Cuben Fiber Tent

[ULWalkingPhil]

Future planned hikes, I'm not able to use my hammock, will need to use a tent,

I'm in the market for a new tent. Something very light. My trusty Hilleberg tent is to heavy for me on my own as I've converted to a lightweight hiker. Almost on the brink of a Ultra-light weight.

After my recent new purchase of a Cuben Fiber Tarp for my Hammock and the success I've had with it, I'm looking into a Cuben Tent.
Done some research, so far I have narrowed my chose down to the ZPacks Hexamid Solo-Plus Tent or the Hyperlite Mountain Gear ECHO II Ultralight Shelter System.

The Zpacks tent at 513 grams including pegs is a real contender, but not so sure it will be a wise purchase for the Overland Track.
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II tent at 835 grams, not sure if this includes pegs. Appears to be far more waterproof particularly in stormy, windy conditions and I like the addition of the Beak.
The Hyperlite Tent is made of Cuben Fiber CF8 0.78 oz/yd2 (26.4 g/m2); insert side panels are CF8, floor is Cuben Fiber CF15 1.48 oz/yd2 (50.2 g/m2), canopy is no-see-um mesh. Zpacks tents made of .51 oz/sqyd cuben fiber.

I'm steering more towards the Hyperlite Tent, the biggest downside I can see is it's weight compared to the Zpacks, it's stronger and looks more weatherproof. The floor on the Zpacks tents is made of insect screen with an optional tub style floor that clips onto the corners of the fly. Not so sure on it's durability with a insect screen as the ground sheet. I've read many reports on both tents, both received rave reviews. The Zpacks tents floor was mentioned a few times on reviews in regards to durability, so far it's held up fine, but in my environment and on the Tent platforms on the Overland Track and the hard ground on the larapinta trail, both tents floors have me a bit concerned. I've read the 1.48 oz/yd2 cuben used on the floor of the Hyperlite is very tough, I have no doubt as I've found the 0.51 cuben on my tarp can withstand any winds I put at it.

Before making the final decision, would love to hear from those with these tents or any other Cuben tent, as it's a high expense, my budget is apx $650.00, I want to make sure I get this decision correct. Would be so much easier if I could see both tents but don't have this option. The tent will also backup as a car based tent, it will get more use as a car based tent than a hiking tent. The Hyperlite might be a better purchase, particularly for car base camping. This is only in area's that don't have any tree's. Otherwise I use my hammock.

[Dale]

Phil, have you checked out John Abela's market survey of ultra light tents ? The google doc is here. It's a comprehensive piece of work and might help the side / side comparison process. I don't own any cuben shelters but have been eyeing off the MLD Cricket Tent. Keen to hear what you choose

[forest]

Hi Phil

I will not rant on about the hexamid because you know my thoughts on that.

What I will say is how durable I have found the 1.0oz/yd cuben fibre. Yes my hexamid floor is made from that but I also have the cuben rain wrap.

I have found the tear/puncture strength of the 1.0 cuben very, very suprising. Even wore my wrap one day tearing through a big gorge filled with lawyer vine and all sorts of nasty, clothes tearing things. Honestly I was to the point I just didn't care what clothing or pack I ripped, I just wanted out !!! I was just pushing through what I could to the point most of the vines would end up wrapped around my waist and they would break. I was meant to be on a track but I'm yet to find that.......

I have to say after the abuse I gave my wrap that day I was very suprised to find it not torn to pieces and not even a hole from all the thorns. I was amazed and have a whole new respect for the heavier/thicker cuben fabrics.

Any UL shelter you will always have to take that extra step when dealing with campsite housekeeping prior to putting it up. Comes with the UL shelter turf.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Phil, have you checked out John Abela's market survey of ultra light tents ? The google doc is here. It's a comprehensive piece of work and might help the side / side comparison process. I don't own any cuben shelters but have been eyeing off the MLD Cricket Tent. Keen to hear what you choose

Hi Dale, No I've never seen this before, thanks for the link. The MLD Cricket Tent looks tempting. The only thing that concerns me is the coverage over the door, if that tarp could get pitched a little lower in Storm mode, I would seriously consider that tent in Cuben. It looks quick to pitch and easy. Nice tent, I'm going to do more research on that one.

[Bluegum Mic]

No experience but like you Phil I love my cuben tarp and often ponder over a cuben shelter. I like the HMG echo but agree with another comment in the other thread id like to see that fiddly beak attached better/sewn
Another one I like is the lightheart gear solo in cuben.
http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php ... ucts_id=14

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hi Phil

I will not rant on about the hexamid because you know my thoughts on that.

What I will say is how durable I have found the 1.0oz/yd cuben fibre. Yes my hexamid floor is made from that but I also have the cuben rain wrap.

