By Ryan Keegan
The Gazelle T4 Hub tent is a direct descendent of the Eskimo ice fishing shelter as well as the Barronett hunting blinds, both made by Ardisam. They have been producing seasonal outdoor products since 1960 and have upped their game with the Gazelle line of camping tents and shade awnings.
The Gazelle T4 is easily the fastest deployed ground tent I have used, clocking an easy 90-second setup. Once you select your spot, simply drive four stakes into the corners, pull the four hubs, then step inside and raise the cathedral-sized roof via the center vault. Once the tent is standing, you can add four more side stakes for additional stability in high winds. Should you choose to use the rainfly, affix it by lowering the ceiling and pushing in one hub. Once you attach the four poles of the fly, you can reverse the process and push out the hubs for a tight dressing.
The Gazelle tent stands 78 inches tall with an overall floor space of 61 square feet. When stowed, it weighs in around 30 pounds, measuring about 64 inches end to end. For transport, the system can easily be secured to a roof rack or stored inside the vehicle with the rest of your gear. The Gazelle is constructed using a 50+ UV-rated material that has proven to be durable in the dozens of days I have used it. The T4 employs high-quality YKK zippers on all door and window openings. For ventilation, there are six tightly woven mesh windows along with the ventilated mesh ceiling. There are, however, four more areas in the upper quadrants of the walls which Ardisam could have fitted with mesh windows. This would have increased air circulation in a tent that gets extremely warm when exposed to direct sunlight.
The deployment and sustainability of the T4 were tested in a multitude of terrain surfaces and weather conditions. In rocky soil, the stakes bent, and the aluminum tips were easily damaged. Thankfully, the company provided 12 stakes for their eight main anchor points, but I would recommend purchasing environment-specific stakes. Although there are guylines provided for the rainfly, they were never needed, even during inclement weather. The massive floor space of the Gazelle provided plenty of room for a twin air mattress as well as a table and chair to make it a home away from home on long excursions. The removable gear loft was a great space for storing or drying clothing items as well as hanging a field lantern for lighting. The six storage pockets provide ample storage space for everyday carry items. With its features and durability, the robust Gazelle T4 is a proven value.
PROS
Fast setup and breakdown
High-quality construction
Spacious with full standup height
CONS
Heats quickly due to limited ventilation
Requires application-specific stakes (like most tents)
$340 | GAZELLETENTS.COM