SMD Haven v TT Double Rainbow v ZP Hexamid 2

[icemancometh]

So looking at a 2P tarp/tent combo/or not combo for use in Australia and maybe NZ (though there's plenty of huts over there)
and thought I'd start a fresh post rather than diverting discussion on some of the other threads

Narrowed it down a bit thanks to the help of some other posters. That's one reason I joined this forum, to hear what other gear addicts have to say on gear!
2P shelter rqd with bug protection as I am a magnet unfortunately, though be good to take the inner out for snow/cold conditions to save weight. 2 doors not necessary and I'm happy to get away from the bulk and weight of a traditional tent.
I don't include weight of walking poles as I carry them when I walk anyway


So have people owned/used/thought about these and what are your thoughts?


1 SMD Haven Tarp/Net Tent Combo 14oz+18oz+2.5oz (stakes-why do they not include this in the weights!!?!?)=34.5oz=978g (under 1kg)
Pros: can use tarp/net separately
Price: $350+p/s

2 Z Pack Hexamid Twin w Beak + Lite Groundsheet + stakes 315g+ 85g +46g= 446g (under 0.5kg)
Cons: $536.40!!! +p/s, smallest?
Pros: Light! esp if don't take groundsheet=361g!!!, cuben so easy field repair?, get to play with Cuben!

3 TT Double Rainbow + Liner +6 stakes 1135g +110g + 60g=1305g (over 1kg)
cons: heavy (Relatively)
Pros: looks like it's the most comfy? (maybe the photos just look the best!), $302+p/s (Cheapest), don't need walking poles to setup?-is this correct? be good for some of you out there who don't use poles, FS with poles (handy in rockier/dirt terrain)

[Franco]

Icemancometh
SMD shelters are not listed with peg weight because they don't know what you wiil use (pegs are not included in the price, not a big deal)

The TT DR is really a tent with a partial inner, that is two walls no roof. Otherwise not all that different from say an MSR Carbon Reflex 2 ...
If you are not that familiar with tent set ups, this is very easy to do. Rather small footprint compared to the rest .
Don't need walking poles but can use them for "freestanding" set up or to keep the door panels open for the "rain curtain" option.

A closer comparison with the SMD would be the StratoSpire2. If you like a lot of usable space and in particular big vestibules , the SS2 has that.

Apart from the DR, the other 3 (inc SS2) take up a relatively large footprint (pay attention to guyline requirements and fly length ) and would not be ideal (in my opinion) on platforms.
As a hint , imagine yourself getting in and out of the various shelters in the rain or just wet ground (midnight call)
Franco
franco@tarptent.com

[Mark F]

SMD Haven is about to be released in cuben saving about 8oz (220g) and you get to play with cuben. http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/smdnews/1 ... haven.html

[icemancometh]

so 750g incl stakes
wonder how much it would cost though?

hmmm, maybe I should save the $$$ for the cuben pack instead which I'm likely to use and abuse much more

[Mark F]

While I am a fan of cuben for shelters, I remain to be convinced of its performance in packs in typical Australian offtrack conditions. I suggest that Dyneema X or the Dimension Polyvalent fabrics are likely to offer better value although I am tempted to look at the cuben with a nylon face as an option. You need to consider that the majority of weight in a pack is straps, padding and hardware, not the fabric. This is the opposite of a shelter where most of the weight (proportionally) is in the fabric. A typical pack uses about 1 sq metre of fabric compared to 6-8 sq metres in a fly so the potential for weight savings by using lighter fabrics in a pack is quite limited.

[Gusto]

I personally would choose SMD's Lunar Duo over haven for more useable space.

I currently own and really like Aarn Pacer 2 tent. It is a similar price and can handle much more extreme weather. (Slightly heavier though because the inner isn't mesh)

You should also check out Cub Den in either Silnylon or Cuben http://www.bearpawwd.com/tents_tarps/cubden.html

[Franco]

Thanks Gusto. Watching the Cub Den set up video well explains some of the points I mentioned.
Franco

[icemancometh]

After some pondering and research, I think (is that redundant) you've convinced me Mark.

I'm now looking at the Aarn Pacer 2 Tent as my go to tent (as I already carry poles...)

Then to solve the cuben problem, I could go a cuben tarp instead (a 5x8 from Z Packs is like $145 and 85g + guylines...no stakes as climbing protection would be used to pitch it) for actual alpine use (above tree line, there be no buggies so no need for insect netting).
The cuben tarp means I could do without a bivy on some routes which is a HUGE weight saving for when it really counts

That setup saves me about 650g when walking if I take the full tent and more if it's cool enough to get away with fly only. Not quite as light as I hoped initially but more versatile and useful in the cold climate where I'd need a more demanding setup and for the same money I have both a tent and an UL tarp. The Pacer 2 also seems stronger with the 2 poles (I wonder if Aarn will do a CF Pacer tent in the future?...from his website sounds like he is contemplating using the fabric but only time will tell, and it'd be expensive no doubt if he's already got a RRP of $599 on the PT2 now...though one can often find it for much cheaper)

It's going to be a lot of money but thanks everybody for helping me to sort this out.
Pacer 2 Tent
Cuben Tarp
maybe a MLD Soul Bivy (or maybe I should wait til he brings out a non black version...(I asked and he only has black eVENT fabric right now)

I'm also thinking about trying some Ti pegs like the ones ZPacks offers to shave another 60g or so off the Pacer 2, if anyone has experience using Ti pegs...seen them but not used them before and at the time thought they seemed pretty flimsy. But as I said, not used personally so any user feedback appreciated