Touring - Need help picking a tent for solo use.

Hi everyone,
So I am on the fence about what tent to purchase. I have narrowed it down to the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 or UL2. I would be using it for just my self but Would like a little room for at least my rear bike bags. I am 6 ft tall and sleep on a thermarest neoair trekker large. I would prefer the smaller pack size and weight of the ul1, but I really want to make sure I have a little room for gear. I have bveen all over town and can only find the ul2 so I haven't been able to compare. Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance.

My thought is that I would go with the UL2 given how light it is and the added room it would provide. I realize that a pound here and there adds up, but i just think it is important to pick and choose where and when to get picky about saving weight. Looks like the packed weight of the UL2 is less than one lb. more than the UL1. Shelter is something that will have a big impact on how pleasant the overall experience of you trip will be. It may be more than enough room, but better too much than too little

I have the Copper Spur UL2 and love the tent. I also have the Seedhouse SL1. Both are great tents for sure as is pretty much all Big Agnes stuff.... While the price is pretty high.. well, you can get one at REI at this time with the 20% off anniversary discount if I remember correctly.

Having two doors and vestibules is really nice. It also allows enough room for a touring partner :)

One man vs two. Depends on how long your tour is. With short tours, one can put up with nearly anything. But if stuck in the rain, a two man tent is too small too. The CS UL2 was my runner-up tent.

If you intend to bring the panniers or someone inside, ever, go with the 2. Packing/weight difference is really not enough to matter much. And if you wake up to rain, you'll appreciate the extra room.

I really like the way BA has sized those models. At 22 sq ft, the 1 is big enough to be comfortable as a solo. At 29, the 2 is not too big for a duo. Just right for cycle tourist. My reference is an 18 sq ft job I tour with most of the time, and a 34 sq ft model I use occasionally. Too small and too big.

I have the BA CS UL1. I'm 5'5" and it leaves me enough room to move around, store a small amount of gear (not including the vestibule areas) and not feel too claustrophobic. With my regular size air pad and sleeping bag, there's just a little space at the top. Since you're so much taller, I'd go with the UL2 to make sure you have the room you want. It's a great tent and I don't regret the expense at all. Like another poster mentioned, I like the side entries. One other nice feature is a small ventilation window (with a bar to keep it propped open) on the fly to help keep the air moving.Hope that helps.

Another vote for a two man tent. I occasionally tour with a Hennessey Hammock; but on long tours I take a REI Quarter Dome T2+. Being able to keep your panniers inside makes a huge difference to comfort. It's nice to be able to access all your things, especially when it's raining. Don't think the vestibule will protect your gear. I've woken up to find my tent sitting in shallow pools. Had my panniers been sitting in the vestibule, they would have been soaked.

I use the Copper spur UL2 for my solo trips and it is AMAZING. One of the best purchases I have ever made. It goes up and down so fast. Last year I did a 25 day tour and it rained the first 6 days. I was dry the whole time and the double vestibules were plenty big enough for all my gear. I am 6'3" and I do not feel cramped at all. My wife joined me for a few days and there was room for the two of us for that short period. I can't say enough good things about the CS UL2
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5048643456_82127e070b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanslacks/5048643456/)
CIMG7450 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanslacks/5048643456/) by Tan Slacks (http://www.flickr.com/people/tanslacks/), on Flickr

some 1 person tents you have to get out to put your shoes on,
as they are too low to sit up in.

like sizing a bike by riding it, try the tent set up in the shop,
for feel about the space.

I am typically in the one man tent camp. If I am in the tent I am either reading, writing in my journal or sleeping. None of those take much space. I find that I really don't need a lot of sprawl space.

That said I never bring much gear in. Everything except what I need to sleep, my clothes for the morning, and my handlebar bag (which contains any electronics or valuables) stays in the panniers and on the bike.

Only you can say it that will work for you or if you need more space.

My view: go with a small, light, 2-person tent for one person. If you really want to go minimalist, get a bivy sack. Ounces matter, but so does comfort. A little room to move and have stuff in the tent with you is a good thing. Just make sure it doesn't leak in a downpour.

One thing I definitely would like my next tent to have is a vestibule. That Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 looks great indeed and it's half the weight of my current REI Dome 2 tent.

Is it easy to set up by one person?

If all you do is sleep,a tarp and bivy.If you want some privacy,a one man tent is fine, privacy and some wiggle room in bad weather,2 man tent.

