2 x 2 man or 1x4 man tent?

[kmcgreg]

Hi,

Trying to work out if we should buy a 4 man or 2 x 2 men tent for hiking in Tassie with my wife a two teenage daughters.

Weight is a big deal. Would a Hilleberg Nallo Gt 4 or similar work?

All suggestions appreciated.

[north-north-west]

Always give the kids their own room. It's better for everyone.

ps: You can't go wrong with Hilleberg.

[nq111]

2 x 2 man would be what i would get - much more versatile in campsite selection, ability to split, for when you don't have the kids, etc.

[roysta]

In agreement with the above.
2 x 2 Nallo 2s would be ok.

[Moondog55]

Two 2-person tents ( see I am being politically correct ) but add a tarp as well so a covered area between or beside them. The extra weight is well worth while especially with teenage females ( Well my two at least)

[wildernesswanderer]

I would go 2x2 also, just for the fact I'm pretty sure two teenage females would prefer their own tent even if they don't say so. The Nalo 2 are 2.3kg each so unless you want the extra vestibule area I wouldn't go the GT model

[Franco]

Much more fun with 2x2 and a lot easier (usually) to find two spots compared to 1 large one.
From what I hear Hilleberg are nice but apparently some have survived by using other brands too...
Franco

[wildernesswanderer]

Much more fun with 2x2 and a lot easier (usually) to find two spots compared to 1 large one.
From what I hear Hilleberg are nice but apparently some have survived by using other brands too...
Franco

Really there are other brands

[andrewa]

I agree with 2x2 person tents, whatever they may be. Kids are a variable with bushwalking, possibly/probably not a long term option. Get 2 2 person tents that you would use - eg maybe a 4 season one and a lighter one, and ft their use around yours. I have 4 kids ( 11, 14,19,21) so we have a variety of gear, which generally accommodates whomever, wherever.

IMoondogs idea of a tarp is also v valid. A communal area is great for such trips.

An Integral designs 8x10' silinylon tarp weighs ~400g and costs ~US $120; a Zpacks Cuban fiber tarp of sae size weighs a little less than 200g, but costs ~US 250.

Franco also has a good point about Hillebergs. Whilst I usually "survive" in a Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT myself, it is really only a comfy 2 person tent, or a crammed 3 person tent (like up against the wall, when used with wife and daughter, type comfy). It has a large footprint, not suited to Tassie camping. People do survive nicely in other tents, as Franco puts it. My Hilleberg is perfect for some of my uses, but not for others. I'm about to jump to a Zpacks hexamid twin for summer camping.

A

[Rico]

I'd say it depends... Are your young girls carrying their own tent? If they are the problem is solved, just ask them.

[kmcgreg]

Ok and thanks for the replies. We will go with two x two person tents (I should be politically correct seeing as I am the only guy in the house!)
So what then is good for Tassie conditions including light snow/heavy rain which is possible anytime of year.
Where are you sourcing the gear?
I am buying a pile of new gear in one hit.

[alanoutgear]

I've got Sierra Designs, MSR, Salewa, Go Lite, Mountain Hardware and Hilleberg tents.

Buy Hillebergs! The Nammatj 2 is a wonderful all season home away from home, but other models are great too. Get their free tent handbook and have a look.

The American Alpine Institute have a 20% off sale at the moment - see here http://www.guideschoice.com/.

[wildernesswanderer]

That's a good sale, anyone know what postage would roughly be from the states

[Strider]

That's a good sale, anyone know what postage would roughly be from the states

This will depend on the seller Suggest you contact them, or check in the online store if they have one.

[Onestepmore]

There is a Hilleberg Saivo for sale on E-bay at the moment. 4 season. It's a 3 person tent though. The guy who is selling it is in Adelaide. Just a FYI

[iGBH]

Postage was $60 for the Jannu from guides choice.

[nq111]

There is a Hilleberg Saivo for sale on E-bay at the moment. 4 season. It's a 3 person tent though. The guy who is selling it is in Adelaide. Just a FYI

I saw that. That is one bomber tent.

I can't justify the weight for usual 1-2 persons so got the Tarra instead .

Many would still call that overkill but fits my personal risk/weight trade-off for a tent.

[iGBH]

Tarra would be an awesome tent if you didnt have to carry it far. Was tempted.

