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“This tent is a bunker” – Winterfjell.de review of the Quadratic™ Tent System

Winterfjell.de is a German website specializing in Scandanavian winter hiking and skiiing. Malte from Winterfjell, with help from Markus, recently checked out the Quadratic Tent System, judging it based on their extensive experience of extreme conditions.

The “expedition oriented” tent configuration that Winterfjell tested included the Quadratic Snow Outer, Winter Inner, Expedition main poles, 9.7 and 11 mm side poles, and a top pole.

In the test, Malte pointed out that standard two metre long guy cords are too short for winter expedition use. In severe conditions, longer cords make it much easier to really secure the tent, especially when using snow anchors and items like skis as pegs. We agree with this – and we now offer the Expedition Guy Cord 8 pack, which has eight three-metre long guy cords. Thanks for the feedback Malte!

You can find the review on the Winterfjell website (in German). Below are some of their comments translated into English:

Inner Tent

I particularly like the inner tent. First of all, it is big enough for two people up to 1.90 m with winter sleeping bags… …With the Quadratic, two 60 cm wide mats fit side by side, making it large enough as a winter tent. The sitting height is sufficiently high at the entrances, in the middle you have enough headroom even with a thick sleeping pad.

What I like very much: The open door does not hang down, as with many other tents, but stashes in a large pocket right next to the entrance. There is also the classic loop for rolling up the door, but the pocket makes it so much easier.

There are enough small pockets inside the tent to store everything from glasses to watches to headlamps. There are also plenty of loops for clotheslines or an optionally available ceiling net. This makes it easier to keep things tidy and the inner tent looks very well thought out.

Outer Tent

Regardless of the length, the guy lines look robust and the Lineloc clamps are simply the best. The two guy points on each side of each pole are also securely sewn to the pole tunnel. In addition, there are two guy points on the right and left above the entrance, so you have 16 guy points for cords.

The 40 denier ripstop nylon material siliconized on both sides is winterproof and the seams are well processed.

Side Poles

So far, the test tent would have been a good tunnel. But now the big difference comes into play. The Theory Works’ Quadratic tent has a tunnel for a side pole on each side. With these side poles, the tent can be stiffened significantly, making it less prone to cross winds. In principle, you get an almost completely free-standing tunnel and can worry less about finding the right campground in wind and storm.

Thanks to the side poles, the inner tent can stand completely tensioned without pegs, with only the two vestibules sagging. You could make it through a night between rocks on a mountain tour. Or you can just be more relaxed when your snow pegs don’t want to hold in the powder snow.

Other Insights

The weight of my configuration would weigh 3807 g according to the specifications. Then the surprise on the scales: It’s true! With which manufacturer do you still experience that?

In this configuration, the weight is of course not light for a 2-person tent, but it is certainly very storm-proof and absolutely suitable for winter!

Conclusions

This tent is a bunker. I would even count it in the same league as The North Face VE25 or Mountain Hardwear EV3 (now called ACI3).

The Quadratic beats the VE25 with its integrated pitching and lighter weight. Compared to the Quadratic, the EV3 has no vestibule for cooking, and no inner tent. The Quadratic tent is very fairly priced.

Right there I see a good niche for The Theory Works Quadratic expedition tent and would consider it as a mountain tent right away.

Quadratic™ Tent System receives “Buying Tip” from “Outdoor Magazin”

Quadratic Tent, with Outdoor Magazin Kauf-Tipp Logo

“Outdoor”, a leading German magazine has awarded the Quadratic™ Tent their “Buying Tip” in their February 2019 Issue. Some of their comments (translated) include:

Already without both side poles (300 g) it looks good, with them – like a rock in the surf. Continuous rain and wind have no chance.

Very spacious inner tent for two with generous length and sitting area. Very easy to ventilate, many storage compartments. Sufficiently large vestibules with, two entrances.

Easy to set up with a little practice (inner / outer tent are coupled). To open the zips you have to reach into the vestibules, otherwise top handling.

Durable materials, outer tent seams must be sealed.

Outdoor Magazin summarises:

With the Quadratic, The Theory Works offers an innovative, individually configurable all-rounder with terrific value for money.

