Touring - Tarptent Moment

Anyone have any experience with the newish Tarptent Moment?

http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html

I always like the look of the contrail, but this one seems like it may be a bit better for me.

I may give it a try this summer. Trying to decide between that and a big agnes SL1

Bu that has no mesh to protect you from insects?

It does look to offer more features/space then the Contrail. I've had a Cloudburst 2 for a couple of years and love it.

I decided to get the bigger Cloudburst 2 since when I tour I like to have most of my gear in the tent for protection from rain/dew. It also makes packing everything easier in the morning.

Adam, if you look at the last couple of pictures, there is mesh the connects to the wall of the tent on the bottom, to block out bugs.

VT, do you ever find condensation to be a problem with the single wall design of the cloudburst?

If your interested in the Moment shelter, be sure to compare it to the new Zpack.

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid.shtml

I just ordered one. Total weight = 11.4oz, which includes insect screening, ground cloth and pegs. I think this design has better ventilation.

If your interested in the Moment shelter, be sure to compare it to the new Zpack.

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid.shtml

I just ordered one. Total weight = 11.4oz, which includes insect screening, ground cloth and pegs. I think this design has better ventilation.

Thanks, that looks like a cool design. Are you worried at all about the screen floor holding up over time?

Thanks, that looks like a cool design. Are you worried at all about the screen floor holding up over time?

A reviewer who did the whole PCT said he was worried about that too, but there was no problems. The ground cloth goes on the inside of the mesh floor, what worries me more is getting the mesh caked with mud, but I figure it's so small (in it's packed size) that I could rinse out the mud in a stream if it got bad. I don't use hiking poles (need 1 for the set-up) but assume I can find a stick and cut it to the right length.

The Moment is the only Tarptent that had my interest when looking for a new shelter for my upcoming AK tour. I opted for a standalone, bathtub floor Sierra Lightning XT (and I'm happy with it) though, because of the hard ground and winds in the Arctic. If bugs aren't a *huge* issue in the area you wish to tour, Tarptents are a joy (light, lots of room, decently priced). If you are preparing for a daunting onslaught of mozzies, then I'd opt for standalone.

Anyone have any experience with the newish Tarptent Moment?

http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html

I always like the look of the contrail, but this one seems like it may be a bit better for me.

I may give it a try this summer. Trying to decide between that and a big agnes SL1

I owned a Tarptent and used it for a few trips before I sold it. The design wasn't very good in moderate to high winds, it's not waterproof and condensation can be an issue if you don't have good airflow - that combined with a down sleeping bag was an issue for me. It was very light/compact. If you can shelter your tent from wind and it doesn't rain a ton it's easy to use and easy to carry on a bike.

I ended up with a Big Agnes SL2 which I like a lot better for my needs. It can be guyed out effectively against high winds and handles constant torrential rain with aplomb. It's not as compact/light as a Tarptent, but having confidence in my shelter regardless of the conditions I encounter and being able to camp with the fly off when not needed was worth it for me.

My SL2 has been going strong for me for several years now seeing a lot of use and wear very well.

If I was starting again I'd look seriously at Big Agnes as well as the light weight MSR offerings.

BTW - the tarptent I tried was a Cloudburst not the Moment.

In my other life I am a Backpacker and have a few sylnylon tents. I do not have the moment at the moment (sorry....I couldfn't help it) but it was receiving rave reviews by thruhikers at Whiteblaze.net (The Appalachian Trail Thruhiker site). You might wish to check out comments there as well.

I owned a Tarptent and used it for a few trips before I sold it. The design wasn't very good in moderate to high winds, it's not waterproof and condensation can be an issue if you don't have good airflow - that combined with a down sleeping bag was an issue for me. It was very light/compact. If you can shelter your tent from wind and it doesn't rain a ton it's easy to use and easy to carry on a bike.

I ended up with a Big Agnes SL2 which I like a lot better for my needs. It can be guyed out effectively against high winds and handles constant torrential rain with aplomb. It's not as compact/light as a Tarptent, but having confidence in my shelter regardless of the conditions I encounter and being able to camp with the fly off when not needed was worth it for me.

My SL2 has been going strong for me for several years now seeing a lot of use and wear very well.

If I was starting again I'd look seriously at Big Agnes as well as the light weight MSR offerings.

BTW - the tarptent I tried was a Cloudburst not the Moment.

Thanks, it's helpful to hear from people who have used both. I think I am going to err on the side of caution and get the Big Agnes, since I am going to be living in this thing for over a year.

VT, do you ever find condensation to be a problem with the single wall design of the cloudburst?

I've spent a number of nights in pouring rain and never had a drop of water in the tent. I did have to seamseal the seam along the ridgeline, but they explain how. As far as ventilation, the Cloudburst is far superior to my REI double wall tent. The Cloudburst as netting all around the perimeter and there always seems to be air movement inthe tent.

VT, do you ever find condensation to be a problem with the single wall design of the cloudburst?

I've spent a number of nights in pouring rain and never had a drop of water in the tent. I did have to seamseal the seam along the ridgeline, but they explain how. As far as ventilation, the Cloudburst is far superior to my REI double wall tent. The Cloudburst as netting all around the perimeter and there always seems to be air movement inthe tent.

I spent a month touring in a Double Rainbow. It was cool, well-ventilated, light (40oz), small, and fast to set up and take down.

On the downside, it is not a warm tent. In order to avoid condensation, there is actually no way to seal the tent. Wind can come up underneath the staked out portions and through the mesh, and it gets cold. The alternative is not to stake out the walls, at which point condensation is a very major problem.

Rain is another issue:
- must be sure to clip up the bathtub floor or wind, rain, and possibly even running water can come right in.
- when the rain was coming down hard, fine spray came right through the walls, hard enough on my face to wake me up.

With moderate rain, there were no issues. I did seal the seams.

Not sure whether I would do another month in it or not.

I've used a Cloudburst for spring/summer/fall backpacking for the lastsix years. Works great, has great ventilation (as mentioned above), and keeps the bugs off ya. 20 mph winds don't seem to be a problem with the Cloudburst as its rounded profile seems to help shed it fairly well (orientation of the tent helps, as it does with all 'tunnel' shaped tents). Being a single wall doesn't bother me - lots of double wall tents are simple a mesh interior, which really is no good against rain if the fly gets a hole. I have used it in mild winter conditions (cold, but no storms expected) and it worked OK.

Discliamer - haven't used itbicycle touring; I'm a wimpy 'credit card' inn-to-inn bike tourer. :)

Thanks everyone, this is helpful.

I owned a Tarptent and used it for a few trips before I sold it. The design wasn't very good in moderate to high winds, it's not waterproof and condensation can be an issue if you don't have good airflow - that combined with a down sleeping bag was an issue for me. It was very light/compact. If you can shelter your tent from wind and it doesn't rain a ton it's easy to use and easy to carry on a bike.



I use a Contrail on overnight trips and I've found it works well as long as you are careful with the setup and add a few more pegs and lines in windy conditions so that the wind doesn't get underneath the fly.