Big Agnes Bunk House 8 Tent

The Big Agnes Bunk House 8 Tent is a very tall tunnel type freestanding 2-room shelter with two large vestibules, and supported with quality DAC aluminum poles.

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Key features & benefits

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Overview

This Big Agnes Bunk House 8 Tent is the largest in their Bunk House series. There is also the Big Agnes Bunk House Camping Tent 6 Person described here in the text, but this is a very different construction.

So you have a tunnel-shaped hubbed structure of a particular type shown in the picture below where you see the tent without the fly. There is a ridge pole that crosses the three loops and it attaches to the ends above the doors. Because of this the doors are completely vertical.

This attachment above the doors creates tension in the canopy fabric, and in combination with the two hub elements on the roof, this all makes the tent freestanding. There are no many tunnel tents that can be described as freestanding.

But there is a full coverage fly that creates two vestibules that must be staked to be functional. You can see below how it looks. I wish to stress also that there are no many tunnel tents with such a full fly. So the tent is true double-layer type.

Below you can see how the vestibule flap can be rolled to the sides to keep it out of way when not needed. In such a configuration, you can move and rotate the tent before securing it to the ground against sudden winds.

The mat which you see here is only on one side. Note also that the tent is very tall with its 82 inches (208 cm) peak height.

Rooms

The tent is formally a two-room configuration with a central divider. The floor plan below shows what it offers an some dimensions:

The divider is just a curtain as you see in the picture below:

You do not have to use it, see how the inner looks when you move the divider to the side:

Materials

The poles: You have high quality DAC lightweight aluminum pole set. If you are new to this, then it is good to know that DAC is the leading manufacturer of tent poles. The poles attach to tent body with plastic clips. This is an easy setup with color-coded webbing and buckles. 

The fabric: The fly and floor are polyester with a 1500 mm waterproof polyurethane coating. All seams are taped with waterproof polyurethane tape. This number may look low, but you will never need more with properly done seams.

Velcro tabs connect fly to pole structure providing perfect pitch and extra stability. The canopy is a breathable polyester, coated polyester, and nylon mesh.

Ventilation

There is plenty of mesh on the canopy for ventilation. The two doors have a part that is double-layer mesh and zippered panel, so you can easily create air cross flow in this elongated structure. 

Surprisingly, there are no vents on the fly and vapor has no many options to escape when you are forced to keep vestibules closed. 

Other features

• Webbing harness included for use in Shelter Mode set up, see the picture below. This is a great variant to use the tent as a sunshade for picnics or in the garden.

• You can use it also with a footprint (to be ordered separately), and this is then the classic fast fly variant with a floor:

• 16 Interior mesh pockets.
• 18 Lightweight aluminum hook stakes.
• Multiple interior loops (here you can attach their gear lofts, accessories, and mtnGLO® Tent & Camp Lights, all sold separately).
• You get a backpack-style carry bag with adjustable shoulder straps, webbing handles, and zip closure.
• Quick Stash door keeper on tent body doors for stowing unzipped doors.
• Storm flaps on the vestibule zippers for protection from the elements.
• Ready to pitch with pre-cut reflective guy lines and tensioners attached to fly.

Please see more in this video:

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Who is it for

Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 8 people, and it offers 104 ft² (9.7 m²) of the floored area. This means 13 ft² (1.2 m²) per person. This is very similar to what you can have in The North Face Wawona 8 Tent.

But the two vestibules add 25 + 25 ft² (2.3 + 2.3 m²). So this is not exactly a castle, it is best to downgrade the number of users for up to 6 maximum. I see it perfect for two couples because of its two separate rooms and each with its own door and vestibule for storage.

Regarding seasons & climate, they describe it as a 3-season tent, so it can be used that way. But there is lots of mesh that is not closable, and this is not the best design for a cold environment.

On the other hand, it is really pity that they did not add vents on the fly. In the case of a prolonged rain, there can be problems with condensation.

But the tent will protect you from the elements, the massive fly is a guarantee you will remain dry from the rain. 

Regarding the weight, the tent is moderately light or moderately heavy, this depends on how you look at it. The weight is 22 lb 15 oz (10.4 kg). They give the trail weight but this is immaterial because you would not carry such a tent on the trail. 

But it can be used in its specific fast fly variant and this can be without a footprint as shown in the pictures above. The weight in this case is 14 lb 14 oz (6.75 kg).

The packed size is 27 x 16 x 10 inches (69 x 41 x 25 cm), so I would describe it as a bit bulky, but this is not so bad.

Regarding the price, the tent is expensive as usual with Big Agnes, but this is a quality product.

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Specifications

• Weight: 22 lb 15 oz (10.4 kg).
• Official capacity: 8 people.
• Dimensions: 238 x 100 in (605 x 254 cm).
• Inner area: 104 ft² (9.7 m²).
• Inner area per person: 13 ft² (1.2 m²).
• Vestibules area: 25 + 25 ft² (2.3 + 2.3 m²).
• Peak height: 82 in (208 cm).
• Packed size: 27 x 16 x 10 in (69 x 41 x 25 cm).

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Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all the tents here in the site so that you can easily compare:

 

BEST PLACEs TO BUY:

Amazon

Campsaver

More tents from this brand you will find in my separate text with best Big Agnes camping tents. For more tents of this shape please check in the category Tunnel Tents.

Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.