Rating: VERY GOOD

See the full score card (in German)

Review of the Quadratic™ Tent on freiluft-blog.de

Sven at freiluft-blog.de has been testing the Quadratic tent system. He tested the Quadratic Light Outer and Quadratic Winter Inner, together with Quadratic Expedition poles. Sven comments on the components, setup and practicalities of the tent. Here are some of his comments (translated):

Overall, the Quadratic tent system left a very good impression. The processing of the individual components is excellent and the system generally well thought out.

No matter which combination you choose, the price is quite fair for the offered quality and the unique modularity. If you travel a lot in different regions and / or in all seasons, such a flexible tent system could certainly be worthwhile.

To find out more about Sven’s test, you can read his review (in German) here.

(image copyright Freiluft Blog)

Modular Shelter System Review – Outdoor Magazin

Outdoor Magazin Review - Oct 2014

German outdoor guru Frank Wacker and his colleagues tested the modular shelter system during the summer – their results are in the November issue of the Outdoor Magazin. On test was the 6:R Shelter, which consists of three double elements and is suitable for four persons and gear.

In his review, Frank introduces the different components of the system, and how they can be combined to make a variety of shelters.

From a subset of the test shelter, Frank built an on open tarp-like shelter, which he says “protects much better against nasty weather than a classic tarp, because it consists of vertical side walls that can be folded inside for further protection”. He also notes that the 2.4kg Shelter can be reduced in weight if the vent props are left behind, and a tarp suitable for 4-5 people can be reduced to a weight of about 900g.

Verdict: [adventurous outdoor users] get a versatile, high quality, thoroughly thought through single-walled shelter for a reasonable price.

German podcast station “Outdoor Spirit” features Modular Shelter System

The German podcast of “Outdoor Spirit” featured the Modular Shelter System in their July 2014 recording. Rene Saathoff and his friend Robert Link were introducing the system to its listeners and discussed various uses. We have already fulfilled their request for illustrations showing sleeping capacities for different shelters. The shelter is featured in the podcast between 09:13 and 19:45 mins. Thanks to Robert and Rene for an inspiring report!

Listen to the podcast (new window)

Adventure Travel Magazine: “Intriguing”

Adventure Travel Magazine feature - Jul/Aug 2014

The July 2014 issue of Adventure Travel Magazine features the Modular Shelter System from The Theory Works®. They comment:

This piece of kit really is the dog’s danglies when it comes to customisable shelters, and while the pack size will depend on the number of elements you use, we found that fitting the elements for a closed, two-man shelter in our rucksack was easy.

Trekking Magazin (Germany) feature Modular Shelter System

Trekking Magazin features The Theory Works®
In the May-June 2014 issue of Trekking Magazin, The Theory Works® appears in the Ausrüstung (equipment) section. They say:

The modular System allows users to create their individual shelter. Single or multiple elements can, in combination with trekking poles, be used as a tarp or function as a tipi for up to six people. Integrated sidewalls provide extra interior space. In bad weather conditions, the walls can be folded down to allow better weather protection.

Modular Shelter System in Scottish Mountaineer Magazine

Scottish Mountaineer May 2014 features The Theory Works®
The Theory Works® appears in the Gear News section of the Scottish Mountaineer, on page 73. Describing the Modular Shelter System, they note:

The system consists of a selection of components that can be assembled to form an easy-to-pitch wind break, a semi enclosed weather shelter, or a single walled tent, using two connected adjustable trekking poles as a centre pole.

A wide variety of sizes and heights are possible when pitching an open shelter. A closed shelter can vary from 3.4m2 to 8.7m2, sleeping up to six people. The integrated sidewalls maximise useable internal space, or they can be laid flat and used as snow flaps or sod cloths. Full storm flaps, side vents, adjustable peak ventilation and guy lines are included.

BMC Summit Magazine features The Theory Works®

Summit Magazine - giveaway of products from The Theory Works®

The latest issue of the BMC Summit Magazine features a giveaway offer on page 18. The feature includes picture of a 6:R shelter, with the sidewalls partly raised for ventilation. They say:

New from The Theory Works is a re-imagining of what an outdoor shelter could be. Taking the basic architectural units of a roof and a wall, they’ve created an integrated, modular shelter system that allows you to create different shelters for different occasions. Doing a wet day walk? Throw a few components of the system in your bag and set up a roof with a view. Going wild camping with six people? Build a cooking shelter or even a whole dining room. With a wide range of components and the ability to upgrade over time, the Shelter System looks a good fit for backpacking enthusiasts and groups.