Tested: OzTent Malamoo X-Tra

It seems convenience is the key word when it comes to camping these days.

There are portable, all-in-one battery packs that keep all your electronic devices going in the bush; ‘instant’ hot water showers to quickly and comfortably wash away the dirt, and tents that magically ‘erect’ by themselves, allowing more downtime around the campfire...

While not the cheapest example of its type on the market, the lightweight Malamoo tent from the makers of the '30-second' Oztent is sure to impress anyone that’s ever struggled with a more traditional and often fiddly, budget dome tent.

And true to the advertising, it does take around three seconds to ‘pop up’, not including of course the extra minutes to peg down the corners and if required, put in additional guy ropes or set up the awning.

The Malamoo is available in three sizes and we tested the mid-range X-Tra, which is slightly bigger than the entry-level Malamoo and comes with a few more features.

It packs away in a fairly flat, circular nylon bag measuring 100cm across and with a carry strap and weight of around 3.5kg, was pretty easy to lug around.

With its built-in flexible framing, the Malamoo features two-layer protection including a breathable inner lining and attached outer weatherproof fly.

Both are made from lightweight polyester material, similar to hiking tents, with a similarly thin material used for the floor. While we didn’t have any problems on the grassy campsites we used, a tarp or other sturdy underlay is recommended to prevent holes from sharp rocks or sticks.

Erecting the tent is as simple as removing it from the bag, throwing it in the air, and Voila! Pegs are supplied for securing the base, as well as the four attached guy ropes for extra reinforcement in windy weather.

The Malamoo X-Tra has a vestible outside the the sleeping area for storing muddy shoes or other gear. The zippered door also doubles as an awning, with two poles and extra guy ropes supplied to create a small sun shade.

There's also a rear, meshed window for extra ventilation which like the front opening, can be rolled up and secured via attached loops.

The tent measures 200cm wide and 300cm long, but despite claims it can sleep three people, they would have to be quite small adults or children.

With sloping walls that cut into some of the space, it’s more suitable for two smaller adults or one large adult.

I managed to stretch out my 190cm frame without touching the sides but only by positioning the stretcher bed diagonally across. A better option for two larger adults would be the the bigger, heavier and more expensive Malamoo Mega.

A maximum interior height of 125cm also prevents standing, although I managed to get dressed while sitting on the bed.

While not recommended in high winds, the Malamoo did prove resistant to a heavy downpour, with the outer fly doing a good job of keeping the interior dry.

However, the light fabric wasn't much chop at cutting out the early morning light. While we’ve only used it a few times, build quality seemed up to scratch and with care it should last a few years.

Once you get the hang of it (there are plenty of Youtube videos to assist) folding up the Malamoo is a piece of cake too, although having long arms helps. We got it down to around 20 seconds…

Apart from the thin floor the only other downside is the relatively large size when packed up, so you’ll need a decent space in the car or trailer.

As well as camping, the Malamoo also shapes up as a handy sun shelter down at the beach, or super-quick cubby for the kids to play in the backyard.

Ranging in price from $200-$400 on the Oztent website (although you’ll find them cheaper elsewhere online), the Malamoo is just the thing for camping ‘newbies’ or just anyone who's ever cursed or struggled when putting up a tent…