SEEK OUTSIDE BRIGHTWATER – iReviewGear.com

Looking for a one person shelter that does not feel like a bivy? If so, this is the shelter for you. The Brightwater is the newest single person from SEEK and it’s pretty rad!

Just the Facts:

Brightwater 1p

Built from ideas created while hunting the south island of New Zealand chasing Chamois and Red Stag. We ran constantly into problems pitching shelters in the thick tussock. The Brightwater is our answer to a problem. One person shelters generally feel cramped and this shelter feels like a palace in comparison. We built an ultralight single person shelter that we truly want to sleep in, that fits real humans from small to large fitting users up to 6’6″ which one person shelters do not do.

The Brightwater 1p is your go-to ultralight shelter, designed to pitch quickly with just one trekking pole. Its innovative design fits into tight spaces while offering tons of interior space—enough for users up to 6’6″ tall plus gear. The optional nest adds flexibility for all conditions. A rear closable vent ensures solid airflow, and the 5 additional guy out points create tons of head room and shelter stability in the harshest conditions.

The Brightwater 1p features a LARGE vertical wall that creates loads of space inside the shelter, while maintaining a small footprint. To truly appreciate its interior space it has to be seen in person. Its large rear vent provides ample ventilation while its 5 additional guy out points make the Brightwater stand tall and strong in the most extreme of weather. 

Built tough with our Custom 30D Cordura-spec 6.6 Ripstop Sil-nylon, the Brightwater balances durability and weight without compromise. Whether you’re squeezing into a narrow backcountry site or need a stormworthy solo shelter, this tent delivers all of the advantages of a small one person shelter without the compromise.

Note: The Brightwater is a technically a two pole shelter. We do include the Brightwater’s secondary stability pole which increases sleeping and headroom without expanding the footprint of the shelter. However, only one trekking pole is required to setup the shelter. The secondary stability pole is not needed for setup, but is recommended for inclement weather.. With the rear guy out cordage over 43feet long, the Secondary stability pole is not needed to get the tents proper shape.

Handmade in Grand Junction, CO.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Weights:
  • Canopy – 17 ounces
  • Minimum trail weight – 19 ounces (canopy, 6 stakes, no cordage, no stability pole)
  • Shipped weight – 25 ounces (Stability pole, 10 stakes, 50 foot of cordage, Canopy/stuff sack)
  • Optional Nest – 14 ounces
• Dimensions:
  • Height: 51″-53″ inches 
  • Width: 101″ Minimum 108″ maximum
  • Sqft total area: 24 | Sqft sleeping area:13
• Fabric
  • 30D Cordura spec ripstop double coated silnylon. 
  • Hydrostatic head rating 3000-4000 mm.  

Nest Specifications:

• Weight 14 ounces
• Comes with cordage
• Floor material ( 30D Cordura Spec 6.6 Ripstop Sil Nylon)
• Netting (No see-um Mesh)

My Story:

What in the HELL was I thinking?

That was my first thought as I lay awake in my shelter, perched on top of a knoll in the middle of Hells Canyon. More on that in a minute.

I recently had the chance to join some friends on a trip into Hells Canyon. It was an early spring adventure, and I was excited to get back on the trail. This wasn’t just any backpacking trip, either. It started with a 30-mile jet boat ride before we even set foot on the hiking trail.

We booked with Killgore Adventures and used their shuttle service to get deep into the canyon before hiking our way back to our vehicles. The plan was a three-night trip, and the forecast wasn’t exactly promising. For testing new gear, though, that sounded perfect.

After an incredible jet boat ride, we were dropped off and left to begin our journey.

Before I go much further, I want to include a link to the setup instructions for the Brightwater shelter. You’ll absolutely want to watch it before heading into the field with one of these.

Night One: The Wind

The first day was a fairly easy seven miles. When we reached camp, I found a beautiful spot with an amazing view and decided it would make the perfect place to spend the night. It sat out on a knoll, and I knew it would catch some wind, but I figured that would make for a good test of the Brightwater. I pitched the shelter, snapped a few pictures, and settled in for the night.

By 2:30 a.m., I was lying there thinking, “What the hell was I thinking?”

The wind was relentless. It whipped and slapped every piece of fabric it could find, making sleep nearly impossible. After another hour of enduring the constant noise and movement, I’d had enough. I packed everything up in the dark and moved my camp into the trees where my friends were sleeping.

What did I learn?

Two things.

First, if you know it’s going to be windy, pick a better campsite.

Second, the Brightwater can absolutely hold its own in severe wind.

Night Two: The Rain

The second night, we found a beautiful little meadow, and I felt like I was able to get a much better pitch on the shelter. I was confident in my campsite selection and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

Then the rain arrived.

It was expected, but that didn’t make it any less annoying.

Fortunately, the gentle patter of rain actually helped me drift off to sleep. I woke up feeling rested… and then instantly wide awake as a drop of water rolled off the shelter wall and landed squarely in my eye.

As I looked around, I noticed a significant amount of condensation inside the shelter.

It’s important to note that this was entirely my fault.

I had pitched the shelter tight to the ground in a lush, grassy meadow on a night when I knew it was going to rain. It was a recipe for condensation and a mistake that could have easily been avoided.

Night Three: Putting the Lessons to Work

By the third night, I had learned a few things.

It had rained all day, and everything—including me—was soaked. I expected another night of heavy condensation, so I made a few adjustments to my setup.

This time, I pitched the shelter with a small gap around the bottom to improve airflow while still maintaining a dry and comfortable footprint.

The results were outstanding.

I slept wonderfully and woke up to a heavy rainstorm. I was warm, comfortable, and, most importantly, dry. Even better, the inside walls of the shelter stayed dry as well.

Unfortunately, It was such a comfortable setup that I’m pretty sure every bug in the county wanted to move in with me.

Adding the Nest

Again, before we get into this I think it’s important you see the setup instructions.

When I got home, I discovered that the Brightwater has a nest attachment available.

After that final night in the canyon, I knew I had to get one. The bug pressure in April can be intense, and after dealing with my fair share of ticks on this trip, the idea of a bug-free night’s sleep was pretty appealing.

Unfortunately, life got busy, and I wasn’t able to squeeze in another backpacking trip before writing this review.

Instead, I took the Brightwater and the nest attachment to my family’s cabin for a planned weekend getaway.

The cabin is an incredible place to spend a few days…

…but it’s also mosquito heaven.

Took a little nap in the shelter and woke to swarm of bugs but none inside. So, that’s a win!

I will revisit this part once I have had time to fully test this nest in the wilds. I expect that I will be very pleased with it.

So, to wrap it up the Brightwater is a great shelter. It holds up to wind, rain, stupidity, and bugs. You will be challenged during setup but with practice it gets easier. This is a versatile shelter that can be used as a system or as stand alone. I think you will be happy with this system.

Find it Here:

https://seekoutside.com/brightwater-nest-1-person

https://seekoutside.com/brightwater-1p

What can be done better?

I would like to see more cordage sent with the shelter. It never seems to be enough. This is not really anything that can be done better, but this thing is a bit of a bear to setup. You are going to have a learning curve with this thing. The videos are a must if you want to save some heartache. Improper pitch will have a pretty negative impact on the usable space inside so you will want to practice at home. I would also say that you will want a footprint for the nest. The fabric is not very thick and will certainly wear down.