Ultra-light tents for touring
#26
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I have a Tarptent Scarp 1. I would consider it a lightweight tent, differently not ultra-light at 1.5 kg with the solid interior and seam sealed.
Andrew
Andrew
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Anyone look at Hennesy Hammocks? I have never used one, but from what I have heard, they are very fast to set up and extremely comfortable. You can cut down on weight with no sleeping pad too. I've been thinking of getting one myself. Can anyone vouch for them?
#28
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They aren't necessarily lighter than tents though. Of the 7 models listed on the Hennessy site 5 are heavier than my $100 Eureka Spitfire. Of the two that are lighter one is only 7 ounces lighter and the other is full pound lighter. In both cases that is without any insulation under you so you need to add a pad or an under quilt if you will experience cold conditions. Their recommended under pad weighs 10 ounces, meaning that if you include that only one of the hammocks is lighter than a $100 tent and the other is only 6 ounces lighter. Bear in mind that I am not comparing it to a high dollar ultralight tent.
Cost, in the range of tents the Hennessy Hammocks are not particularly cheap, so going to one to save money isn't going to fly.
Then there is the issue of needing trees to hang it on. I have often toured in places where it would be a hassle to find a spot to hang a hammock. In those cases it could be used as a bivy, but do you ant to deal with that if riding the Trans America or Southern tier where you may go for days without seeing a tree?
So to me hammocks make sense for those who really find them much more comfortable or those who very often camp in wooded places with nothing but super rocky ground.
If I planned to do a lot of backpacking in some parts of Pennsylvania I might buy one, but for the places I have toured I never thought one would be especially suitable.
#29
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Do the tarp tents have mosquito netting? That is a must, IMHO. Too many bugs in the Eastern US to go without.
I have looked at solo tents in person and none of them would have enough room for me. I like to keep my gear inside the tent and have a little room to spread out. Two-man tents are ideal for my purposes and not that much heavier. I also like free-standing tents as they are much easier to pitch as well as excellent ventilation. Living in the SE, ventilation is a huge issue. I doubt if I would be bike touring in winter, so I don't need a mountaineering tent designed for low temperatures.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur 2UL is just about ideal among the tents I have looked at so far. It is a little roomier with more vertical walls and double entry compared to the BA Fly Creek, but I'm not sure it's worth paying $50 more for it. Too bad REI doesn't have them on sale, altho I could get it for 20% off with member sale this weekend.
I have looked at solo tents in person and none of them would have enough room for me. I like to keep my gear inside the tent and have a little room to spread out. Two-man tents are ideal for my purposes and not that much heavier. I also like free-standing tents as they are much easier to pitch as well as excellent ventilation. Living in the SE, ventilation is a huge issue. I doubt if I would be bike touring in winter, so I don't need a mountaineering tent designed for low temperatures.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur 2UL is just about ideal among the tents I have looked at so far. It is a little roomier with more vertical walls and double entry compared to the BA Fly Creek, but I'm not sure it's worth paying $50 more for it. Too bad REI doesn't have them on sale, altho I could get it for 20% off with member sale this weekend.
And free-standing doesn't always mean easy set-up. Look at the Tarptent Moment, it doesn't get easier than that.
#30
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The Contrail is more like a 1.5 person shelter. Some small, very close couples have successfully slept in it. Plenty of room for gear.
One of the issues with a tarps or tarptents is that they generally need more real estate to pitch. That can be a problem in site selection, but it's also an advantage because the shed area is so large. Rain is shed pretty far away from the sleeping area and the tent floor tends to stay drier.
#31
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If you are two people you will save weight with a ultralight tent over two Hennessy's, but you have to share a space. That can be good or bad depending on who your touring partner is....
Overall it's a worthwhile product to look into if it intrigues you.
If you offered me a free Hennessy or a free 1 man ultralight tent - I'd take the tent every time.
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I find my Coleman Inyo 2 is perfect at about 5lbs.
It's meant for 2 people. 2 normal sized people of the 18th century.
So it's perfect for ONE 6'3" galoot.
