Lightweight two-person tent

[Nuts]

it's hard to find somewhere where there's a range of hiking tents set up to look at (that arent for car camping etc).

This is true, especially some of the tents suggested on here. You want be happy, it's a big purchase (for some).
Lot's of members around the Sydney area, perhaps they could take a lead from those Friendly tasmanians : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11661&p=154762&hilit=tent#p154762

[Onestepmore]

Personally, I like to know who is connected to what so that I can form my own judgement accordingly.

Thumbs up
Specifically I find Franco's input open, helpful and informed

I love it when people post pics of their tents and gear in actual use, warts (rocks, sticks, tussocks) and all. Personal accolades and open critique are much more helpful than looking at a sterile pic in a manufacturer's website.
Have fun chosing your tent Bushgirl - it may not be your first!

[corvus]

Franco is open and honest in his posts provides live examples and usable mock ups of other systems and I doubt that he makes much if any income from TT but we always have to have our sad knockers

I own and use Scarp 1 and 2 both with full inners + extra poles for 4 season use and will recommend as good lightweight shelters.
corvus

[etrangere]

it's hard to find somewhere where there's a range of hiking tents set up to look at (that arent for car camping etc).

This is true, especially some of the tents suggested on here. You want be happy, it's a big purchase (for some).
Lot's of members around the Sydney area, perhaps they could take a lead from those Friendly tasmanians : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11661&p=154762&hilit=tent#p154762

I feel your pain. Obviously tents take up alot of floor space which most stores nowadays seem keen to fill with clothes, clothes and more clothes. Considering a tent is probably the most expensive item you will buy its a shame most purchasing decisions are made only with brochure pics and recommendations from staff. I by right should be able to ask a shop assistant to set up a tent i am considering to buy. But to date have never done so as i would feel so guilty as if i had wasted their time if i didnt purchase it. If shops arent going to display them and people are virtually going to be purchasing them sight unseem then then no wonder more and more people will buy them online at 1/2 the price from o/s. Its a big risk to take buying them at instore recommended rip-off price without actually seeing it set up.

And thanks to all those that do post their pics of tents set up as it is a huge help for those looking to buy a tent.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Franco has offered and shared his experience on this and many subjects. I don't see anything wrong with what he says here. He is offering some of his vast knowledge of experience here to help some of you.

Some of us, have done this for a while and choose the lightweight option. I myself been there, gone through many different tents to find the ideal tents for me is the option I have chosen, no doubt many of you have read about, just because there light don't mean they cant succeed in the environment. we only try to help by passing on some of the knowledge learnt on the way.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I was saying that for my own benefit too.
Amazing how much rubbish I bought because it was "on special".
But seriously it is very easy to be distracted by the price and forget to focus on likes and needs.

For example today I built a mock up of an 'ultralite" tent discussed at another forum.
Turns out that to get in about the first 50 cm of the floor of the inner would be exposed to the rain.
That could still work for some not so much for others, so my point is make sure you tick as many boxes as you can....

I was thinking the same when i looked into a lightweight shelter, i initially was looking into a solomid, but wondered about that doorway so close to the sleeping quarters so opted for a shelter similar to a duomid with that extra protection in front of the inner, hopefully will help to keep the rain out as I enter and exit the shelter during heavy rain.

Yesterday I spoke to John Cantor, some of you would know John who succeeded on a world record solo adventure through Alaska I believe recently, We spoke about shelters.
I asked about his shelter, knowing that an adventure as what John embarked on, a shelter could be the difference in life and death in such a trek, John used a SoloMid, I asked John how he found entering and exiting the shelter during heavy rain or snow and he told me it was a challenge, apart from that He was very impressed with the SoloMid.

[Onestepmore]

Amazing how much rubbish I bought because it was "on special".
But seriously it is very easy to be distracted by the price and forget to focus on likes and needs.

There is an old saying
"Price is forgotten long after quality is remembered"

Mind you, you have to have the dosh in the first place to buy it at all!

[ryantmalone]

Amazing how much rubbish I bought because it was "on special".
But seriously it is very easy to be distracted by the price and forget to focus on likes and needs.

There is an old saying
"Price is forgotten long after quality is remembered"

Mind you, you have to have the dosh in the first place to buy it at all!

This is why I never shy away from paying for good quality gear. Not to say that top dollar will always snag you top quality gear though.

If anyone is ever truly that worried about spending too much, ship from the US whilst the dollar is good, and if certain brands don't allow you to ship from the US to Australia, just use a freight forwarder. That's what I do. Some of the price differences between the US and Australia are completely and utterly unjustifiable in my opinion.

[legend]

I have the TarpTent StratoSpire 2.
It has tow HUGE vestibules, handles wind and heavty rain exceptionally well and takes about a minute to pitch. I have just bought the solid inner (also have the mesh inner for warmer weather). It does have room for 3 adults with a very minor modification (just alter the top grommets of the ridge line). I have used it in Tasmania (Central Plateau with several days of heavy rain, Bogong High Plains (snow), Mt Feathertop (gale force winds) and many other weekend and longer trips with a complete mix of weathers. Being 'double' skin, condensation ( a rarity) will drip onto the inner and not penetrate it.
I use my walking poles, and comes in at 1.1Kg (mesh, or 1.2Kg with solid inner).
If you don't use walking poles, other up right poles can be used. Just take the height from the website.
Franco did an amazing job with seam sealing it and can show you an easy (and very quick) way of pitching it.
Check out the TarpTent website: www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html.