Family camping affords us the opportunity to unplug from the diversions of everyday life, connect with the natural world and one another, while creating lasting memories in the process. Now, the car camping experience is even easier thanks to Napier. They’ve taken “car-camping” and made it a literal experience by reshaping and merging the automotive and camping industries together.
On Performance and Design
Since 1990, the Napier team has been changing the way people view camping. They offer a full range of unique options that convert your truck, hatchback or compact utility vehicle into the ultimate outdoor adventure machine. For our own first hand experience with the brand, Napier Outdoors sent out the Sportz™ 84000 SUV Tent for us to put through the paces.
Here’s the deal. For all of its enjoyments, the preparation and process of car camping takes a bit of work – especially when kids are involved. Organizing gear, getting a reservation, preparing food several days in advance, and then loading everything into the car. But wait… there’s more! Once you make the long drive and arrive at your destination, you unload and setup camp, typically leaving a significant portion of your gear in the car.
Here’s where the benefits of the Napier Tents are on full display. No longer is there the necessary separation between your tent and your gear. By design, Napier Outdoors makes your vehicle part of the tent. In the case of the Sportz 84000 SUV Tent, it turns the cargo area of your SUV into an additional storage space or sleeping quarters.
Translation: No more waking up in the middle of the night fussing around for a flashlight, slipping on your dirty boots, walking through the cold midnight mountain air being eaten alive by bugs just to get that thing-a-majigger from the car. Instead, the design allows you fast and easy access to your gear courtesy of a sleeve that wraps around the rear of the vehicle. But more than just a convenient storage area, you also have the option of using the vehicle’s open rear hatch as a place where other campers can can crash for the night. This not only offers rookie campers a greater sense of security, it essentially means that you’ve turned your car into the ultimate camp-out clubhouse for the kids.
For the rest of the crew, the Sportz 84000 offers nearly luxurious living space. A 10’ x 10’ living area offers plenty of room for big families, and with over 7’ of headroom you never feel cramped. Like the idyllic country home with a front porch, the Sportz 84000 has a built in screen room that’s the size of most other family tents. Use the 6’ x 7’ area as your dining hall, or romper room all free of pesky bugs.
Notes from the Trail
Right about now some of you are thinking; “This is all great, but not every campsite allows you to back your vehicle into the physical campsite.” How right you are, and that’s exactly why Napier designed the Sportz 8400 to work just as easily as a stand alone tent. Simply unzip the sleeve, and set up like normal and you still have a spacious tent with all the creature comforts you need.
During our time with the Sportz 84000, we did learn that all that valuable space does come with a minor consequence. Particularly due to the height and floor space of the tent, setting it up solo can prove to be a daunting task. Like most things in life, setting up the Sportz 84000 is better with a partner. With two or more people, set up is a breeze ensuring that you’ll be enjoying your car camping experience in no time.
Bottom Line
Your car camping experience just took on an entirely new meaning… and you’re going to love it.
*Gumption Gear Review received a product sample of the item featured in this review from Napier Outdoors at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.