This time, FOLBOT ambassador Yuto reviewed "GAUR (4-person dome tent)" from Ladit, a high-grade Korean tent brand.
He shares his honest opinion on setup tips, detailed features, and ease of use.
Alone Time with Ladit "GAUR" and a Wood Stove [Review by Yuto]
In mid-January, a season of all-day cold, I suddenly had an idea and drove to Oto no Mori Campground in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, early in the morning.
I really wanted to play with a wood stove today, and the forecast for around 10 degrees Celsius was perfect.
I quickly packed my bags and got ready.
I acted on impulse and left home much earlier than planned, so I killed time by imagining my camp layout on a riverbed along the way.
Since I got this tent, I hadn't yet put a wood stove inside, so I wondered what kind of layout would be most convenient...
By the way, the tent I brought was Ladit's "GAUR."
Ladit is a Korean brand that offers many tents based on the concept of "HOME AWAY FROM HOME® - Another home in nature."
The brand is characterized by its beautiful silhouette inspired by the eaves of traditional Korean architecture, "Hanok."
I arrived a little early for the long-awaited check-in time.
After a quick check-in, I started preparing to set up.
Having used various tents before, what surprised me first was the "storage size that doesn't seem like a 4.5m dome tent."
The sturdy storage bag with compression features has handles in various positions, making it convenient for loading and unloading from cars and shelves.
The total weight is 15.78kg, which is not light on its own, but considering the size of the tent and that it's a 4-person 4.5m dome, it's quite modest.
First, assemble all the poles.
It consists of 4 main poles and 6 sub-poles, which might seem like a lot...
However, all of them are DAC poles, so their strength is unquestionable.
What I realized on my fourth setup was that it stands up easily if you insert two main poles while the tent is lying down and then raise it.
By the way, the main poles have different lengths (blue and black), so be careful.
Fabric in the same color as the poles is sewn at the sleeve entrance, making it easy to identify at a glance.
After inserting two poles, it becomes free-standing.
On windy days, it's safer and easier to raise if you peg down four points beforehand.
After raising the tent, insert all the sub-poles, and the trick is to first secure all the large clips at the pole intersection points.
If you try to fasten these clips last, even my 187cm tall friend struggled considerably.
I was able to set it up by myself in about 20 minutes.
Initially, I thought it would be difficult to set up alone, but following the tips mentioned earlier makes it very easy.
After arranging everything as I'd envisioned, I finally settled down.
The wood stove also fit without any problems, and even with a large stove, the chimney jack is in a good position that doesn't obstruct entry and exit from the tent. However, since the ceiling height is 2.2m, a two-step ladder would be useful.
With two open entrances with mesh doors and numerous ventilations, it's easy to imagine that it's comfortable to spend time in all seasons, as wind can easily pass through even in summer.
It is also effective for preventing condensation in winter, and the drying time before packing up was very short. (The degree of condensation varies depending on climate conditions)
Although it's a 4-person tent, it's a bit large for solo use, but it can be used by solo campers with a lot of gear, or even with an inner tent installed, still providing good traffic flow.
I feel that the ideal way to use it is for two people, with two cots and chairs placed around a table.
One feature I found particularly well-thought-out was the mesh gap between the inner skirt and the wall.
This allows water droplets running down the wall to pass through the mesh and fall to the ground, preventing them from accumulating along the edge of the inner skirt and helping it dry faster.
If set up on uneven ground, gaps can form, allowing wind to blow in, so choose your location carefully.
One point of concern is that you need to be careful not to trip over the fabric at the bottom of the door.
Children can trip even on tape-type groundsheets, so if using it with family, it's best to remind everyone when entering and exiting.
As I camped more with "GAUR," I felt that "this is all I need."
It's an incredibly easy-to-use tent for 1 to 4 people, surprisingly comfortable and faultless.
During my two-day stay, the high ceiling meant I never had to bend down, reducing physical strain.
Above all, I'm completely smitten with its ingenuity for all-season use, its strong framework that withstands wind, and its aesthetically pleasing appearance that doesn't compromise on design... (fin.)
Comfort and Peace of Mind Conveyed by Real Voices - Ladit "GAUR" -
How was it?
This review conveyed "the comfort and peace of mind you feel when you actually use it."
There were many points that could only be learned through real experiences, such as small setup tips, clever detailed introductions, and ease of use in different seasons.
I hope this review conveyed the appeal of Ladit "GAUR" that cannot be fully expressed by numbers or specifications alone, and that it will be helpful for choosing a dome tent.
Click here for the Ladit "GAUR" product page ☜
Thank you, FOLBOT Ambassador Yuto, for the introduction!
If you're interested in outdoor gear and a lifestyle close to nature,
Please also check out Yuto's Instagram, which features beautiful videos.