Is it easy to set up by one person?

I've never set up a tent before in my life (sheets over the clothesline don't count) and was able to do it in minutes the very first time. The second time I did it in about 3 minutes.

I've never set up a tent before in my life (sheets over the clothesline don't count) and was able to do it in minutes the very first time. The second time I did it in about 3 minutes.

Thanks! I might just buy this tent for my next longer tour.

Another vote for a two man tent. I occasionally tour with a Hennessey Hammock; but on long tours I take a REI Quarter Dome T2+. Being able to keep your panniers inside makes a huge difference to comfort. It's nice to be able to access all your things, especially when it's raining. Don't think the vestibule will protect your gear. I've woken up to find my tent sitting in shallow pools. Had my panniers been sitting in the vestibule, they would have been soaked.

Yan - I've really been looking at the Hennessy hammock myself. What kind of downside do you find with a camping hammock, and how does it compare to the tent? I'm just looking at short weekend+ rides(Silver Comet next month, Katy Trail in Sept), and comparing.

Yan - I've really been looking at the Hennessy hammock myself. What kind of downside do you find with a camping hammock, and how does it compare to the tent? I'm just looking at short weekend+ rides(Silver Comet next month, Katy Trail in Sept), and comparing.

I find my hammock to be extremely comfortable to sleep in; more comfortable than a tent.

A downside is the requirement for trees; though this is made up for by the ability to pitch on unflat ground. I have never failed to find suitable trees for my hammock. My experience is limited to hammock camping in Ontario and New York State, where trees are plentiful.

Rain has never been an issue. Mosquitos can bite you through the fabric. I always use an air mattress to keep my back warm, but sometimes I sleep with my hands behind my head, and have woken up with multiple bites on my fingers. Next time I'm going to treat the hammock with permethrin before I head out.

Another issue is space. There is a small pouch and a few clips on the line inside the hammock, and ofcourse you can hang things directly on the line. These are great for glasses, books, a flashlight, a music player, and a few small articles of clothing. You panniers and other gear have to stay on the bike outside. I leave my shoes on the ground under the hammock, and often they would be wet with dew in the morning. In a two man tent I always hide the shoes under the footprint to avoid this problem.

Setup is very easy and fast. If you use the snakeskin sheath storage accessory, you can keep the fly and the hammock together and prevent the latter from getting wet when setting up in rain. In rainy weather you can take shelter under the fly while performing your camp activities. I recommend bringing a plastic bag to sit on.

The hammock is very light and packs flexibly. When it's inside the snakeskin, it is a long tube. This means I can stuff it inside the same pannier as my winter sleeping bag.

The hammock only holds one person. If you're planning on camping with a loved one, it's not an option. Overall I would say that it makes some concessions to a traditional tent in terms of convenience, but makes up for it with light weight, ease of packing, and ease of setup. I wouldn't hesitate to take it on an extended solo trip, as long as there are no arid regions on the route.

Thanks everyone for all of the replies. Just one more option to throw out there before I place an order on Monday. What does everyone think about the seedhouse sl2? Almost as roomy as the copper spur ul2 but packs way, way smaller. Any thoughts/anyone have the tent?

I used the copper spur UL1 for 7 months in South America. I love it. It held up exceptionally well.

I was able to fit all my panniers and my shoes underneath the fly in the vestibule. I am 5' 10". My feet did sometimes hit the walls a bit, so you may find it small. I thought the size was perfect, and I would use it again.

Personally I would rather have side doors rather than the front door of the seedhouse. Just my two cents.

A friend of mine has the seedhouse 3. Very good tent, good headroom, light, pretty quick to set up. I have a Sarvis SL2 (no longer made, but similar to the seedhouse and I really like my tent.

I would def recommend a 2 man tent vs the single, especially given your height. The extra room is always nice plus the weight penalty for the 2man vs solo is not much at all.

Thanks everyone for all of the replies. Just one more option to throw out there before I place an order on Monday. What does everyone think about the seedhouse sl2? Almost as roomy as the copper spur ul2 but packs way, way smaller. Any thoughts/anyone have the tent?

It's also lighter and cheaper. The Copper Spur has side doors and a bit more shoulder space. I've toured solo with the SL2. It's nice and compact on the bike and roomy enough when set up. Because I'm from Colorado, I prefer a smaller volume on my tents. Less space you have to heat up with your body heat. Nights get very cold at altitude even in the summer. It's extremely easy to set up and handles downpours wonderfully.

