The Stingray tent, the first model from new tree living concept designers Tentsile, is one of those projects you want to order next-day delivery for, and take out this weekend. It is a tension-based tent that can be strung at any height above ground, to create a womb-like tree house in with hammock genes.
Tentsile’s shape is a mile away from the old-school wooden shacks that people traditionally think of in tree houses. Instead the walls are in vibrant, light waterproof PU coated Ripstop polyester. The curved triangular shape is indeed like a stingray flying through the branches. When inhabited, the floor dips to accommodate you, but the technological fiber won’t break – it takes ‘3 adults and their gear’.
The product really is something unusual, the result of very driven designers Alex Shirley Smith & Kirk Kirchev. The real coup-de-grace is the webbing straps that the Tentsile uses to support each corner. These hold the tent’s shape, the precious cargo (you and your sleeping bag), grip the trees around, and massively shorten the assembly time.
Hanging up high allows you to avoid the cold of the ground when camping, and to take in some seriously gorgeous views (see the slide show for incredible vistas through the zipper doorway). The instruction booklet suggests that the time require to assemble your leafy bower is just 2 minutes extremely short, though and only 8 minutes longer if you are ‘at altitude’ – a hint at the rather extreme possibilities! Don’t fear though, vertigo sufferers can still enjoy the warmth – just string your Tentsile on the ground floor of the campsite.
Dimensions: Assembled: 3.8 x 1.2 x 4.5 m
Packed: 70 x 25 x 25 cm, 6.5 kg
Our advice – DO NOT forget the rope ladder.
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