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Post by neneboricua on Jan 25, 2016 0:45:31 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I'm currently using an REI Passage 2 and it has served me well even in snow. But now I'd like to relegate it to car camping and am looking for a lightweight replacement. Been doing months of research to narrow things down. Main users would be my wife (5'3", 118lbs) and I (5'8" 145lbs), though sometimes I'll take an average sized friend along when the wife doesn't wanna go. I will mainly be using it in SoCal but one day may venture more towards Yosemite, Arizona (Grand Canyon), or maybe Colorado and Utah. Here's the main things I'm looking for in a backpacking tent for two people. - Handle heavy rain, moderate wind and snow (3-season use).
- Full bug protection (wife refuses to spend the night outside in the "open" so no tarps for now)
- Lightweight - Must be under 3lbs and preferably closer to 2.5lbs.
- Takes advantage of trekking poles (since I already carry them, I might as well use them to hold up the shelter and save some weight).
- Reasonable amount of head/shoulder room.
- Good condensation management.
- Bonus: Ability to see stars at night.
- Bonus: 2 doors for would be nice but not absolutely necessary.
Here are the main ones I'm considering. - Slingfin 2Lite Trek - This tent doesn't seem to be as well known as others but found a couple of reviews that make me think well of it.
- Tarptent Double Rainbow - I'm new to these forums but been here long enough to know this tent needs no introduction here.
- Tarptent StratoSpire 2 - Although this is the heaviest tent on the list, I like that it can be set up in the rain without the inside getting wet, yet if the weather is nice it can be set up with the inner mesh only for stargazing.
One thing I notice about Tarptent's products is that many of them can be adjusted to fit an additional person when needed. I'm wondering if one of the 1-person models could be used by 2 relatively slim people comfortably while still providing good weather protection? I'm afraid that expanding the bathtub floor would make splashback more of a problem in a storm and that the space really wouldn't be livable. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Slingfin because of the condensation management, the ability to remove the rainfly in good weather (since it doesn't rain much in SoCal anyway), low weight, and it's strength in wind/rain. I've heard that Tarptents need to be pitched almost perfectly every time or they could be susceptible to collapsing. Anyone else have some good suggestions for me? I'm still pretty new to backpacking so there may be a number of options out there that I'm not aware of. Also, a sanity check on my reasoning would be nice Thanks!
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 25, 2016 4:07:39 GMT -8
Look at Stephensons Warmlite tents. Not cheap but very lightweight. I have a 2R but I personally have a problem with condensation in cold weather when it's closed up although others don't. Other than that it's a great tent. Double wall, single hung. Side windows for ventilation in warm weather. Lots of room for 2, can fit 3 if gear is left outside. Because of my personal condensation issue, it's available for a reasonable price.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 25, 2016 5:33:59 GMT -8
I like the Tarptents Henry puts out. I own a Rainshadow 2 for spacious sleeping for 2. I would not count on a 1 person tent of any maker sleeping 2 thin people, even if they are really friendly and well acquainted. From the list you provided, if it was me, I'd be buying the StratoSpire 2. With the separate rain fly, it would handle the condensation issues the best, IMO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 7:27:19 GMT -8
I use a Zpacks Duplex 2 person tent, weighs 1.31 pounds (tent bag, guy lies, stakes), 2 doors, expensive, uses trekking poles, I'm 5 foot 11 and fit in there with lots of room. Used on the ONP coast and it managed condensation quite well.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jan 25, 2016 8:10:25 GMT -8
I'm a Hilleberg enthusiast for all our shelter needs. Our go to (2) person, mobile journey tent is the Hilleberg Anjan 2 Based on your criteria: Stargazing best achieved by "cowboy camping" Your weight specification puts your requirement in the ultra light tent category. The (2) door requirement takes you out of the ultra light realm. A word about trekking poles in lieu of tent poles: Trekking poles will fail, not if, but when, causing an inconvenience. They also tend to slightly obstruct entrance and exit activity. You also might rethink your weight requirement to perhaps go more upscale and robust in your choice for three reasons: 2-Hikers: This means you can level load team gear. Sharing team gear can reduce average individual pack weight allowing you to increase your tent weight specification. Average nights per backcountry outing: Weight savings are a terrific objective however on an outing of less than a week with average daily mileage less than 15-12 miles it may not be a significant benefit. Lots of solutions. Lots of feedback here. Good luck!
