Marmot Tungsten 4 Tent Review | Durable, Spacious, Reliable

Summary.

The CoreVibe Traverse 4 is a compelling tent that strikes a balance between car camping and backpacking. Designed primarily for front country car camping, its compact pack size and moderate weight make it a viable option for the occasional backpacking trip. While it feels a bit cramped for a family of four, it’s perfect for two campers.The Traverse 4 is easy to set up, even for solo campers, and easy to pack for easy transportation.

In terms of weather resistance, this tent performed well in rugged mountain tests and handled easily in heavy rain and early snow. Its dome construction and low-profile top design keep it stable in light winds.

However, there are some shortcomings. Ventilation is limited when the canopy is fully extended unless it is properly tensioned, and tensioning the canopy requires more stakes than included in the package. Internal storage, while practical with four side pockets and two top ‘gear pockets’, could have been more thoughtfully designed to improve usability.

All in all, the Traverse 4 is a solid, versatile choice for campers looking for a tent that combines the comforts of car camping with the functionality of a lightweight backpack.

Quick Specs

CoreVibe Traverse 4
Best Low Profile, High Capacity Camping Tent

CleverHiker Rating: 80.3/100
Price: $399
Comfort: roomy for 2, comfortable for 3, comfortable for 4
Weight: 7 lbs 14 oz
Dimensions (L x W x H ): 93 x 82 x 52.8 inches

Pros:

Lightweight
Quick and easy installation
Spacious interior
Durable materials
Awning door rolls up to either side
Includes footprint

Disadvantages:

Limited number of interior pockets
Doesn’t include a drawstring
Not enough stakes
Low peak height

Comfort.

The Traverse 4 is best suited for camping with two people rather than four, which is typical of smaller crossover tents. While it can accommodate four people, it has very little interior space and requires storing items in the two exterior vestibules. In our testing, the tent could accommodate two adults and two kids, but felt cramped for space – kids may have less body space, but their gear and collection of treasures can add up quickly.

For backpacking, the compact space may be manageable, but for car camping, two campers will find the Traverse 4 more comfortable. The vestibule offers an additional 36 square feet of storage space that helps manage gear, but requires partial cleanup to access the tent.

The main body of the tent features a large mesh design that provides good ventilation on clear nights without the need for a bug net. However, with the rain net fully deployed and the front door zipped up, ventilation is significantly reduced. A single leg vent and a properly tensioned rain net can improve ventilation slightly, but in some cases the tent can still feel stuffy inside. In addition, the lower roof height means that most adults will need to keep their heads down when entering and exiting the tent.

If you’d like to explore more spacious options, check out our REI Wonderland 4 tent review, which offers top features for a comfortable camping experience. ##Durability

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the CoreVibe Summit 4 is a well-constructed and thoughtfully designed mid-sized tent. While CoreVibe doesn’t provide a lot of specific information about materials, our experience with countless outdoor gear products shows that this tent is made from durable, high-quality components. The tent’s poles are made from Velocity HD aluminum, a material that’s heavier than fiberglass but offers more strength and longevity. The canopy and rain cover are made from Ripstop polyester, while the floor is made from taffeta polyester. Unfortunately, the denier rating is not disclosed.

As soon as the tent was opened, we felt that the material was strong and durable, and after rigorous testing, we’re confident that this tent can withstand repeated use. With proper care and maintenance, it should maintain reliable performance all year round. You can find useful maintenance tips in our tent maintenance guide.

Our only concern is the plastic clips used to secure the rain cover to the tent body. These clips are exposed to a variety of environments and can become potentially weak over time. While we didn’t experience any issues during our testing, long-term durability is still something to monitor.

Table of Contents

Weather Resistance

CoreVibe is known for making reliable, affordable outdoor gear, and the Summit 4 lives up to that standard. It performs well in harsh conditions, including extended periods of heavy rain and strong winds. The canopy provides excellent shelter, and the bottom of the tent provides extra protection because the canopy can’t cover it there.

We tested the tent in the rugged Colorado Mountains, with clear skies, cold nights and 36 hours of heavy rain, hail and snow. Throughout the test, the tent dripped without any noticeable wear and tear.

In light winds, the Summit 4 remained stable. Although it flexed in strong winds, it remained intact when fully tensioned. Its weather resistance inspires confidence, even in unpredictable outdoor conditions.

Easy to pitch

The CoreVibe Summit 4 tent is exceptionally easy to pitch, making it a great choice for seasoned campers and novice outdoor adventurers. Thanks to the color-coded poles and webbing, it takes less than eight minutes to set up alone. The modern design uses hooks to secure the poles to the body of the tent, avoiding the hassle associated with traditional tent pole sleeves.

A lower apex height aids assembly, and users can clamp the center fastener without overstretching or awkward positioning. Attaching the rain cover is equally intuitive, with color-coded webbing and clips that require minimal effort to ensure a secure, precise fit. Overall, the Summit 4 provides an easy and hassle-free assembly experience.

Functionality

The CoreVibe Summit 4 strikes a balance between functionality and simplicity. The tent has a satisfying footprint, and the two vestibules provide ample storage for gear. Color-coded tent poles and webbing enhance user-friendliness, while the overall construction ensures durability and reliability for a variety of camping adventures. A great choice for outdoor adventurers, this tent is simple and practical. ### CoreVibe tent review: versatile camping solution

Limited internal storage space

The CoreVibe tent offers some internal storage space, but we found it to be less functional than expected. While the pockets are adequate for backpacking, they are not suitable for family camping. The addition of larger, more functional storage would have been welcome, as the current pockets tend to sag under the weight of items such as headlamps or gadgets, and can’t accommodate essentials such as baby wipes, diapers, or tablets.

On a positive note, tents with ‘lampshade’ pockets at the top are great for diffusing the light from headlamps and adding a soft glow to the interior. However, their utility is limited because they can’t hold much more than the lights themselves. While gear can be stored in the vestibule, some campers may prefer a versatile interior storage solution.

Should You Buy a CoreVibe Tent?

The CoreVibe tent is an excellent choice for campers looking for an affordable crossover tent. It’s perfect for car camping in the front country, while still meeting the flexibility needs of short, less demanding backpacking trips. It is spacious enough for a family of four, but may feel a little cramped. For backpacking trips, it is recommended to distribute the weight among multiple hikers.

With its durable construction and weather-resistant materials, the CoreVibe tent is a solid choice for campers who want a versatile dual-purpose tent. If you’re focused solely on car camping or backpacking, then a more specialized tent may be better for you. But for those looking to combine both experiences in one tent, the CoreVibe is a solid and practical choice.

Tent options available

If you’re exploring other options, here are some great alternatives:

REI Half Dome SL 3+: A crossover tent for two to three campers, especially for families with small children. This tent is more oriented towards backpacking, with a lighter construction and a slightly higher price tag. However, it has a more compact interior than the CoreVibe, so don’t expect extra space.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3: A lightweight and durable pack for smaller groups that are primarily backpacking. Compact and ruggedly built, this backpack is a great choice for those who are more concerned with mobility than interior space.
Kelty Wireless 6 : Perfect for car camping enthusiasts, the Kelty Wireless 6 offers plenty of room for a family of four and plenty of room for gear. It offers excellent weather protection and comfort in a similar price range.

The CoreVibe tent strikes a balance between versatility and affordability, making it a great choice for campers looking for the best of both worlds.