driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,993
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Post by driftwoody on May 2, 2023 9:40:24 GMT -8
I also hike & camp mostly in forests, and sleep in my hammock wherever practical. Pitched at the right height, it's a comfortable chair for preparing meals (especially under the tarp when it's raining).
Ticks have become an increasing nuisance, so I like to be off the ground when I'm sitting. The last two times I sat on the ground around camp I ended up with a couple of those buggers latched on to me.
A few years ago I bought the REI Flexlite chair on sale, a few onces heavier but half the price of the Helinox. The problem with those kind of chairs is the legs can sink into the ground, and when they do that unevenly you can take a tumble.
Helinox sells a sheet that fits tautly on all 4 legs, though I don't know how well that works. There is also a product called "Chair Buddies" which have 4 broader footings, one for each leg.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,993
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Post by driftwoody on May 2, 2023 9:48:16 GMT -8
We've been a bit off topic with talk of chairs. I recently bought a Durston X-Mid 1 Solid, which I have not yet used. It's similar to the Stratospire, with two large vestibules.
I bought the Solid for a little more storm protection. I can't report on condensation issues, but it is a double wall tent. You can pitch the fly separately first, then the inner fabric & mesh tent clips in from inside under the shelter. This is a nice option when it's been raining and you want to stow the fly separately.
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Post by leadbelly on May 2, 2023 11:10:56 GMT -8
I opt for less expensive tents and have never had issues with REI brand. If I wanted to go higher end and lighter, I like what I've seen from Sea to Summit.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,993
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Post by driftwoody on May 2, 2023 12:39:22 GMT -8
Despite being in high demand, my Durston was only $269 -- not the cheapest, but less than many comparable silpoly trekking pole tents.
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on May 2, 2023 13:34:15 GMT -8
I have to say, the hammock chair looks more comfy than the Qwikback (which I have). Heavier, but as noted, lighter than a Helinox. The need for trees to hang it from gives me pause, but that’s not a problem on the east coast. If anyone knows the weight of the Bushman I'd like to know. I didn't see it on the site. And the 1.1oz fabric is rated to 225 lbs which puts me at the limit. And its either the hammock or the hammock chair under the tarp not both. With the Helinox I could sit next to the hammock under the tarp. Also if I wanted to sit on a rocky overlook there are likely no trees for that. If I am traveling with my full hammock I may as well use it instead of the Bushman. They would be about the same set up. The Qwikback is not for me. For me a chair is about not sitting on the ground.
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,906
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Post by ErnieW on May 2, 2023 13:37:52 GMT -8
Helinox sells a sheet that fits tautly on all 4 legs I have an inexpensive and heavier "backpacking" chair that came with a sheet. Works well even in sand at the beach. P.S. Sorry for contributing to the thread drift.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on May 2, 2023 14:25:43 GMT -8
If anyone knows the weight of the Bushman I'd like to know. 14.5 ounces including the stuff sack and 2 tree straps.
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Post by Coolkat on May 2, 2023 17:38:49 GMT -8
Durston was only $269 -- not the cheapest, but less than many comparable silpoly trekking pole tents. Not a bad price at all actually. I've started putting together a spreadsheet of tents to compare and last night I was looking at the Durston tents and for the money they seem good. I see you said you purchased the Xmid 1. I've always purchased 2 person tents because the extra space is just really nice. I'm trying to talk myself into going with a 1 person but I've just spent too many long hours in rain storms.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,993
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Post by driftwoody on May 2, 2023 19:03:21 GMT -8
Coolkat, if the tent was primary shelter I might have dished out $$$ for 2P X-Mid Pro, which weighs the same or less. Other than price, the only drawback is it doesn't have a full inner tent that can be removed.
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Post by thedude on May 3, 2023 6:08:09 GMT -8
I have a Helinox, and while it is very lightweight, I have to say I don't love the chair. I seriously considered returning it but figured there would be times when it would be better than nothing. Damning with faint praise, but we'll see how much use it actually gets this summer. One benefit to the REI membership is I have one year to return anything I buy from them.
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Post by dayhiker on May 3, 2023 9:12:37 GMT -8
I was going to suggest a hammock, you can change standing up, cook (I don't). If aren't going far and can carry a bit more weight, take a bug net for when you want to be on the ground. My back doesn't really like a hammock after a few hours, shoulder squeeze?. You could sit in my first hammock not sure that works for all of them The second picture shows sitting in one: www.cleverhiker.com/best-backpacking-hammocksNot good for eating or cooking though, but better than nothing. With a second Ridgeline you can put tarp up first, but with snake skins for a Hennessy you can keep everything dry and just use the hammock lines for tarp (at least the small one it comes with. You can also keep the hammock out of the way if want to cook etc. Tents keep getting lighter so the advantage hammocks had is about even for one, though good in woods etc. Anyway a tarp is a good idea around trees, don't need poles for tarp, maybe not for tent, easier to put partially over tent. Bugs? Maybe a bug net under a tarp, still have to be careful about fire, even if fumes are ventilated. I don't cook, except car camping and bugs are not a problem compared to other places. Double Rainbow has (had?) a "porch" awning setup you could sort of cook under if not too rainy ,windy or buggy, maybe.
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on May 3, 2023 9:18:48 GMT -8
I have an older Double Rainbow. Two big vestibules. Had it in the rain a few weeks ago. Worked fine.
As with any tent, one important thing to do during rain/snow/etc. is to shorten the guy lines so that the fly is pulled closer to the ground. This can keep a fair amount of moisture from splashing or blowing in around the edges.
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Post by dayhiker on May 3, 2023 11:29:50 GMT -8
Yes it works in the rain. I was saying that the porch setup might work (or might not if too windy, buggy, rainy) for cooking etc.
As far as shortening the guy (stake?) lines, I think there are only the short one on the side of the vestibule, I don't see how shortening that further would do much other than make the wall sag? The ones that pull the corner out just make it taut and pulls the floor out?
I think Franco said the tent could be lowered digging down so the poles set lower, this was (for me) to block the wind not the rain. That did not work that well for me. The betalite you can vary the opening around the sides by using different lengths of lines , and/or lowering the internal poles. That is mainly too block a cold wind, if the bathtub inner is working?
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on May 3, 2023 11:44:17 GMT -8
If you shorten any line so that the fly almost touches the stake and the stake is close to the ground, that will pull the fly down to the ground, leaving less of a vertical gap for precip to blow in.
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Post by Coolkat on May 3, 2023 11:54:23 GMT -8
Had it in the rain a few weeks ago. Worked fine. This tent on my list but a lot of the reviews I've seen said it's more prone to condensation. However, while I have no reason to doubt it I understand why this tent would be worse than others.
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