Gear test: Big Agnes MtnGLO four-person tent

This summer my family welcomed our second child. A July birthday in the Intermountain West means maternity leave at about the perfect time of year.

I had grand visions of using that time camping and fishing with our girls. It turns out it’s just a little more complicated when you have multiple kids.

I’m embarrassed to admit how long it takes to pack the car for a three-night camping trip with an infant and toddler in tow. So, time it was for a four-person tent, and we needed one that was simple to assemble and would uncomplicate our world, not add confusion or clutter. So, we found the Big Agnes MtnGLO. And, thank goodness for it.

A light switch in a tent certainly takes away the atmosphere of “roughing it,” but after three nights with it, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. A diaper change in the middle of the night with a sleeping family all snuggled in tight? No problem, just hit the low light switch – no one else wakes up and you’re not blinding your infant with a headlamp.

These lights wrap along the top of the tent and are super lightweight and easy. The tent is also very roomy for a four-person model. We had room for an entire SUV of gear, including a travel bassinet! The tent is streamlined and simple to put up and take down. I would recommend it to anyone.

— Beverly Smith

By Chris Hunt.