In an effort to deal with zipper malfunctions, Big Agnes is experimenting with using a magnetic closure on one of their new tent models. Rare earth magnets are stitched into the fabric of the door and opening of the inner tent. Will it just create a new class of failures? Will it be adequate at keeping out bugs? I am not sure on both counts, but I applaud them for their creativity.

That's cool to see, because my experience has been that the zippers on my several BA tents are the achilles heel for each item. I have never spent so much care and time on a product zipper as I have on those in my Big Agnes tents. Come to think of it, my sleeping bag is finicky-zipped, too.

Now, will a series of button mags seal that door from bugs and such? I'd like to fondle it in the store and see some field reports, of course.

Sealing out bugs is definitely a big question. It will probably do fine with flying insects, but I don't think it would hold back a determined crawler.