NOT What I Expected To Happen - Snugpak Ionosphere Rain Test - Test Night Series 

I always carry a tarp as a first line shelter, and if a storm is coming, not only adds additional protection for the tent but also provides a place for you to sit protected.

I bought mine in 2012 in coyote tan. I used it HARD for all those years backpacking, back yard camping, stealth camping, and more. I never used a ground sheet either. Never once had I had a leak. I did silicone spray the fly in 2018. Only issues I had was a ember from a fire causing a pinhole in the top. Patched it with the patch kit included and used shoe goo. I also, had to sew a tear in the screen mesh my dog made with his claws. All in all it's been great. Now I can't speak for the newer versions but my 2012 made one has been bombproof. I am not easy on my gear as I am a grunt Marine. Semper Fi. Good test Luke.

If Snugpak is smart they will appreciate that you are actually trying to help them. You couldn’t be more fair to them through this whole process. I’m holding off purchase until it gets full OGR approval! Thanks for the honesty and great cinematography with everything you do!

For folks already owning this tent, how bout a fine bead of silicone on the inside of the fly to create a “ridge” directing rain water to the ground away from the zipper, effectively channeling the water away from the length of the zipper. Provided it adheres to the material it should add less than an ounce to the overall weight

Having a Zpacks Plexamid tent costing an arm and a kidney, same experience in some heavy rains and winds changing direction all night long : small amount of water inside, like the ionosphere. Personally, for its price, the ionosphere is a really great product.

When I was younger and less broke this would have been a solid contender. Possible solutions mentioned by others in the comments is adding some additional Velcro strips to keep the storm flap in place and add some wax to the zipper. Both just about anyone can do and very inexpensively.

Firstly, I think ya did a fantastic job on the review. Not just devaluing the product but not talking it up. But, I think setting the old Ionosphere up with the new one during a rainfall would give a better baseline as to where quality control sits within Snugpak. It would also demonstrate the durability of wear-n-tear.

I’ve watched your Ionosphere videos multiple times and have almost bought 1 on multiple occasions. Thanks for what you do and keep it up.

I have a 2018 ionosphere, fantastic tent, never leaked on me. Used in very wet and windy dutch overnights. Thank you for testing Snugpak, love their gear.

I have the cheaper version by Rothco. Super light at like 1 lb!! I love it. I put two Coates of silicone waterproof spray on it, plus put seam glue on all seams. Water beads right off. Comes in woodland camo too.I paid like $70

Love your channel. Discovered it only a week ago and I am hooked!!

I really like my Ionosphere. If I know for sure it's going to rain heavily, it's not my first choice. For one thing it's inner pitch first so not good to pitch if it's raining. There's almost no vestibule so not cooking in the rain, and as other folk have noted the fly doorway opens over the bucket floor, so just getting in and out can introduce water. But it is so quick to set up, reliable in wind, discreet, highly bug resistant, quite light, and I find strikes a nice balance for warmth vs. condensation. So within its limitations, (which every tent has), love it.

Great service to the consumer and the company Luke. Great video. You are a fantastic guy.

I got my model in 2022 and used it in Iceland hiking around the entire country for 5 months sharing it with someone. Iceland gets tremendously fickle and constantly changing weather, including extreme rain. During a moment in the North coast we experienced a 3 day storm with high winds and in a mire. Every now and then based on wind direction unfortunately; yes you get a touch of water and this is mostly from condensation build up on the zipper area that pools. We managed to avert this with a spare sock or odd item. So while not 100% waterproof; the size, durability, endurance and ease of use of this tent is impressive.

I love your rain tests. Theyre really fun to watch :)

Great review ! As always honest and straight forward. Thanks Luke !

Luke, Thank you again for your honest reviews! It's because of people like you that tell it like it is that allows us to have enjoyable safe experiences. We can only hope these companies will stop selling inferior products and start manufacturing quality gear!

We just purchased this in February. So far so good. We're going to have a lot of Boy Scout camping in the next 6 months to try it out.

As always, this was an excellent review. I own an older model and have used it in hard "wind driven rain" and it didn't leak at all. I have also had similar good experiences with my Scorpion 3 tent regarding it not leaking in heavy rain / high wind camping trips.

GREAT review!! Thank you for your time and energy you have devoted to your channel! Hey, Susie!🥰

Good review. Totally honest. I trust you. 🙏🏻

Always wanted something quick and simple like these. May have to keep an eye on these. Appreciate the work you put into these videos man!

