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Coleman Rigel X2

Coleman Rigel X2

Coleman Rigel X2 tent (2008)

£80.00

LFTO rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 3.5
Review
A very lightweight tent that saves a few grams by incorporating the stuffsack into the groundsheet. Also the pegs are very short, but mainly it is the single-skin design that reduces weight. Pitching is very fast as there are just two poles, which slip through mesh sleeves on the outer. There is a mesh vent in the roof that can be exposed from the outside to provide more airflow. Two can just about sleep in this tent, although it does narrow to 60cm at the foot. It would be very comfortable and light enough for one to carry, while two could just about use it in a race situation to save weight. The biggest attraction is probably the price, however, as the Rigel X2 offers excellent value. But it is described as weighing 960g on the stuffsack, yet that is only achieved by removing the pole and peg stuffsacks that are supplied. There is no adjustment at the pole ends or pegging points either. It is a single-skin tent that is quite small inside, and there is no porch.

Design 2-pole tunnel
Poles shock-corded alloy
Inner none; flysheet PU-coated ripstop polyester, 3000mm hydrostatic head; groundsheet nylon, 5000mm hydrostatic head
Internal dimensions length 230cm; width 135cm; height 70cm
Packed size 53x20x5cm
Weight 972g
Made in China
Stores in the UK 200
Stockists – tel. (01275) 845024; www.coleman.eu


Verdict
This is better than a bivvy and certainly lightweight, but it is a small tent for two people and the single-skin, porchless design has drawbacks.

Review by Graham Thompson
First published in Trail magazine August 2008

Users' Overall Rating rating is 3.5(2 reviews)

  • A very wet night

    Simon25

    User's Overall Rating rating is 2.5

    Show Details

    Performancerating is 1
    Build qualityrating is 3
    Value for moneyrating is 4

    I bought this tent as I wanted a very lightweight tent which I could get up quickly and would provide use for wild camps etc. The tent itself is marvelous its fast to get up and the size is bigger than it appears from the outside, its a bit of a tardis. However, the night i spent in it was a bit of a disaster! The single skin design and lack of any ventilation meant that by the middle of the night I was completely covered in condensation to the point that in the end I went and walked back to the car and slept in that for the night. A great tent if you want light weight not great if you want a good nights sleep!

    (Written by: Simon25)

    12 July 2009 15:58

  • Coleman Rigel X2

    Robert Main

    UK

    User's Overall Rating rating is 5

    Show Details

    Performancerating is 5
    Build qualityrating is 5
    Value for moneyrating is 5

    I bought this as a second tent, for lightweight expeditions in reasonable weather (the plan was to try some vol-bivouac expeditions with my paraglider). I've use it for much of the summer and I really rate this tent. It's quick to put up, it's light, it has stood up to some very blustery conditions when the weather forecast wasn't entirely accurate and it's withstood torrential downpours without leaking. Yes, it's small and you have to be pretty organised inside and no, there's no porch, so cooking is a bit trickier than in my Lightwave but for an overnight ot two night trip it's fine. I often take my dog with me and there's enough room for he and I (and he's a particularly big Lab.). If you were sharing with someone else you would have to be on very good terms with them because, with the amount of space inside, you have to get close up. For the money, I think it's a bargain, much more comfortable than a bivi, much lighter than a lot of other two man tents and robust enough to give you a fair amount of protection in bad conditions. Being a single skin design you get some condensation but, so far, I've not found it to be problem.

    (Written by: Robbie Main)

    16 November 2008 20:07

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middlesbroughbackpaker

middlesbroughbackpaker says

RE: Coleman Rigel X2 tent (2008)

There is no doubt that the Coleman Rigel X2 is a great tent for a backpacker, hiker or walker. I know there will be many people with misgivings about its size, single skin design, comfort, condensation etc - but these complaints are all missing the point. If you want to be a backpacker then you have to keep the weight down to the lowest possible minimum. If I am hiking for 20 miles every day I dont want anything thats any heavier than it really has to be. So for me the Coleman Rigel X2 is a fantastic choice. All I wanted was something thats small, lightweight, keeps me dry, can stay upright in a storm I dont expect it to be a hotel or provide me with any home comforts - maybe some people are just a bit soft! On that basis I dont really see any drawbacks - It was truly amazing to me when the postman delivered the tent - I almost couldnt believe how light it was - quite incredible I have been in quite a few storms at different times of the year, with strong winds and torrential rain a few times, and the tent has not let me down I really like this tent - although I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. It really does work and if you shop online you can get it for just £60, which has to be a real bargain

20 December 2008 20:22

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