QuickPitch™ USA Pop-up Tent
By Jenny Willden
I love car camping in the fall. It’s as easy as loading your car with gear, driving up the canyon, making some tin dinners and pitching a tent. Ok, pitching a tent isn’t always easy. In fact, I loathe putting up most tents…especially in the dark. That’s where the QuickPitch™ USA Pop-up Tent comes in. I saw this tent at the Outdoor Retailer Demo Day and knew it was a great solution for anyone who car camps.
The fiberglass spring-loaded tent is stored in a circle-shaped bag, and to pitch it you simply open the bag and throw the tent in the air. It pops up instantly, and all you have to do is stake it down. The QuickPitch™ sleeps two people comfortably, but can fit three without feeling like sardines in a can. Features include: a rain canopy over the entrance, taped seams for water resistance and built-in guy-lines for easy staking.
Packing the QuickPitch™ is almost as easy as pitching it… once you get the hang of it. Basically you fold the tent on itself, push the air out, wrap the included bungee around it and put it back in the bag. I managed this task in about 30 seconds, but some could pack it in as little as 15 seconds. Perfect for car camping, but a nightmare for backpacking, the tent is stored in a 31-inch round case and weighs six pounds.
New to the United States, you can currently get this tent online only. But look for it at many retailers beginning in the spring. $99.95 spotbrands.com