Quest Switchback 8-Person Cross Vent Dome Tent: Is It Worth the Price?

The Quest Switchback 8-Person Cross Vent Dome Tent is a budget-friendly camping solution with practical features and a lightweight design. The tent presents an intriguing option for campers seeking reliable accommodation without breaking the bank. 

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Key features & benefits

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Overview

Here you have a tent that could be described as an extended dome type shelter. The picture below shows it without the fly so you can better understand its structure.

With the peak height of 6′ 2″ (188 cm), it can be described as moderately tall. Below is the view from the narrow side, again without the fly:

Note also that this is a fully freestanding tent, completely self-supporting with its four main poles. This holds also when the fly is on.

This is both good and bad. The good is that you can move it in the camp and rotate even when the fly is on, and you can set it up anywhere.

The bad is that there are no vestibules. But there are two additional poles that you add for the fly only, and those create small brims above the door and the window.

In other words, this is a sort of a dry entry point. The front brim protects the door, but I must notice that it is quite small, and I have seen some users complaining that water gets in when you enter or exit the tent during the rain.

There is one door here and one separate window on the opposite side. Note that the door is with a window in its upper part. 

But the 3/4 covering fly is with zippers on its narrow sides, see the picture below. So when the sky is clear, you can unzip them and have extra ventilation and views on four sides.

From the picture you also get some idea of how much the mentioned brim protects the access point.

Below you have the inner view with the window that is opposite to the door. As you see, it is with an inner zippered panel and mesh. 

Materials

The poles and stakes: You have them 6 in total, and this is fiberglass with shock-corded segments, quite standard even in far more expensive tents. The poles attachment is with clips and sleeves. 

The package includes a full set of simple J-type stakes and guylines.

The fabric: This is a polyester with taped seams, and they claim the waterproof rating is 800 mm. This is low, but in most situations you do not need more. The floor is a durable polyethylene.  

Note that they have the tent in three different colors which you can see in the pictures here in the text.

The other details  include:

• A cable port for an easy access if you use an extension cord.
• There are several small pouches on the canopy to keep your small items off-ground.
• The carry bag looks great, with a zipper and carry handles, see it here:

• In addition, there is a set-up manual sewn-in into the bag, this can be useful for people who have not used such tents in the past.

Setup

The tent is easy to use, one person can do the job in 20 minutes or so, but it is easier when two people do the job. The mentioned manual will help.

The poles go through the sleeve on the roof, and with such a design it is best to push the poles through the sleeves instead of pulling them, because they can dislodge. I have seen some people complaining, but this is because of their inappropriate use. 

Ventilation

You have seen the words Cross Vent in the official name, so this should imply a great ventilation. Indeed, there is lots of mesh on the canopy, and you can create air circulation from all four sides, and this will work good as long as the sky is clear.

But note that there are no floor vents, you might want to have them in long hours with rain.

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Who is it for

Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 8 people, and for this you have 112 ft² (10.4 m²). This would imply around 14 ft² (1.3 m²) per person.

The dimensions are such that you can indeed put 8 sleeping pads on the floor, but to remain realistic, it is best to downgrade the capacity to four or five people maximum. 

You might want to compare it with the Slumberjack Aspen Grove 8-Person 2 Room Hybrid Dome Tent that is built in the same style but it offers more space.

Regarding seasons & climate, in my view this is a summer camping tent, or maximum for two seasons. The waterproof rating is not really impressive, but I have not seen people complaining about leaks. However, there are complaints about weak seams.  

On the other hand, with such a partial coverage fly and its shape, the tent is not particularly suitable for very windy places.

Regarding the weight, in view of its overall size, this tent can be described as lightweight. From the same perspective it is also quite compact. But this is not something to carry long distances, it is best suited for car camping.

Regarding the price, it is simply unbelievable, so if you are on a budget and need a tent for occasional use and do not wish to spend much, this could be your choice.

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Specifications

• Weight: 21 lb 6 oz (9.7 kg). 
• Official capacity: 8 people.
• Dimensions: 14 x 8 ft (427 x 244 cm).
• Inner area: 112 ft² (10.4 m²).
• Inner area per person: 14 ft² (1.3 m²).
• Peak height: 6′ 2″ (188 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 of them here in the site so that you can easily compare:

 

BEST PLACEs TO BUY:

Moosejaw

For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. But check also yet another tent from this brand built in a different style, the Quest 8 Person Cavern Tent.

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.