Ultralight tent advice

[Petew]

Hi all,

I'm trying to make a decision about which 1 to 2 person tent to buy. It's mainly for solo walking and to supplement the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3 we already own. The copper Spur is great for me and the kids or me and my partner but not for all four of us. I'm also getting sick of lugging a 3 person tent on solo walks.

My preference is something around 1.2 kg or less, pitches all in one and is $500ish or less price wise. I also much prefer a side entry.

The short list is a Tarptent Double Rainbow, Big Sky Mirage 2 and a SMD Lunar Solo. Also looking at a Terra Nova Laser Photon 2 but it seems poorly ventilated?

Has anyone used any of these tents? Quite happy to use single skin/hybrid design.

It will mainly be used around the Blue Mountains.


Thanks heaps for any real world advice you can give, I seem to be in some sort of internet shopping torture loop...

[Neo]

Hi petew
I think the answer is 'there is more than one tent to do the job' and the three you have picked are all good tents. Have a read of the replies in these recent threads for members who might mention having those models:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=24110

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=24429

The Photon 2 just came up on the Massdrop website. It does look like more of a cold climate tent whereas the three you mention all have mesh sides or perimeter.

[Petew]

Thanks Neo,

I pine for the old days when everyone just bought an Olympus,minaret or first arrow.

The Terra Nova on mass drop is a solar photon. I'm keen on the laser photon with the side door.

Thanks again,

Pete

[Neo]

If you haven't already trawled through YouTube then search for 'Tuba Solo the Hiker' he has done a few videos of the Lunar Solo LE.

[Petew]

Yeah, I am inching towards the Lunar Solo though probably the std version as I like to use a ground sheet. It's a really appealing, simple design.

Cheers,

Pete

[Franco]

If the trekking pole supported lunar Solo appeals to you, take a look at the Tarptent Notch.
you have two vestibules and two doors as with the Double Rainbow but at around 700g but obviously not a two person shelter.
One advantage on the TT version is that you can leave the four fly door panels open for views and ventilation as well as the option of using it fly only.
In fly only mode you can easily have another person sitting inside out of the rain.
Mind you it is more expensive than the Lunar Solo but not as much as some of the others.
But of course I am with Tarptent...

[Petew]

Thanks Franco,

I am not a trekking pole user(yet) so I'd have to get the optional support poles. Tarptent certainly make it difficult to choose a model, so much goodness. I like the double rainbow and stratospire 1. I have been in a rainshadow quite a few times, very well put together.

[Franco]

There is no such thing as the best tent and that is why we make several very different designs.
pick the one you like...

[Petew]

All I can say is I wish I had a bigger wallet......

[Chev]

I pine for the old days when everyone just bought an Olympus,minaret or first arrow.

All I can say is I wish I had a bigger wallet......

I feel both of these sentiments. But on the other hand, I think I got silver change from $700 when I bought my Minaret in 2001. That was a lot of money then, more with inflation. Goes to show we expect more for less, by the dollar and the gram.

[Petew]

Hi Chev,

Too true. The reality is that there is so much more choice in gear now and it is relatively cheaper.

Having 2 kids certainly has stretched my outdoor budget somewhat. We now need four of everything instead if two:-)

[Petew]

I am tempted by this:

http://www.campsaver.com/used/shed7763

But worried ventilation is low?

[slparker]

I am tempted by this:

http://www.campsaver.com/used/shed7763

But worried ventilation is low?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/terra-nova-solar-photon-2

964g seems pretty good and looks like a similar size and ventilation as my old minaret - that is cramped and steamy..

[Petew]

Yeah,

Very keen on well ventilated and a side door.

[north-north-west]

I know people who have loved their Terra Nova Lasers. I hated mine so much it only got used on one trip. Ventilation was dire.

[WestcoastPete]

How about the Tarptent Protrail? It packs small, is 700g-ish, and the poles are tiny (if you're not using trekking poles. It'll also possible to squeeze in two mats if you really need to (Contrail in that link). I don't know much about the others to be honest, but without spending heaps on a Cuben tent, I reckon a Protrail is a good utilitarian option.

