New Awning Sides - Comfortz Sun Shadz Review & Comparison to Outwell

[@chrisiden]

I believe the Outwell Falcrest's are labelled as front/rear as they are different widths (170cm & 180cm) to allow room for the sliding door

[@DavidParkinson]

They are.

[@CampervanTime]

Great tip, we've never put our front and rear side by side to see if there was any difference or not so thanks for letting us know!

[@richardhodgkiss5701]

They do a full ‘room’ kit with door and windows too, I’d like to see you review those too. Great video as always guys.

[@CampervanTime]

Yes we've seen other people with that a few times and it is smart, but is it too much hassle?! We may well have to have a go a testing one!

[@travellingtaylors8352]

@@CampervanTime we’ve got that. The Comfortz one. Takes 15minutes to put up once your awning is out. Definitely get one for a review as I reckon it’s a game changer. The quickest awning you’ll get. So good for one or two night stays

[@davidletts6423]

We use the Outwell ones and agree with other comments that they edge it for me as they appear to allow more light into the awning area when installed. Very easy to use for both shade and rain protection depending on the weather requirements at the time. Another great video guys, many thanks.

[@dd-yg3cx]

we have the comfortz awning room it has windows that you can roll up or down and a door that rolls up. it fits the same but has a snow skirt. the door is at the rear and is a bit smaller to allow for the sliding door. its good with the windows rolled up in the daytime ,you can leave your table and chairs in there. or your cycles. we can put it up in less than 5 mins and can pack it away in about 10 mins easy. not tried it in any gales yet. it helped in the 35 deg heatwave to create shade. you can put one part up or all. it worked well on our 3000 mile trip across france.

[@CampervanTime]

Thanks, yes we've seen people with them and they do seen to like them. Maybe we need to do a video comparison?!

[@mileschidlow7270]

Great review, thank you for sharing. As another comparison we have just used the comforts awning room for the first time on our trip around the Lake District. Tested in wet and windy weather and very impressed with the quality and performance, really easy to set up and great for storage when off sightseeing for the day. Material is thicker again and the sides and front panels Velcro together to make a perfectly watertight area. Storage is bulkier than the two you have reviewed but be good to see what you think if you get an opportunity to review. Thanks again, really enjoy your content, always informative and enjoyable to watch. Miles.

[@CampervanTime]

Yes I think we'll have to get hold of one to give it a bit of a test and see what we think. There are so many awning options on the market these days trying to pin down exactly the right one for the right situation can be tricky!

[@bhasr3297]

Thank you for doing this I have I was going to buy the outwell ones but now have purchased the comforts ones.

[@alanbenham4139]

Thanks guys. Only the Comfortz ones are about, so that's what's been ordered!

[@janetbowen7854]

Great video, as ever. thanks Sarah and Will, we have Cysgog side awnings, and front awning, great quality fabric, no rustling, I reckon king poles would work too, so thanks for the tip, don't forget to slope the awning, and dip one end lower the other to enable rain to run off. Cheers

[@CampervanTime]

Yes you’re right about the slope on the main awning. We were just demoing but always important to remember 👍

[@wildhawthorn5912]

The Comfortz tarps look decent, but I prefer the look and functionality of the Outwell type, and colour (personal taste I know). A few things we’ve found - you need the lower guys when parking on levelling ramps taking the drivers side higher; also use guys to spread the area covered; we’ve used both sets of guys when windy to stabilise the tarp and relieve stress. The Hillcrest side comes with king poles to expand the area, which is very useful to cook under when wet. We’ve just bought a 5m windbreak from Outwell made from the same material, nice and compact.

[@CampervanTime]

Good point about the king poles and the Hillcrest, I'd forgotten about that as we don't tend to carry them with us in our van.

[@vrbeale]

We have these Comfortz panels and really like them. We have only used the two sides so far, they reduced the awning rattle and gave us some privacy at a coastal campsite over the August bank holiday. We used an elastic bungee in the back eyelet (next to the van) and the included guy rope at the front to give a more open feel and to maximise the view. The guy ropes increase the versatility and raise the base of the awning further from the ground letting more light in and increasing the floor area. I’m really pleased with them, they also allowed us to stay outside longer in the evening by reducing the chill from the breeze. We also considered the Csgod and Outwell awnings too neither were available, having said that having tried them I would still choose the Comfortz awning sides.

[@alanbenham4139]

Thank you for giving us all this real world experience. As a VW California newbie I have just ordered a set. Thank you.

[@thedochertys1]

Amazing review, I was looking for side panels for my awning but didn’t want to spend £700 for the official fiamma ones. These look a very good alternative, and the colour goes with my van. Thanx guys

[@CampervanTime]

You’re welcome!

[@jamespinchen610]

Great video, so glad you answered the question about if they will fit inside the chairs.

[@CampervanTime]

Thanks - it always seemed like the obvious place to store these on the van - they're great hidy-holes!

[@alannorman1773]

I've never seen these but love the simplicity They could easily put a door in one panel also one or two eyelets in the vertical would allow the panels to be fixed lightly to create more privacy One other mod would be the addition of clear window material. Great vlog thx 😊

[@CampervanTime]

Thanks Alan, I know they read these comments so they're always interested in feedback on design etc 👍

[@cathrynroberts7753]

We have the outwell one's and they were ace in Europe when we needed shade. Also they should go with our new van WHEN we get it. Those go with your van nicely. Think my hubby would shoot me if I said I wanted to change......

[@wildhawthorn5912]

We have a Green van and the Outwell tarps do look right with it. Just got a windbreak in the same material.

[@CampervanTime]

Yes I'm not sure if you already have the Outwell ones if it's worth changing unless you needed to replace them for any reason.

