Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Review

Featuring bathtub construction and taped floor seams for waterproof durability, the Mountainsmith’s Conifer 5 Person Tent has 83 square feet of floor space, plus over six feet of interior headroom. Among three-season tents, the Conifer 5 Person tent is a stand out for emphasizing livability and usable space. This is a tent that is built to last. To learn more, read the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Review below.

Our Rating: 3.5 Stars

Pros

Weatherproof with bathtub floor construction and taped floor seams
Versatile and spacious
Tent fly ventilation windows
Five plus person layout with two doors and two vestibule layout
Free standing tent with mesh wall panels
Detachable ceiling loft pocket and interior mesh storage pockets
Attachment that clip to the pole makes the tent lightweight with good breathability
Reflective guy lines with an adjustable tension lock cord

Cons

Without the rain fly, it does not have a lot of privacy
Color coding system is ambiguous

Featuring tons of headroom and a spacious vestibule, the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ is an expanded dome style tent with lots of you can tie down to fight off any strong winds. This tent does require a little more time for set up although it does come with a color coding system to help make it less confusing.

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Key Features

Includes a five-person plus layout with two doors and two vestibules
Three season, free standing tent with tent fly ventilation windows for good breathability
Bathtub floor construction and taped floor seams for weatherproofing
Mesh wall panels
Interior mesh storage pockets plus detachable ceiling loft pocket
Reflective guylines with adjustable tension lock cord

Detailed Review

Ease of Use - 3.5/5

The Mountainsmith Conifer does require a little more time to set up, but you are getting a much more stable and spacious tent than its quick pitch competitors. The color-coding system helps to guide set up indicating where each pole should go but is not very helpful in orienting the tent.

Since both sides of the tent have corner tabs that are marked yellow, it can be difficult to differentiate which is the front door and which is the back. Try and follow the color-coding of the pole with the hooks, but this can be difficult in the wind or if it is already dark when you are setting up your tent. Once you have done it a few times, it is a breeze to set up.

There are a couple of departures from the color-coding with directions mentioning a color they don’t use and requiring yellow poles to go through a blue top loop to keep the structure upright and to hang a lantern from. Taking down the tent is super easy, and it comes with a huge stuff sack that can easily hold the tent and poles.

Comfort - 4.5/5

You can have several sleeping configurations inside of the Conifer with its somewhat elongated hexagon shape. It comes equipped with five sidewall pockets with four of them found close to the ground for easy access to your personal items.

It comes with a mesh gear loft that gives you a lot of area for storage to help organize your campsite. The gear loft lets you hang a lantern from it while keeping small items from protruding through the slit by the lantern.

The Conifer comes with two vestibules. The larger vestibule allows you to place two full-size camp chairs comfortably, so you can sit and relax while it rains.

The smaller of the vestibules does not come with any windows, but it can hold a few bags or other types of gear to keep them out of the rain.

You will appreciate how weather ready the Conifer is with a tent body that has double wall construction and a 2000 mm rated PU rainfly to keep you dry from storms.

The 5000 mm floor also helps to prevent water from creeping in under the tent, and the natural design of the tent’s dome shape and the included aluminum poles stand up well to the wind, no matter which way it is coming from.

Build Quality/Durability - 4.5/5

This is a built to last tent that uses durable and high-quality materials and construction.

Using standard denier fabric that includes a weatherproof polyurethane (PU) coating on the rain fly, the tent has a floor made with denier fabric that also includes a substantial PU coating of 5000 mm which helps to resist standing water that gathers underneath the tent.

You can also purchase an optional 75D 2000 mm footprint to make the floor even more durable, and the included aluminum J-stakes should withstand quite a bit without bending when you to try to drive them into a resistant ground area.

Wet Weather Usage - 4.5/5

The Conifer 5+ is also a fairly versatile tent that gives you great protection in inclement weather. The guy out points and the weatherproof, vented rainfly provide great coverage, so you and your gear stay dry while you wait out the storm.

Hot Weather Usage - 3/5

If you have a warm and sunny day, you can take off the rainfly to uncover the mesh tent body to circulate some air, but remember that without the rainfly, you won’t have too much shade or privacy if you are in a busy campground.

Cold Weather Usage - 4.5/5

The Conifer 5+ is also a fairly versatile tent that gives you great protection in cold weather. This is a good tent to have in a high wind. Once you have the guy lines staked, you won’t have any idea how strong the winds are and you won’t have to deal with any shaking or flapping.

Weight and Packed Size - 2.5/5

Due to the size of the tent, it is no surprise that the tent will be a little on the heavy side coming in at 14 pounds 10 ounces. It has a packed size of 8 x 26 inches. It may be a bit cumbersome to take a campsite, so make sure your strongest member of the family is responsible for carrying it.

Overall Score:

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How Does It Compare To Others?

CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent

$169.99

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10/03/2024 01:01 am GMT

With a cabin-style design and instant setup feature, the CORE offers a 6-person family tent that can be used in various seasons.

