As a frequent backcountry hiker and camper, I have to admit it’s nice not to worry about weight. An hour later, we found ourselves facing a 6-foot-high dam of logs, which we crossed in about 3 minutes by hauling our boards (with gear still attached) over the blockage and continuing on our merry way. Compared to other ISLE models, a thicker, comfier foam pad covers the entire Switch Pro. A series of loops on either side make it easy to clip on more gear, tie on to other boards, and attach the kayak seat (same as the Switch). And given that it rolls up into a backpack, I think many paddlers will accept the compromise without a second thought. From my own experience, I can say that the Switch Pro certainly feels sturdier on the water than my ISLE Explorer 2.
This baby has an impressive 475-pound weight capacity — the highest of any one-person ISLE board. Even laden with 50 pounds of camping gear and my 145-pound body, the combined ozark trail canopy tent weight doesn’t reach even half of what the Switch Pro is capable of. It can accommodate both my parents, who joyously paddled on it together on nearby Lake Lanier.
I’ve pummeled both SUPs against sharp river rocks, downed logs, and other debris to prove the point. After just a few weeks of use, the Explorer 2 has already ozark trail shower tent suffered some visible damage. That means it’s 3 pounds lighter than the ISLE Pioneer Pro (plus or minus accessories) while still supporting more weight.
The Wawona 6 is more complex to set up than a classic dome-style tent like the Wireless 6, but not by much. We recommend doing it with two people, but one person can manage in about 15 minutes. As with any free-standing tent, with this one you stake out the four corners, and then you feed the two main tent poles through the Wawona’s fabric sleeves, which go halfway down the tent’s body. The North Face’s color-coded poles make this process easy to navigate. (We were stubborn and didn’t look at the instructions.) Once you identify the front and back, the process is straightforward. The fly goes up and over the tent body, covering only the upper half of the mesh dome, and then forms the glorious vestibule with the aid of a third pole.
She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in ozark trail shower tent 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries. That’s perfect if you’re trying to avoid carrying the board at any point. Though slightly smaller, it’s also easier to carry and, therefore, better for adventures requiring a bit of portaging.
And you can unzip the front door, remove it, and neatly stash it into one of the tent’s internal pockets—a useful feature if you’re feeling sociable. Our only quibble with the Mineral King 3 is that it comes with only six stakes. (Our runner-up pick comes with eight.) Six is enough to secure the tent and fly but not to fully secure the tent’s extra lines in very windy conditions.