Wow, Luke, I was impressed that you went out there at 2:00 a.m. ___Your RU-vid channel is really good and thorough. I've actually been cycling for 18 days in Florida, hotel hopping on my bicycle 🚲. I'm 53 years old and I'm not strong enough to carry camping gear on my bicycle anymore, unless I transition to a carbon fiber bicycle, which I'm considering doing. I would have saved over $1,000 by staying at State parks.

Better than the tent I had to camp in FRG in 1976 my Kelty I set out this winter and no rain even when it became sleet and snow. I had no idea they would say rain proof with no full disclosure of a product. You are greatly appreciated!

All the way from Melbourne, Australia Mate and i have been watching all of your videos and love the commentary. Also looking at snugpack ionosphere, as i had snugpack back in my Army days 1980's to 1990's. Love your recommendations

Thanks for your review!

Thank you for the review Luke.

I own a Snugpak Ionosphere and I think it's the best bivy ever. Completely waterproof and plenty of room for me and my gear inside. The low profile and olive drab green color, make it a very effective, stealth-camping tent, although there are many 1-person tent alternatives that might make more sense, depending on your needs.

Thank you so much! I just bought one and was looking forward to your review.

Deal breaker. They could replace the zipper with a YKK VISLON/AquaGuard/Uretek waterproof zipper instead of the flap and not have to change anything in the design.

I've used mine a lot now and in all weather's, love it and never had an issue with water

That’s not too bad! I’d keep my stuff at the bottom to stay dry! Great video!

Great test and analysis

Excellent study.

😊😊😊you making very excited!😊Thx

Great review thanks.

I've been thinking of buying one of these tents for a couple of years now but thanks to your videos I've finally got around to getting the terrain version.I live in Scotland and it's holding up to the rain here,NO problem.Thanks for the heads up👍

great test! thanks for the video - very thorough I wonder if people could treat the zipper aftermarket to help waterproof it like impregnating a wax or oil into the fabric along the zipper

We love you,keep up the good work

Excellent review

Mine has done me great on many elk and mule deer hunts in the west in rain snow sleet repeat.👊🏻also I carry a small lightweight tarp to put up over it first as I used to not use a tarp but in a storm ⛈ you will not be able to set it up without getting wet . So tarp is a great add on

Very thorough!

I'm ok with it. I have one and love it

Thank you.

this is the 4th video today just found you love camping so im excited to find me some cool stuff that works and no issues love from Va. mountains

I always carry a tarp big enough to set up over the tent. If not used for that then put it to other thing. Great report. 👍 JMHO

Great review and test Luke. Thank you. How is the new version different from your older one with respect to the flap and zipper?

Excellent review! The price isn’t insane…. After watching I hope they take your advice and fix the flap. Buy the tent and a tarp for heavy rain events and you are all set!

Thanks for the review! It helps alot

Thanks for this video. I recently learned about the Ionosphere and was about to buy one off eBay UK. I hope they get their act together.

I bought mine in 2018, and I don't know if it was made in the UK or China. I've used it a lot, in all sorts of rain and wind, and it's never let in a drop of water. But this review is very helpful in identifying where exactly the leak in the test tent came from. Thank you, Luke. So I'm thinking that butting the foot of the tent into the prevailing wind--which I tend to do anyway--might reduce the chance for rain to blow under the flap and seep through the zip. Armed with the information in this review, it might also be possible to block the flap over the top on the door side, if it looked like rain was getting in. (No need on the vertical, as the fly can be pegged to stand away from the inner.)

That tent is an almost perfect camo color for that environment.

If the leak is that small and in that location I'd still buy it I can work around that I love the look of the tent

Luke, Thanks for the well-thought-out and thorough review of the Snugpack Ionosphere tent. After watching this review, I still decided to pick one up in coyote brown (the neutral "blend-in" color options are a plus to me). While I have not camped in it yet, I inspected my tent, and I can report that my Ionosphere at least looks to have excellent build quality for the price. The small amount of leakage you detected was not a show stopper for me. Since a person would be unable to sit upright in this tent anyway. I would probably be inclined to put up a small, lightweight tarp to sit under if there was rain in the forecast. Also, I noticed that my tent had a lot number listed on the stuff sack tag. It would be interesting to see the lot number you tested listed in the notes section of the review. Then we could see if specific production runs had more issues than others. Based on the build quality of the tent I received, I have to wonder if. that is the case. Keep up the excellent work.

I have used mine out in thunderstorms, no leaking whatsoever. Great tent.

