The Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is a 3-person tent built with versatility in mind, as it enables multiple sleeping positions in a hammock tent.
The tent promises sturdiness and comfort all through the night and is much more unique than the standard ground or tree tents. Equipped with a rainfly, the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is capable of enduring spring, summer, fall, and mild winters.
In the box, you will find the tent, two anodized aluminum alloy poles, three buckles, four screw pegs, three polyester webbing straps, a set of bungee cords, and extra hooks.
Launched in 2012, Tentsile utilizes creative design and manufacturing to create unique ground and tree tents and hammocks with a patented anchoring system that enables campers to sleep in the trees.
You can use them for outdoor camping trips or even car camping!
But here’s the kicker:
As a company, Tentsile is on a mission to conserve our forests. For each tent purchased, they donate twenty trees to be planted across the world.
As an environmentalist company, they only use 100% recyclable boxes and paper materials, they only ship via sea to reduce pollution, and they do not contribute to landfills. Their goal is to plant 1 million trees by 2021.
Isn’t it awesome?
Read on for our full Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent review to see if this tent is worthy of your purchase.
- 3-PERSON TREE TENT: The Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent is our flagship model and…
- PORTABLE, DURABLE & COMFORTABLE: The Stingray uses a unique 3-point anchoring…
- DOORS ON ALL SIDES: The 5,000HH rainfly can be fully removed for fantastic views…
- EASY SET UP: With only 3 ratchets and 2 poles, setting up the tent is…
- PROTECTION: The Stingray comes with a built-in no-see-um insect mesh to protect…
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tent
If you’ve ever had the frustrating experience of struggling to find level ground to camp on, you might be interested in a tent that can hang from the trees.
The Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is just as the name implies; it’s a “floating” or suspended tent that enables you to camp in any area, regardless of the quality of the ground beneath you.
Before purchasing a tent…
…consider the weather and climate, the number of people who will sleep next to you, and the overall price you’d like to spend.
The Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is a great 3-season tent that can sleep three adults. While it is officially rated for summer, spring, and fall, it may be suitable for mild winters as well.
It is somewhat pricey, but its uniqueness may be worth it if you’re interested in sleeping amongst the trees.
This tent may also be a fun option if you have kids, as they would surely find a “treehouse” and a traditional hammock combination exciting instead of their plain old sleeping bag!
Pros
- Great sleeping capacity: holds three people comfortably
- Weather-resistant rainfly
- Comfortable
- More adaptable (you don’t have to camp on level ground)
Cons
- Setting it up can be complicated at first
- Heavy
Features & Benefits
Setting Up/Pitching
A unique aspect of the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is that you don’t have to find level ground on which to camp.
By using the built-in anchor points, you can conveniently attach your tent to sturdy trees so that it stays securely suspended off the ground. This keeps you comfortable and away from the elements.
Setting up the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent may seem to be somewhat complicated, especially at first.
The first step to setting up your tree tent is to find three trees spaced out somewhat evenly in a triangular shape. Take the straps and wrap them around the circumference of each of the tree trunks at an even height.
Open up your tent and lay it flat on the ground so that each corner of the tent is pointing directly at a tree.
After that…
Attach a ratchet buckle to each corner of the tent. Then, take your strap, which you already tied to the tree, and connect it to the ratchet buckle. Tighten the straps on each side, so they are evenly tight.
Continue to tighten each side in increments so that the tent begins to be elevated off the ground.
Then keep checking the alignment and make sure there is a straight line between each corner and its corresponding tree.
After each side has been tightened appropriately, lock the ratchet buckle so that it will not loosen and cause the tent to fail.
More: How to Insulate a Tent for Winter Camping: The Challenge of Winter Camping
Take out your two tent poles and straighten them. Find the opening of the pole sleeve, and slide each of the poles into the pole sleeves, leaving about two feet hanging out on each side.
Connect the poles at the pole sockets. Then, take the extra two feet of each side and push the pole so that the roof of the tent is raised up into a dome shape.
To attach your rain fly…
…open it up all the way. Each side of the rainfly has a clip that attaches to the ratchet buckle at each corner.
The rainfly should now be over the top of the tent. Peg out the rainfly by screwing the pegs through loops into the ground and attaching them to bungees.
Additionally…
Tentsile recommends that you set up your tent at the height of approximately 4 feet off the ground.
For an easier way to climb into the tent, you can buy or construct a rope ladder that leads directly into the tent.
Check out this video for a demonstration of how to set up the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent:
I found that the first time I set up the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent, it felt a little daunting because it was different from what I was used to with traditional ground-based tents. However…
…the second time, the process went much smoother, and I feel I can effectively set it up on my own now.
More: How to Keep a Tent Cool in Hot Weather (Tips for Summer Camping)
Size and Roominess
The Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent can hold up to 880 pounds (400 kilograms) and is built to carry three adults.
It’s also designed to withstand pressure as we move, so it will stay stable.
