Redverz Solo Expedition
I have owned and or used a handful of tents over the years from various makers and sizes. Four man tents for car camping, 6 man tents with an entry way for base camps, two man lightweight backpacking tents for just that, backpacking, along with a few others. I have experienced all different types of weather while camping or staying in a tent. I have had bright sunny day and clear starry nights to pouring rain with a 60mph cross wind that turned into snow. For me personally, the mark or brand doesn’t matter, but instead the reliability and durability of the tent. There is nothing worse that being out camped in a tent only to have it fail with leaks, poles breaking in the wind, or a zipper failing leaving you stuck to suffer until you can repair it or calling camp early and ending a trip.
I took another motorcycle trip back in 2015 that included 5 months (May - September) of riding through and camping in; California, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Alberta, and Idaho. For that trip I took my two man Big Agnes Copper Spur tent. What a great tent that say months in Patagonia, countless weekend trips out, and the motorcycle trip just mentioned. It never failed me and it saw all four seasons, sometimes all in one day or hour, crazy strong winds, and constant set up and break down. I only have glowing praises of that Big Agnes tent. When it comes to camping off of a motorcycle the small ultralight backpacking tents make so much sense simple for those two reasons, they pack small and are light. It fit right in my Panniers and off I went. After 5 months of consistent travel I grew tiered of constantly having to get on my knees to enter and exit the small two man tent, being cooped up in a 90x40 inch area while it rained down for hours or days, and having to snuggle my gear if brought in out of the elements. Before this trip I told myself I am looking for a new tent to take riding and increase my comfort and smooth my needs. Having been down to Patagonia a few times I knew I needed something durable enough for the elements but a bit bigger and more comfortable for the time spent in camp or out of the weather when it turned. Of course the logical next step is a three man tent so I started diving into reviews and research.
Riverside camp Rio Malleo, Argentina
Enter Redverz Tents. I stumbled upon the company while deep in the Google search for a new tent. This company makes tents especially for motorcycle traveling and camping off your bike. At first I only saw their Atacama Tent, designed for those who ride 2 up but after a bit up stumbling around on their website I discovered the Solo Expedition made for the solo rider like myself. At first I was a little put off by the pack size and weight but then soon discovered that when packed it is very similar in size to a lot of three man tents. The weight was what it was at around 12lbs, but I decided, I’m not carrying the thing, what the fuck do I care. This tent, as well as the Atacama, are designed with a feature they call the “Garage” (or vestibule) that is big enough to park your motorcycle in with panniers. I personally have yet to park my bike in it during a full month of nightly use but I didn’t buy it for that. I do think it will come in handy at times when the “out of sight out of mind” philosophy seems to be the way to go. I did buy it however, and use it, as a space to get out of the elements and the weather. I use it as a place to store my gear when off the motorcycle. I use it as a changing room that I can stand up in and be comfortable. I also use it to cook occasionally when weather dictates. As well I use it to sit and watch a movie off of the tablet. For just the “garage” feature alone I would recommend this tent but the list of reasons to use this tent goes on.
Sitting in my “garage” with my “awning” up during a little rain storm
I cannot stress enough how nice it is to have a place, out of the elements, with room to stand up in, or room to sit in a chair, and not feel cramped or like I’m in a ripstop nylon and net coffin. This tent is worth every penny paid and ounce carried for all its space and comforts. As with any tent I bought the footprint or ground sheet for the sleeping quarters or tent side. Always a must when tenting. Doesn’t have to be the exact company footprint but something to put underneath that doesn’t poke out from the rainfly. I also have the garage footprint that is sold with the tent. Originally I did not order it with my tent. I was sent it instead of the sleeping footprint. I called the company and spoke with Kevin’s (the owner) wife Kristy I believe. She was such a sweetheart she said, “we will send you out the sleeping footprint today and no need to send back the other. Keep it and use it. Consider it our gift for messing up the order and the inconvenience.” Absolutely great customer service! As well they are quick with email and all social media responses. I am so happy I was given the garage footprint as well. It is a must purchase if you are going to get and use this tent. It is simple but so effective. Keeps you on a nice dry surface to change, sit, stand, cook, whatever. It overlaps nicely with the sleeping footprint and works great. The best part is I leave both footprints attached to the main tent for packing just as Redverz says to do. So nice to put my tent up and have it all in one bundle and attached. I bought the “the awning kit” that is 2 extra smaller tent polls that are used to hold up one of the doors, with guy lines, and make an “awning”. I used it a lot at first and loved it. As of late I have not but I definitely as weather permits as well as camps. It is a great addition to the rest of the tent and really makes you feel like you have your own lake/river/ocean-side casita.
People, myself included, will research this tent and say its too big and too heavy. I must admit I was guilty of this at first as well. I did some research and read all the reviews I could to try and give me a better idea before buying. It wasn’t until I went out for a few days in my small 2 man that I just decided to buy it for myself as a Christmas present. All packed and bundled it weighs in at about 12lbs says the spec sheet. A bit heavy yes, but I am over landing on a motorcycle, what do I care about a few extra pounds. The bike does all the work. As for the dimensions, they are 21 inches long and 7 inches in diameter when packed. This more or less, seems to be accurate, but after cinched down with the packing straps it feels smaller and thinner. Personally, when compared to other 3 man tents it is about the same size or hardly noticeably bigger. Many will tell you, not having even used the tent, that the tent is too big, too heavy and takes a long time to set up. Of course its all those Moto X riders or minimalist riders that think because they know how to through around a honda 650 dirt bike they know everything about motorcycle traveling and over landing! Fucking Idiots. Not to mention if you are on a 1200 sized bike then the extra few pounds of this tent should be of no concern to you. Like I said earlier, I was hitting the road for 10 plus months and I wanted something that would be of the most comfort to me. Yes, if i was going for a quick weekend trip or even a week and was moving a lot I would consider just taking my little 2 man. That is not to say this tent isn’t for those who wake up, pack, ride all day, sleep and repeat. This tent is surprisingly easy to set up and take down. It takes all of about 5-10 minutes instead of 3-5 with my little 2 man. Honestly for all those of you who overland via motorcycle or on any manner of transportation, if you don’t have 5-10 minutes morning and night, you are going entirely too fast. The whole idea is to slow down, not to a snails pace but also not the same speed of everyday back home life and social media addiction. Make an extra cup of coffee and enjoy the process of packing, I personally love it. I can also break the tent down and set it up right quick like a pit crew when needed but those times have and are few and far between. A last note, the tent feels and shows nothing but quality. It is heavily stitched, seam sealed, water proof as fuck, great quality zippers and durable feel to it. If cared for is should last a long time. I have had it in pissing rain and 50-60mph winds and I stayed dry as a bone and snug as a bug sitting in my chair watching a movie! Not to mention my experience with the owners has left me no doubt that if there was an issue they would do what they needed to take care of it.
Bottom line… This tent is Fucking Awesome. If I was traveling 2 up I would be using the Atacama, not doubt about it. I love all it features and all its comforts. It’s hard to explain just how noticeable of a change all that is while traveling with this tent instead of a small or standard backpacking tent. Even most standard car tents are going to me just as big and heavy when packed but will not off the same standing room or out of elements comforts. If you found this page cause you did a “best motorcycle camping tent” Google search (hahaha did so many like an asshole) then listen to what I have written and take a second, third, fourth and final look at this tent. I could not be happier in it, using it, traveling with it, and more confidence in it. Basically, look no further, this is your tent!