Thanks for the review. I cannot imagine buying anything now without at least seeing your thoughts. One option I think is to take a tarp. I normally try take a tarp anyways, sometimes shelter from rain during the day or away from the tent for a fire and cooking. The Snugpak Ionosphere would make more since than a bivy to me as it offers more room without sacrificing much. I am looking forward to picking this up. I wish a new a seamstress that could remove that zipper to put in a waterproof one.

Btw great review!!! Thanks for all you do for us!

Just used my Ionosphere for a week on Arran west coast Scotland. Gales and storms. Dry as a bone. Bought about 4/5 years ago so perhaps better but it looks exactly the same as this one. I’m a fan of this tent.

Cheers for the review; watching it all the way over in the Uk, funny thing happed yesterday I was shopping in a local store and a pack of different types of coffees caught my eye, looking at them my thoughts were you may love them. Didn’t even consider them for me😄

Another honest review by Luke.

Great job Luke

I want it to be amazing! I love the Snugpak Ionosphere… I have wanted to buy one forever, but I am glad that I haven’t

I am not a buyer, if, until the storm flap is fixed, I have no control over the weather, and will most likely run into rain and wind in my travels. I hope snug takes your advice.

Suggest adding some wax to the fabric part of the zipper as an extra water repellant, just in case.

Another informative vid 👍

I think it's pretty nice... I'd like to have one to be honest ! Thanks for another great review, much appreciated.

As a child I remember my dad telling me to always Cary a parinfin wax bar to rub on the zipper to make it waterproof. Also made the zipper work better

Pay attention to wind direction. Make sure it's flowing over the flap from the sewn side if possible. As long as you're aware of it's Achilles heel I say it's not really a problem.

Thanks a lot

Luke, I love camping I have never had small tent such as the snug pak usually a cheap 2 man although have payed a great deal more for a family tent that would hold 8. Now with that said no matter what I bought and payed for I have never believed something to be full full proof. After every purchase I have always paid extra for a can several cans of tent sealer to water prove exposed areas and zippers. It seems to work well. It didn't matter whether it was a cheap coleman tent or a higher priced tent the sealer works. It is very hard for me to take someones word that their product is the best or it does what they claim to do when many times we use and abuse the products over and over. Every piece of equipment I have I take care of it, if it fails, it could be my life I save or even yours. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you.

I purchased the snugpak bunker after your scorpion review, Amazon was out of the scorpion at the time, the only issue I have had with it is lack of ventilation making it almost unbearable to use in the summer. Great winter tent though. I'm glad snugpak is getting back to better quality

Solid Test & Conclusion Little Brother... S&H...

You really do like the tent 😁

I've swapped to a rainfly set up over a tent because of these videos. Problem is that those leak just as bad in certain aspects. Keep up the good work on finding us reasonable products that we can trust. Because spending a weekend in high altitude rain sucks with bad gear!

I have this tent and I had no problem with it now I do have a solution to this problem of leaking right at the door flap I have added a long strip of velcro the full length of the door to the under side of the flap and this has stoped any water leaking in of course you will have to deal with the larger amount of Velcro but making this tent completely water proof is the goal.

I bought my ionosphere in 2015 and spent many rainy nights in it and no issues with rain,but I did really secure the storm flap

I have the Battlbox branded issue of this shelter, got it a couple of years ago and I've had no issues. It's just large enough for me and my gear, including my rifle and deuce gear, and even though it's not very big, it's comfortable. My old body does have to do some gymnastics getting in and out of it but it's got good ventilation because of the two-piece mesh and fly construction, and when it's zipped up it retains good body heat because of the smaller air volume that needs to be warmed up. And I can hang an LED camp light directly above me for hands-free illumination. The only thing I did was replace the tent stakes which would break in hard or rocky soil with cylindrical hooked rod stakes, which are tougher but don't have an angled flat surface to spread the load against the ground, so I have to find the right kind of soil or place rocks on top of the stakes to keep them from pulling out when it's windy. It has never leaked, but since this is a one-man bivvy style shelter I usually also rig my military poncho over the entrance to provide me a large dry and shaded vestibule where I can cook and clean my weapon, go over my maps, and hang out. It is light and compact and has a permanent home on my bugout bag, I prefer it over other designs that are available. I'm retired from the Marine Corps and many of the so-called "surplus" or "tactical" tents you have reviewed are honestly impractical, too heavy for patrolling, or have features that we really don't use. For example, there is no way that as a sniper I would use a tent as a hide or shooting position, so I don't know where you got that idea. This particular shelter works just fine and is far better than the bivvy cover that is issued with the two-bag sleeping system. One thing you need to allow for is that it is not free-standing, it needs to be staked out in order to stand it up, so you can't set it up on a rock shelf and the stakes will not hold in sandy terrain like the desert or beach. It can cover you to keep the rain off of you but it will simply lay on top of you like a bivvy cover. All in all, I really love the design. I'm keeping mine and I expect it will give me many years of good service.