Anyone else have any experience with the seedhouse sl2? I plan on using it mainly solo or with the wife. I am 6 ft with a large thermarest. Choices choices.

On the seedhouse sl2 hows the head room when sitting up? 6ft Hitting your head on the tent sitting up?

On the seedhouse sl2 hows the head room when sitting up? 6ft Hitting your head on the tent sitting up?

I'm 6' tall too. Because the tent is a traditional A-frame, you do brush up against the sides of the tent but at the center there is still plenty of room. Even the single person tents (I've had a Seedhouse and have a FlyCreek UL1) have plenty of head room. They aren't bivy sacks.

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I am going to give it one more day and choose on Monday. I really think I am leaning more towards the seedhouse. The pack size is a ton smaller, the color is better(not that this is a huge issue), and I will save a little cash. I would still love to hear from anyone using this tent.
Thanks again everyone. Will let you know the outcome.

I know you are looking for a tent, however, if you are planning on touring in say a heavily wooded area that doesn't get alot of rain (or at least not much while you are touring). You could also check into a hammock such as a http://www.rei.com/product/754769/eno-singlenest-hammock. Not only are they extremely light (<1lb), they are comfy, can fit in your pack, and most importantly are cheap.

Anyone else have any experience with the seedhouse sl2? I plan on using it mainly solo or with the wife. I am 6 ft with a large thermarest. Choices choices.

I used a Seedhouse Sl2 for a week and while it was roomy enough (I'm 6' as well) I had real issues with the design. The rainfly hangs over the tent in such a way that opening it after a dewy morning dumped water into the tent and on my sleeping bag. During rain it would be even worse, since there was no overhang to keep rain out of the tent when getting in and out. I ended up exchanging it for an REI Quarterdome. Not only does it provide excellent headroom, but I can toss bags under one side, and get in and out on the other. More importantly, the rainfly actually works to keep the rain out.

Such mixed reviews. Going with Big agnes either way. Love the copper spur design but I dont need the double doors for single person use. If only the copper spur packed as small as the seedhouse. Could always pack the tent and fly and strap the poles. HMMM. What a pain.

I am in Austin Texas so not a ton of rain, but will be in the north east as well as west in the future a few times. The hammock idea is great, but for camping I am a tent guy for sure.

I used a Seedhouse Sl2 for a week and while it was roomy enough (I'm 6' as well) I had real issues with the design. The rainfly hangs over the tent in such a way that opening it after a dewy morning dumped water into the tent and on my sleeping bag. During rain it would be even worse, since there was no overhang to keep rain out of the tent when getting in and out. I ended up exchanging it for an REI Quarterdome. Not only does it provide excellent headroom, but I can toss bags under one side, and get in and out on the other. More importantly, the rainfly actually works to keep the rain out.

I've been caught in downpours with my Seedhouse and never felt that keeping water out was an issue either when getting into, or out, of the tent. I do, however, tend to stay in the tent during rain.

While the Quarter Dome is an okay product (my daughter has one), it's hardly on the same level as the Copper Spur or the Seedhouse. It weighs 1.5 lbs more than the Seedhouse and packs way larger - 7.5x20 vs 6.5x16. It's only $20 less than the Seedhouse SL2 in price (full retail).

The Seedhouse is also much easier to set up. The Quarter Dome has some funky poles that make set up more difficult and less intuitive. If the features of the Quarter dome (less A-frame with 2 doors) appeals to you, I'd suggest spending the extra cash on the Copper Spur. Less weight, easier setup and a similar packed size. The price of the Copper Spur may seem high but tents will last you for several years to decades. You'll get your value out of it.

Such mixed reviews. Going with Big agnes either way. Love the copper spur design but I dont need the double doors for single person use. If only the copper spur packed as small as the seedhouse. Could always pack the tent and fly and strap the poles. HMMM. What a pain.

I have a Fly Creek UL2, and while you haven't mentioned it as an option, I'd at least caution you to my experience with it (and don't know if it'll apply to the SH or CS). While it is fantastically light and compact (I bought it for lightweight [semi-ultralight] backpacking) for its features, it is advertised as being free-standing though in reality you need to stake/guy it out to get all of the usable space. While it isn't hard to do, at the end of a long day it adds hassle (and a tripping hazard :-) to getting it pitched.

