Outwell Clarkston 6A Tent is an inflatable tent with air beams instead of poles, and with 27 m² of the area in its 4 rooms. This is a reliable tent with a huge waterproof rating.
Key features & benefits
- Air beam technology.
- 4 Rooms.
- Huge area.
- Solid PVC windows.
- Huge waterproof rating.
- Dark rest features.
- All doors with mesh.
- Tinted windows.
What type of tent is this
The Clarkson 6A is a tunnel type tent but it is more than that. The letter A in the name indicates the air beams which you have here. So this is an inflatable tent. It is included in the list of inflatable tents here in the site.
This is a 4-room structure with the front part which they call the wet room and the remaining inner part. The word wet is used probably to describe the fact that the floor of this front section is removable and it is linked in and not sewn in. So you can use it as you wish. I have included this tent in my list of 4-room tents.
The inner dry area is with a fully sewn-in and sealed floor. Here you have a large living room plus a sleeping zone behind with two separate rooms. This sleeping area is a tent within the tent, and it is also with its own extra bathtub floor. So this zone is a double-layer part of the tent (even the floor is double here), and the rest is a single layer waterproof tent.
There is one more particular detail here – the front room is detachable. There is a zipper that goes all the way around for this purpose only. This is why in the specifications you have the weight and packed size separately for the front section (which you can call porch as well) and for the rest of the tent.
The mentioned inner tents are attached to the shell, see the picture below, so you can keep them that way and this makes setup much easier. This is a very tall tent with 84.6 in (215 cm) peak height.
Who is it for
Capacity-wise, the tent is officially for 6 people. So let’s see what it offers. You have roughly 7.7 + 10 + 10 square meters (290 ft²) in the sleeping rooms, living room, and front room, respectively. This makes 48.3 ft² (4.5 m²) per person and you will not find many tents with such a luxury. See the floor plan and the dimensions:
The inner tent is separated from the shell for extra ventilation around it. Here are more numbers, perhaps you might want to have them:
From all shown above, you realize that you have some 10 square meters in the living room which is also fully sealed and protected. So if necessary, at least 6 more people can sleep there as well. This tent can accommodate far more people than what its declared capacity tells you. But if you think this is big, check its bigger cousin Vermont XLP tent which is with all steel poles.
Seasons-wise, this tent comes with a huge waterproof rating and it offers full protection in a 3-season use. Just bear in mind that this is an air-tent and it cannot have snow accumulated on the roof.
Climate-wise, the tent is fully enclosed with its PVC windows and with the sealed floor. There is no mesh here. So I see it best suited for a cooler climate. But it has vents and mesh on the double-layer doors so you can have lots of ventilation and use it even in a bit warmer climate.
Weight-wise, you have a heavy item here, with two separate packages that weigh 80.7 lb (36.6 kg) together. The packed size is also not so great, two bulky packages (the numbers given below), so you need the car for such a tent.
Overview of features
The fabric
The shell fabric is what they call Outtex 4000, which is a 100% polyester taffeta with all taped seams and with 4000 mm waterproof rating. The inner tent is a breathable 100% polyester.
The floor is a bathtub style and double-coated 100% polyethylene with 10000 mm hydrostatic head. So you realize that these are very good materials for a full protection.
The roof of the inner tent is from a dark material for reduced glare so this is a sort of dark rest design, see the picture below.
The poles
You have air-beams with separate in and out valves. The maximum pressure is 7 psi (0.5 bar). The pump is included.
The doors & windows
There are 3 entry doors, all double layer. The inner layer is a mesh so you can keep it that way when the sky is clear. There are also 3 inner doors, all are with mesh in the upper sections for ventilation.
There are 8 separate PVC windows (and you have the same material also on the doors) and they are all tainted for a reduced glare and for privacy. But here too you have a second layer from inside, shutters of a darker material and with toggles. So this is a less good design than what they give in their Vermont XLP 7 tent where you have shutters with zippers.
