Review on 🏕️ Optimized for SEO: Chaos 2-Person Tent by ALPS Mountaineering by John Bailey

I took this tent on an overland trip this summer and stayed in it for several nights. Is this the lightest tent? no But it's strong, durable, and affordable. For those who are a little rougher with my stuff, I chose this specific tent until I settled on my perfect hiking tent. I have an old Alps Mountaineering dome tent and was very happy with its durability so I went with the same brand. Here are my lists of pros and cons. The "cons" aren't necessarily major complaints or issues with the tent, just a few things I would like to change to make this a perfect 5 star tent. ADVANTAGES: - Waterproof! In a storm, no rain gets into the tent - windproof! I "tested" this during an unexpected thunderstorm in Kansas. The wind was so strong that I thought the tent would definitely break. Later I read that it is designed for strong winds. Make sure you pitch your tent properly! Multiple handy mesh pockets Handy size Relatively easy to attach/remove (see stake question below) In warm and dry weather I like a mesh torso - like sleeping under the stars with a mosquito net on. CONS: - Knitted mesh does not stick, but stretches easily. Everyone. Lonely. Time. You set up and take down the tent. When packing, the net comes in contact with the plastic hooks and I think that's what creates the little tugs. It's unattractive and the number keeps growing, although I've tried to package it carefully and strategically. I would like an optional extra triangular mesh ceiling pocket that is permanently installed. It's awkward to hook every time, it creates four extra hook weights, and these hooks have a sharp point on the inside curve that I'm afraid can really damage the net, so I pack it separately. It's just an extra loose piece to deal with, but a top pocket is great for holding a flashlight/headtorch. - I don't like the feel of the inner floor of the tent. It has a slight "stickiness". I'm guessing it's a protective coating, but as a tactile sensitive person, I just wish it felt like nylon on the outside. You need two hands to remove the pins from the grommets, otherwise the knot inside the elastic will pop out. This is a central question that constantly annoys me. Although the pins are easy to assemble and snap into place, the ends must be handled very carefully, otherwise the piece of metal that is inserted into the sleeve will get stuck in it, the elastic will be severely stretched, and the knot on the elastic will pop out of the hole. Bet and you have to play with it manually to get it back. Does not offer quick and easy packaging. - The groundsheet if you buy it separately is undersized and advertised as cut smaller than the tent floor. Smaller footprint is good, it's just that the tent isn't as tight as it should be when you put the pegs in two sets of grommets and then it takes two hands to zip open and close. And one of the features I love about this tent is the one-hand operation of the zipper. I usually just put a skid plate on the underside without using the grommets and try to hook it in and that's it. I wish the construction was simpler, no clips, grommets etc to save weight and then I just hang them on the pins, which is what I do. anyway because of size problem. All you have to do is cut off the ends and sew on four elastic loops. I miss the drop down window for ventilation and visibility. In wet weather, the inside of the raincoat is covered with condensation. However, it dries quickly. I like the mesh design but it doesn't offer privacy. I wish the fabric sides were a bit higher to hide my sleeping body and the rest of the mesh above.