WARRIOR REVIEW: Silangan Rev20 Tent

THIS IS THE TENT THAT took the Philippine outdoors community by storm in 2014. Presenting the Rev20 by Silangan Outdoor Equipment. How did I know that? Well, every camper in that year wanted a Rev20 and it had been talked about everywhere in social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and appeared in personal blogs. It became viral. Sort of.

Why? Because it performed like a branded tent and it is affordable. Really?

Curiosity got me interested on the Silangan Rev20 too. In late 2015, I got my own set. It is in red color. Too corporate. I cannot be choosy with colors that suit me. You cannot find a Rev20 in store shelves nor a just-completed set displayed in the factory for as long as 24 hours. Once people knew of its existence, it would be gone in a puff. Trust me. I snatched it the moment I knew one existed.

 

The Rev20 is packed tight inside its compression bag. Aluminum poles, along with metal pegs, are placed together inside in separate special pouches. I would use it when I have the time but foreign guests in my survival class did the honor in January 2016. I have not seen how it is set up nor generous of time to test it myself but it went well with my guests without any supervision at all from me, who was supposed to know his equipment well.

I got the chance to set up, use, habituate and sleep in my Rev20 for three days and two nights of August 2016 when I visited Guintarcan Island, in Northern Cebu. I now know that there are two components of the Rev20: the outer shell and the inner chamber. The main articulated pole would act as the backbone of the outer shell while the six pegs would secure that to the ground so it would stand rigid.

What about the other two short poles that are lumped together inside the pole bag? Are these replacement parts? My guests were quite puzzled when they found two extras. I would find out that soon once I proceed to integrate the inner chamber with the outer shell myself.

The Rev20 is so designed for camping in unfavorable weather conditions. In higher elevations, weather is unpredictable. Most conventional tents are erected first, with rain fly attached next, before you can place yourself and bag inside. When it is raining or when rain is fast approaching, you will be stressed out. You will have to prioritize a dry tent, leaving you and your bag at the mercy of the elements.

With the Rev20, you can set up the outer shell first, which is already rainproofed material, and squeeze through the door with your bag, completely shielding you from rain and wind chill as you work on the ground sheet and then attaching the PVC hooks of inner chamber to the rings found under the roof of the outer shell. There are two sets of three anchor points that are found on the roof and six anchor points on the ground. A vestibule would keep that bag out of the way as you pick yourself inside to stabilize your sleeping area.

The Rev20 is a three-season tent. It could stand a storm and a pouring rain. The aluminum pole, sections all linked together by a flexible cord, is strong enough to hurdle strong gusts of wind. The outer shell fabric is rain fly material that functions on equal footing against any of your favorite and very popular imported tents. The inner chamber’s footprint acts like a dry bath tub. It is also waterproofed material.

I have used, tested and slept inside a Rev20 on those adverse conditions on one stormy night of October 2016. We camped on a high bank beside the Cotcot River, on the side of Mulao, Liloan. It rained hard that night. The river rose and seemed to lip over the riverbank where I erected my tent. Everyone transferred to higher ground. I stayed. I was dry, except for moisture caused by condensation, and blissfully warm. In the morning, I found a remnant of a once-wide pool beside the Rev20.

As the Rev20 is very efficient in keeping you warm and dry, it has also its downside, although very tolerable. During warmer days, when tent is exposed to sunlight, or of stale nights without breeze, it is really uncomfortable to stay in there. You could alleviate that by rolling the door wide open so cool breeze could enter your sleeping chamber. The bug net, however, would protect you from mosquitoes, flies, hornets and crawling insects.

Now, what about those extra short aluminum poles? Found inside at each end of the outer shell are two sets of two tight sleeves which most likely could have been designed to accommodate those two extra poles. When I forced the poles inside each end – voila! – the Rev20 looked much better, unlike the time when my guests used it. The poles act as a frame to keep the outer shell from touching the inner fabric where toes and head are found. It would be challenging when installing it in darkness. Use a light then.

Because I was satisfied with the performance and the better design of my first Rev20, I acquired another one in December 2016. It is in yellow color. I do not care. All I want is function and comfort. I was able to snatch this when I learned of its availability. My apologies to those who tried hard to acquire a Rev20. I am not hoarding. I am investing for my outdoor classes where I am expected to accept guests who travel light.

The Silangan Rev20 weighs at 1.4 kilos, to include the poles and pegs. One person could sleep comfortably inside. It is 78” in length (72” inside), 40” at its widest and 33” ceiling space. A couple could sleep in there but it would be cramped. Currently, the maker is upgrading the Rev20 into the Rev20 + II. Aside from the Rev20 and Rev20 + II, Silangan Outdoor Equipment has other tent models like the Eis8, Amiel5, Dawn26 and the Santi13.

Should I rate the Rev20 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as Poor and 5 as Excellent, I probably would have rated it, like some people would on most tents, by its different characteristics like Comfort, Space, Function, Weight, Design, Material, Cost and Camper Friendly, before I could give the final satisfaction rating average. Here is how I do it and please follow me down:

•         The Rev20 is a one-person tent. When you sleep in it through by what it was designed for, you get all the space you need and the comfort. Comfort is maximum at 5.

•         For a small tent, it still has a vestibule, which is kind of an extra. Even without that, you still got space for your things but the vestibule made the Rev20 a winner. Space is rated maximum at 5.

•         Minimum requirements of a shelter is that it should keep you dry in stormy weather and should protect you from the elements. The Rev20 have complied with that and this result to comfort. Space is an extra and made Rev20 very desirable. Function is max at 5.

•         Weight is the most obtrusive feature why people think twice of bringing a tent. Tents are heavy hardware and weight could make or unmake a major climb. For a one-person tent, the 1.4 kilos that Rev20 packed are tolerable. Weight caused it a notch down though at 4.

•         This is not an original design but the manufacturer tweaked and added their own for copyright considerations, much like the Israelis tweaking an American warbird to a better clone. The design made the Rev20 viral in 2014. Design is good at 5.

•         Choice of material for the Rev20 is very important. Silangan Outdoor Equipment source only the best for their tents and, where available, they sell as much as they make. Material is first class and are the same with what you saw on expensive brands. Material is fine at 5.

•         At P3,600, do I need to explain the price? Cost is best at 5.

•         This is where the Rev20 is not at its best moment. The single pole setup means that it could not stand on its own. You need metal pegs to keep it erect. That would have been fine but stand alone tents are much desired by most people. The tunnel pockets for the two extra poles found at each end are just too tight. In darkness, on all your fours, that would be taxing. Camper Friendly is 3.

Overall, the Silangan Rev20 Single-Person Tent has a Satisfaction Rating Average of 4.65, which is surprisingly high, considering that it is a local product. Personally, this is an excellent tent to acquire and camp with, notwithstanding its two extra poles. Or you could do without it and you could increase your satisfaction by a tenth.

 

Silangan Outdoor Equipment is an independent manufacturer built around 100 percent Filipino capital with office address at Green Meadows Subdivision, Tabunok, City of Talisay, Cebu, Philippines. Their products are all made in Cebu using local labor. You may call or send an SMS to Mr. Jay Servano at 977-216-6606 for orders and inquiries. You may also contact them on their page in Facebook.

All their products are tested in different locations, environments and activities. They accept suggestions and improvements and also accepts product customization according to the needs of the customer. They are also into production of outdoor apparels, sleeping bags, hammocks, fly sheets, dry bags, backpacks, purses, pouches, digital printing, embroideries and corporate giveaways.

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