Outwell are known for making good tents but the Bear Lake 6 is just something else and we have tried a few over the years before finally finding the right one believe me.

We have been through various configurations of polyester tents and we have hauled a few cotton canvas frames around in our time, we have even tried other Outwell's before the BL6, the last one being a Norfolk Lake, but the Bear just ticks all the boxes for so many reasons.

Outwell's Poly Cotton, in our opinion, is about the best mix of polyester and cotton on the market, the feel of the tent every time you step inside is reassuringly solid, warm and quiet with no fluttering or flapping of the flysheet. The alloy framework is simple to erect with all the poles being the same and once the two side brace bars are in slotted into place and adjusted the bear stands strong and firm. The heavy duty zip in groundsheet fits snugly and pegging out is child's play, in fact it is possible to pitch the bear single handed in about 45 minutes with a bit of practice.

Once pitched and all pegged out the inner sleeping pods slot simply into place and offer either 2 seperate compartments, a 4 and a 2 birth, or with the internal divider unzipped and rolled back one large sleeping pod with 2 low level windows and handy storage pockets at both ends. Both doors are double zipped and have full mesh panels and between the two doors, on the outside of the sleeping pod, is a handy range of storage pockets that gives you a place to put those odds and ends that normally end up being left on a table and in the way.

The living area is large enough for the family on those wet days but when its fine and time to head out then there are three doors, one central on the front panel and two directly opposite each other on each side of the tent. The two side doors have mesh panels, as do both the opening side windows, which allows you to unzip and roll back the doors in warmer weather to allowing air to circulate whilst keeping the bugs at bay. The main door, on the front panel, is protected by the large canopy which during rainy times is a god send as the tent remains dry when the door is open, the main problem with the Norfolk and most other tents we found, whilst also large enough to offer a shady spot to sit under when the sun does come out.

All in all the bear lake is the perfect family tent in our books, it leaves you feeling secure and comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside, yet is simple to pitch and will last a lifetime if its looked after properly.

So why have I not scored it a 5 out of 5 ? Firstly the curtains on the two front windows roll from the bottom upwards and the velro tabs at the top are not strong enough to hold the curtain flat against the window so they sag badly. We simply stitched 2 small plastic rings to the flysheet on both sides and toggles to the top of both curtains to overcome the problem. Secondly, and this is not just a fault with the BL6, Outwell's quality control, check all the stitching the minute you get the tent home as they have been known to not be perfect every time.

Oh and one finally tip, treat all the pole joints to a dab of dry lube, a non silicone one though, as this will stop the annoying squeak at 3am.