I have found the tear/puncture strength of the 1.0 cuben very, very suprising. Even wore my wrap one day tearing through a big gorge filled with lawyer vine and all sorts of nasty, clothes tearing things. Honestly I was to the point I just didn't care what clothing or pack I ripped, I just wanted out !!! I was just pushing through what I could to the point most of the vines would end up wrapped around my waist and they would break. I was meant to be on a track but I'm yet to find that.......

I have to say after the abuse I gave my wrap that day I was very suprised to find it not torn to pieces and not even a hole from all the thorns. I was amazed and have a whole new respect for the heavier/thicker cuben fabrics.

Any UL shelter you will always have to take that extra step when dealing with campsite housekeeping prior to putting it up. Comes with the UL shelter turf.

Hi forest.

It's very encouraging to hear how durable you've found the 1.0oz/yd cuben. I'm still contemplating this tent, One minute I'm steering towards the Hyperlite tent, next half hour I'm steering towards the Zpacks, I think I'll be happy with either tent.
But that MLD cricket Tent looks tempting, however it's only a one man tent but it's light, which is a very important requirement for me. Must be very light weight.

Even with my Hilleberg Tent I'm very careful with ensuring the ground is clear of any sharp objects, often spending as much time clearing a area as I do pitching a tent. I'm being spoilt with my Hammock. No need to clean ground.

[ULWalkingPhil]

No experience but like you Phil I love my cuben tarp and often ponder over a cuben shelter. I like the HMG echo but agree with another comment in the other thread id like to see that fiddly beak attached better/sewn
Another one I like is the lightheart gear solo in cuben.
http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php ... ucts_id=14

I read about that tent a few days ago, but what turned me of it is the way the poles are inserted in the tent, from what I could tell and seen images, they use a PVC pipe inside up high in the tent to attach the poles into, not just a short straight piece, but a curved pipe. It looks huge and the PVC pipe needs to be removed and inserted every time you pitch or dismantle. I think that's a very poor design and turned me off it, also it requires two hiking poles and a additional pole for the beak out front.

The Beak on the HMG Echo is a bit of a concern for me. What happens if the wind changes direction through out the night, this happens a lot where I live, all of a sudden you have strong winds blowing that beak out away from the tarp. Not sure about that one. The more I think about it, the more I'm re considering the HMG Tent.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Done some reading on the Mountain Laurel Designs Cricket Tent. Looks to be somewhat similar to the ZPacks Hexamid Solo Tent, particularly the Tarp system.
Hexamid has the edge with the option of a beak for better coverage in storms. The Cricket Tent might be more prone to condensation over a Hexamid and there's a waiting period of about 3 months for oversea's orders to my door, which is very off putting. I don't fancy paying someone up front in full and have to wait 3 months before I see anything from my money.

I read issues users are having with the Cricket Tent in crawling in and out, as in storm mode you need to get on your hands and knees to crawl in and out, if the ground is wet your going to get wet and dirty.

The Hexamid's has an optional Beak you can add to your purchase which can be rolled up out of the way. Not sure if you have to crawl to get in and out of the Hexamid's I have not looked into that.

[Strider]

What about a Duomid? 368g for the mid itself + 184g for the inner net = 552g total.

[ULWalkingPhil]

What about a Duomid? 368g for the mid itself + 184g for the inner net = 552g total.

Still can't get over the fact that I pay than wait 3 months before I see anything and I don't like the angles on this tent, Looks like with a 6cm pad, your head going to touch the fabric as well as your feet. Looks a bit to short for me. I saw a picture someone laying in this tent and both there feet and head was touching the fly screen.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Keep the suggestions coming. I'm closely looking at every suggestion, Will be ordering by the end of this week.

At this stage it might be the Zpack that's regained the lead again. It's lighter than most other tents and if need be there's enough room for one more person. I could always carry a tyvek ground sheet and place under the tent, I used to carry a tyvek ground sheet, even with a hammock, than on one of my overnight hikes I thought why am I carrying this with me?. All I used it for was placing my pack on it at camp, now I hang my pack up a tree or off the tarps ridge-line. even with the tyvek sheet, the setup will be lighter than most tents.

[Strider]

SMD Skyscape X? 425g

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/ssX.html

[ULWalkingPhil]

SMD Skyscape X? 425g

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/ssX.html

Nice, but an actual bathtub floor. Something that will give at least 4 inches of height would have been nice on this tent and a optional 1.24 cuben fiber for the flooring/bathtub, it would eliminate the use of a separate ground sheet. This is not a deal breaker, I'll look more into this tent.

