We first introduced you to Reactive Outdoor’s 3-Second Tent in the ‘New Stuff We've Discovered' section, back in our February ‘23 issue.

I was so impressed I sent them a cheeky email asking if I could borrow one. I was eager to get my hands on one, mainly because I don’t really like laying out tents, assembling poles, threading said poles through hoops that always seem to get stuck - there’s too much faffing.  So having a simple pre-assembled mechanism, that allows you to set it up and take down within seconds, appealed to me almost as much as Linda Lusardi did back in the 80s.  Okay, maybe not that much…

In practise, the first time I used the 3-second tent I was expecting it to take a little longer to erect, as quite often with these things there’s a certain technique - but this wasn’t the case.

To erect, after removing it from its bag and laying the rods flat on the ground, you simply raised the central mechanism upwards, then push the inner central rods down to lock the frame into position, and that’s it. Disassembling takes a little longer, and when I say a little, I really mean a little - a minute, if that.

“That’s all well and good, but is it flimsy?” I can hear you ask.

No, is the simple answer to that. When it comes to durability the tent is double-skinned with a built-in flysheet and has a HH rating of 3000mm. It's fully sealed and protected with taped seams to keep water from getting in.  If you need more convincing the tents come with a 365-day, Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied, you can return it and you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.

Reactive Outdoor kindly sent me their large, 2-3 person tent to test which only weighs 3.7kg, and measures 200cm x 170cm x 115cm (packed size: 77cm x 15cm x 15cm).  As a hefty 6ft 2” bloke, I appreciate the extra space allowing me to get changed in relative comfort, as opposed to rolling around like a walrus caught in a net.

As for creature comforts, each tent has 2 large doors and mesh windows to prevent uninvited guests like insects, bugs and mosquitoes, and are sold with a waterproof rain cover, guy ropes, a set of pegs and a carry bag.

Up to now I haven’t tested it in the wet, wild and windy British weather (I know, unseasonably weird, right?), but I found that when I've slept in it during the milder spring nights it’s been an ideal tent, and so far I have zero complaints.

Prices :

• Small - 1-2 person - RRP £199.99 currently £99.95 + free Tarp

• Large - 2-3 person - RRP £239.90 currently £119.99 + free Tarp

• Bundle deal - 1 small tent + 1 Large Tent - RRP £439.80 currently £119.99 + 2 free Tarps

more at » uk.reactiveoutdoor.com