My Big Sky International Chinook 1 arrived today a week after ordering.







Apple Red, fabric interior, 14 1/4 inch poles, 4 season, double wall, free standing, 3 pound (my scale, no stakes or bags, but otherwise fully assembled), 2 door/vestibule, solo tent.



72x20 inch Downmat9 and 60+ liter internal frame pack, in photo for size reference.



While I have a pile of tents this is the first NEW purchase in almost 20 years, and exactly what I was looking for! Will put it to use next week and will add to this review, but initial impression is very positive!

butthead

That's a serious solo tent. Lots of good structural points added into it. At first I thought 'condensation factory' but as long as you have some mat'l between you and the outer skin then it shouldn't be bad. Love the exoskeleton system for ease of set-up in inclement weather.

Very nice with the exoskeleton! Keeps things way drier during setup!

also noted that you did not seem to stake it out for the internal view but it did not go to round like my Hubba Hubba does. That one you have to stake otherwise it wants to pull corners in.

Impressive tent.
I was thinking I would not lust after any more tents and now you post this - bad. You are a bad influence and are distracting me from my down-sizing goal!

Looks really nice, Ken. Congrats. Did you pay list or get a discount? Looks like it would be worth the list price to me. Quality look to it.

Tomster

Tom, I have been ogling this tent for some time! Listed price, optional fabric interior and shorter poleset. A chunk-O-cash yes. Been cleaning out old gear to finance it. It will get winter use!


butthead

It is awesome when you get something the way you really want it, instead of having to compromise.

Tomster

ALL tent poles should pack at about 15". 21"? give me a break.

did it come seam sealed?

Very nice looking tent based on pics that you posted. Cool that it is 4 season as well. Hope you enjoy it!

Brandon

quote kanoes: "ALL tent poles should pack at about 15". 21"? give me a break.

did it come seam sealed?"

Poles 14 1/4 inch per spec (just shy of 14 inch measured at home), so quite packable, according to manufacturer it is sealed, will find out over the next week or so.

butthead

Thanks for sharing Ken. Question, do you think it has enough ventilation? There doesn't seem to be a lot of screen.

Looking forward to your full review.

Nice tent, butthead!

quote SevenofNine: "Thanks for sharing Ken. Question, do you think it has enough ventilation? There doesn't seem to be a lot of screen.


Looking forward to your full review."

Ordered an all fabric interior instead of mesh. Will be used in winter, and I have a solo pyramid bug net that can be used instead of the inner body when it's warm. It also has 2 vestibule vents at top of the doors.

butthead

Jealous!
Keep us posted with update reviews after your trip. I am interested in what you think once you have spent a few days in this gem.

Nice looking tent. It would have room for a larger pad. It looks like another viable option for a light 3+ to 4 season tent.

I'd be interested in how it stands up to strong wind, sustained wind-driven rain, and ventilation/.condensation in challenging conditions.

If you can give any comparison to Tarptents, I'd be interested in that too.

It looks like it should serve you well.

A man can't have too many tents......canoes......etc.

You trying to get down to ONE pack like One Pack Jan?

SunCatcher

That looks like a sweet tent! Please post your thoughts as you face different temps and weather conditions. Enjoy your new shelter!

Looks very nice Ken.

quote butthead: "

quote SevenofNine: "Thanks for sharing Ken. Question, do you think it has enough ventilation? There doesn't seem to be a lot of screen.



Looking forward to your full review."

Ordered an all fabric interior instead of mesh. Will be used in winter, and I have a solo pyramid bug net that can be used instead of the inner body when it's warm. It also has 2 vestibule vents at top of the doors.


butthead"

ding..It's nice that you don't have to take all mesh when you don't want mesh. I have a no mesh solo tent. Not as nice as that as its a crawl in the end model

Thanks for tent envy!

That is a beauty; congrats!

That's really nice.

Wonder if the two big vestibules over uncovered ground generate more condensation, or not. Curious if you get less condensation with a ground cloth that extends into the vestibules, or not. I saw that done somewhere.

quote NotLight: "
That's really nice.


Wonder if the two big vestibules over uncovered ground generate more condensation, or not. Curious if you get less condensation with a ground cloth that extends into the vestibules, or not. I saw that done somewhere.



"

I have/had 2 MH solo tunnel tents and a Eureka Mountain Pass Solo with deep 20+ inch non floored vestibules. Cut both full fly floors and tent body groundsheets, used both, very little difference in condensation collection. Convinced me most all condensation is caused by human occupant, temp difference in and out on fly, and relative humidity.
Had the new tent out in steady rain for 6 hours yesterday, no groundcloth at all and dry as a bone inside. Personalized the rigging (guy out lines, stake positioning, setup tweaks), it's ready for a backpack trip later this week.


butthead

Nice looking tent. Thanks for posting. Been a hammocker for years but the past couple months have found me eyeing tents and wondering if I should give them another shot. Had never heard of this brand before but will certainly keep them in mind.

Alan

Very nice Ken!

VERY nice tent and with that said...
I call DIBS....when you hate it and want to unload it at half price...lol








Still would be out of my (current) price range...;-)

I have looked and been interested in this maker and particular model for almost a year. Definitely a niche marketer (How many of you knew about them?), but has interesting designs and the ability to buy personally optioned shelters. So I wanted to try one. I have been very favorably impressed, and wanted to share this info with my friends.

