The Pomoly Chalet 70 Pro Tent: An Initial Look

The Chalet 70 Pro is a 4-season tent that includes a built-in stove jack

The Pomoly Chalet 70 Pro tent is a cabin-style tent that the company says is designed for two people, offering a unique shelter experience compared to traditional teepee-style 4-season tents.

It features a stove jack compatible with any of Pomoly's wood stoves, mesh doors at either end for a cross breeze during the warmer months, and a 2500mm waterproof rating which sheds water well, based on the rainstorm I put it through.

Pomoly provided this tent to me for an extended-use review to evaluate its long-term performance. It will be one of my main shelters for the warmer seasons and if it makes it to the end of the year, well then I will throw a Canadian winter at it.

This article offers potential buyers a first impression to help determine if the Chalet 70 Pro is the right fit for their camping needs. This is not the final review but just my initial findings after a month of use.

The tent packs of nice and small, making it easy to toss in your vehicle for camping

Unboxing and First Look of the Chalet 70 Pro

The tent packaged up was smaller than I expected. The tent storage bag was of similar material to the tent, which I always appreciate from Pomoly.

Inside the package, I found 10 tent stakes, two tent poles, and some extra guy lines for the tie-out points. The stakes are nice and thick, which helps grip into the ground and penetrate through any small rocks that may be just under the surface of the ground.

The tent is a 70D ripstop, which is also nice and thick. To compare, it is almost twice the thickness of the Circle 6 material (which is a 40D ripstop and has a 3000mm coating). In my opinion, this greatly contributes to the premium feel that this tent provides.

The tent poles are sturdy feeling, even if they are aluminum. The zippers have some nice toggles, which make opening and closing very easy. The integrated fire mat is thick and durable feeling. I remember my initial thoughts upon opening the bag were "So far, so good" and my excitement grew.

The tent poles and stakes were rolled neatly in the tent. Although I haven't been able to fit them back in since.

Setup Process

Even without instructions, figuring out the setup wasn't much of a puzzle, especially if you've set up one of their tents before. The two main tent poles snapped together easily enough after finding the corresponding peaks to raise the poles in.

Once you have the two main poles tied out securely, the tent becomes very stable. This makes it easy to tie out the remaining guy lines. Although it can be put up by one person with relative ease, having a second person certainly makes the process much smoother.

The first-time setup took approximately 20 minutes as I meticulously attended to all the tie-out points, as I generally do with new tents. With that in mind, I can see this tent being set up in under 10 minutes after some experience with it.

Tearing down the tent was definitely the quicker of the two processes, taking only about 5 minutes. The tent collapses nicely by folding down the two main poles, making it easy to fold up the material. Even novices would find the setup and tear-down process manageable.

This tie out is what stops water from splashing up through the vents

Interior Space and Comfort

The interior space of this tent is designed to accommodate up to two people, but as with many tents of this kind, it can be a tight squeeze. While it is indeed possible to fit two people inside, for the best experience, I would suggest one person, a dog, and gear.

If you plan to use a woodstove inside the tent, then realistically, it will comfortably fit one person and their gear. The tent does not have any extra storage features, so I was slightly bummed not to see a gear mesh pocket or something. But its simple design is functional for campers not needing additional storage space.

Comfort

Initial thoughts on the comfort of the tent reveal several strengths and a few limitations. The tent's height is taller than traditional camping tents (150cm at peak height), providing a more open feel, although at 5'10", I still had to crouch over to navigate around the interior.

Once you get all of the tie-outs pulled tight, the walls are pulled out enough to increase the space even more. Not by much, but there is a difference.

The floor consists of a bathtub floor design, which effectively prevents any water from seeping through during a rainstorm. Even the vents, as low as they are to the ground, never had me worried that water would splash up into the tent.

With a normal sized cot and a stove, you can really fit one person and gear in here.

Ventilation and Windows

Speaking of vents, the tent's ventilation system and windows are both effective and well-placed. The two main doors can double as large windows (once you zip up the mesh), providing an excellent cross breeze and a lovely view of the surrounding scenery.