[nq111]

Tarra would be an awesome tent if you didnt have to carry it far. Was tempted.

Yep - expected that like nightfall!

I have always carried a 4.0kg - 4.5kg tent since I have been a teenager (except for the hammock for the tropics). So it feels normal.

I have also had the misfortune of Tassie weather trying its best to kill the tent and me. So I don't feel at all sore about lugging around that weight.

I have made other parts of my gear much lighter. 5-day winter Tassie pack is now under 18kg including food and water and and extra 500g of snow stakes for the tent.

[iGBH]

Tarra would be an awesome tent if you didnt have to carry it far. Was tempted.

I have made other parts of my gear much lighter. 5-day winter Tassie pack is now under 18kg including food and water and and extra 500g of snow stakes for the tent.

Just think, it could be under 17kgs if you got a Jannu.

[wildernesswanderer]

Yeah I'm tossing up between the Tarra and Jannu, I could carry the Jannu myself but not sure if I would want to carry the Tarra by myself. Extra weight and size. But the Tarra is stronger and has more room for two, if my wife or my friend comes along, then I can split the weight anyway. Decisions decisions and with the sale on till 22nd Sept better make up my mind real soon....

[Gusto]

I find that you tend to get comfortable over time with a wide variety of tents. Aarn Pacer 2 or Wilderness Equipments 2nd Arrow are a bit smaller than the Hillebergs. But should both be adequate for 2 person tents. I think at the moment Pacer 2 tents have mostly all sold out. But if you can find them I'd expect you could get two of them for the price of one hilleberg. You may even have enough spare cash to buy a group tarp too.

Hilleberg is a good brand, but not the only brand.

[ninjapuppet]

In Australia, you will find that a jannu is only a good choice for maybe 2 months of the year from mid July to mid sept. They're the only months where you are likely to become stuck in a blizzard with half a meter dump of snow, unable to get out and clear the snow. ... And only if you camp in the alps.

The vestibule is very small due to the sharp angle it slopes down and flaps like freight train in winds. Notice the new saivo changed their vestibule designs to match their tunnels?

I did a brief review of the jannu here a while back.

If you can attend to your tent and aren't leaving it there for days at a time, I think the tunnel designs are better.

As for the tarra, all looks pleasing to the eye but I think you will regret it if you aren't camping in Scandinavian winters.

[nq111]

If you can attend to your tent and aren't leaving it there for days at a time, I think the tunnel designs are better.

As for the tarra, all looks pleasing to the eye but I think you will regret it if you aren't camping in Scandinavian winters.

ahhh – naturally I see it differently. Although most people on this site will likely agree with you.

The tarra suits the balance I am after. I have had tunnel tents and others. The tarra will do me for western side of Tassie and hopefully a few bucket list adventures over the years and the like.

High country in Tasmania can get nasty (at least wind and wet wise) any time of year. I’ve experienced those conditions both in tunnel and geodesic tents. I’ve even had the tunnel camped over 14,000 ft in the USA – though those mountains are very tame by mountaineering standards. Tunnels can do very well, but I believe geodesics do better in a big wind. Yes, tunnels are used to the poles bla, bla. Geodesics are certainly much more liveable in a real blow.

I think it is Andy Kirkpatrick who notes that Scottish highland conditions are much more extreme than the alps, despite being Scotland being lower and warmer. I would say Tassie is similar, along with places like Patagonia, Iceland, parts of New Zealand. The tent is my ‘safety blanket’ – gives me the confidence to push the limits more with other gear and locations.

If I am not going to exposed places like on much of the mainland I take a hammock, not a lighter tent. It even has a cuben fly. Very light. But I don’t regret carrying the weight of a bomber tent where required.

Only disadvantages I can see are weight and price. Maybe save a kilo or so for a roughly equivalent quality and sized tunnel tent. I can handle that extra weight even when the conditions don’t always warrant it. My previous tunnel was about the same weight or fractionally heavier.

Price I can live with.

And the tent the tarra replaces is a heavy, bombproof geodesic. I have been very satisfied with that tent. But the tarra is a little lighter, much easier to set up in a blow (main reason to change) and has two big vestibules rather than just one (a feature I did like in my tunnel).

