Force Ten XPD Tent
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	XPD Tent Vital Statistics: Weight: 4450g SRP: £550.00

XPD Tent

Vital Statistics:

Weight:
4450g

SRP:
£550.00

Force Ten says:"Having supplied shelter to countless expeditions over the last 60 years, from Everest to recent trips to K6, and Antarctica, we have poured all of our experience and supported athletes feedback into our new expedition tent, the XPD 3. This has culminated in a 3 person, inner first pitch, fully geodesic tent with an added front porch. Featuring Yunan UL poles, a heavy duty 70D Nylon flysheet, expedition doors, gear loops in the inner tent, and the ability to internally guy for extra strength. At just 4.4kg, the XPD 3 sets a new standard of Expedition Tent."

Features to Note:

Inner first pitching
Freestanding, fully Geodesic design
70D Ripstop nylon 6, 5000mm HH, PU backed siliconised flysheet
70D Ripstop nylon 6, 5000mm HH, PU groundsheet
Fully taped seams
Breathable inner fabric
Yunan UL poles
Geodesic Porch: where the front pole crosses over the geodesic structure providing a vestibule that will stand up to bad weather extending the living space when you need to sit out a storm
Double Layer Inner Doors: zip away the breathable nylon for 100% mesh doors and maximum ventilation
Expedition Doors for exiting through the top half of the door in built up snow and for ventilation
Double Vestibule providing access from both ends in prevailing winds or extra storage
Inner Tent Roof Vents, zipped ventilation to reduce condensation in the inner tent
Karabiner Hanging Points
Pre-sewn Guy Loops, ideal if you wish to add your own internal guy system to increase the strength of your geodesic tent
Porch snow valances
Same length poles for geodesic structure
Multiple reflective points on the pole sleeves, pegging points and vents
Line-Lok guyline runners
Duraflex buckles and zip pullers
Optional footprint available for this tent

In-use Test:

Force Ten is a brand name synonymous with quality expedition tents and the Force Ten XPD carries on the tradition with aplomb. With a pack size of just 56cm x 20cm diameter and weighing in at 4.45kg this 3 man tent is a series bit of kit.

The recommended pitch time is 12 minutes and that seems a little long. We were initially confused about which poles went where, but once we had worked it out (the instructions are not that clear and could do with a diagram) a couple of us could pitch the tent in about 5 minutes. This is a 'pitch inner first' tent so you need to be quick if it is tipping it down, but with a bit of practice I'm sure it can done quicker still.

Once pitched, the Force Ten XPD is a self-supporting geodesic structure that needs only a few pegs to keep it securely positioned on the ground. The front porch has its own pole complementing the immensely strong structure that will stand firm in many a storm.

Inside there is room to sleep three snugly or two with comfort. For ventilation there are two meshed sections in the roof and both end 'doors' have a zipped mesh flaps so you can have both 'doors' open to create a through draught whilst keeping the flies and mosquitoes at bay.

All around the inner walls are plenty of pockets for all your essentials and there are at least 10 Karabiner Hanging Points for hanging a light, keys, setting up an internal guy rope system for even greater strength and stability ... or simply drying your socks.

At either end is a spacious porch to stow all your gear and both porches have snow valances - unlike the main body of the tent which does not have a snow valance.

Overall the build quality and finish look excellent.

Buying Advice:

Superb tent for the serious expeditionist who is just as at home on the slopes of Mount Everest as the slopes of Edale Moor (Kinder Scout). At £500+ the Force Ten XPD might be too dear for some - but it is top class. Recommended.

What do you think?

Have you got a Force Ten XPD Tent?

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