[Bluegum Mic]

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-s ... ra-1-tent/

[Strider]

SMD Skyscape X? 425g

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/ssX.html

Nice, but an actual bathtub floor. Something that will give at least 4 inches of height would have been nice on this tent and a optional 1.24 cuben fiber for the flooring/bathtub, it would eliminate the use of a separate ground sheet. This is not a deal breaker, I'll look more into this tent.

Look into this one while you're at it then - similar design but a few tweaks.

http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php ... ucts_id=14

[quicky]

I'm a big +1 on ZPacks gear.

I own a fair amount of ZPacks gear (no financial interest, just love the gear) including an Arc Blast bag, 30F quilt and a Hexamid Solo with heaps of accessories, soon to include custom Blast etc.

The details and specs of the Hexamid are awesome, but Joe's customer service is even better. He is very, very open to feedback and suggestions, to the point where my feedback/thought emails (and subsequent conversations) made me feel like part of some prospective R&D process. I once returned my Hexamid so that Joe could check satisfy one of my curiosities, in which Joe's reply was extensive, more than accommodating of my query, and reflected a 100% commitment to his customer base.

I guess what I am saying is, it's not all about the specs.

In closing though, has anyone checked out Zimmerbuilt?? http://www.zimmerbuilt.com Very classy gear/packs/accessories, nicely refined. And Chris is another great guy with excellent customer feedback.

Jase

[ULWalkingPhil]

SMD Skyscape X? 425g

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/ssX.html

Nice, but an actual bathtub floor. Something that will give at least 4 inches of height would have been nice on this tent and a optional 1.24 cuben fiber for the flooring/bathtub, it would eliminate the use of a separate ground sheet. This is not a deal breaker, I'll look more into this tent.

Look into this one while you're at it then - similar design but a few tweaks.

http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php ... ucts_id=14

Someone else linked to that tent earlier on, it's a tent I came upon a few days ago on the net, I'm a bit concerned with the design on this tent, there's not a lot of info on this tent, from what I believe there's a PVC pipe in the design which I don't like, I could be wrong, but I saw images of a PVC pipe up high in the tent, that needs to be removed and inserted each time you setup. I will send an email and find out the exact specs on this tent.

The Seascape X you linked to, I like. I've sent an email to find out about stock availability, there listed not in stock.

[ULWalkingPhil]

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-tents/laser-ultra-1-tent/

Way to expensive for what it is. I considered this tent, before I purchased my hilleberg tent.

[Strider]

Someone else linked to that tent earlier on, it's a tent I came upon a few days ago on the net, I'm a bit concerned with the design on this tent, there's not a lot of info on this tent, from what I believe there's a PVC pipe in the design which I don't like, I could be wrong, but I saw images of a PVC pipe up high in the tent, that needs to be removed and inserted each time you setup. I will send an email and find out the exact specs on this tent.

The Seascape X you linked to, I like. I've sent an email to find out about stock availability, there listed not in stock.

PVC is still better than the fabric thing SMD Trekker uses (top). The bottom spreader bar is a homemade replacement.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Someone else linked to that tent earlier on, it's a tent I came upon a few days ago on the net, I'm a bit concerned with the design on this tent, there's not a lot of info on this tent, from what I believe there's a PVC pipe in the design which I don't like, I could be wrong, but I saw images of a PVC pipe up high in the tent, that needs to be removed and inserted each time you setup. I will send an email and find out the exact specs on this tent.

The Seascape X you linked to, I like. I've sent an email to find out about stock availability, there listed not in stock.

PVC is still better than the fabric thing SMD Trekker uses (top). The bottom spreader bar is a homemade replacement.

So it's true about the PVC pipe. Thanks for the image strider. I'll give this tent a miss. I don't like that design, it's a shame because I did like the tent.

[Bluegum Mic]

The only other ones I can think of that haven't been mentioned are the bear paw wilderness designs. He seems to make most of his shelters in cuben. I've bought fabric, poles and sil pack covers etc from him and his prices are reasonable.
http://www.bearpawwd.com/
(and yes I was only joking with the terra nova ..I can't fathom what makes that tent worth $700)

[Nuts]

If it helps Phil, I had a MLD Duomid on order when I decided to build mine. I had in mind to get bear paw to make an inner.
I choose that design for all round wind resistance. I had a six moon oasis and didn't like the open side, even that HMG tent fly doesn't fully close to the ground, few US tents seem to do so.

I'd suggest to read more on BPL about all these, I do recall heaps of discussion, some negatives not mentioned here.