I guess everyone's sweet spot is a little different.

[iGBH]

In Australia, you will find that a jannu is only a good choice for maybe 2 months of the year from mid July to mid sept. They're the only months where you are likely to become stuck in a blizzard with half a meter dump of snow, unable to get out and clear the snow. ... And only if you camp in the alps.

Exactly why i got one.

[nq111]

Exactly why i got one.

[wildernesswanderer]

If you can attend to your tent and aren't leaving it there for days at a time, I think the tunnel designs are better.

As for the tarra, all looks pleasing to the eye but I think you will regret it if you aren't camping in Scandinavian winters.

ahhh – naturally I see it differently. Although most people on this site will likely agree with you.

The tarra suits the balance I am after. I have had tunnel tents and others. The tarra will do me for western side of Tassie and hopefully a few bucket list adventures over the years and the like.

High country in Tasmania can get nasty (at least wind and wet wise) any time of year. I’ve experienced those conditions both in tunnel and geodesic tents. I’ve even had the tunnel camped over 14,000 ft in the USA – though those mountains are very tame by mountaineering standards. Tunnels can do very well, but I believe geodesics do better in a big wind. Yes, tunnels are used to the poles bla, bla. Geodesics are certainly much more liveable in a real blow.

I think it is Andy Kirkpatrick who notes that Scottish highland conditions are much more extreme than the alps, despite being Scotland being lower and warmer. I would say Tassie is similar, along with places like Patagonia, Iceland, parts of New Zealand. The tent is my ‘safety blanket’ – gives me the confidence to push the limits more with other gear and locations.

If I am not going to exposed places like on much of the mainland I take a hammock, not a lighter tent. It even has a cuben fly. Very light. But I don’t regret carrying the weight of a bomber tent where required.

Only disadvantages I can see are weight and price. Maybe save a kilo or so for a roughly equivalent quality and sized tunnel tent. I can handle that extra weight even when the conditions don’t always warrant it. My previous tunnel was about the same weight or fractionally heavier.

Price I can live with.

And the tent the tarra replaces is a heavy, bombproof geodesic. I have been very satisfied with that tent. But the tarra is a little lighter, much easier to set up in a blow (main reason to change) and has two big vestibules rather than just one (a feature I did like in my tunnel).

I guess everyone's sweet spot is a little different.

Wow you have just summed up pretty much why I was leaning towards the Tarra. Thanks

[kmcgreg]

Thanks for the replies so far...can we simplify things a bit.

Suggestions for 2x 2 person tents..light weight for multiday hikes, able to keep us dry in all seasons in Tassie on OLT, southwest walk and similar.
Quick easy set up preferred.
Needs to keep our packs dry.
I want some alternatives. The Aarn packer seems to be no longer available.
The wilderness equipment second arrow looks ok.
The search continues.

[kmcgreg]

Mmm saw the Exped - Venus II Extreme Tent ...very quick to pitch, 4 season ...seems quite good. Anyone have one or something similar?

[rucksack]

Different choices, of course, but either two Hilleberg Nallo 2's or two Tarptent Scarp 2's. Both are very decent 2-person tents and both have ample room in their vestibules for 2 packs. The Nallo 2 only has one vestibule, of course, but it is a good size. The Scarp 2 has two vestibules (and two doors); it's a personal choice. I have a Nallo 2 for winter, (and for when Mrs rucksack joins me - and she is a big fan of the Nallo 2), and a Tarptent Moment for when I am out on my own and the forecast is half way decent, although it has cheerfully sailed through some fairly filthy weather without complaint. Both Hilleberg & Tarptent make very good tents and both stand behind them in terms of warranty, so it might come down to how many doors, how many vestibules, how much weight, and the not inconsiderable issue of cost; (the Tarptent Scarp 2 is considerably cheaper than a Nallo 2). I would happily take either down the south west and in all weathers.

I also have a Macpac Olympus on the go and that is a serious 4-seasons tent, so a couple of those could also be an option, although it is a heavier tent than either the Nallo 2 or the Scarp 2. I am currently eking out the life of a 2-door/double vestibule NZ-made Olympus. For the depths of winter in Australia, the Olympus is one of my all-time favourite 4-seasons tents - Mrs rucksack's too.

rucksack