Ventilation
They call this the Aeroeffective Ventilation System and it includes long vents above the windows plus vents on the back side behind the sleeping zone, see the picture below. You have dual Velcro stiffeners to keep them open, but they are also with zippers to close when necessary to keep the warmth or if you gave sudden dust in the air.
Other features
- Guyline retainers.
- Three types of pegs, steel and plastic and in different colors for an easy setup.
- Zippered cable entry points on the outer shell and on the inner tent.
- Easy access system on the front – the floor on the front door can be made completely flat for an access with wheelchairs.
- Multiple storage elements. You have a big organizer with 10 storage pouches on the wall between the two inner doors, plus storage pockets in each of the two sleeping rooms.
Please see more in this short video by Outwell:
Specifications
- Type: tunnel tent.
- Capacity: 6 people.
- Weight:
– Front section: 31.1 lb (14.1 kg).
– Flysheet: 49.6 lb (22.5 kg). - Total weight: 80.7 lb (36.6 kg).
- Dimensions: 25.3 x 12.8 ft (7.7 x 3.9 m).
- Area: 290 ft² (27 m²).
- Area per person: 48.3 ft² (4.5 m²).
- Packed size:
– Front section: 31.5 x 9.8 in (80 x 25 cm).
– Flysheet: 37 x 15.7 in (94 x 40 cm). - Peak height: 84.6 in (215 cm).
Outwell Clarkston 6A vs Competitors
In the table below I give the Clarkston 6A tent side by side with two other built in the same style with air beams and all tunnel tents. This might help you in making the right choice. As you realize, it is heavier than its competitors but it offers more space. Please follow the links to check for the updated prices.
Weight, lb (kg)
Floor size, sq ft (sq m)
Peak height, in (cm)
Awning
Doors
Porch
Rooms
Support
Outwell
Clarkston 6A
80.7 (36.6)
290 (27)
84.6 (215)
no
4
no
4
air beams
Vango
Capri 6
52 (23.55)
194 (18)
83 (211)
no
2
yes
3
air beams + pole
Coleman Air
Valdes 6 XL
67.2 (30.5)
230 (21.44)
84.6 (215)
no
3
yes
4
air beams + poles
Final thoughts
In the summary of this Outwell Clarkston 6A Tent review, I would stress again its huge waterproof rating and the area. So this is a very reliable and luxurious tent for family camping and for groups. But this is also a very expensive item and this is why I gave some other options above. Please check in the list with air-beam tents if you need more options. In particular, check its smaller cousin the Outwell Edmonds 5A Tent which is also with air beams.
I already mentioned its bigger cousin Vermont tent, but see also this smaller Outwell Nevada 5 tent, both are with classic poles. See also this Vango Orava 600XL tent if you want something with classic poles, it is even bigger than the Clarkston tent.
Hi! I emailed before with some questions regarding large family tents. I’ve done more research, and I have decided on an inflatable tent. I realize they are more expensive, but the fiberglass poles on the larger tents make me nervous. Many of the reviews on Amazon and Walmart discuss their disappointment in broken poles. I feel like i would have to carry a stock of extra poles whenever we camped.
Now that I have chosen the type of tent I’m interested in, I could use some advice. We are a family of five. Two adults, 22 yr old female, 18 yr old male, and 15 yr old male. Two bedrooms instead of three would be fine. I think the best choice is one of the tunnel tents from what I’ve read, but you may have a better idea.
