Tent/Poncho Combo! Gatewood Cape + Serenity Net Tent - Full Review

Join me for an in-depth review of the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape and Serenity Net Tent.

The innovative Gatewood Cape can be used as both a tarp AND a poncho, which eliminates the need to bring separate rain gear. The Serenity Net Tent pairs with the Gatewood Cape to offer full bug protection, thereby turning the tarp into a dual-wall shelter.

GEAR MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

Gatewood Cape:

Serenity Net Tent:

GEAR I USE AND RECOMMEND

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Filmed on a Google Pixel 2 with Rode VideoMicro external mic

[kimkremer]

Thanks for this! I'm normally a hammock camper, but I bought the Gatewood Cape & net tent as an option for when I'm a groundling. (I also own a SlingFin SplitWing bundle, but I was drawn to the idea of the shelter also serving as rain gear.) So far I've not been able to use the Gatewood set-up, but I plan to use it on several hikes as soon as the snow melts out.

It seems to me that this is a "love it or hate it" piece of gear. I've come across multiple people who love it & have used it for thru hikes, and I've come across lots of people that hated it.

I hike primarily in Washington State, and a lot of that is in the Cascade Mountains. I once got rained on for a week straight. I always carry an umbrella with me. It's shelter from rain, portable shade from a harsh sun, and it can block out an overly-bright full moon on cloudless nights. Having to relieve yourself in the rain is a lot more comfortable under an umbrella.

As far as all the folks who worry about it being torn, I point to my experience with Frogg Toggs ultralight gear: on the second day of that week-long rainy trip, I tore a 16" long gash in the jacket taking off my pack. If something tears, you sew it up with dental floss (I carry silk dental floss when I hike) and/or you patch it with Tenacious Tape.

[Lee-ish]

I use a really old combo ( had it for 10 years)
A Golite hex single skin Tipi shelter and Highlander poncho .
The tipi uses my walking pole and the poncho is 2000mm hydrostatic so doubled up it's a 4000mm ground sheet..
Unbelievably roomy and light .
Love it.

[bobarel]

I found the following most helpful, 1- extend the pole 3-5 in more than instruction calls for. Place pole on a slight angle and straighten as cape sags. 2- I extended all the lines about 10 in. This mod made an incredible difference in both room and vertical clearance.

[ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

I have always thought that this is a great combination. I ultimately went with another setup, but, Six Moons Designs makes great stuff. Nice review. ✌️

[jeffreyallen]

I have the Gatewood cape and the Serenity net and LOVE them. For the price you can't beat them. There are a few other vendors out there that make great light stuff, but they can be very pricey. This combo is now my goto for most backpack trips. ja

[nojaysimpson]

Just got the new gatewood cape in and can attest the bulk did go down (as if it was bulky). It still comes folded in the pocket, same size, but its only like an inch thick and can easily be folded again and stuffed in a pocket. Hopefully I can get it out to seam seal it tomorrow. They also added that addition T grommet on the other side so you can pin both doors back.

[alexmarchica]

This was an excellent review. Great job, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[articus]

If they made an XL version of this for 6'+ people id definitely consider this, it might save weight and space in my pack!

[bobarel]

To me it’s the most underrated, misunderstood piece of gear! What’s your thoughts on a Borah Bug Bivy vs nettent?

[jscarpetta]

I wonder if you could use a tiny neodymium magnet on the inside of the net tent that would attract to the metal snap to give you more headroom? on a side note if your looking for a backpacking trip close to home check out the Manistee river trail loop in Michigan if you haven't already.

[TainoXtreme]

Very good presentation. Very good choice for ultralight backpacking. Have you Camp out and it yet? What was your experience? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.

[philipbuckley]

this seems to be a gamechanger, for sure....

[kriscoty]

Nice job....new tonight to your vid...fun stuff...thorough, much more thAn most. I appreciate it so~

[kdtxo]

I guess 22 Oz for your shelter, raingear, and pack cover isn't so bad. With all that weight savings, you might want to "invest" in a lightweight umbrella and toss the plastic poncho. It is a definite comfort to have an umbrella when faced with a quick rainshower and good for the time when you have to set up the tent in the rain. Not to mention all the other potential uses. You can find some sturdy umbrellas that are less than 8 Oz.

[christimartin]

Would this be reasonable at all for a short person to use as rain protection? Or would it be dragging the ground like the Sea to Summit rain poncho?

[bryanpuza]

Saw a person with one...very very thin gage silnylon. I don't know but I think one of our good ol noreaster down pours would spray right through....it's like tissue thin!

[travislee]

I'm 6'2" will this fit me with my NeoAir Xlite Long & Bivy? I'm planning on using it for the PCT but mainly cowboy camping and only pulling this out for poor weather. Good idea, yay or nay? I've heard unless your under 6' it's too small.

[wouldbang]

Imagine it's pouring rain and 35 degrees and you have to take off your rain layer to set up your shelter just to sleep on wet ground

[joycechampion]

The Gatewood cape is both my rain gear and my "go to ground" solution for my hammock. In rainy weather I set up my Warbonnet Superfly tarp then my Blackbird hammock while wearing the Gatewood. I use an insulated inflated sleeping pad instead of an underquilt and slip it into the double layers of the hammock. When there are no trees, I set the Blackbird on a Tyvek ground cloth (which I always use below my hammock to rest my backpack on) and pitch the Gatewood over it. I use an extra length of shot cord to suspend the hammock's bug netting to the trekking pole, just like you would do with the Serenity tent. And yes, I also carry a disposable rain poncho for rainy days when I need to use the Gatewood as a tent.

[idiotbox]

Great review, thanks! I was going to ask about how you dealt with rain after you set up camp so I'm glad you covered that. Six moon designs makes some good stuff, I love my skyscape. Do you recommend the inreach mini you took to Dolly Sods? My wife did not like that she couldn't communicate with me the last time I was there hahah.