Another excellent and thorough video. One of the best if not the best gear tests and review channels. We also get wonderful personalities with Luke and his wife. We get taken on adventures from hiking to overlanding. With that it’s clear why this channel is in my top 5 favorites.

First off. Wonderful review. Just bought mine for $160. Plus a few bucks for some silicone wax for the zipper and I’m good

Not a total deal breaker for me - I still got some homework to do - love the reviews and work sir appreciate it - sub and respect from KY

there is a way to do a quick hack tack a small amount of chapstick on the finger and rub it on the zipper and or sew on Velcro.

Thanks for your review. I wonder if you introduced the moisture/water when you opened/closed the fly... Hmmm...

I like that tent looks like you found the issue 😉 probably the wind pushed the water under the flap like you said .

I'll agree with you on how it could possibly leak through there but did you mop up that water that dropped in when you first opened it, if not then that with condensation might have been when the little pooling came from. Just a thought. Looks good though, maybe use with a small tarp over that end to prevent and wind pushing water

It would have been good to see both the old and new side to side in this situation. The Ionosphere is the driest and least leaky tent I’ve ever owned. I usually come out dry in the morning to see others in super fancy big buck tents drying out their stuff. It’s very stable in wind and storms and this seem to make a bigger diff than other designs and materials.

Hi Luke, good Review! One question. Would it work if you use silicon care on the zipper before you use the tent in a rain? S & H from Germany, Kalli

Longer storm flaps or, you can even modify it by installing a long strip of replicable Velcro right underneath that storm flap.

Glad to see Snugpak are back on track. Cheap Chinese labor is always a bad idea. I own both Ionosphere and Stratosphere and love both... Just an idea here but I think you should do some reviews on Robens tents because they're genuinely very good quality for the price. I've got a Starlight 2 and its amazing for what I paid. Very durable and able to handle any weather thrown at at (in my experience). Not many reviews online for Robens and I think you would like them.

I like my Ionosphere. It's never leaked on me. But if I have one complaint it's the entry. I've always found it difficult to get in and out of compared to my side-entry bivy. It's especially difficult to deal with in the event of a late night pee break. I would love to see this tent redesigned with the side entrance and a rain fly that includes an awning over the entry.

First struck by what a great color Coyote Brown is for blending in to the forest floor.

I bought a snugpak scorpion 2 back in 2018 awesome tent never leaked

I have this tent and it is fantastic. The leak issue you experienced could be solved with a rubber strip or change the flap by a rubber flap so that it has enough strength to hold against wind (similar to the Hilleberg Allak 2).

Good review, thank you. With regards the zip & flap, is there anything different between your newer & older models that might make the newer version more prone to leaking?

Zipper leak, I'd run some wax on the zipper and see if that plugs up the tiny holes. I picked up a Snugpack SJ-12(???) over Christmas, and it has a small thread that is working loose on the outside right pocket. Other than that, GREAT jacket. Thx for the new review, I've had my eye on these for a year now, but I feel better knowing quality is almost back. I want to get 4 to 6 of these tents for my home survival kit. Thx Luke, as always great job on your review.

Thank You LUKE You have proven were your witness hahaha really just as you said makes sence.🤗

Only $180... my tent cost me £45 - Roughly $60... and for some reason I never had any problem whether it was thunderstorm, windy, or even during hail, we have pretty bad winds here in the UK, and I am telling you the tent was almost flattened while I was laying inside, but the moment wind stopped it simply sprang back to its original form and did not sustain any damage. I guess either I am lucky to have this tent or I discovered cheap good quality tent... who knows. Love it to the bits. Does the job.

Luke. Another vouple of ideas about this in addition to the larger rain fly. First the company should change the zipper to one that is tight enough to not ser light through and be water resistant and second add some Velcro tabs to the tent body and rain fly covering to help it hold in place better. I also wonder if it blew hard enough to actually force the water to the netting and it came in not through the zipper but the netting??

Hi Luke....Great video !!! I have the Battlbox version of this tent. Is there a chance that you might do a comparison test of it vs. the Ionosphere ? I'm curious as to whether it's as good in rain as the Snugpak. Thanks for any input that you would have, on it 😊

Great video, as always. But for my money, "waterproof in some circumstances" means "not waterproof". After all, water cannot get out as easily it gets in and small leaks will accumulate.

I'd consider that an acceptable amount of leakage. It's little enough that a light towel could do the job.