It is both spacious and user-friendly, and with its pre-attached poles, it is perfect for camping in places like established campgrounds because of its quick setup. It is a little on the heavy side, but that is to be expected for a six-person tent. Weighing in at approximately 25 pounds and measuring 10 feet by 9 feet with a center height of 72 inches, the CORE is high enough for most people to be able to stand up straight inside.

Made of polyester, the exterior of the tent features H2O Block Technology for water resistance and includes multiple windows throughout its design. With its large interior space, the CORE is the perfect choice for a family that is out camping, providing a comfortable layout with plenty of space for up to two queen air mattresses.

This is also a well-built tent with sturdy construction featuring a durable polyester fabric and a tough floor material that can withstand rugged terrain.

The CORE also features a comfortable ventilation system that includes multiple windows and adjustable vents. You will also find a built-in LED lighting system, adding a modern touch and illuminating the interior for nighttime activities.

It is constructed with a water-resistant design that utilizes H2O Block Technology to keep you dry during unexpected rain. In comparison to the Mountainsmith Conifer, it has many similar features including good ventilation, but the CORE offers easier setup and more interior space while the Conifer is lighter and more suitable for backpacking.

NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6 Person Family Camping Dome Tent

$134.99

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10/03/2024 07:16 pm GMT

The NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6 Person Tent is a waterproof shelter designed to keep you dry during storms while offering excellent ventilation for fresh air circulation. Measuring approximately 10 by 12 feet with a generous ceiling height, this spacious tent comfortably accommodates up to six people.

Setup is straightforward thanks to the Nano-Flex technology, which features extra-thick fiberglass poles and double gold-plated steel hardware. This robust construction enhances the tent’s durability and resistance to rust, making it reliable in various weather conditions.

One of the Colorado GT’s standout features is its double-layer full-coverage rainfly. Made from 190T polyester laminated with polyurethane, this rainfly offers superior protection against the elements with a water column rating of 2500mm. The full coverage design provides excellent shelter during heavy showers and high winds.

Ventilation is a priority in the Colorado GT’s design. The tent features micro mosquito mesh, which allows for ample airflow while keeping insects at bay. This mesh also offers great views of your surroundings when the rainfly is not in use.

The tent’s floor is constructed with durability in mind, though specific details about its material weren’t provided in the original information. However, given NTK’s focus on quality, it’s likely to be sturdy and water-resistant.

Inside, the Colorado GT offers a spacious interior that allows for easy movement. While specific storage features weren’t mentioned, many tents in this category include interior pockets and gear lofts for organizing personal items and equipment.

In comparison to some other models like the Wenzel, the NTK Colorado GT may be priced slightly higher. However, its enhanced features, including superior weather protection and durable construction, justify the investment for serious campers or families seeking reliable outdoor gear.

The NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6 Person Tent strikes a balance between spaciousness, weather resistance, and durability. It’s designed to handle a variety of camping conditions, making it a solid choice for group or family outings in diverse environments.

Wenzel Pine Ridge Tent – 5 Person

If you are interested in a camping experience that is more like staying in an outdoor suite, the very versatile Pine Ridge 5-person tent turns a simple camping trip into a luxurious experience. Using the revolutionary new Lite Reflect system, campers will enjoy the even glow of light that you will get when you place a flashlight in the gear loft aimed toward the built-in reflective panel. The removable divider curtain allows you to make two separate sleeping areas for privacy.

This four to five person tent is great for smaller families with its two room family dome layout. The Weather Armor polyester construction includes a polyurethane coating, two mesh doors and three mesh window with a mesh roof for a cross breeze. The shock-corded fiberglass poles that feature a fast feet system allows for easy setup and the hanging divider curtain can give you some much-needed privacy.

Experienced campers will have no problem setting up this tent alone, but others may require two people to erect the tent. Complete water seepage is prevented with the welded, not stitched, corners that will keep you and your family dry in case of any rough weather conditions.

The Wenzel Pine Ridge 5 Person Tent allows you to be prepared for any type of weather with its strong frame and weather resistant polyester taffeta wall that is coated with polyurethane. There is ample room with the 10 X 8 square foot base, plus the polyurethane coated rainfly, welded polythene floor, and zipped doors keep you totally dry from any rain. It also comes equipped with a bag with handles that you can carry easily to your camping site.

In comparison, the Wenzel Pine Ridge Tent has a more luxurious camping experience for those that like a few more extras with their tent. The Conifer offers more of a basic camping experience for those that just want to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but also appreciate a secure place to get out from inclement weather.

Should you buy?

When you are considering a three-season tent that is big enough for 5 people, the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ tent has ample interior space and lots of headroom. As you saw from the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Tent Review above, it has the waterproof durability you want for your campsite, plus it is built to last with its aluminum alloy poles. The Conifer 5 Person tent is a good value with plenty of features that will make your next camping trip enjoyable and dry.