing. A tarp is required under this tent or the floor will rip and fray immediately. Carrying a tarp kind of kills the weight advantage. As I set up the tent I heard a creaking sound. Well that was the sound of tent poles splitting! They eventually gave way completely and both broke in half. Looking at the poles, the poor quality is obvious. They look like they tried to make fiberglass poles without resin. Finally, the parts list includes a rain fly. Unfortunately there was no such item included. When I received this product, there were no reviews so I wanted to put this up and let people know to watch out.

I used the Camouflage Bivouac Shelter when I went hiking in the cold mountains of France. When it arrived I was disappointed, a cheap looking Shelter if there ever was one. I took it anyways, paying the price later when it rained heavily. All though I had a good sleeping bag, the Shelter tore instantly in cold wind, the stakes snapped and rips were everywhere. By day 5 it was just a ripped up tarp and I had to sleep in my good sleeping bag during the cold rain storm. Invest in a good three-season tent for $200 - $500.

I bought this for a bike tour that never materialized and instead took it into Wyoming's Wind River Mountains and on other small adventures. I generally agree with the other reviewers, especially in regards to the quality of construction and material.

Pros:
- Lightweight. At 3 pounds or so, it really does save weight. However, I'd readily trade another pound or two for higher quality (see below).
- Packs small. Saves room in your pack for booze and fishing gear.
- Relatively easy setup. Provided you're not a moron, you'll be able to set up sans directions and at night with a headlamp.
- Camo. You'll feel all paramilitary and stuff.
- Low profile. I have yet to see this perform in howling winds, but I'm guessing stong winds will pass over it to some degree.

Cons:
- Delicate. Don't camp in thistles, on rocks, or near a nail factory. Also do not let your cat near it.
- Cramped. I was interested in minimalist sleeping gear and almost went with a true bivvy sack. This sucker is only slightly more than a bivvy sack and pretty hard to enter / exit. It also leaves no room for gear or Fido unless Fido is a lapdog / wolf snack.
- The poles are flimsy. They make me nervous. I'm waiting for them to break.

The Lowdown:
Meh. If you really want something that's more than a bivvy sack and less than a car camping tent, consider the Texsport Saguaro, a remarkable bargain and far roomier than the Rothco GI shelter.

Lets face it, I have bought $15 tents from K-mart that lasted at least a season. I cant believe at all that a tent, no matter how cheap, couldn't last 5 days in normal conditions. Now on the other hand if your trying to camp out in hurricane then you might have problems. I have the this tent and camped/hiked with it for 3 years. Yes, one of the poles eventually snapped on me and now I'm looking for a replacement. This time I will pay more but if your looking for a small, light tent for cheap and your not going to wrestling grizzlies inside the tent like the 1st two guys that rated this tent then I'd say go for it. Seriously, what do ya have to lose. Look around and you can find them cheaper but it was a good deal. I got my money out of it and one night it rained so much that I had a pool of water under the tent when I woke up. It was not drenched inside but slightly damp. I think it held the elements well for the intended purpose. If you can afford to spray a little waterproof spray on it the I think you'll find its a good buy. These guys that talk trash are wanting a $500 tent for $50. No, its not a $500 tent. Its a $50 tent worth more than what they are charging. Its not a name brand but a very able tent if you take care of it. And if for some reason you didnt get a rainfly.. send it back!

I bought this tent from a different seller and I want to leave my review, just because I feel there's a need for anther GOOD REVIEW about this tent. First of all, I agree with the other good review that was posted about how someone thinks they're going to get a $500.00 tent for $50.00, I got this tent for a GREAT price, but I am also going to add a few things to make it an even better tent. I figure if I spend $50.00 to buy it, and put another $20.00 into it, I will have a $300.00-$400.00 tent for $70.00 just for not being lazy and adding some upgrades to it! If you are lazy and don't have the imagination to make it a better tent(it doesn't take much)you shouldn't be out in the woods alone in the first place. You can pick ANY product that you can find online, and read the reviews on it. 80% of them are bad reviews, because when something is a good product, nobody bothers to write a good review on it. It's only when people think that it should be the greatest product in the world, and it's not to them, that they cry about it. 100 years ago, they didn't have tents and the Native Americans used what they could get from nature to survive. So instead of complaining how bad this tent is because it didn't come with a rain fly, or poles that hold up for 30 years, or even a 50" plasma t.v. and someone to set it up for you. Here's an idea, stay out of the woods and in your home laying down on the couch with your margarita and ipod by your side having everything handed to you. Or better yet, BUY A CAMPER!!! All you need to survive in the woods is a knife, whether you buy one or make one!!! So do us all a favor, if you don't have one of them, don't go buy one at your local flee market for a $1.00, and expect to get a top of the line sword that will cut through rope like butter! Because you'll be back online complaining about that too. Survival is REALITY! Happy trails!!!