Bushwalk Australia

Anyone had any exerience with the Mountain Designs Plateau tent? I was looking at buying it - want a reasonably spacious, lightweight, bombproof tent, snow-capable. For that matter, any views on the build-quality of MD gear more generally?

Eeeerrrrrr.. this is based only my experience, but IMHO MD is overpriced and underbuilt. Not as bad as some "store" brands, but I'd price your tent with some of the tents you can get sent over from the US, Wilderness Equipment's stuff and Macpac's line of tents. As far as I remember, there's only one MD tent that is really up for 4-season use, and it's blooming expensive. Always buy their stuff on sale, that's when their prices are fair.

I really dislike their packs- I find them very uncomfortable. However, I'm picky, and I don't even like One Planet, which seems to be the most popular on here.

Macpac and Hilleberg tents are popular on this forum, also Eureka and others. There's a lot available from the US that we cant get here too. But for "bombproof", I'd avoid MD.

I've only got limited experience though- others can give you better advice.

The plateau is pretty heavy compared to some brands. Drifting is right, a WE second arrow or a macpac minaret would be a better choice.

Point taken, however I'm fairly keen on a dome design rather than a tunnel. My last tent was/is a Minaret which has never been particularly happy in snow, no matter how well staked out it was, plus the design is pretty cramped.

Have a look at http://www.moontrail.com, http://www.rei.com and http://www.campmor.com

There's lots of fish in that sea!

I reckon the ultimate is the Hogback, by Tarptents, but it's only a 3-season model at the moment, though the company owner told me he was working on a 4-season model. But there's lots of mountaineering dome tents available from the US.

After a lot of research I think I'll have to eat humble pie...I couldn't seem to find a model that met all of my needs. The most important of which was bombproof and lightweight....most seemed to have flimsy floors and require the addition of 'footprints' to stop things poking through - not like the good ol' tried-and-trusted, tough-as-old-boots, tub floors on my MacPac Minaret which have previousky put up with the roughest tent sites (as well as a rising lake lapping at the floor) with no probs whatsoever. I set it up outside the other day in a storm, with rain bucketing down and there was only one seam that let a small amount of water through, so will reseal it soon. My only remaining concern is that the waterproof coating on the inside of the fly fabric is starting to get 'tacky' to the touch and I'm worried it wil delaminate sometime soon when I least want it to or come off on the inner - any suggestions for how I can extend the life of the fly? Any sprays to 'renew' its waterproofness and stop it being tacky?

I don't know about re-proofing tents.

I know Bibler tents seem to be very popular too- they have a rep for being bombproof. Here's a few to consider:

http://www.rei.com/product/739354

http://www.rei.com/product/779444

http://www.rei.com/product/670745

http://www.rei.com/product/718559 I know a lot of people in the US who swear by Marmot gear.

http://www.rei.com/product/776502 - this one's got a good weight to it.

"Any sprays to 'renew' its waterproofness and stop it being tacky?"
My guess is that the PU coating is perishing. Most of the advice found for this is :" ditch the tent.."

However, this is what I would do :

Attempt N1

Use an iron on a very low setting with some oven proof paper in between. That might revive the coating.
If that fails (likely...) try

N2
Wash it with pure soap, like "down" soap. Same instructions. I would do that in a bathtub.
N3
Only after N2 and if that fails..
Mix one cup of salt and one cup of lemon juice with 4 liters of hot water.
Wash, let it dry then rinse and let it dry again.

Note that N2 and 3 will strip the coating off so the all fly will be less waterproof then before.
Some use Aquaseal Polycoat to re-coat.
Please keep in mind that my suggestions should only be considered if you are prepared to ditch the tent otherwise.
Franco

If I were you, I will spend more time looking for other brands of tent first. There are more tents which has impressive features yet reasonably priced. Aside from durability, take note that what you need is a lightweight tent, check the flap doors and mosquito netting too. Event Tents

Have you looked at the Mountain Designed Kaon which is not a bad tent if you are looking at a dome design. It is extremely light and it is only the mesh doors that can not be closed off drop it season rating. MD brochure consider it to be snow and wind capable almost to the extent of the Plateau. Only problem I have found with mine is it is a condensation trap and yes the mesh doors make for a very draughty tent. Still at 2.6 kilograms for allegedly three people worthwhile considering.

Cheers Brett

I'm rather fond of the Plateau.

Might be a bit heavy in some people's eyes, but I'm not really that anal in regard to weight.

Plenty of storage for a couple of packs and gear with the twin vestibule. It all clips together and pegs down for a nice firm structure.

Yet to test it in really, really cold weather or snow.