rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 28, 2016 16:07:30 GMT -8
I think there is something in the frailty of the fabrics. We never did figure out exactly what caused the fly on our tent to fail--as far as we know, it was stress from high winds. Could have been a bird, even. But after 4or 5 years with a lot of sun exposure, the sylnylon was definitey a bit brittle.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jun 28, 2016 16:51:56 GMT -8
UV does that to nylon, yes. Over time and a lot of use. But the OP is complaining about a NEW TENT. Not to mention the lack of details as to what actually isn't durable enough about it.
Any time you'd like to help us, help you, feel free to explain....
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Post by wander2016 on Jun 29, 2016 3:41:47 GMT -8
Its not just me, the outdoorgearlab review also mentioned that the new quarter dome 2 is delicate. Do you guys think that half dome 2+, which is heavier (and cheaper) can be used for backpacking?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2016 4:44:50 GMT -8
Its not just me, the outdoorgearlab review also mentioned that the new quarter dome 2 is delicate. Do you guys think that half dome 2+, which is heavier (and cheaper) can be used for backpacking? Sure! I use a ZPacks Duplex, a lightweight (1.29 pounds) 2 person tent for backpacking. I use to 'freak out' that the Duplex does not require a ground cloth but, with use, I have become more confident with the materials ability to stand up to the elements. We got the big wind test this past weekend. I been reading how the tent is supposed to be great at handeling winds but, until proven, I was unsure. We had nearly 24 hours of strong winds and below freezing temps. The tent pitch cut through the wind and kept us fairly warm. With a 200 dollar tent there is only so many capibilities that can be added to a tent. Here is a link to a list of 2 person Backpacking Tents. You may be able to see that in order to cut tent weight 'they' cut corners; like thinner poles, more mesh, thinner cloth. Right now the tent industry, to me, is trying to find an answer for low cost low weight backpacking designs to compete with the cottage industry. Seriously, the Half Dome 2+ Minimum trail weight 5 lbs. 1 oz and footprint of 9 ounces, how long do you expect to carry that around? A few years? Then you either quit backpacking or get another lighter weight tent in a few years, or you'll come to enjoy carying those monster loads.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jun 29, 2016 6:18:46 GMT -8
I actually returned a Quarterdome T2 recently. The fly was delaminating, and the velcro loops used to attach the fly to the tent poles were all coming off. It was well past its one year warranty, but the store agreed that after only a dozen or so nights of use, and having been stored in an air conditioned home, that this was classifiable as a product defect, and they refunded our money. We own four other heavier duty REI tents which we use mostly for car camping. At least one of these tents we've been using for over 10 years, and it's still going strong. I consider our experience with the T2 to be a fluke, which REI rectified. It was a great tent until it started to come apart, and that was not because of the durability of the fabrics.
I don't think you have mentioned whether this tent is actually going to be used as a 2 person tent, or mostly for solo use. I love my Half Dome 2 for canoe camping and car camping, but I would never take it backpacking, especially on a solo trip.
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Post by dayhiker on Jun 29, 2016 6:55:12 GMT -8
www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Tent-Reviews/Buying-Advice#FabricsIt seems the coating and the type of fabric and the thickness all have an impact. The DR is within your price range, and has the 2nd best fabric (for strength and weight): www.tarptent.com/store/TT-double-rainbowI don't think it is very abrasion resistant, and the floor might be less water proof, say when you are kneeling on it. This is a more airy "tent" and some say the sil nylon mists, but I haven't had a problem with it. I would look at the reviews of tents that have been on the market for at least a year. The Zpack looks good I will have to take another look, I though most of their tents were very low but it is listed as higher than the DR. ====== BTW my moss tarp did degrade like he describes and it is considered top of the line (at the time). I have re-coated it twice. I only use it car or kayak camping.
