New Hub-Style Pop-Up Arrives at the Campsite
OutdoorHub Staff 08.11.16
It was bound to happen: The hub-style pop-up technology, so prevalent among portable hunting blinds and ice fishing shelters because of the speed and ease it lends to set-up and take-down, has finally entered the camping arena.
It comes in the form of Ardisam’s Gazelle Camping Hub Tent and a pair of Gazebos. The hub tent is a four-person unit with 61 square feet of floor space that can be erected in roughly 90 seconds. Gazebo options include a pentagon-shaped structure offering 60 square feet of floor space and a larger (92 square feet) hexagon model.
Besides the speedy setup, one of the hub tent’s best features, in our opinion, is the mesh roof panels that provide maximum air flow and ventilation. To keep bad weather from dampening a camper’s spirit, however, it’s protected by a rainfly (included) that’s easily attached and secured during set-up. The tent’s 80-inch height also offers plenty of headroom inside.
At ground level, the Gazelle tent also comes with a clip-in, removable floor panel that’s sealed all-around by a Velcro strip to keep moisture, dirt and insects on the outside. Nice!
At 30 pounds, the hub tent is no backpacker’s shelter, but it’s a wonderful option for car camping, and conceivable for canoe camping in the right situations—short, easy portages and easy-access campsites. Its $300 MSRP isn’t hard to swallow, either.
Bug-Free Zones
Gazelle’s 5-Sided Gazebo ($199.99) would also be an ideal addition to a car camper’s gear list, especially for those who like to enjoy a bug-free zone in the campsite. The 23.5-pound structure sets up in 60 seconds and provides a sturdy gathering spot that’s protected from insects and light to moderate rainfall.
Some campsites might be too small for the 6-Sided Gazebo ($269.99) as it spans 140 inches from hub-to-hub. Yet, its large footprint is the perfect size for patios, backyards and other open spaces. It comes with ground stakes and tie-down ropes, plus optional wind panels can be quickly installed for extra comfort.
It’s not surprising that Ardisam brought hub-style technology to the camping party. The company also produces Eskimo ice fishing shelters and simply borrowed the design for Gazelle. And though the concept might be a late arrival, now that it’s here, it’s sure to catch up quickly.
Check out the video below to see how easy it is to set up a Gazelle Tent.
