Tent suggestions

[Snafuspyramid]

This is my first post on the forum, but I've been lurking for a while. I'm not much of a bushwalker - my interest is in bicycle touring. However, there's a great deal of overlap between the two activities, especially regarding the gear, and I've learned an enormous amount from you guys.

The other night we camped in the Dandenong ranges. It was cold and raining, but with low wind - hardly ideal conditions for condensation. My partner and I woke up cold and fed up because our sleeping bags had become very wet from condensation, especially that transferred from the inner skin of the tent.

I gather that the main issue for us was the size of the tent - it's a Coleman Epsilon 2 and tapers to only 55cm at the foot, which means that my sleeping bag got especially wet there. Also, our bags are for touring not hiking, so they are very large and roomy semi-trapezoidal design (Macpac Escapade 700 loft). That means they take up a lot of space and are more inclined to touch the skin of the tent.

So the most obvious solution is to get a bigger tent, which I plan to do. I am considering purchasing either a larger 2 man tent (such as the Macpac Macrolight) or a 3 man tent (such as the Ferrino Prodigy). Does anyone have any comments on either of these tents? My preference is the for the Prodigy, as I can get it very cheaply, except that it is slightly shorter (210 v 220 cm), which is an issue since I am 195cm tall.

More generally, what design features should I look for that minimise condensation, aside from size and venting? What other tent might you recommend for two people, where -

-Liveability and space is the priority, including head room and the ability to cook inside a porch, for instance. For bicycle touring, big is beautiful.
-Length is important, as I am 6'4.
-Weight doesn't really matter.
-Easy pitching is important.
-Three-season tent. Factors such as resistance to snow weight, high winds or extreme cold aren't important.

I feel a bit apologetic for my first post to be "can you recommend me a tent? . Nevertheless, I need your collective wisdom.

Many thanks

[sthughes]

Hilleberg Kaitum would be my pick for the purpose.
Most tent's will be too short for you. The MSR Hoop is a decent length, but the ventilation options are a bit lacking. The Kaitum has excellent flow through ventilation, is spacious and as there is a vestibule at each end you are nowhere near the wet fly if you do push on the end walls.

[DannyS]

Hilleberg Kaitum would be my pick for the purpose.
Most tent's will be too short for you. The MSR Hoop is a decent length, but the ventilation options are a bit lacking. The Kaitum has excellent flow through ventilation, is spacious and as there is a vestibule at each end you are nowhere near the wet fly if you do push on the end walls.

If you were going to go with the Kaitum it would need to be the Kaitum 3, the Kaitum 2 might be too low in the head room for a 6'4" person. I've also heard of many people wishing they'd gone for the 3 after they'd purchased the 2. If weights not a concern then definitely go a 3 man tent, 2 man is usually just 2. At 6'4" don't bother with anything under 220 cm length unless you don't mind wearing a rain jacket over the foot box of you sleeping bag, I have the Exped Gemini III which is 220cm in length but the end walls curve outwards away from the base of the floor rather than in giving heaps of clearance at both the foot and head ends. I think sthughes is right, the Kaitum would fit all your requirements, cost would be the only fly in the ointment? They're expensive!

[Snafuspyramid]

I was considering the Gemini range for exactly that reason, but ended up choosing the Venus II instead. It's got a pretty much identical footprint (220cm long) but unfortunately doesn't curve outwards in the same way that the Gemini does. However, it seems like a more versatile tent, not only for colder conditions, but for arid or semi-desert conditions where mesh will let in lots of flying sand. (I guess bushwalking doesn't usually encounter that sort of thing, but cycle touring in Aus will). It also has huge vestibules, which is handy because when cycle touring you take a lot of stuff compared to backpacking.

I think the length will be alright - I tend to sleep on my side most of the time and curl up a bit, which is possible since I take a pretty generously sized air mattress. Even so, I probably will end up occasionally touching it right at the end with my sleeping bag, but certainly not straining against it as in the Coleman. The idea about using the rain shell is ingenious, I don't know why it didn't occur to me - I'll try that if I have any more problems.

I've set it up and had a good play with it, and it looks pretty good. The quality of the stitching and the little details (like the design of the toggles for holding back the doors, the gear loft, the design of the pole bag) are impressive. A bit small for two people - since I'll be travelling with my girlfriend it isn't an issue, but I'd certainly need to be pretty good mates with whoever else I decided to share it with. I chose the two person model because I want to take it on solo trips too.

I'll be taking it up the ranges this weekend for a night. It'll likely be cool and wet - perfect conditions to test out the condensation problem.

To be honest, I just couldn't stomach the cost of a Hilleberg. However, if I decide upon a second tent for solo touring in non-arid conditions, I'll probably spring for a one-person model.

[DannyS]

I was considering the Gemini range for exactly that reason, but ended up choosing the Venus II instead. It's got a pretty much identical footprint (220cm long) but unfortunately doesn't curve outwards in the same way that the Gemini does. However, it seems like a more versatile tent, not only for colder conditions, but for arid or semi-desert conditions where mesh will let in lots of flying sand. (I guess bushwalking doesn't usually encounter that sort of thing, but cycle touring in Aus will). It also has huge vestibules, which is handy because when cycle touring you take a lot of stuff compared to backpacking.

I think the length will be alright - I tend to sleep on my side most of the time and curl up a bit, which is possible since I take a pretty generously sized air mattress. Even so, I probably will end up occasionally touching it right at the end with my sleeping bag, but certainly not straining against it as in the Coleman. The idea about using the rain shell is ingenious, I don't know why it didn't occur to me - I'll try that if I have any more problems.

