The Browning Echo 4-Person Tent is a simple and reliable extremely compact and light dome-type tent with a good waterproof rating and aluminum poles.
Key features & benefits
- Dome-type tent.
- Aluminum poles.
- Very light.
- Excellent packed size.
- 2 Vestibules & 2 doors.
- Fly vents.
What this is about
The Browning brand does not launch new tents very frequently, but their tents remain on the market for a long time. This Echo 4-Person Tent they launched recently together with a larger 6-person version and with a smaller 2-person tent. In fact, as of the moment of writing this text it is not available even on their own site.
So this is a very typical dome-type tent supported by only two X-crossed poles. The picture above shows it without the fly so you realize what it offers.
They describe it as freestanding, but strictly speaking this is not so. Namely, the tent has two doors and two vestibules under its full-coverage fly. To have them functional, you have to stake the fly to the ground. But indeed, the inner tent alone with the poles is fully self-supportive and you can move it around and rotate.
The tent is low profile, you have only 52 inches (132 cm) peak height here. In view of its dome-shape, this also means that the shoulder space and overall volume are quite limited.
Materials
The poles & stakes: The mentioned poles are a 7000 series aluminum alloy with a 11 mm diameter. They connect to the tent with the usual grommets on the ground and clips on the canopy. You also have a full set of 7075 aluminum alloy stakes, and the corresponding guy ropes. Some details of the frame are visible in the picture below.
The fabric: They claim the fabric is UV-resistant, and this is a moderately durable 75D 185T polyester. The same material is used all over the tent.
The fly is with a 1500 mm coating, and the floor is with a 2000 mm rating, and it is a bathtub type so you are safe from splashes. All seams are factory-sealed. You have extra large #8 zippers. There are mesh storage pockets and a gear loft inside.
Ventilation
The canopy is a breathable taffeta combined with two mesh sections. Both doors have mesh on the upper part. The canopy goes high around the tent, and for this it would be good to have a floor vent that is missing here.
Though air can circulate under the fly along its perimeter, so this should be almost enough in situations when you are forced to keep the tent closed as in the picture below. But they have added a pair of roof vents to help against condensation.
Who is it for
Regarding the best use & climate, with such a full fly, the tent offers full protection against the rain. The waterproof rating is decent and the poles are high quality. I see this tent suitable for at least 3 seasons, but perhaps a bit better suited for a cooler than for a warmer environment.
Regarding the size, the tent is officially for 4 people, and for this you have 64 ft² (5.9 m²) of the inner floored area. This means 16 ft² (1.48 m²) per person.
But you also have two vestibules that add 25 ft² (2.3 m²) in total. So the total covered area is 89 ft² (8.2 m²) and this is quite remarkable. This is quite a lot of space for 4 users in a tent of this type.
Regarding the weight, in view of its packed weight of 8 lb 10 oz (3.9 kg), the tent can be described as very light. This is light enough to be carried on the trail.
The packed size is simply excellent, it measures (L x D) 23 x 6 inches (58 x 15 cm). So this tent will not take much space no matter how you transport it. To realize this, you may compare it with yet another great tent of this type, the Eureka Kohana 4 Person Tent which is also very compact but it is not a match for this Browning Echo 4 tent.
Specifications
- Official capacity: 4 people.
- Weight: 8 lb 10 oz (3.9 kg).
- Floor dimensions (L x W): 8’6″ x 7’6″ (259 x 229 cm).
- Floored area: 64 ft² (5.9 m²).
- Area per person: 16 ft² (1.48 m²).
- Vestibules area: 25 ft² (2.3 m²).
- Vestibule depth: 35 in (89 cm).
- Total protected area: 89 ft² (8.2 m²).
- Peak height: 52 in (132 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 23 x 6 in (58 x 15 cm).
Final thoughts & rating
So the shape of this Browning Echo 4-Person Tent is very simple, this is a quite typical dome, but this is a reliable tent from a reputable brand and you know what you are buying.
However, its packed size and weight are excellent, so this tent can be used as a shelter on the trail, and this for at least 3 seasons. Fully recommended.
The table below summarizes my rating and some pros and cons. This will help if you compare it with some other tents of this type.
Browning Echo 4-Person Tent
Pros
- Excellent packed size.
- Very light.
- 2 Vestibules.
- Full protection.
Cons
- No floor vents.
BEST PLACE TO BUY
For more options, please check under the category Tents for 4 People, you will find them many.
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