There are just so many to choose from I’ve looked at Easy Camp, Kampa, and Outwell. There were a couple other brands that were just way too expensive. I was having a difficult time deciding. There are so many models to choose from. I’m also not against Coleman, or any other brand. I am having trouble finding informative descriptions on many of the models. We live in Indiana, and will do most of our camping within the southern half of the state, as well as KY, and TN. It’s hot, and very humid in the summer here. I know many of these tents are designed for cooler temps and have PVC windows. I think we need a tent with mesh windows, and good vents and airflow. It would also be great, if we could put a portable A/C unit outside pointing in, or some sort of solution to keep the sleeping areas cool at night. I like the dark outs in the bedrooms but its not a necessity.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My tent budget goes up to $1400, but would obviously love to spend less on it. We are coming from a pop up camper with an A/C, so we have a lot of camping equipment, but still need to purchase a few things (camp stove, perhaps adult bunks if the cost is reasonable, etc).
Thank you for your time.
Hi Allie, it is OK if you decide to go for an air beam tent, there are many great models. But I would just add that not all tents with solid poles are fiberglass. In fact there are many of them with steel poles and also with aluminum poles, just to know if you would reconsider this option. I can guide you in this direction.
Back to air beam tents, for such a climate it is a bit difficult to suggest any of the tunnel tents but I have them many in my list of air beam tents. Check in particular this Coleman Air Valdes. It is perfect for your family, and it is dark rest as well.
I would suggest you also to consider some canvas tents instead of synthetic, and with inflatable beams as you want. There are great models on the market but right now not many of them are on the US market, this is mainly due to the virus crisis, and canvas tents usually have no multiple rooms.
But there is one particular that I would suggest, it is available on Amazon, I have a review of it available, this is the Wildcat Outdoor Gear Premium Family Camping Tent. This is one of the most impressive tents on the market, it is canvas so it is breathable and perfect for your climate, and it has 3 + 1 rooms plus a porch, and it has both mesh and solid windows. But it is over your budget.
Let me know if you need more help.
Hi JV,
Thanks for your help. I’m open to anything. I was first looking at instant tents, then the air tents. I’m a tent novice. I do feel pretty strongly about separate rooms, and as much space as possible. Especially since we have been cooped up together since March 13th. ?. We sold the pop up mainly because I have an autoimmune disease and it became too difficult for me to set it up. My interest was sparked with the instant tents. We have an Ozark Trails 6 person instant that my sons and their friends often sleep in when we go camping and I appreciate how easy they are to set up. I feel like I have read most of your reviews on Instant tents, large family tents and air tents. I just don’t know what to do. With the heat and humidity (yesterday-May 25th the heat index was 97°), we have to find a way to keep cool (especially at night). We do have a couple of indoor A/C units we can use as well. We will be camping at tent sites with electricity and water. I appreciate your insight and your advice. Clearly, you are a tent expert. When I do decide to buy, is there an avenue that would benefit you? You definitely deserve a commission on my sale. ?.
I believe our campsites will open on June 12, so I would like to make a decision by then. We do the bulk of our camping in the fall, because the weather is so miserable, but with the events of 2020 thus far, getting out to camp is becoming essential.
Again, I really appreciate your help.
Be well,
Allie
Hi Allie, it is great to hear from you again. I have added the text on the Wildcat Outdoor Gear Lynx 640 Air Inflatable Camping Tent. This tent is quite new on the market and I would say it is one of the best you will find as a canvas and with multiple rooms, it is quite unique for a canvas tent. With air beams it is a sort of instant tent, and it has plenty of options to organize the space. I am pretty sure that such canvas tents are the best option for any climate, it is breathable and it is always cooler than synthetic tents. This should be a great option even for your climate. Please have a look, the text is detailed and all features are explained. I have been in touch with them even before it appeared on Amazon.
Thank you for the kind words, I write about tents because I really love tents. As a mountaineer, I use them myself. It is enough that you use the link which I give in the review so if you order through my link I shall get some small commission.
So you are optimistic about campsites opening soon. I am also becoming restless, it is far from certain that borders will open in the part of the world where I am now. I miss the mountains, can only hope that the situation will improve for the coming climbing season.
Try to stay safe, I have already had my share of experience with the coronavirus, 5 weeks of agony in the period March-April, but it is over now and I feel strong enough.