Used & Abused: Trakker Crossfire Shelter and Overwrap - 29/01/2010
Tester: Jon Bones
Test Period: Six Months
I am a big fan of lightweight, quick-erect shelters, so when Trakker sent Marc Coulson a Crossfire I wasted no time in relieving him of it so that I could give it a thorough testing! It can be used as a quick-erect but also in a multitude of other guises thanks to the removable infill panels, mozzie-mesh panels and heavy-duty groundsheet, and the option of an overwrap. Most of the time I’ve used the Crossfire completely stripped, leaving only the bare shelter. It’s quick and easy to erect, fits easily into my quiver and provides more coverage than an oval brolly or similar shelter. I can peg the sides further apart or closer together to make it narrower, wider, taller or lower, depending on my fishing situation and conditions.
However the Crossfire is used, it’s exceptionally sturdy, especially when you incorporate the supplied Quick Stick storm poles. Furthermore, the quality and performance of the Aquatexx material is impressive and, considering the abuse that I’ve subjected my Crossfire too, it’s still in good nick. With all of the panels in place the Crossfire turns into an all-weather, full-protection shelter, especially if you have the overwrap on. What’s more, the wrap adds a small porch area and if you remove the front of the Crossfire and use the overwrap as the complete outer skin, then you increase the size of the shelter considerably.
There’s a ‘but’… condensation has been a slight problem, especially when using the shelter open fronted. The overwrap helps, but you have to buy one of those separately. Whether this bivvy system tries to do too much is a question that’s crossed my mind. Its versatility is quite exceptional and it will cope with any situation that you fish in, but this comes at a price. What’s more, I think it performs best when stripped of all its extras, as I use it, and I would like to see it available to buy like this, with the extras available separately. If you want a Crossfire, though, you have to buy it as a complete system at an RRP of £399.99, with the overwrap costing a further £279.99.
VERDICT
√ Excellent material, offers plenty of coverage and it’s superb when stripped bare and used as a lightweight, quick-erect shelter.
× It’s prone to condensation when used single skinned and open fronted and the complete system with skin will make a hefty dent in your wallet.
