Wenzel Tamarack 6 Person Dome Tent is a very affordable and easy to use freestanding warm weather camping tent with some really interesting features.
Key features & benefits
- Dome tent.
- Fiberglass poles.
- Freestanding.
- Floor vent.
- E-cable port.
- Gear loft.
- Fly with a back zipper.
- 1 Door & 1 Window.
- Great price.
What this Wenzel Tamarack 6 Tent is about
Here you have a very simple dome tent but it still includes quite a number of features listed above. The tent is supported with two main poles, and you have one door and with one window on the door. The picture below shows it without the fly so you get the idea of how it is built. As you realize it comes with an integrated welcome mat.
The fly is what is usually described as a partial coverage type, and this is both good and bad. The good is that even with the fly on, the tent is fully freestanding, so you can move it and rotate. This is because the fly attaches to the frame. Yet another good side of this is that it is easy to get in and out, and in addition to this the fly is lifted up with a short pole that creates a small brim. But the bad is that there is no storage vestibule for gear.
The fly has some cool features on the back, there is a zipper that allows you to open the fly when the sky is clear. This creates yet another triangular mesh area and you have unobstructed views. The picture below shows what you can do with this zipper.
Note also that the tent is quite tall for a dome, the peak height is 72 inches (183 cm). So this is almost a standing height in the center for shorter users.
Ventilation
From the pictures you can see that the canopy is with lots of mesh, and the fly is shallow on the front so vapor and air can easily get out, no need for fly vents. The mentioned zipper on the fly allows for extra air flow whenever the sky is clear so you can regulate ventilation as you wish.
But they have added a large vent on the back and you can see it in the pictures above. The view from inside reveals yet another detail related to this vent, it can be fully closed from inside. This can be useful if you feel cold during the night. Note that you have the external panel on the vent as well, plus a mesh in between.
So regarding ventilation, there is nothing one could object to such a design, what you have here is quite good for warm weather camping.
Materials
The poles
So you have a set of two shock-corded fiberglass poles and one short brim pole. The main poles attach to the tent through the usual pin and ring system at the corners, see the picture below. On the canopy, you have long sleeves for poles and a few clips as well.
The fabric
Both the fly and the body are the same 68D polyester taffeta with a minimal 600 mm waterproof rating, and the seams are sealed. The floor is a thick welded polyethylene.
Other features
- There is an E-cable port shown above.
- Several storage elements (pouches and a gear loft, 6 in total) are included, see the pictures below.
Who is this Wenzel Tamarack 6 for
Regarding the area, the declared capacity is 6 people. For this you have 84 ft² (7.8 m²), and this means 14 ft² (1.3 m²) per person. The dimensions are such that you can put 6 narrow pads on the floor, side by side, so indeed it can accommodate this number of people.
But for real camping, I would say this tent is for parents with a maximum of 2 kids, and it is perfect for a couple as well.
Regarding seasons & climate, I see it best suited for the warmer part of the year. It is well-ventilated and pleasant with those fly configurations. The waterproof rating is low but you normally do not need more if the seams are properly taped. I would not use it in very windy places, but you have guylines and stakes included so make sure you fix it properly.
Regarding the weight, the tent could be described as light with its 14.2 lb (6.4 kg). But if you need something with this capacity for the trail, please check my list of 6-person backpacking tents.
Specifications
- Declared capacity: 6 people.
- Weight: 14.2 lb (6.4 kg).
- Dimensions: 12 x 7 ft (366 x 213 cm).
- Area: 84 ft² (7.8 m²).
- Area per person: 14 ft² (1.3 m²).
- Peak height: 72 in (183 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In the summary of this Wenzel Tamarack 6 Person Dome Tent review, I would first stress its great price. Wenzel is a reliable brand that has been around for longer than a century, it was established in 1866. So if you do not want to break the bank and still have a branded tent for occasional summer adventures, this is the one to consider.
Please see how I rate this tent against my standard set of criteria, it has scored well:
Wenzel Tamarack 6 Person Dome
Pros
- Great price.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Small inner area for 6 people.
If you want to see more options in this size range, please check under the category Tents for 5/6 people, and also under Dome tents. This Eureka Tetragon NX 5 3-Season Camping Tent is built in a similar style and the size is almost the same. See also this UNP 6 person tent built in a bit different style as a cabin tent and with a bit more floor area. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
How long are the poles for the wenzel tamarack 6 person tent cause i lost mine qnd want to get new ones
Hi Floyd, I am in the mountains right now, just came back dead tired. It is best to contact the brand directly, here is their link.