Macpac Minaret

jagungal
Reviewed: 19 July 2011

GREAT LITTLE TENT THAT HAS STOOD UP TO A LOT OF ABUSE.

Stability in bad weather.
Solid and high quality construction.
Good internal storage.
Multipitch system.

Not particularly roomy.
Not a lot of ventilation.

I've had my minaret for 7 years and used it in all sorts of conditions in New Zealand, Australia and Europe including a fair bit above the snowline in bad weather. It's a brilliant little 2 person mountain tent. The multipitch system is a great idea in the wet - this is where the tent inner can be put up and taken down underneath the pitched fly allowing it to be kept dry.

Of course one tent can't do everything. The downside to the light weight is that the floor space isn't huge, so it isn't great for general camping for 2 people. Also, the airflow, although OK isn't particularly good so it isn't great in hot humid conditions. Then again, it's a lightweight mountain tent so you'd most likely have a second tent for these conditions.

Steve I
Reviewed: 18 April 2009

ROBUST 2 PERSON TUNNEL TENT -2008 MODEL

Relatively light (2.5kg)
Very stable in strong wind
Roomy porch
Well ventilated
roomy inner
Quality materials

Inner gets blown onto feet in strong wind
Very noisy in strong wind

I used this tent solo for 2 nights, so this isn't a long term review. This is a very stable tent. There are 8 guylines in total though only 4 are supplied. The tent hardly flinched in strong winds with gusts to a measured 50 mph (all guy lines used).

The inner is slightly on the short side on 1 side due to its tapering front. Would fit a standard man and woman ok. 2 big blokes would fit, but 1 would have to put up with the inner pressing on the feet in windy weather. I'm 5'9" and had to sleep diagonally to get my feet away from the inner, but it was a very windy night. I may have been spoilt by using an Akto which has masses of room lengthwise for me.

If the *%$" really hit the fan I'd be happier in this tent than my Akto, it really does feel very secure. However, I bought this for 2 person use, it's a bit too heavy for solo use. I weighed the wet tent when I got home and was surprised to find it had collected 400 grammes of water making 2.9 kg in total. No wonder my shoulders had been aching a bit.

goldenberry
Reviewed: 06 April 2008

THE BEE'S KNEES!

A great reliable tent for the weight. Has stood up to gale force winds & torrential rain easily. Very straight forward to pitch as it goes up as one.

It would be great if the porch area was slightly bigger, as two rucksacks fill it.

MacPac tents are sturdy and reliable. I would recommend them to anyone.

Gingeryrogan
Reviewed: 08 October 2007

GOOD BUT SOME QUALITY PROBLEMS - 2005 CONFIGURATION

Quick & easy to pitch
Light inside
Lots of internal storage
Robust
Good and well thought out venting

Tape between pole ends (runs under inner) too long in my opinion - shorter or adjustable would put less strain on groundsheet fixing points.
Mine came with 6 guys and 6 'Y' pegs when there are 8 guying points. Scottish Mountain Gear replaced quickly.
Inner has some enlarged seam holes where stiching is under tension.

I bought this tent because it gets great reviews everywhere. I have been slightly disappointed because of the problems above (hence only good for value), but Macpac and Scottish Mountian Gera have been extremely helpful. That said, I've had no major problems to date.

Slim
Reviewed: 10 September 2006

13 YEARS AND STILL MY ONLY ONE!

Easy to go up, easy to come down.
Light and airy with little condensation
Stand up to anything!

Erm, let me think about that. No, nothing comes to mind!

I've had this tent longer than I've had my wife and she's still going strong! It's been in Scotland, Lakes, Dales, New Zealand (showed it its' birthplace) in wind, rain, snow, sun, wind... sorry did I mention WIND and still no problems. The wife thinks it's abit small so I know I'll have to replace her someday(tent not wife)but I'll be really sorry to swop. Probably look at the Olympus!