Additionally, there are two vents low to the ground on either side of the tent, presumably to help mitigate carbon monoxide buildup when using a wood stove. Overall, there is ample ventilation that should help keep the tent cool, even in warmer months, if placed in the shade. But that's during the day...

It’s important to note that condensation can become quite problematic at night if all the doors and windows are closed. It was common for me to find moisture dripping down from the tent's interior when I woke up in the morning. Using the woodstove helps mitigate condensation issues to some extent in the winter, but it is something to be aware of in warmer months.

The results of their waterproofing

Practicality and Usability

The main question I had going into this tent was "Where in the lineup does this tent fall"? Is it mainly for camping enthusiasts who like to stick close to civilization or can those who wander further be able to use this as well?

Here are some observations in regards to who may want to take advantage of this tent:

Weight and Portability

The tent weighs just over 10lbs, which doesn't make it a lightweight tent by any means. However, as a four-season tent, it offers a reasonable balance between weight and durability. It's not the ideal candidate for backpacking trips into the backcountry.

Instead, I see it excelling in scenarios where portability is less of an issue, such as boating camping trips, truck camping, drive-up campsites, and winter excursions where a sled can be used to transport it.

Metal guy lines are great to see, as opposed to the plastic ones that can break in cold temperatures

Durability

In terms of durability, the tent appears robust and well-constructed. The materials used for the tent fabric seem sturdy enough to withstand branches, wind storms, and general wear and tear.

The fine mesh on the windows and vents does raise some concerns. It appears quite delicate, and there is some apprehension about the potential for tears. So far, it has held up without issue, but only time will tell.

The seam sealing is applied very well, with no loose ends on the tape. I didn't see any loose threads either. There is, however, a bit of fabric left attached to the outside of tent, no doubt leftover from the manufacturing process.

Aesthetics

The cabin-style appearance of the tent is unique and offers an appealing blend of functionality and forest cabin charm. The design not only adds to the aesthetic value but also enhances the camping experience, making the tent both practical and visually attractive.

Storage Options

One downside is the lack of storage options inside the tent. There are no built-in pockets to store small items, which can be inconvenient. The gear hooks are positioned right by the entrances, making it unsafe to hang items like candle lanterns. Ideally, having hooks closer to the middle of the tent would be safer and more practical.

The tent can be quite cozy when all of the zippers are done up

Versatility

With the two main walls essentially being made of mesh, the tent provides excellent ventilation for warmer months. This makes it a versatile choice beyond just winter camping. I plan to use it over the summer to better ascertain its performance in different seasons.

Stove Jack

The tent includes a built-in stove jack, which allows you to cut your hole to fit your specific stove pipe. While this offers flexibility, replacing it later would require cutting the old jack out and stitching a new one in.

Weather Resistance

My initial impressions of the tent's weather resistance are positive. During my use, it experienced heavy rainfall, with sheets of rain cascading down the sides. The tent held up admirably for two days without any leaks, suggesting it can withstand both wind and rain effectively. I look forward to testing its performance in snow during the upcoming winter months.

Value for Money

At CAD 245, this tent is priced well (in my opinion) for the features that are included in it. If it were $300 or more then I may have questioned who this was targeted towards. From what I see, it is a budget-priced option for those who are new to winter camping. It doesn't have the best features or materials, but I don't think you will be disappointed.

I have to do more testing to see if after long-term use it is still worth the value, so I will keep you updated on that front.

Overall, I like this tent and can recommend it for those looking for a budget winter tent

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

With proper care and maintenance, such as drying the tent thoroughly, being cautious of sparks from the stove, and avoiding trips over guy lines, I can see this becoming a strong contender for year-round use in my kit. I anticipate it will serve well in various camping conditions I will come across.

I spend all year outside, so I will be testing it over the next several seasons to determine if it's a viable choice for those looking for gear to stand the test of time. As of right now, I can suggest this tent for those in Canada wanting a 4-season tent for 1 person and gear. I will update you if that changes.