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franco
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Post by franco on Jan 25, 2016 13:09:51 GMT -8
" I've heard that Tarptents need to be pitched almost perfectly every time or they could be susceptible to collapsing" I found the spot in the Outdoor Gear Lab test were the DR had collapsed "we suspect that the problem had to do with the stakes.." Well yes if the stakes pull out on ANY non freestanding tent, the tent will collapse, if they do on a freestanding tent and it is windy (and empty) it will fly away... Pegs pulling out is only "tent failure" from a user point of view like going off the road is a car mistake in the eyes of a bad driver. I always suggest to use 8" stakes (the DR comes with 6") and if needed to add ballast (stones logs, on top of them. BTW, the same thing would have happened to the SlingFin if pitched the same way with the same stakes. If you use trekking poles, the SS2 offers a lot of enclosed space for the weight and you can get a pretty good view all around simply by opening up the door panels , as you can see with my SS2: franco@tarptent
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jan 25, 2016 15:16:17 GMT -8
I have a TT Double Rainbow, and yes, if I don't stake it down well it can collapse. It depends on the soil, the stakes, etc. I also have an MLD Solomid, which is even more susceptible to bad stakeouts. Bottom line - stake your tent out well and you'll almost certainly be OK. Both Tarptent and Mountain Laurel Designs tents have fared quite will in windy locations such as Patagonia - when properly staked out. Good stakes (I use MSR Groundhogs), also make a difference, but if you're on a sandy beach or in snow you'll need another method to properly stake out your tent, regardless of manufacturer.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 25, 2016 16:02:17 GMT -8
In addition to the list you have already, take a look at the Six Moon Designs Haven. 34 oz for the tarp and net tent and that includes most of the lines and straps you'll need to stake it out, dual side entrances and vestibules. Comes in cuben as well if you want to go even lighter. It's not the roomiest, but you and your wife should fit just fine.
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Post by dirthurts on Jan 25, 2016 17:33:44 GMT -8
Of all the tents mentioned so far, I'm a fan of the Slingfin. It's very stable, and much more robustly built than what I've seen of Tarptent and Six Moon. Not that they're poorly built or anything, it's just the Slingfin has a really good design about it that puts a lot of emphasis on tension and strength.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 25, 2016 18:26:07 GMT -8
Have you been inside that one? Best way to tell about structure is in person.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jan 25, 2016 20:21:26 GMT -8
I have a Lightheart Solo and since the awnings roll up, I have a hybrid double wall that works great -- good visibility, good weather-proofness, and when I wore out the first and got a second, I got a repeat buyer freebie - free seam sealing. And I will buy again. The Duo (two person) version is just a few ounces heavier, has two doors, and any of the LH tents have plenty of head room.
I have had a Tarptent Sublite, which I sold to get the Lightheart, and my boyfriend has a Tarptent Cloudburst (he is a very big "boy") which is our two person tent (three if I take two others of average size). They are good quality tents. But I like the Lightheart method of having the poles inside, having replaced pole handles in the past due to marmots chewing them.
ALL tents, freestanding and non, should be staked out. Never rely on gear inside to weight them down. I have helped a friend chase his tent across the alpine before, along with his sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and clothing inside it.