While I've been considering using the Fly Creek for bike touring, I think I've decided I'll carry my ~20yo North Face Tadpole instead. While it's twice the weight [not heavy, just not verging on ultralight], it is completely free-standing.

Not sure if this is really relevant here, as I'm in the UK and am on a budget, but I got a Highlander Forces 2 tent, which was originally designed, I believe, for the British Military. Being designed for the British military is no great thing in some respects, though, as the designs are usually good, but the manufacture and materials constrained by budgets. The tent is really stable and gives great space inside, and has a good porch. The main problem is it comes with fibreglass poles, which are heavy and long when collapsed. Luckily, I found some alu replacements which when collapsed fit into my pannier and are much lighter. The whole thing for me weighs 2.2 kg (my cutoff for a tent was 2.5), and it packs down small enough to fit in the bottom half of a pannier. Best thing is the whole lot, with replacement poles cost about £55.
It's a one man tent, but has headroom and length to make it feel like a two man. Again, not really relevant to those in the US, as I imagine you can't get it over there, but a great option for those in the UK reading this, who may be looking for a good tent on a budget, and are prepared to do a bit of modding.

I have a Fly Creek UL2, and while you haven't mentioned it as an option, I'd at least caution you to my experience with it (and don't know if it'll apply to the SH or CS). While it is fantastically light and compact (I bought it for lightweight [semi-ultralight] backpacking) for its features, it is advertised as being free-standing though in reality you need to stake/guy it out to get all of the usable space. While it isn't hard to do, at the end of a long day it adds hassle (and a tripping hazard :-) to getting it pitched.

While I've been considering using the Fly Creek for bike touring, I think I've decided I'll carry my ~20yo North Face Tadpole instead. While it's twice the weight [not heavy, just not verging on ultralight], it is completely free-standing.

The Fly Creek could be considered to be an ultra-ultralight. It only has one pole at the rear of the tent so it only has 3 pole contact points with the ground...2 at the door and one in the rear. The Seedhouse and Copper Spur are more traditional A-frame tents with 4 contact points...one at each corner. They have more poles and thus weigh more.

I, personally, would never leave a tent unstaked. I've seen too many tents kiting across campgrounds - including one of my own which had been staked and guyed - to trust a 'freestanding' tent without someone inside it. Since you can't be inside them all the time, it's best to stake them down. Fishing a tent, sleeping bag, pad, clothing, etc out of a lake is no fun and makes for a very wet night:twitchy:

Such mixed reviews. Going with Big agnes either way. Love the copper spur design but I dont need the double doors for single person use. If only the copper spur packed as small as the seedhouse. Could always pack the tent and fly and strap the poles. HMMM. What a pain.


Having two doors is pretty sweet, even when solo. You can stuff your panniers/gear under the vestibule of one side and get in and out of the tent on the other, while still having access to your gear from the inside. And if you do camp with someone else you won't be climbing over them to get out.

I have a golite pyramid shaped tent, the Shangri La 4+.
http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1186944090_02939.jpg

Here's a similar tent: http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=370005110&mc=&t=&lat=

It's floorless and big enough to park a loaded bike under.

To go with that, I have a nylon ground cloth that I sometimes use, and a Marmot mesh bivy that serves to keep water and bugs out of my sleeping area. http://itkn.up.seesaa.net/image/DSC00027.JPG

http://marmot.com/products/mesh_bivy?p=118,71%20[img]http://itkn.up.seesaa.net/image/DSC00027.JPG

Personally I would rather have side doors rather than the front door of the seedhouse. Just my two cents.

1+

Hilleberg AKTO.. http://www.hilleberg.com/
+ 2 freestanding Solo tents..
in green to hide better stealth camp, or red to see in snow.

I have a golite pyramid shaped tent, the Shangri La 4+.
http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1186944090_02939.jpg

Here's a similar tent: http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=370005110&mc=&t=&lat=

It's floorless and big enough to park a loaded bike under.

To go with that, I have a nylon ground cloth that I sometimes use, and a Marmot mesh bivy that serves to keep water and bugs out of my sleeping area. http://itkn.up.seesaa.net/image/DSC00027.JPG

http://marmot.com/products/mesh_bivy?p=118,71%20[img]http://itkn.up.seesaa.net/image/DSC00027.JPG

I love the idea of a tipi, and it's a great idea taking the smaller inner.