[Nuts]

Good value the Six Moon Designs lineup. The Luna Duo is a very good tent, weight & features for space. It's a pity they don't just offer a smaller 'Duo' as the Solo with 2 doors/ symmetrical. Had a go with the Oasis, haven't tried the Luna Solo, if the size (height in the ends) works ok for you then expect a pretty well made, well considered tent. I'd not want some of the SMD shelters in a blizzard, sacrifices for all that space, but fine for three seasons+.
Don't let communications put you off dealing with 'SMD'.

PS. I seem to recall they had the tents on sale towards Xmas last year (?).

[legend]

Also have a look at the Tarptent 'Notch".
https://www.tarptent.com/notch.html#tab2default

I'm 6'2 (180cm) and I can easily put my pack inside the tent. It has to very good sized vestibules and is available in half solid/mesh or full mesh.
It weighs only 770gm and you can get additional poles if you are not using walking poles.
Mine has withstood winds to 80kph and driving rain.
Cheers
Chris

whops - just saw Franco's post

[Petew]

Thanks all for your advice, much appreciated. I am edging closer to a decision. I really like the SMD Lunar Solo and it's pretty cheap but I think I'll find it a bit claustrophobic. There are many of the Tarptent range I like but the Double Rainbow looks like the best for me. I also like the look of the Big Sky Mirage 2. It's free standing but less ventilated than the DR. There are loads of glowing reviews of the Double Rainbow but the BS Mirage 2 doesn't seem to have many. Anyone seen/used a BSM2?

Thanks again.

Pete

[Petew]

I agree with Nuts comment. I wish SMD would make a Lunar Solo xl. Just a bit bigger with some carbon stays round the back.

[Neo]

I was also considering the Mirage but am close to going for a Protrail (think it will have better ventilation than the Lunar solo).

Here is a review of the Mirage:
https://backpackinglight.com/big_sky_in ... nt_review/

Here is a review of the Mirage 1p by a bloke in WA:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... %20Ditton/

[Petew]

Thanks Neo,

The Protrail will be a well ventilated tent, the big brother Motrail caught my eye for a while but I'm keen on side entry. I like the look of the free standing mirage but fear it's ventilation is not good enough. It's starting to feel like the old cyclists equation for the perfect number of bikes, but with tents.

The perfect number of tents is N + 1. N = current number of tents....

[LTM]

I have the TT Notch and like it a lot for 1-2 night walks, I have had it about 4 years. There is not a lot of room inside the net and on a couple of week long walks I have had to be diligent in use of space in the alcoves if there is rain about. Other people I know have the Rainbow and Moment and like them a lot and I think they come in at around the 1.2kg mark don't they?

[Petew]

Hi LTM,
It's looking more and more like the double rainbow is the one for me. I like the notch but looks a little squishy. Being a non trekking pole user the DR looks good. I was so close to buying the Lunar Solo but again a bit squishy. I can live with 1.2 kg for solo walks. It's a lot lighter than the copper Spur ul3 I'm lugging around at the moment.

[onward]

Why not the StratoSpire 2 as an option? I have a StratoSpire 1 and love the ease of set-up (once you have your head around the shape), integral pitch, two big vestibules and seems to handle adverse weather (wind and rain) well. A bit heavier at 1.3kg

[Petew]

The stratospire 2 is a nice tent but with the pole kit end up being around 300g more than the DR. Plus the footprint is quite a bit bigger.

[biggbird]

Zpacks Duplex? Sounds like it ticks most of your boxes, is lighter than most things you're looking at, but is also likely to be much more expensive.

[Franco]

We have a 10% off sale right now on stock on hand at Tarptent.
I know it sounds very little but it is the first sale in years and our margins are pretty slim.
https://www.tarptent.com/store/index.php

[Nuts]

c'mon, no loyalties to them but 6moon have 20% ;
and this nice piccy

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