[ULWalkingPhil]

The only other ones I can think of that haven't been mentioned are the bear paw wilderness designs. He seems to make most of his shelters in cuben. I've bought fabric, poles and sil pack covers etc from him and his prices are reasonable.
http://www.bearpawwd.com/
(and yes I was only joking with the terra nova ..I can't fathom what makes that tent worth $700)

Thanks Bluegum Mic for the bearpaw link. I had a good look at the website, The options are a bit difficult to understand, but I do like the look of the pyraTent in a Cuben with the pyraNet 1 also in Cuben. I've sent the manufacturers an email to explain the options and what weights to be expected.

[ULWalkingPhil]

If it helps Phil, I had a MLD Duomid on order when I decided to build mine. I had in mind to get bear paw to make an inner.
I choose that design for all round wind resistance. I had a six moon oasis and didn't like the open side, even that HMG tent fly doesn't fully close to the ground, few US tents seem to do so.

I'd suggest to read more on BPL about all these, I do recall heaps of discussion, some negatives not mentioned here.

BPL is literally my bible. Every chance I can get I read. I read mostly great reviews on the shelters mentioned above thus far.

I like the looks of Bear Paw shelters, they look to be more weather proof than the options I'm looking into thus far, but does this mean more condensation? The pyraTent with a pyraNet 1 insert, all in cuben looks like a great potential for me. I think this shelter system is my favourite thus far.

[cams]

Maybe consider the two person hexamid for more coverage? Some people have the floors sewn in to the hexamid too I think. Also, if you're worried about the materials used I'm sure he will customise it for you with the cuben weight of your choice. I've always been very happy with the service from Zpacks.

On the other hand, cuben is great but from reading this thread it is looking a bit like you're not quite happy with the available options (or is it more of a matter of too many options?). What about a tarptent? Still going to be a hell of a lot lighter than your hilleberg and cost a lot less than the cuben ones.

[Mountain Rocket]

What about a Duomid? 368g for the mid itself + 184g for the inner net = 552g total.

[...] I don't like the angles on this tent, Looks like with a 6cm pad, your head going to touch the fabric [...]

I read issues users are having with the Cricket Tent in crawling in and out, as in storm mode you need to get on your hands and knees to crawl in and out, if the ground is wet your going to get wet and dirty.

From all the reports I have seen, I suspect this will also be the case with the Echo.

As you have indicated, I think you will be happy with either option. Whenever I find myself in these dilemmas I just buy what I keep coming back to.
I trust you will work it out

[ULWalkingPhil]

Maybe consider the two person hexamid for more coverage? Some people have the floors sewn in to the hexamid too I think. Also, if you're worried about the materials used I'm sure he will customise it for you with the cuben weight of your choice. I've always been very happy with the service from Zpacks.

On the other hand, cuben is great but from reading this thread it is looking a bit like you're not quite happy with the available options (or is it more of a matter of too many options?). What about a tarptent? Still going to be a hell of a lot lighter than your hilleberg and cost a lot less than the cuben ones.

Materials not a concern, I know how strong Cuben is, I wouldn't mind the 0.74 cuben, mainly because of what I've read on BPL about 0.74 as a tent material, apparently it's indestructible as a tent material. It's very little extra weight.
More so I'm not 100% happy with the available options I've seen thus far, some are very close. The more options the better for me. I reckon in the end I'll probably will be very happy with any of these tents, but I'm going to make this a long term investment, so I'm going to be very picky and it's a big investment.

I still like the pyraTent as a number one system at this stage. It looks quick and easy to pitch, not much fiddling involved and I like all the room under that tarp, I just don't understand some of the options listed for it, still waiting to hear back from the maker.

[ULWalkingPhil]

What about a Duomid? 368g for the mid itself + 184g for the inner net = 552g total.

[...] I don't like the angles on this tent, Looks like with a 6cm pad, your head going to touch the fabric [...]

I read issues users are having with the Cricket Tent in crawling in and out, as in storm mode you need to get on your hands and knees to crawl in and out, if the ground is wet your going to get wet and dirty.

From all the reports I have seen, I suspect this will also be the case with the Echo.

As you have indicated, I think you will be happy with either option. Whenever I find myself in these dilemmas I just buy what I keep coming back to.
I trust you will work it out

Don't worry me so much if the fabric hits my head sitting up, although it would be nice if this is not the case, what worries me is laying down and having the fabric on your head and feet as you lay. I seen images of some of these tents suffering this problem. This is one of the reason's I decided to steer away from the Duomid, but the main reason is there time to deliver. 3 months eta to Australia.

The Skycape X is not in stock till December the earliest. To late for me. Plan to put this tent to use on a hike before December. Otherwise is was a very strong contender.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Take a look at this by bear paw. A nice setup, which might suite me perfectly. I'll upgrade the tarp to a Cuben.

[Bluegum Mic]

That looks great. John at Bearpaw strikes me as a lovely guy and is very quick to answer questions and ship things out. He also seems to be pretty flexible in making what your after.