One person tents

[freemandale]

I realise this topic has been discussed previously but I have a specific choice to make. I have been fortunate enough to receive a very generous gift voucher for the Scout Outdoor Centre in Adelaide and I would really like to purchase a one person tent. According to the SOC they stock the Mont Moondance 1 and the MSR Hubba 1. Which to choose? I haven't yet visited the store - on my to do list this coming week - but thought I'd get some ideas before I go.

My plans for a one person tent are for local walking here in SA, mostly just overnighters, keeping the weight down because of the need to carry extra water. My walking will only be between April and Oct, nowhere too out of the way. Mostly I will set off from home, walk and then camp overnight - I live in rural SA and have access to the Heysen, great local parks and we are farmers - lots of our own land to trek over and camp on!

I have bushwalked for years in Tasmania for years, always with someone else, sharing a tent (and the load) and I certainly wouldn't venture too far from home initially. And, carrying water in Tas is rarely an issue so carring other gear is never a problem. In SA I may have the weight of extra water but wet weather gear and thermals are less likely to be a consideration. On Tas walks I have routinely carried around 15kgs for up to 7 days.

Any recommendations for a one person tent (given my restrictions vis the SOC) or is a bivy the way to go given SA's milder climate? The SOC also stock a bivy at under 1kg.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[oyster_07]

I have the MSR Hubba HP and it's awesome. I have used the regular Hubba too and feel the same.

The Mont Moondance is essentially a Hubba clone.

The SOC also stone the Vaude bivi. I used one of these some years ago every night for six weeks. It's good, but will get some condensation. It is really just a glammed bivi that lacks the benefits of a tarp overhead.

Based upon what you said, and also having grown up in Adelaide, I'd suggest the Hubba. Being able to sit up inside and have gear out of the rain is priceless. If not the Hubba, then a traditional bivi and tarp.

I hope that helps.

[eggs]

I have a Hubba Hubba and can only imagine that the Hubba would be just as good as a 1 man tent.
Very light, easy to erect and very strong - with options as a shelter only or as a bug proof tent with no outer. All options to consider in SA.
Having said that - I was impressed by the fact that the uni teams we met in the Gammons were all using bivy bags.
The big question with a bivy would be what alternative you would have to set up a shelter for cooking in rain. I take a light weight plastic tarp to allow for extra shelter.

But can I also ask how much you have done around SA?
I have had occassions were we have been absolutely drenched in the southern and middle Flinders Ranges - so wet weather gear can be essential.
The occurrence of overnight ice is also commonplace in winter. So thermals can also be very important.
On a 3 day walk near Wilmington, one member had forgotten a beanie and ended up with thermal pants wrapped around his head.
It would have been far too cold to walk around without some kind of head protection that night. And they had ice on the tent in the morning.

[freemandale]

Thanks! Am seriously considering a tent over a bivy - the extra space for cooking and storing gear is a real consideration. I am familiar with the temperature and sudden rainfall considerations of the southern Flinders and am not likely to venture further north than that by myself.

I have a serious cold weather sleepng bag (-15 1.8kg), all gortex wet weather gear etc and am experienced in use of all gear in extremes of Tas. On all trips I have carried full wet weather gear, sun hat, sun screen, thermals etc. On only one trip have I ever had to use everything! But I never assume.....

Given that I will be carrying all cooking gear, as well as water, I was looking for the lightest tent that I may need. I am unlikely to set off by myself unless the forecast is for fine weather but am always aware that is changable and subject to extremes in the Flinders.

I must admit that I haven't done much in SA aside from day walks. Mainly because of the need to carry water. But, I have done lots of long SA day walks, some in more remore areas and am well aware of the extra considerations. I really do want to start close to home before setting off by myself any further afield...

The only thing that has put me off walking in SA has been the weather (heat/dry vs everywhere else I've been)... even in winter! I guess I am so aware of the need to carry extra water that I am trying to cut down on the weight of other gear.

SA nights can be so much colder than daytime temps that a good sleeping bag is a must but if I have a good sleeping bag, how good must my tent be?

[dee_legg]

The MSR Hubba is no longer supplied by the Australian distributor so unless this shop has old stock lying around, you may find it difficult to get one. The Mont Moondance looks like a great tent to me, I've thought about getting the two person version in the past.

Another thing to consider is that most shops will order things in for you... So while they may only advertise a few one man tents, you may actually have access to others.

Good luck!

[kymboy]

Another big thumbs up for the Hubba. I haven't used the Moondance so I can't comment on the quality or suitability but I'm very happy with my Hubba.
Ah, decisions, decisions

[freemandale]

Thanks for all the advice. After speaking with staff at SOC and looking at both tents, I've opted for the Moondance 1. Not much between the two really. Now all I need is some (cooler) bushwalking weather - roll on autumn!