[@pantysaer]

I have a Brandrup side and front they are very similar to the Confortz but more of a silvery finish. Wouldn’t be without them, great for privacy, shade and keep the rain out plus the added bonus of taking up virtually no space in the vehicle once packed. No way would I buy a drive away awning. With the awning tie down kit and some proper pegs they have stood up to some serious weather.

[@CampervanTime]

Yes those tie down straps really are a key part of the setup aren't they. Makes everything so much more secure.

[@AnneRogersPhoto]

I thought I'd like the Comfortz side panels more than the Outwell ones which I've got (thanks to you!), so I was waiting for your review of the Comfortz ones, but in fact I like the flexibility of the Outwell ones, being able to adjust and roll them up. It look like you can angle the Outwell ones further too - which means when you've got both up, and the 'long' panel, there's space on the corners to get in and out. I've not really been bothered by the rustling! They were a Godsend when it was 35+ degrees although if anything in those temperatures their thinness meant the heat came through more than it would with the thicker/darker Comfortz. My 'long' shade is an Obelink "all weather front panel" which was far cheaper than either the Comfortz or Outwell 'front' (long) panels.

[@CampervanTime]

Yes such a great addition when it is hot aren't they.

[@andyblake1849]

Rustle, always a problem eh .. we were sold on the Cysgod but now - as you always do to us- we are having a rethink, pretty much the only thing we haven’t bought as yet😂 Thanks as always 👏

[@CampervanTime]

Happy to be of service !

[@broadpete]

Yep, seems as if these will create some confusion with the privacy room.... But that gives you an opportunity to make another video comparing the two!

[@CampervanTime]

Great idea for a video!

[@daviddring8692]

I think it's quite obvious that front & 2 sides should be vertical. Your canopy should also be fully extended. The wind out arms should be straight & not bent as yours are

[@CampervanTime]

If the wind out arms on the awning at straight then the canvas on it is floppy. It needs slight tension in the bars to hold it taught. I'm not convinced the sides could be vertical as I think they'd be too much material there and they are designed to allow a little bit of airflow at the bottom too. The awning room that they do does do what you suggest though.

[@robertdon777]

I've gone from Outwell ones to Cysgod as they do the 2.5M projection side panels now for the LWB California. and also the 3M width front panel too rather than the 2.5M for the SWB California

[@CampervanTime]

Sounds good

[@DavidParkinson]

I’d say the Outwell wins that one for flexibility for pitching and better looks. I would say that though, because we have a set that we finally used at Etties this weekend. Personally we’d have preferred to buy the Cysgod ones as the are UK made in Wales but they were always OOS.

[@CampervanTime]

Sounds good. Always nice to have a good choice on the market of these things.

[@jonathanwrighton9913]

The new side panels look better than the outwell ones I made my own from tarps I bought and used the bungee balls the hold them up and are very pleased with them the front panel I stitch a Kadar strip in the tarp

[@CampervanTime]

Sounds good!

[@cooperandy3]

Rutland Water, Whitwell? We managed to get Outwell and the Hillcrest comes with poles Like the less rustly material of the Comfortz but not the internal darkness or the reduced flexibility in the peg out angle. Would still go for the Outwell but a close call. Prefer either to a drive away awning.

[@CampervanTime]

Yep! Rutland Water. Thanks for the reminder on the poles that come with the Hillcrest. We keep ours at home and had totally forgotten about them.

[@raymondplatts7516]

Can’t see why they don’t put a door in if you only going to use a front and side we should be able to buy side’s individual as they are reversible don’t like paying for two and only using one but that’s just me You both are brilliant say it as you find it Well done

[@TobyHaskins]

I agree, only want to buy one side with the end tarp. No point spending £270 on 3 panels when I would only use 2. Shame because I do like them.

[@CampervanTime]

It's tricky to cover all bases I think. I know they do the awning room which has a door so suspect they were trying to limit product overlap perhaps?

[@bhasr3297]

Also does the comfortz front panel fit on the other side of the van or just were the awning is

[@marverkaaik2338]

Many thanks for this video.

[@couplandsj]

They look very dark compared to the light and airy Outwell ones. The bungys look like they’re under a lot of tension too, not sure if they will last long…🤷‍♂️

[@CampervanTime]

Time will tell I suppose - at least it's more choice on the market :)

[@kevinreardon1366]

I’ve just watched this and ordered the set lol

[@CampervanTime]

👍

[@solderboy1627]

Thanks for the presentation, I would buy them immediately if they offered them in a real colour. But gray doesn’t work for me…

[@CampervanTime]

Why don't you pop them a note, I know they are always interested in feedback and they may well be considering it.

[@solderboy1627]

@@CampervanTime Sure

[@fredhudson-l5e]

Brought these for my burnster motorhome.and they don't even go half way across my awning.and they don't come with the pegs and ties they show in video.very disappointed. 20:11 photos available if required

[@CampervanTime]

Have you contacted them to discuss? They're usually very helpful with any issues.

[@jeffbarrett1787]

Can you tell me please what is the tailgate storage

[@CampervanTime]

It's built in to the VW California - it's where the outdoor chairs go.

[@jeffbarrett1787]

@@CampervanTime thank you for reply

[@DJDOG-zakkgamer6423]

Hi which tie down straps are you using please ?

[@CampervanTime]

They are the Thule ones - here: amzn.to/3iD6RS0

[@lorraineh2628]

Funnily enough they are sold out!😂

[@maxgiii_beach_street_photo7161]

I’ll never ever buy a van without toilette/ shower. No way

[@couplandsj]

Rutland Water….according to the sign…🤪

[@CampervanTime]

🤦