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Post by wacissakid on Jun 29, 2016 11:16:58 GMT -8
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Post by reptocarl on Jun 29, 2016 12:05:05 GMT -8
I am led to wonder what is being done that makes a tent that serves thousands of people well enough, years of service, that leads the OP to decide it is flimsy... You just don't see them falling apart. Perhaps one of the old canvas tents would be better? Polyester doesn't have the same tear strength as nylon of the same weight so to equal the tear strength you have to use a heavier polyester fabric. However polyester has some advantages. It's more UV resistant and doesn't stretch when wet
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jun 29, 2016 12:10:03 GMT -8
Worth noting that our forum advertiser, Slingfin, also has some nice looking light-weight backpacking tents within your price range.
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Post by wander2016 on Jun 30, 2016 5:04:50 GMT -8
Guys, Your opinion about the Kelty TraiLogic TN 2 tent? It is about a pound lighter than the half dome and has intermediate fabric thinkness.
Tents: REI Quarter Dome 2 Tent MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent Kelty TraiLogic TN2 Tent REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
Minimum trail weight 3 lbs. 1 oz. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 4 lbs. 4 oz. 5 lbs. 1 oz.
Canopy fabric 15-denier ripstop nylon/20-denier nylon mesh 20-denier ripstop nylon / 15-denier nylon mesh 15-denier no-see-um mesh 40-denier ripstop nylon/20-denier nylon mesh Floor fabric 30-denier ripstop nylon 30-denier ripstop nylon 45-denier nylon 70-denier taffeta nylon Rainfly fabric 15-denier ripstop nylon 20-denier ripstop nylon 40-denier coated nylon 40-denier nylon
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Post by Coolkat on Jun 30, 2016 6:19:48 GMT -8
This is rather strange to hear as a user of Quarter Dome T2 for 6 or 7 years with no problems. I've even used it without a ground sheet a few times. It's still going strong.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jun 30, 2016 6:40:20 GMT -8
I should refer that gal I met who used a homemade tent made out of trash bags to this thread.... I use a tent made of 30d silnylon, 28 oz, with trekking poles. Wore out one - floor was see through and holes in the mesh, and zipper blown, would have cost more to fix than replace so I bought another. Kept me dry and stood up to gusts of wind many times. No one needs to camp in a tank.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 30, 2016 7:16:28 GMT -8
Anything manufactured in bulk has the occassional lemon. Perhaps you hit one and that's not, as others have suggested it's not , a general characteristic of that weight class?
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jun 30, 2016 7:26:36 GMT -8
Tents: REI Quarter Dome 2 Tent MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent Kelty TraiLogic TN2 Tent REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent Of these, I'd get the Hubba Hubba, which is a very nice tent. I've read good things about the Kelty tent, but I would never dream of carrying anything that heavy. As AT suggests, no tent is going to last forever, and you really don't need a fortress for most use. Take reasonably good care of any of the tents on this list and they'll be fine. For me personally, the older I get, the less I value durability, and the more I value light-weight. YMMV.
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Post by dayhiker on Jun 30, 2016 8:52:48 GMT -8
I haven't owned any of those tents, or read about them recently, I would look at reviews on different sites, and I would be careful about weight specs, as manufacturing often understate them. Space and condensation problems, how it handles wind etc. are important too.
In general I agree lighter is better, how small etc. one goes to do that is personal. Trying to reduce pack wt. a pound is a hard to cut, so I would not take a pound heavier tent without some thought. On the other hand a 26 lb pack is probably not much worse than 25 lb pack, but it all adds up with that attitude. A light tent plus a DSLR is probably heavier . . . Oh and my Double Rainbow is more breezy so I take a warmer sleeping bag, which adds a bit of wt.
(Actually the review points out the Hubba is delicate, even shows one with a tear in one.)
15-denier no-see-um mesh?? for the Kelty, no rain fly?
Sounds like makers are pushing materials a bit too far, cheap and light =? There are light materials that are strong, such as the Double Rainbow:
Its silicone impregnated nylon materials are very strong and durable.
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