With a head height of 4 feet, it’s a little on the short side but feels roomy enough to move around in.
It doesn’t feel claustrophobic due to the mesh and breathability. The tent floor area is 78 feet, with a total covered area of 130 square feet.
For storage inside the tent…
…there are three internal storage pockets at the corners, as well as three underfloor storage nets, which give you plenty of organizational space.
Another comfortable aspect of the tree tent is the way its sleeping spaces are arranged.
An anti-rolling strap system keeps each sleeping bay securely separated from the others by balancing out the weight evenly. This ensures that you and your friends or family members will stay in your own sleeping areas without rolling into each other in the middle of the night.
Also, there are three doors so that each camper has easy access to the interior of the tent.
Weatherproofing and Ventilation
The “Hydrostatic Head” rainfly is constructed from polyurethane-coated nylon, making it ultra waterproof.
Not only that…
…but the rainfly extends far out from the sides of the tent, making sure that rain will be less likely to blow in with the wind.
The Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent is officially rated as a three-season tent, but it may be suited for mild winters as well.
There’s also an invisible insect mesh that prevents bugs from infesting your sleeping space while allowing for plenty of airflow and ventilation.
The tent feels breathable even in hotter weather, especially due to the shade from the trees. Because your tent is levitating off the ground, air can flow more freely under and around the tent, making it cooler overall.
More: Marmot Limelight 3p Review: Is It A Good Tent To Buy For Camping?
Weight, Packing, and Materials
On its own, the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent weighs 24.4 pounds (11.1 kilograms), so it’s decently heavy, especially when you’re trying to hike with it very far.
Its packed size is relatively small, however.
The floor of the tent is constructed of a durable 250 denier nylon-polyester composite fabric, so it is resistant to ripping. The rain fly is also durable and coated to be waterproof.
Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent Specifications Table
Feature Type | Feature Specs | What This Means |
---|---|---|
Size | 3-person covers 130 square feet | The tent can withstand the weight of three adults. |
Weight | 24.4 pounds (11.1 kilograms) | The tent is relatively heavy by itself. |
Materials | Rainfly: 70 deniers polyurethane-coated nylon fabric Insect mesh Floor: 250 denier inclined joint nylon-polyester composite |
The rainfly can withstand heavy rainstorms, while the insect mesh protects from infestations and allows for ventilation in the tent. |
Warranty | 1-year warranty | 100% satisfaction guarantee for 1 year. |
Retail Price | $699 | Kind of expensive. |
Social Proof
When I was researching options for a new tent, I came across the concept of the tree tent and was immediately intrigued. I scoured the internet and found some user reviews that sounded rather complimentary of the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent.
Here are some screenshots of those recommendations:
Alternatives
Tentsile Stingray vs Safari Vista
The Safari Vista is another tree tent with a unique style. There are many similarities between the Tentsile Stingray and Safari Vista, such as the weight capacity and sleeping arrangement style.
The Safari Vista is the more versatile option, however, with its fully removable mesh bug lining and rainfly. Removing these from the top of the tent enables you to fully open up the tent to the air.
Also..
…the Safari Vista has four entry points rather than three. The Safari Vista also has a longer warranty.
Both tents are relatively heavy, but the Safari Vista is more so, with a weight of 39.7 pounds.
Lastly, the Tentsile Stingray is rated as a three-season tent and may even be suitable for mild winters, while the Safari Vista is a two-season tent.
Comparison
- Both have a 400 kg weight capacity and hold three adults
- Both have separate sleeping bays
- The Safari Vista has a removable bug net and top for a more open style
- The Stingray is suited for three or four seasons
- The Safari Vista has a three-year warranty
- The Safari Vista is heavier
If you’re looking for a tent that is more open to the air, check out the Tentsile Safari Vista.
Tentsile Stingray vs Safari Stingray
The Tentsile Safari Stingray is even more durable than the Tentsile Stingray. It is constructed with strong, UV-resistant fabrics so that it can withstand extreme temperatures. However, the Safari Stingray weighs slightly more at 33.1 pounds.
Comparison
- Both are three-person tents with insect mesh and three doors
- The Safari Stingray is made of 450 denier Dacron to be more durable
- The Safari Stingray is slightly heavier
If you love the idea of the Tentsile Stingray but want the even more robust option, maybe the Tentsile Safari Stingray is for you.
Conclusion
To improve your camping experience, sleeping among the trees may be the most comfortable, versatile option. for any backpacking trips.
With the Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent, you no longer have to worry about finding the perfect camping spot on the ground.
With the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and sleep in style…
…this tree tent offers a unique camping experience for anywhere from the forest floor to car camping adventures.
I’d rate this outdoor gear a 5 out of 5 stars for its comfort level, breathability, versatility, durability, rainproofing, and interesting style.
And finally…
…the Tensile Stingray is a tent for those who are ready enough for new adventures!