It's meant for 2 people. 2 normal sized people of the 18th century.
So it's perfect for ONE 6'3" galoot.
#33
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I've got one. I love it for camping in warm weather, but you have to be sure there are trees in the area you'll be staying in.
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Having spent many nights in hot, humid weather, great ventilation is a must. That means no fly. That mean an inner with lots of netting.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
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I like my Big Agnes Flycreek UL2, I've used it on a couple of tours now. Packed tent size is important to me as much as weight, and the Flycreek rolls up pretty small, plus the tent poles easily fit inside my Ortlieb classic rollers too. One of my goals was to get weight and volume down on the touring rig- I can tour comfortably with just the rear paniers and a small handlebar bag now, compared to my first tour with front and rear panniers, a huge handlebar bag and on and on. Highway 1 hills at Big Sur are a lot easier.
The one potential issue with the Fly creek is that it isn't 100% supported, the two end corners need to be staked or poled. It's not a big deal, but I had one campground that was difficult to stake down and I woke up to find floppy corners.
The sale price at REI this weekend is great, I'd snap it up if I hadn't gotten one already!
The one potential issue with the Fly creek is that it isn't 100% supported, the two end corners need to be staked or poled. It's not a big deal, but I had one campground that was difficult to stake down and I woke up to find floppy corners.
The sale price at REI this weekend is great, I'd snap it up if I hadn't gotten one already!
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Love the Big Agnes UL2. Very roomy for solo, could probably squeeze 2 in a pinch. Only gripe I had was that I got it at full price and it went on sale a couple months later. Definitely helps that I'm 5'7" though.
#39
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#41
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Also, Hennessy is just one manufacturer of hammock tents. If the weight seems high, you might see if another manufacturer has one that suits you better. And there are some things that can be done to shave some weight off of a hammock, too, like swapping out the stock ropes for something lighter.
I'll take the opposing side to Vik and say that if you offered me hammock tent and a traditional tent, I'd take the hammock every time. And if you offered me a choice between two ground tents, I might just stay home. It's definitely a personal thing, but not having to sleep on the ground is what made bike camping appealing to me again.
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I'm not sure about the Inyo 2, but the Flycreek UL2 is mostly freestanding, although you need to stake out the end corners. For what it's worth, I prefer freestanding tents. They're easy to set up and move around if you need.
Did anyone pick one up at the REI sale? I finally got an MSR water filter- I'm not sure if I'll need it on a bike tour but it'll be great for backpacking.
Did anyone pick one up at the REI sale? I finally got an MSR water filter- I'm not sure if I'll need it on a bike tour but it'll be great for backpacking.
#43
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For wet weather use with the fly you do need to stake out the tent's rear corners and the fly. But, I have not owned a tent [freestanding or not] that worked properly with out the fly staked out so the peg-less experience is only a fair-weather option when the fly isn't needed IMO for a tent and the Flycreeks are fine peg-less in dry conditions.
#44
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In gale, a separate rain fly is a PIA to put on
[And chase down wind, if it slips your grasp]
than a design that hangs the liner from the shell, Exped, Hilleberg, etc.
is, perhaps, easier to deal with.
my stevenson warmlight tunnel tent is 12' long from 1 conic end to the other.
"3 person" super light fabric used lots of space for little weight
a green banana slug sort of thing.. I could sell it.. as my tours are done..
new , US hand made to order, they're $600+
[And chase down wind, if it slips your grasp]
than a design that hangs the liner from the shell, Exped, Hilleberg, etc.
is, perhaps, easier to deal with.
any suggestions on something for those of us just north of 6'4"?
"3 person" super light fabric used lots of space for little weight
a green banana slug sort of thing.. I could sell it.. as my tours are done..
new , US hand made to order, they're $600+
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-21-12 at 12:51 PM.
#45
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I like the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. It is mostly free standing except for two corners. Even if you don't have stakes or are camping on concrete under a picnic shelter, you can push out the corners with your panniers and something.
#46
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I think people often don't realize that. Buying a hammock to save weight or to avoid carrying a pad are both mistakes. It is also not typically a way to save cost.