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Post by dayhiker on Jan 26, 2016 6:43:34 GMT -8
That is quite a change in their review of the Double Rainbow(DR). Here is their old one, on the way back machine: web.archive.org/web/20150517010237/http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Tent-Reviews/Tarptent-Double-RainbowIf stakes get pulled out I would blame the stakes or the person not the tent, though some tents might get more pull from the wind than others. Still a freestanding tent might work better if the weight of the people can hold it in place - though generally one should rely on stakes (a climber told me of a tent that blew away with people in it!). The direction of the wind can affect the DR. I used the old version for years without problems, and then one night I could not keep the doors shut with just the velcro, or even rolled up. The tent deflected quite a bit as well. (I don't use the stakes that come with the DR) I haven't had a problem with splash back with mine, the double doors protect the sides very well, and the ends seem to work too even though the inner is closer to edge of the "fly". Usually the corners stay clipped up once you do that but you should check that. I would not call that a "perfect pitch". I would say that if you aren't on level ground your space might be constricted, since the walls will sag in. If I expect days of bad weather I sometimes take my heavier Beta Light. It has a more water proof floor (though I have yet to have a problem with the DR), and the bathtub walls won't roll flat (extend) and let water stream in. Once in Yosemite, with just a chance of a thunder storm, it sleeted for like an hour,which piled up on one side of my Beta Light, then I had hours of rain piling up behind it, I was glad I did not have mine DR, though I think I would have made it work out. As far as condensation goes I would say the DR is outstanding. With two doors, which can be put in an awning setup if not too windy you have allot of ventilation and views. If you do get some condensation, the netting in the center keeps you from brushing against it. At the ends the side mesh is lower but you are too. Since you are short you should be able to stay away from the ends themseves. A 2 walled tent would be better though most are all mesh so condensation will drip through eventually as well. I have had allot condensation in the DR twice in the same place on Mt Rainer. The second time I noticed it before I got in as the sun went down. I just rolled up the doors and it went away. It was cool and humid but good weather. I was on bare ground that was sandy and a bit wet. I am not sure what to make of those big drips on their photo, does not look like splash back to me. In any event that is a very small amount of moisture. (And just clip up the corners already) One thing I like about the DR is the porch setup is you can lookout in the rain (and not too windy). I liked the lighthouse more since one could look up more and it was very easy to vary how open it was depending on the rain, but its fabric isn't as water proof. I have used it a couple of times in the Grand Canyon, with no problems. Another trip, in Utah I took my Lighthouse, which I am sure handled the blowing sand better, I would have had none if I noticed it and zipped up the walls more.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 26, 2016 7:52:35 GMT -8
One thing I'd thought of when looking at the small Slingfin (not the six thousand dollar ones) was something I consider with any tent that I expect might get a snow load: where could the snow build and push the tent down? And that long slope caught my eye. External frames give more resistance to snow loads, or steeper slopes such as mids use. Stakes or guy lines loosen and a droop starts to catch snow and things would get small inside.... so their bracing the foot with an actual frame even on the version that uses trekking poles, is a plus in that regard. www.slingfin.com/store/Tents/treeline-tents/2lite-trekThey're certainly based in an active gear development region, ever since the Trailwise and before days the Bay Area has offered interesting outdoor gear. They may be the first manufacturer show internal volumes for their shelters: I've always been a big fan of volume in my view that the living space is the volume not simply a floor area (which could be an inch high and useless for much of the edges)
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idahobob
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Post by idahobob on Jan 26, 2016 10:35:09 GMT -8
All of those tents look like nice, light ones. Ones I have experience with are these: Tarptent Squall II: I've had this in snow, rain, wind, it is great in anything except a dust storm. Any tent with mesh doesn't do well in dust storms. If pitching on solid rock or soft sand, where stakes don't hold well, you put a loop of string on each attachment point, and put a big rock in it. When that happens, you need 6 rocks to secure it. My wife is claustrophobic, and she is OK with the Squall II. Vestibule enough for packs and boots. Weight is around 2 lbs. You can't sit up in this tent, its just for sleeping or lounging on your elbow. Its also unsuitable for square dancing. in a hard sustained rain, some rain can splash in from the sides through the mesh panels. For generally dry mountains, this is the bomb. MSR Freelite: There are times when a free standing tent is nice, like on solid rock or soft sand placements. They also have less flapping potentially. The MSR Freelite has a fly that comes down to the ground, two doors on either side, generous vestibules on either side. Its been in heavy rain, and was great! weight 2 lb 13 oz (my my scale). Not cheap but its in the price range of those you are looking at. Nemo Dagger 2: Weight 4 lbs 6 oz on my scale, but a bit roomier than either of those above, and really really rain proof (not that the Freelite isn't. Having mesh side panels, the Squall II can have some rain splash in from the sides.) It has doors on both sides, and roomy vestibules on both sides. Its an awesome tent, review here.
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Post by dirthurts on Jan 26, 2016 12:00:14 GMT -8
Have you been inside that one? Best way to tell about structure is in person. I'm not sure who you were speaking to, but I'll assume it was me. I've spent about a week under the Slingfin, and it held up very, very well. Much better than I anticipated. My only complaint was a light sag in the top of the fly, but an additional guy line at the toe fixed it. I've also tried the Nemo Dagger, and I liked it quite a bit. Very roomy indeed, but I found condensation at the toe and foot in humid conditions to wet my bag.
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