Tarptent SS2 - trekking poles

[nimrodisease]

Ok, I found this website because I was researching to purchase a new tent.

Before I came here I was thinking maybe a Macpac Olympus, but now after trawling through quite a few threads I'm leaning towards a Tarptent Stratospire 2 (seems to be very functional, easy to use and good value for money). For general use in week long hikes as well as car camping.

So, from what I understand, the optional poles you can get to go with the SS2 are pretty flimsy and useless, so it's much better to use trekking poles. No problem, except that I don't own any and have never used any. Can anyone give me a recommendation for a pole that would be suitable for use in the Tarptent. I suppose the three most important qualities to consider would be strength, ease of adjustment and price.

Cheers.

[Strider]

Do you want to use trekking poles? If not, I suggest you look at the Scarp 2.

If you are dead set on the SS2, any trekking pole allowing adequate length will do the job (122cm from memory). I would stick with aluminium over carbon fibre, but that's probably just me and I have no direct experience with using trekking poles as tent poles.

[Franco]

Hi
The standard substitute poles do work but are not suitable for open (high winds/some snow) areas.
Tarptent has much stiffer poles listed under "extras" called "vertical support poles" .
They are 12.5mm CF poles , $14 each , about 250g for the 2.

On the other hand, if you do intend looking for trekking poles anyway, I would recommend the Flick Lock types as used by Black Diamond but most brands now have that locking mechanism (as opposed to the twist lock)
The standard height of the SS2 is 125cm but can be set a bit higher or lower too.
The conventional trekking pole height is elbow height but I prefer to adjust them up and down according to the terrain.
(shorter going up and longer coming down...)

franco@tarptent

[nimrodisease]

Thanks for your prompt replies guys!

I was keen on the SS2 mainly for the slightly increased floor space, higher ceiling and I just liked the layout.

Franco, I hadn't noticed the vertical support poles, that's good to know. Is the lack of adjustability a big issue? From what I've read, it can be good to adjust the pole height in certain situations?

I am wondering about trying out trekking poles, but mainly just because looking into this whole thing has got my interest piqued.

[Franco]

Those vertical support poles have been available for a few months but have been added to the website only very recently.

I prefer to have poles that adjust, easier in some uneven locations and if the tend sags later in the night.
In practice ,because I tension the shelter last thing before I go to sleep (or it has been already set in the rain...), I never have to get out to fiddle with it during the night.

Putting a pole at a very slight angle will allow to drop in a bit and shoving a boot/flat rough rock or piece of wood will lift it...

The trick with these types of shelters is to know how to set them taut .
Keep in mind that many trekking pole users thought of them as stupid before they started using them.

[Strider]

Keep in mind that many trekking pole users thought of them as stupid before they started using them.

I am guessing you mean thought of trekking poles as stupid, not the shelters as is implied?

[Franco]

Yes, the subject was trekking poles.

[McWade]

I confess to being one of those who didn't think poles were worth it. One my first walk out with them they saved me from a fall in slippery conditions. After a few more walks the rhythm of walking with them became natural. Using them now on longer walks I find my legs feel fresher at the end of a day using them than when I don't. I set mine at 110cm which just happens to be a good height for the Tarptent Notch so I rarely need to make adjustments when pitching the tent. I find it to be an ideal combo now.

[Happy Pirate]

Ok, I found this website because I was researching to purchase a new tent.

Before I came here I was thinking maybe a Macpac Olympus, but now after trawling through quite a few threads I'm leaning towards a Tarptent Stratospire 2 (seems to be very functional, easy to use and good value for money). For general use in week long hikes as well as car camping.

So, from what I understand, the optional poles you can get to go with the SS2 are pretty flimsy and useless, so it's much better to use trekking poles. No problem, except that I don't own any and have never used any. Can anyone give me a recommendation for a pole that would be suitable for use in the Tarptent. I suppose the three most important qualities to consider would be strength, ease of adjustment and price.

Cheers.

I recently bought a SS1 and I have used the poles with no problems.
They don't strike me as flimsy although they aren't designed to flex the way hoop-poles are and I could imagine that, as with most alum-poles, they require a bit of tension on them to stay assembled and that high winds could provide enough lift to allow collapse.
I imagine you could devise a tensioning-strap that could solve the problem without much difficulty if you are opposed to hiking poles.
Steve

[Strider]

Which poles are you using Steve? I have handled the Easton poles and they were very bendy indeed.

[Happy Pirate]

Which poles are you using Steve? I have handled the Easton poles and they were very bendy indeed.

These were just the standard issue Tarp Tent poles. Came with the tent. I suspect not Easton.
If you tried to bend these more than a couple of cm they feel like they'd probably want to break.
You'd have to force them though - there's not much flex in them.