There are two good reasons someone might want to hammock camp.
1. If you camp somewhere that acceptably smooth ground is not to be found or if there will be standing water everywhere it could have a big advantage in that regard. The thing is that I have toured a good bit and that has just not typically been an issue. I have backpacked in places and conditions where it would have been a big advantage though.
2. If you find it substantially more comfortable that would be a good reason. Since I find my NeoAir pad supremely comfortable and a hammock somewhat less so that wouldn't be a good reason for me.
If you want or need one because of one or both of those two reasons then use one if you think you will be able to find trees or other places to hang it where you tour. If you are going with a hammock to save money or weight think again. I think that for most folks for touring a tent and a good sleeping pad is a better choice.
#47
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A hammock is not a viable option for me. The worst, most uncomfortable night I ever spent camping was in a hammock tent. I only used it once. Never again.
#48
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One of the coldest camps I've ever had was a summer night in a hammock (at 10,000'). I also vowed, "Never again." I've since learned that there is a learning curve to hammock use, including using proper insulation below you. Plenty of experienced campers use and love their hammocks even in winter with proper insulation. I'd never heard of an "underquilt" when I tried out the hammock. As mentioned above, there's often a weight penalty for hammocks in those conditions, though. Hammock users typically are addicted to the comfort and consider sleeping on the ground a lower form of life.
I'm a dedicated single-wall tent user, and I see many give up on those due to condensation on their first trips. I stuck it out and learned how to deal with condensation. I was not willing to do the same with learning how to use a hammock, for instance, but I understand it's a similar learning curve. On most of my trips, finding trees is more difficult than finding an open patch of ground. I believe it's just not appropriate to tie a hammock between two large saguaros.
I'm a dedicated single-wall tent user, and I see many give up on those due to condensation on their first trips. I stuck it out and learned how to deal with condensation. I was not willing to do the same with learning how to use a hammock, for instance, but I understand it's a similar learning curve. On most of my trips, finding trees is more difficult than finding an open patch of ground. I believe it's just not appropriate to tie a hammock between two large saguaros.
#49
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To me tarps are pieces of fabric that I use to keep me dry whn I am sleeping in my hammock, or during a rest stop in the rain.
If there are walls and zippers, then it's a tent. I have never understood all those tarp tents being called tarps... but that's just me...
Hammocks, I have many, all home made. and I used them with no-seeum if I will be in buggy places, never have had a problem then....
My tarps + hammock + guy lines + no-seeum is light, and I have stayed dry in downpours where every single ten in the campsite were flooded, like the ground could not absorb the water and it got higher and higher, higher than the waterproof strip on the tent floors.. causing water to rush in.... I was hanging over a puddle 50 sq feet in size and about 6 inches deep... stayed dry the entire time....
I have had the misfortune of being stuck in a spot with only one tree and 3 days solid rain, just slept on the ground and the tarp kept me dry....
Robi
If there are walls and zippers, then it's a tent. I have never understood all those tarp tents being called tarps... but that's just me...
Hammocks, I have many, all home made. and I used them with no-seeum if I will be in buggy places, never have had a problem then....
My tarps + hammock + guy lines + no-seeum is light, and I have stayed dry in downpours where every single ten in the campsite were flooded, like the ground could not absorb the water and it got higher and higher, higher than the waterproof strip on the tent floors.. causing water to rush in.... I was hanging over a puddle 50 sq feet in size and about 6 inches deep... stayed dry the entire time....
I have had the misfortune of being stuck in a spot with only one tree and 3 days solid rain, just slept on the ground and the tarp kept me dry....
Robi
#50
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Black diamond megamid mega light is a pyramid with a center pole.
the light version the pole is CF. accessory floor& mozzy net are erected inside it.
lots of floor space EZ to erect in ugly weather..
snow campers use them without the net/floor.
golite has one too, hex floor rather than square.
the light version the pole is CF. accessory floor& mozzy net are erected inside it.
lots of floor space EZ to erect in ugly weather..
snow campers use them without the net/floor.
golite has one too, hex floor rather than square.