Received my ordered Chinook within 10 days, as ordered, Apple SuperSil, with optional all fabric interior, and UL 14 1/4 inch aluminum poles. Straightforward setup, fully freestanding, 3 pounds on my scale without stakes/bags/guylines. Tight set with no noticeable sag, very stable. All the listed dimensions within 1 inch when setup and measured by myself. Spent 2 comfortable nites in it, no condensation on the inner body and the expected slight condensation inside on the fly, temps 70's to low 40's humidity 32% to 92% overnite. The tent has a very solid look and feel but no high winds occurred over the 2 days. One note, the door can be flipped up and pulled thru the frame pole and fly body for exiting/entering with out any condensation wiping off on the occupant. After packing with 6 Groundhog stakes and 6 aluminum shepherd hook stakes, 6 guylines with slider locks, hand cut Tyvek innie floor, and 9 liter stuff sack holding everything, total weight 3 pounds 14 ounces. Cut, construction, materials, seams, all appear top quality and very comparable to other top line manufacturers, and I have been inside of many!
I like it a lot!

Not an entry level shelter (cost! options available, light weight material), yet a very personalized and capable shelter.

butthead

Thanks for the follow up review, butthead. I'll be interested to hear how it handles some weather when you get to use it ion some. I'm guessing it will do pretty well. It looks good set up.

BTW, I forgot to ask how roomy it felt inside when pitched . . .?

quote boonie: "BTW, I forgot to ask how roomy it felt inside when pitched . . .?"

For me, roomy, but I'm used to sleeping in small niches and similar size tents.
I measured inside inner tent, 40 inches height, 23 inches foot end, 35 inches head end, 89 inches length. It is narrow but at shoulder height sitting upright, it is still 20 inches wide due to fairly straight walls, the vestibules are also 24 inches deep each side.

It's hard to compare with a tarptent style because it is full double wall and the fly reaches the ground all around. Yet I thought the airflow and ventilation are very good (too many venting options to list).

butthead

Thanks, butthead. The walls looked fairly steep in the pictures and it is a dome and not a wedge, so I thought maybe not as claustrophobic as some. That's good to hear that ventilation is so good.

When I said TarpTent, I was referring to the brand, not the style. TarpTent also has some 4-season, full double wall tents - like the Scarp, although it does require an optional pole set to be free standing.

Nice little tent!

It has proven very versatile. Tent body/fly weighs 22.4oz, 2 main poles 10.7oz, and can be used this way without cross pole 5.9oz or full fabric interior 14.2 oz.
Full setup ready to go in pack, tent, fabric interior, all poles, 8MSR Groundhog stakes, 6 rigged guylines, Tyvek groundcloth, Lightest carry, just 2 poles and tent fly 33oz.
With the fabric interior there are no drafts, spent 4 nites at or below 30 degrees. Yet the 2 rainy days/nites used it is very dry, interior completely, some light condensation inside of the fly, temps low 40 degrees. Exterior frame allows set up very fast and interior dry as it is clipped in. Using 3 poles it is fully self supporting (including the vestibules), and can be picked up turned/moved/re-positioned. Very wind shedding even without guylines used, add them and it is like a rock. Quality of materials and build are as good or better than any I have been in (including many top European makers Exped and Hilleberg).
video tour inside
Setup early this April.
If I have to find a complaint it is the fabic is a dust/dirt magnet, and hold it till rinsing off with water. It is also all silnylon for the fly and as such zippers will snag but are easily backed off and re-zipped, it is quite slippery stuff.
I will not hesitate to recommend Big Sky Internalional particularly the Chinook for a 1, 2, or 3 person backpacking tent.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote boonie: "BTW, I forgot to ask how roomy it felt inside when pitched . . .?"

For me, roomy, but I'm used to sleeping in small niches and similar size tents.
I measured inside inner tent, 40 inches height, 23 inches foot end, 35 inches head end, 89 inches length. It is narrow but at shoulder height sitting upright, it is still 20 inches wide due to fairly straight walls, the vestibules are also 24 inches deep each side.


It's hard to compare with a tarptent style because it is full double wall and the fly reaches the ground all around. Yet I thought the airflow and ventilation are very good (too many venting options to list).


butthead"

"40 inches in height"...then you can almost stand in it ;)

Sweeeeeet!

Thanks for the additional info and look at this, butthead. It seems like a very viable option.

When I was looking for a new solo tent my big concerns centered on cold weather use. Wish list consisted of, fully self supporting (less staking into frozen ground, ability to setup and then choose a place to put it), fabric interior instead of mesh (less draft and condensation), full length fly (you can even order full sod/snow cloth on the 2 person version).
The Chinook line has all these as options! I am very happy with it!

butthead

I really appreciate this kind of info. As i travel more in the farther north parks my hammock system has issues with spindly black spruce. A small but sturdy solo is a great alternate system.

Jim, if you are going to Bob's Rockford WingNite I'll have it with.

butthead

That is a fine looking shelter.
Aren't or weren't you a Nemo guy too there for awhile?

quote pilot: "That is a fine looking shelter.
Aren't or weren't you a Nemo guy too there for awhile?"

Nope, but big fan of several makes, own/owned Mountain Hardwear, Big Agnes, Eureka, Walrus, Alps Mountaineering, and CCS's Lean shelters!

butthead