Ultralight 2P with a view?

[Fermenter]

Hi all

I'm shopping for a decent tent for overnight hikes and a bit of bicycle touring. I also plan to use it for casual camp-outs so it needs to strike a balance of comfortable and durable as well as light enough to lug on a multiple-day bushwalk.

I'd say my criteria are:

Light weight (but not too delicate for the Aussie bush)
Fully sewn (ie snake/spider/mozzie proof)
2 persons at a push (but mostly just me and some elbow room).

Additionally I would like to be able to lie in bed and enjoy the view, which seems to rule out a lot of UL models that place the door (being the only transparent part) behind your head.

Thinking perhaps the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2P - it's not crazy light at nearly 1.5kg, but it may have the best balance of features. No idea as to its durability. Also not entirely sure I can justify the 500g+ weight penalty over the Fly Creek Platinum for essentially the same size tent with a better view. Hoping at least part of the weight difference is added durability?!

Love to hear any suggestions!

[Franco]

Take a look at the Double Rainbow by Tarptent.

http://www.tarptent.com/double-rainbow.html.

It is our best selling shelter because at 1.2kg is light enough for one but can take two wide long mats (63x 196cm) so not cramped for two.
It has two entry points with the panels of the vestibules independent from the frame so you can roll them up one at a time or all at the same time .
It's an hybrid design having the inner mesh doors sewed into the fly , so not fully double nor single skin but fully enclosed as you wish.


as for durability they are used for the long US trails (1 to 2 thousand miles plus ...) made with 30D silnylon.
Packs down to 46x10cm.
franco@tarptent
This is the Rain Porch that Chezza mentioned :

you need to tie it out to something , mostly folk use trekking poles but trees/bushes or your bike will do.

[Chezza]

You can enjoy views out of any tent in good weather. The ability to enjoy views in rain does vary though.

Scroll down for a picture Franco posted elsewhere of the rain porch setup on the Double Rainbow. I'm not aware of any other tent that comes close.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr ... -get/page2

[jakeyarwood]

Not sure about your budget and you haven't specified what style of shelter in particular you are after (freestanding, tarp tent, pyramid, etc), however I hear good things about the following options of which fit your criteria:

ZPacks Duplex (cuben only = $$$):
http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/duplex.shtml

MLD Duomid w/ additional inner (purchased separately):
silnylon or cuben version - http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=105
inner - http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=127
Or there's the Duomid XL which is slightly larger:
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=217

Locus Gear Hapi or Khufu (little smaller than the Hapi), of which come in a variety of fabrics w/ additional inner (purchased separately), see here:
http://locusgear.com/portfolio_category/shelters/
inners seen here: http://locusgear.com/portfolio_category/mesh_shelter/

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 (cuben only = $$$) w/ additional inner (purchased separately):
https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/ultamid-2.html

All of the above tend towards using trekking poles as their support (and most are mids) but you can purchase dedicated poles from any of the companies so you can mix and match when needed - dedicated poles when bike touring, trekking poles when hiking (if you use them).

You could also stop in with Evan @ Terra Rosa Gear and get a tarp and inner nest built to your specs. He's based in Australia too which sure is a nice plus.
http://www.terrarosagear.com

[Fermenter]

Thanks for all the replies, be assured I am adding all the suggestions to my research list!

Dollars are not so important at this stage, obviously they may sway a final decision but I won't rule anything out yet. I haven't decided on a particular style yet either, weight and liveability will be the key.

One criteria I think I can confidently add is a large mesh option (for insect-proof relaxing in good weather), but with the ability to close up somewhat against rain, wind and dust when the weather turns. The tarptents look really interesting but they mostly seem to require a choice between fully mesh or fully 'solid' inners, and I'm not sure that really works for me. The Copper Spur inner is solid up to a level with mesh above - which seems better - but I'd probably prefer the extra few grams of a solid flap that closes over a mesh one.

I'll keep you posted with my deliberations - in the meantime any other suggestions will be hungrily consumed!

[jakeyarwood]

Thanks for all the replies, be assured I am adding all the suggestions to my research list!

Dollars are not so important at this stage, obviously they may sway a final decision but I won't rule anything out yet. I haven't decided on a particular style yet either, weight and liveability will be the key.

One criteria I think I can confidently add is a large mesh option (for insect-proof relaxing in good weather), but with the ability to close up somewhat against rain, wind and dust when the weather turns. The tarptents look really interesting but they mostly seem to require a choice between fully mesh or fully 'solid' inners, and I'm not sure that really works for me. The Copper Spur inner is solid up to a level with mesh above - which seems better - but I'd probably prefer the extra few grams of a solid flap that closes over a mesh one.

I'll keep you posted with my deliberations - in the meantime any other suggestions will be hungrily consumed!

No problem at all.

Some of the cottage manufacturers would probably be willing to add higher bathtub floors to your inner if you went that route. Always worth reaching out and seeing if it's doable anyway IMO. I'd say for the most part that feature is useful for containing heat and blocking wind (if you have the fly door(s) open) however you'd definitely loose the views too (atleast when you're horizontal anyhow) and you'd probably increase chances of condensation a little (I think...).

Here are some other companies to consider:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
http://www.yamamountaingear.com
http://www.lightheartgear.com
http://bigskyproducts.com (mixed reviews on their customer service/fulfilment times though, I think it's been noted here a few times)

[Franco]

The tarptents look really interesting but they mostly seem to require a choice between fully mesh or fully 'solid' inners, and I'm not sure that really works for me.
The inner of the Notch is a partial fabric with mesh top inner, light at 700 something grammes but you need to use trekking poles or add "substitute poles'.
We have 2 types of "substitute" poles the std 8.5mm at about 130g for the pair or the sturdier (better for exposed areas) Vertical Poles at around 230g for the pair.
This is the Notch :


the other two wall shelters have the solid inner with a largish mesh window on the top 3rd or so.
like the Moment DW :


The Copper Spur inner is solid up to a level with mesh above - which seems better - but I'd probably prefer the extra few grams of a solid flap that closes over a mesh one.
You will find that mesh windows under zippable fabric windows/doors are mostly used on 4 season tents .
4 season typically it means 4th season , they are heavier , too warm in summer and condensation prone for the other 3 season