[freemandale]

From what I was shown the 'new model' MSR Hubba has a 'lighter' floor and the floor tub does not come up a high as in the Moondance. The new Hubba would require a footprint to be equivelent of the Moondance, and as both tents come in at the same weight....

Now all I need to do is cut back on the weight of my other gear. But that's a topic for a different thread...

[davidmorr]

Has anyone used the MSR Fast Stash?

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/ess ... sh/product

It looks to have a lot of room for not much more weight than many one man tents. A possible drawback is that the main part of the roof appears to be single skin.

[icemancometh]

I think the tent is the way to go if it's hot as you tend to get a lot of condensation in a bivy...more for dry/cold places I believe. Also 1kg is very heavy for a bivy.

Re your gear weight issue, if you get it down to 15kg for 7days in Tas you can't be doing too bad. I know lots of folk who can go lighter but it's not for everyone. Does that include food and water?

When cutting weight, people always look at the big items first (as opposed to cutting their toothbrush in half...that comes later!). That entails Pack, sleeping bag, tent.
What pack do you carry?
Do you really need that much sleeping bag in your vicinity? For shorter walks this is the bit I would scrimp on first esp if you take extra layers (that you can use to sleep in) as you sound like you would.
And what wet weather gear have you got?

I remember someone telling me to weigh all my gear and write the weight on each item. And that way I would know exactly what was heavy and what wasn't.

Just giving you something to think about.

OT, what good walks are there about your way or is this time of year just too hot to get out?

[TerryMcC]

I've had a MSR Hubba for the past 12 months and I really like it. It is light (1.4 kgs), plenty of room, a good vestible and robust in bad weather. Would recommend it to anyone. Good luck!!

[John Sheridan]

What would be the lightest One Person tent you can buy in Australia ???

Would think it would be well under 1kg ?

Cheers.

[ILUVSWTAS]

What would be the lightest One Person tent you can buy in Australia ???

Would think it would be well under 1kg ?

Cheers.

Certainly. BUT you need perfect conditions to use them... I have a 700gram tent, it's great... but I KNOW it would rip to shreds in some of the places I camp. STS also make a tent weighing in around 500grams. Some bivvy's only weigh around 200grams.

[frenchy_84]

What would be the lightest One Person tent you can buy in Australia ???

Would think it would be well under 1kg ?

Cheers.

Also depends on what you consider to be a tent and not a tarp or glorified bivy. This is the lightest double wall tent out there http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Typ ... _Tent.html
it also appears to be made of cellophane

[freemandale]

Thanks Icemancometh.

Walking in SA will be very different to Tas walking. Less wet weather gear but more water. Less layers but more water. I see a theme happening.
I do have a slightly lighter sleeping bag, -6 degrees, which with a thermal liner was fine in the huts on the OLT in Oct. Ideally I would like lightweight everything but that sort of gear doesn't come cheap. Also use a Thermarest self inflating mat - and not the most compact version !
I have a One Planet Strezlecki women's short 75lt pack. Not the lightest but tough and I never need to have anything hanging off the outside. I am only 5' 2", and this was the best fitting pack I could find at the time, about 5 years ago. And the cost was too high to justify replacing...
I have always walked in Tas with someone else and have shared the load regarding cooking, tent and food. I have never needed to carry more than a litre of water; there are always plenty of opportunities to refill with fresh water. SA is much different, even in winter so I am planning on carring at least 3 litre a day.
I have wet weather gear ranging from a full length gortex coat down to a lightweight rain jacket, overpants, gaiters, etc and thermals too many to count.
We have always been very organised re food and have only ever come home with our emergency rations plus snacks we couldn't fit in.

Ideally I would like to cut back on the sleeping bag and mat weight - there are lots of newer, lighter versions of both availabale but I can't justify buying new gear. I am prepared to still carry around the 15kg mark so will hope the lighter clothes, wet weather gear, food for one, will make allowance for the extra tent and water weight.

I am not a keen warm weather walker and will probably not go anywhere before mid April. But I am really looking forward to some time out and there are so many great places to visit that I can try out by myself at minimal risk for a night or two. Thanks to the cool summer so far it is possible to get out for a few hours early in the morning but full day walks are just not my thing now. Roll on autumn!!

[roysta]

Pity you aren't able to choose the one person tent I just added to my armoury.... the Hilleberg Soulo.
Now this is a ball-tearer.
I guarantee this tent will look at everything Tassie has to offer and spit in its face.
I'm going to sit this baby in the NZ winter snow this year and revel in it.
But I hope you enjoy the Hubba.