I've set it up and had a good play with it, and it looks pretty good. The quality of the stitching and the little details (like the design of the toggles for holding back the doors, the gear loft, the design of the pole bag) are impressive. A bit small for two people - since I'll be travelling with my girlfriend it isn't an issue, but I'd certainly need to be pretty good mates with whoever else I decided to share it with. I chose the two person model because I want to take it on solo trips too.

I'll be taking it up the ranges this weekend for a night. It'll likely be cool and wet - perfect conditions to test out the condensation problem.

To be honest, I just couldn't stomach the cost of a Hilleberg. However, if I decide upon a second tent for solo touring in non-arid conditions, I'll probably spring for a one-person model.

You can't go wrong with the Venus, I think it's an excellent tent. The only reason I didn't choose it was weight, hiking with my partner meant I would be carrying the bulk of the tent. But if weight wasn't a consideration, the Venus would be my choice.
Happy camping, let us know how it performs?

[Strider]

MSR Hubba Hubba with Gear Shed?

[DonQx]

Salewa Sierra Leone

[Snafuspyramid]

I also considered the Salewa, but it is a wee bit heavier (300g or so) and wasn't available to inspect, unlike the Venus II. I was also considering the Macpac Minaret but was worried about the inadequate ventilation for warmer weather.

[slparker]

Minaret is a great tent but def too small for two esp if one is tall.

[Snafuspyramid]

I tried out the Venus II last weekend, in admittedly very mild conditions. It is a vast improvement over anything I have ever owned, borrowed or used. The enormous vestibule space is awesome, the construction is very solid, there are lots of handy design features and plenty of space inside. I can imagine living in this tent for several weeks at a stretch without going insane, which is in itself quite an achievement. Will probably be a bit hot in summer, but I'm overall very happy indeed.

[Strider]

Will probably be a bit hot in summer, but I'm overall very happy indeed.

Not a problem. Open up both vestibules and you'll get a nice through-breeze

[Joomy]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

[Strider]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

Another awesome design from Henry. Love the idea of the tensioned mesh along the sides on the inside!

[Joomy]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

Another awesome design from Henry. Love the idea of the tensioned mesh along the sides on the inside!

Yes the culmination of all his tent building experience so far it seems. I also really like the modular design with the optional third pole and removable inner. Now if only I could get on to him...

[Franco]

Now if only I could get on to him...

You have company...
The TT crew in Nevada City (and the factory...) have been flat out busy since early February.
The CB 3 was scheduled for release in March but kept getting postponed because of the very high demand ( well above fore casted increase ), for the other shelters.
If you kept an eye on the ordering page you would have noticed that most shelters have had a constant 2-4 week delay.
mid September is usually hiking time for Henry and that is when he has time to think about new designs/mods.
This year he might just switch off for a bit.

I am finally making the internal pole mod for the Scarp 1 as a DIY project.
Will do a video clip when it is done.
You Tube Franco Darioli

franco@tarptent

[bernieq]

I am finally making the internal pole mod for the Scarp 1 as a DIY project.

What's this all about, Franco?

BTW, I've sent you an email with a couple of questions about the Scarp 1.

[Franco]

Sorry Bernie, thread shift..
I'll get back to you via tarptent.com

[KANANGRABOYD]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

Another awesome design from Henry. Love the idea of the tensioned mesh along the sides on the inside!

I own 3 tarptents............ best tents for price/weight/features.
You'd be hard pressed to fault them.

[Strider]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

Another awesome design from Henry. Love the idea of the tensioned mesh along the sides on the inside!

I own 3 tarptents............ best tents for price/weight/features.

Absolutely!

[corvus]

I love both my Scarp 1 and 2
corvus

[Joomy]

Now if only I could get on to him...

You have company...
The TT crew in Nevada City (and the factory...) have been flat out busy since early February.
The CB 3 was scheduled for release in March but kept getting postponed because of the very high demand ( well above fore casted increase ), for the other shelters.
If you kept an eye on the ordering page you would have noticed that most shelters have had a constant 2-4 week delay.
mid September is usually hiking time for Henry and that is when he has time to think about new designs/mods.
This year he might just switch off for a bit.

I am finally making the internal pole mod for the Scarp 1 as a DIY project.
Will do a video clip when it is done.
You Tube Franco Darioli

franco@tarptent

Of course I know he and his company are busy but it's been two weeks without a reply, not even a confirmation that anyone has even seen my email. I'm in no hurry so it's not a big deal but I would hope to hear from someone soon, right?

[simonm]

I am buying a Tarptent Cloudburst 3. It's roomy, spacious, very light, compact, versatile, etc. I'm also 6'4 (although I'm 193cm not sure how that works) and the CB3 is 220cm long with vertical walls at the long ends (similar to a Kaitum).

Another awesome design from Henry. Love the idea of the tensioned mesh along the sides on the inside!

I own 3 tarptents............ best tents for price/weight/features.
You'd be hard pressed to fault them.

What have you got KB?

I need to source a tent for when the hammock is not useful, and always come back to the tarptent range.

[KANANGRABOYD]

I own 3 tarptents............ best tents for price/weight/features.
You'd be hard pressed to fault them.[/quote]

What have you got KB?

I need to source a tent for when the hammock is not useful, and always come back to the tarptent range.[/quote]
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