Some thoughts on winter tents

[PiniPowPow]

Hi all, posted this over on the ski forums but thought you guys would be interested in some thoughts on the tents myself and group used last week camping out past Mt Wheatley. It was very cold, temps got down to -13C!

Wilderness Equipment First Arrow
Very roomy inside with the steep angled poles. However, looks like it may be affected by wind? The front flap is very steep making for a narrow vestibule. Kind of heavy at 3.4kg and $795 (second arrow looks pretty good however).

http://www.wildequipment.com.au/tent_de ... ode=WE1AUL

This was an older model, not sure what has changed.



Hilleberg Nallo 2
Great looking tent. Bombroof and nice and roomy inside. Also has some very innovative venting options. Light and beautifully made, 2.3kg and $625 in the US. Cant find a local retailer?

http://www.moontrail.com/hilleberg-nallo.php



Vango Tempest 200
This is my tent. I’ve found it pretty good. The inner is a bit saggy reducing the internal space. It is very tight for two although the +1 and I have managed it on a few occasions. The vestibule requires a 3rd pole which I think could have been designed out somehow although it does allow for more head room when sitting in it. It has survived some windy nights but no snow loading yet. The back is kind of flat so it may be prone to snow build up at the rear. Incredibly cheap a great buy in my opinion at $240 and about 2.9kg (my older one is around 2.4kg) you can leave the vestibule footprint at home to save some grams. New model looks like it has an improved front vestibule. (yes I was using my heavy marker setup, working on a dynafit rig at the moment)

Link is a bit dodgy, shows the 3 person diagram for some reason

http://www.wildearth.com.au/vango-tbs%C ... 56f09e91e4



Macpac Minaret
I really like this little tent, I like the guy lines at the front and the little flap. I don’t think it would be possible to fit 2 people and gear. Smaller footprint than the other tents and was very easy to put up. Comes in at 2.4kg and $450

http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gea ... naret.html



Mont Epoch
This thing looked absolutely bombproof, there were poles and guy lines going everywhere. The front vestibule looked a bit small IMO although in the snow you could excavate out a nice little living area. 3.5kg and $799.

http://www.mountainequipment.com/index. ... -mont.html

[ninjapuppet]

Thats awesome Pinipowpow! We need more tent comparisons like this around.

I was really hoping to give my igloo maker good workout as all the research ive done point to them being better than winter tents in most ways.
However the plans did not eventuate due to lack of knowledge in using the icebox system but I did give my Hilleberg a good workout.
Abit about my trip here: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8946#p137898

[ninjapuppet]

And a mate took his Macpac olympus & Mountain designs ridge to camp at near the blue lake in the snowy mountains. Hardcore winds made them tentbound for 36 hours over the weekend, and YES! the "bombproof" olympus tent poles broke, and the ridge tent ripped apart.

goes to show that BOMBPROOF tents still need snow walls in crazy winds.

[PiniPowPow]

Wow sounds like you had some dramas around Bogong. Was it a migraine that did your friend in?

We had some crazy winds over the weekend. I actually went out on Saturday to see if it was possible to pitch my emergency tarp in blizzard conditions. I tried for about 20min but was eventually defeated. However, I’m sure in a real emergency situation I could have got something going. Even if I had to dig a trench and roll myself up in thing.

[Tony]

Hi PiniPowPow,

Thanks for your report, I have been looking at 4 season tents for a while to replace my modified MD 3 season tent, one tent that is not yet on the market has my interest is a Caffin Tunnel tent which are going to be made in the US by Easton, the 2 person 4 season version will only weigh 1.5 kg.

Tony

[Kinsayder]

Great report, PPP. I'm quite impressed with the Nalo, it looks like a rock (in terms of stability, not weight).

[Moondog55]

Hi pinipowpow
just a comment on rigging a tarp in a big blow. I came to the same conclusion many years ago after a couple of failed attempts, hence my use of a Megamid.
Digging a trench is the only way to get an assured windbreak and then cover with skis then tarp then snow.

[PiniPowPow]

Tony, those coffin tents look pretty sweet. Easton are making some great gear at the moment.

Kinsayder, the Nallo was really impressive, everyone had tent envy!

Thanks Moondog, I would really love to perfect the winter tarp. I guess its just a matter of knowing its limitations. Eventually I may go towards a betamid or similar.

[north-north-west]

I seriously want that 4 season job. 1.5kg and HEAPS of room.

[iGBH]

I had my Nallo 3 GT in the snow last weekend. The extended vestibule is such a strong point of this tent. I had my snowboard, snowshoes and 70l backpack all stored in the vestibule with still plenty of room left to cook.