There is a Mozzy net inner tent with those pyramid ones , there is a hex floor 3 person Go lite. too.
Black diamonds Mega light supplies a carbon Fiber Center pole in that version
mega mid , a bit different fabric and aluminum center pole ,
also an inner mozzy shelter is FS, add on

I started off with the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1, and after spending a couple evenings in it, I figured out that when they said one-person tent, they were pretty serious about it. So, I updgraded to the Seedhouse SL2 about two years ago, and have been very pleased with it. It fits me comfortably with room to sit up and fiddle about, and there's no problem about bringing my panniers indoors with me if I want to. It takes a little more room to pack (meaning that I strap it to the bike rack instead of stashing it in a pannier like I can with the SL1), but the weight difference is negligible when accounting for the added space/comfort. Now, when you add in a roommate, it does get a little "cozy" in there...

If you want side doors, I would look at MSR's Hubba Hubba tent. If I ever replace or upgrade the Seedhouse, that's probably what I would replace it with.

http://www.rei.com/product/812848/alps-mountaineering-mystique-15-tent-special-buy

This is stating the obvious, but one thing I did before choosing a tent was to read the online reviews from several sites (besides this one). Boy, were they eye openers! I had it narrowed down to about 3 tents and the really negative reviews of one (the mesh wasn't very sturdy) steered me away from it. Since this was a one-time purchase, I was willing to spend the $$ for reduced weight and quality. After that, it was just which one had the features I preferred. Again, I read the reviews and was really comfortable with the choice I made. It didn't hurt that my searching also turned up a site which gave me an amazing deal (lower price and free footprint). :innocent:

FWIW, the two side doors are handier than you'd think. It's not about a second person having his/her own entrance, but in the single person size, you can use the second vestibule for storage as another poster said. Also, with the limited space, it's much easier to just roll out of the side, instead of crawling out to the front. Like anything else, it just depends on what specific requirements you have.

I have a Fly Creek UL2, and while you haven't mentioned it as an option, I'd at least caution you to my experience with it (and don't know if it'll apply to the SH or CS). While it is fantastically light and compact (I bought it for lightweight [semi-ultralight] backpacking) for its features, it is advertised as being free-standing though in reality you need to stake/guy it out to get all of the usable space. While it isn't hard to do, at the end of a long day it adds hassle (and a tripping hazard :-) to getting it pitched.

While I've been considering using the Fly Creek for bike touring, I think I've decided I'll carry my ~20yo North Face Tadpole instead. While it's twice the weight [not heavy, just not verging on ultralight], it is completely free-standing.
___
Well I tried to do the ul thing and bought a TarpTent Squall 2 last year. I've used it 5 times. In those times I can only say I was able to pitch it taunt once because of the surfaces I was on. In the real world I have to sleep where I can, soft or hard ground. I would not want to go through a level 3 rain storm in Taiwan. No way.

So I ordered a new NF Tadpole. This is my second one. The old one wore out but lasted 10 years. It is solid, free standing, and able to handle high winds. I'll carry something I can depend on.

Also the Gram Weenie by Bull Design isn't solid either. After the first one failed because the thumb screw wouldn't come out, he was kind enough to send another. So I used it for 4 nights and found the only "cooking" I could do with it is boil water. Useful solo camping but not for 2.

I was about to mention Tarptents (www.tarptent.com) if you haven't chosen yet. I don't know why the above poster had problems with it, but I've hiked with two people who used them, helped set them up and take them down, and slept in them, and I'd say they're the best option. You can get a two-person tent for not much more than than the weight of a lot of one-person tents, they're quite easy to set up, quite stable (point the front door into the wind and use panniers/bags to create a wind barrier for the lower part that's not protected by the beak, and you'll be quite comfy) and have plenty of room inside. They're meant to be used with trekking poles, so for biking you need to take along one or two extra poles for the front, but those don't weigh much more at all. You can get a one person tent for even lighter, but at that weight I'd take a two-person model just for the extra room.

If you really just need shelter for one person and will be in places with trees, I'd say you owe it to yourself to try a hammock. I have a 60 dollar hammock with bugnet attached (Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter) that's lightyears ahead of sleeping on the ground in terms of comfort, and all you need is a tarp to hang over it (covers your bike as well) and you're set.