Outwell Bear Lake 6

We bought our Outwell Bear Lake 6 a couple of years ago and have had water leaking in through the side windows in the main living compartment on both occasions the tent has been used. The problem is significant enough to warrant us having to move our belongings away from the sides of the compartment to avoid them getting sodden. Making for rather a stressful camping experience.

We really liked the design of the tent although the awning should reach the ground to avoid water pool infront of the tent when it rains. But we were surprise that a tent of this quality and price leaks! Obviously a design flaw.

We are hoping to get a refund!

AVOID BUYING OUTWELL: Following purchase of one faulty Bare Lake 6 tent (in excess of £700) from Yeomansoutdoors (UK) who refused to refund nor initially replace I contacted Outwell. Outwell never actually responded to my letters, although they were sent recorded delivery to both the UK and Denmark head offices, (Outwell & Oase Outdoors).

Therefore I conclusively conclude Outwell (aka Oase Outdoors) give no concern to their customers following sale of their products. Needless to say Aren sons Henrik Aren (apointed Managing Director in 2004) is only concerned about sales and not customer satisfaction nor customer service. They leave the customer service to the tertiary company.

In this case Yeomans outdoors who as a company provide appalling customer service. Although the Tent in question may be good the level of support provided by both Outwell (Oase Outdoors) and Yeomansoutdoors is shockingly low. If you decide (despite my warning) to purchace an Outwell product avoid Yeomansoutdoors. Shop elsewhere, for example Go Outdoors (who no quibble replace/refund faulty products).

Want proof? Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KBQX_44iNI ensuring you look at the photos, the URL is included in video description.

Brilliant Tent, laid down to sleep with a gale blowing in from the Atlantic (60 / 70 mph winds)& slept like a baby. Absolutely no worries regarding durability & stability. Also it was nice not to have leaks where the canvas slaps against the poles!

Very warm & snug, zipped in groundsheet makes a world of difference.

Price does seem a bit over the top, but then again, I suppose if you want quality you have to pay for it... although it does seem a bit mean that you are not supplied with the footprint mat.

Overall nothing but praise really, no major snags or complaints, all in all a very good family tent.

This tent is probably the best around its spacious,comfortable and the ground sheet is so thick nothing would peirce through it. its homely and with the carpet in is cosy.It has been in torrential rain when the site has flooded and not one bit of rain has ever come in. I dont recommend getting the footprint the groundsheet is far superior. The only negatives i have are that the tent inner needs to have a tie on the back of the bedrooms to pull it back more and to stop it drooping near your head theyve done this in the virginia 5 which we also have and it does make a difference and opens up the bedrooms a little more. I love the bear lake and miss it if we take our smaller tent away.Everywhere we go people comment and want to ask us about it!

We originally bought our Bear Lake 6 in 2008 and had to send our first one back due to an imperfection in the material on the roof of the tent. We have used our replacement tent twice now and unfortunately both uses were in very heavy rain. On both occasions we had leaks which came into the tent from seams and around the windows. We are due to go camping again in a few months time so we are going to erect the tent in our garden first and waterproof all the problem areas . The Bear Lake 6 is a very comfortable and sturdy tent although is very heavy and can be a little tricky to put up.

We've had ours for 2 years - about 7 weeks camping in total - and absolutely love it. We're a family of five and the size is perfect for us, with the ideal living space. Yes carpet is a must. We manage fine without footprint (the groundsheet is industrial strength!) Yes it wraps up big and heavy - its cotton not nylon - and that's a price worth paying. We still manage to get it in a Zafira (with roofbox - no trailer). Yes, front door zip is tight on first pitching. We also had same problems with stitching on one bedroom hook and fixed it ourselves. Ours was 2008 so I would guess they've dealt with these issues now. Even with these minor issues this is the best tent by far we've ever had (and we've had a few). I haven't looked at another tent since...

Really is in a league of its own - a super tent that has more than exceded my highest expectations - I LOVE using this tent and its design is fab.

A few niggles - that the front door zip is tight, one of the bedrooms pods had to be sent away for a small stiching repair ( nothing really, but you dont expect that on a quality tent ) the first time we used it got well behind the curtains ( never happened since ) and the SIDE EXTENSION which is a MUST BUY ! could have been a tad bigger with perhaps the ability to zip it up at night, but apart from that, this is a wonderful tent. It takes a while to put it up and the carpet and footprint are in my opinion essential ! - Any negatives - well not really other than the weight and size of the thing when packed away - Really do love the Bear Lake 6

The Outwell Bear Lake 6 is a great tent and worth the extra you pay - just got back from a weekend of absolutely torrential rain - basically a river running under the tent and not a drop inside - hard to believe- spacious, cool in the hot and warm enough when it's cool. pretty much a camping novice but can out it up in around an hour on my own including groundsheet, bedroom etc.

The Outwell Bear Lake 6 tent is very spacious and we found it to be the best all round. We looked at loads and after 3 trips last year loved it.

The reviewer below me must not know mcuh about outwell bear lake tents because its is one of the best tents out there in the current market. I brought my one from newquay camping and leisure .co .uk they dont stock it but they ordered it in at a cracking price of £750