[Franco]

"Pity you aren't able to choose the one person tent I just added to my armoury.... the Hilleberg Soulo."

Not at all.
Glad you like the Soulo (great design, nice and warm in winter) but why should one use a 2kg tent when a 1.4kg will do nicely ?
In fact , for me, I use a sub 1kg that also does very nicely indeed (for me).
(not just a weight thing, packs smaller too)
No, It will not work at camp 4 on Everest but I don't plan to go there.
(see comments from the OP about weather in SA compared to Tasmania. )
Franco

[stu]

Seems to be down to a choice of personal wants / needs here (like most gear it's a trial & error thing to find what suits your personal requirements).
I love my Hilleberg Soulo too; yes, a little heavier than most solo tents (around 2.1 kgs) but I am guaranteed safe camping in any conditions Tasmania can throw at me (& that's comforting in a shelter).
I also love high / summit camping, so this is a safe option for me...there is also a mesh inner tent for the Soulo rumoured to be coming out which should reduce overall weight by at least a few hundred grams.

High camp on the Franklands (Double Peak), SW Tas.

[ollster]

there is also a mesh inner tent for the Soulo rumoured to be coming out which should reduce overall weight by at least a few hundred grams.

Not necessarily a safe assumption (unless the manufacturer claims it to be truth...). The mesh version of the Hubba - as opposed to the silnylon Hubba HP - is/was heavier.

[Franco]

As a comparison, the standard Nallo inner is about 740g, the mesh is about 695g.
The mesh inner for the Akto is between 550g (Moontrail) and 600g (Hilleberg)
The standard inner is reported to be 490g, so in this case the mesh is heavier.
Franco

[flyinglion2000]

Out of the solo Hillebergs, the Soulo seems to be peoples choice. What about the Unna or Akto? I'd just like to know why people seem to be picking the Soulo and not the other - what are the factors that pushed you in your decision.

cheers

[flyinglion2000]

Belay that last post. Blimey there is a whole thread on that exact topic allone - i'll refer to that. cheers

[John Sheridan]

What size cordage should I use for my tent any particular brands, I want strong but light as possible, would some plastic cordage from the hardware store just be fine, just not sure of the size or material.

Cheers.

[Nuts]

I'd guess the Akto would be by far the most Popular. John, why not just use brickies line fro a hardware shop, it will be there long after those space blankies

[JohnM]

6 metres of 550 paracord (pretty much the gold standard) weighs a whopping 40 grams. Dunno why you'd want to sacrifice strength for weight when the weight saving is basically nothing.

Sure, cut your toothbrush handle in half. But opting for weak/unreliable cord (and threatening the integrity of the tent that just might keep you alive in bad conditions) just to save the equivalent of a small sip of water in your bottle, makes no sense to me.

[Nuts]

I believe brickies line is around 180/200lb b/strain (?), more than enough for a tube tent as mentioned. (I beleive Roger Caffin has used it on his 3 pole tunnel tents in blizzard conditions..). I'd use one of the light dyneema cords personally (for a tent) like the stuff Zpacks sells.

Last edited by Nuts on Mon 23 Jan, 2012 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

[John Sheridan]

If 550 paracord is the gold standard that's good enough for me, just had a look online and I can get a 30 meter bunch of it, i will use whatever I need and the rest go's back into my pack, i here it can be useful when camping


Thanks.

By the way what does the 550 mean, I think it said something about breaking strain of 550 lb's, metric !!!!

Cheers.

Do you think MitreTen would sell 550 paracord, I know they sell cordage, not sure if it's branded 550 paracord ??

[Nuts]

Yes, a lot of weight on a tie out point isn't it... as i said, I doubt there would be much left of your tent, just cord and pegs (i'd be surprised if this wasn't also the case with everyday brickies line).

[JohnM]

The cord Joe from Z-packs supplies (1.25mm spectra cord) is super lightweight, but personally I find it a bit stiff and it doesn't really get grippy enough for me to work really well on slipknots on the guyline. Because the cord is so stiff, it's an effort to get the knots to form properly. At least for me.

Just my experience, but I'm not a huge fan. It's about the width of a piece of dental floss and I just don't see the point in being that ultra, to be honest.

Seriously, any kind of nylon cord is good as long as it's strong, malleable and grippy enough to work on a slipknot. And go for something that doesn't look like the colour of the ground. Otherwise people will forever walk straight into your guylines.

[John Sheridan]

Just wondering how long are your tent tie down ropes/cordage is, I would think all you need is maybe half a meter and that's all I would think 1 meter would be overkill, how long are yours ???

Cheers.