Tent for Overland Track

[Tai]

Hi,

Looking for a 4 season 2 person light weight freestanding tent.

Has anyone try Wilderness Equipment Second Arrow tent?

Thanks


Tai

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Hi Tai,
The second arrow isn't a freestanding tent, it will require pegging. Do you want a "freestanding" 4 season tent or a "light weight" 4 season tent?
A bomber 4 season "freestanding" tent will weight around 3kg. A "light weight" 4 season tent will normally be a tunnel design and will require pitching and pegging out even in calm conditions, but the weight will be around 2kg.
Cheers
Chris

[paul_gee]

Hi,

Looking for a 4 season 2 person light weight freestanding tent.

Has anyone try Wilderness Equipment Second Arrow tent?

Thanks


Tai

Haven't had any experience with the Second Arrow. Nor do we have any 4 season tents that I could familiarise myself with, but can I ask, what are you looking at doing with it exactly? Just the Overland in winter (or which season), or other trips?

[Strider]

There is only one season on the Overland. Be prepared for anything (including snow) at any time of year.

Not freestanding but I like my Tarptent Scarp. A breeze to pitch on platforms too.

[sambar358]

Three pegs will get the WE Second Arrow up and ready to use......one at the foot end and two at the entry.....but if it's windy then you'll need to whack in a few more for the guy-outs. Any tunnel-type tent will need a few pegs at least....domes and their variants are more capable of being usable without pegging out at all. My Exped Gemini 2 is "almost" free-standing but I still need a peg for each of the vestibules....so 2 pegs at a minimum for that and it's usable in good conditions. "Free standing" usually just refers to the main body of the tent I'd think anyway.....if it has a vestibule or two then it/they'll need to be pegged-out to get a proper pitch. So many tents.....so little time ! Cheers

s358

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Three pegs will get the WE Second Arrow up and ready to use......one at the foot end and two at the entry.....but if it's windy then you'll need to whack in a few more for the guy-outs. Any tunnel-type tent will need a few pegs at least....domes and their variants are more capable of being usable without pegging out at all. My Exped Gemini 2 is "almost" free-standing but I still need a peg for each of the vestibules....so 2 pegs at a minimum for that and it's usable in good conditions. "Free standing" usually just refers to the main body of the tent I'd think anyway.....if it has a vestibule or two then it/they'll need to be pegged-out to get a proper pitch. So many tents.....so little time ! Cheers

s358

You're right a lot of tent company's usually refer to "free standing" as just the main body and vestibules will need to be pegged out. I find their marketing very frustrating. That said their are a few companies that produce a tent model with vestibules that don't need to be pegged out, Hilleberg, Exped and Helsport all come to mind.

Last edited by Chris-Toms Outdoors on Tue 08 Dec, 2015 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

[norts]

I suggest to ppl who are considering doing the OLT but havent done any/minimal bushwalking before and not sure if they will again, is to purchase a cheap tent.
My reasoning is:
1. If the weather turns foul, you can always fit in the huts, even if you're on the floor.
2. Most huts have verandahs so again if the weather is foul you have somewhere to cook, get into dry gear etc.
3. These days the distance between huts, in walking time, is fairly short, chances of being caught out in bad weather and having to do an emergency camp are low.
4 The camping at the huts is mainly sheltered so again you dont need a tent that will stand up to strong winds, and if it does get too windy see 1.
All of the above is only meant for the OLT itself, all bets off if you do overnight side trips.

Roger

[Tai]

Hi,

Thanks all.

Main reason for prefering Second Arrow is the weight, at 1660g minimum wt and integral pitch.

I am around 46kg and would like to keep total pack weight at not more than 15.5 kg. ( currently my estimated pack weight is 16kg excluding water )

Hope/dream to use the tent later with my brompton bike to go touring and walk the Heysen trail.

Tai

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Hi Tai,
Your definitely heading down the right path to keep your weight down as much as possible. Best of luck.
Chris

[Bluegum Mic]

Hi Tai. I have the new second arrow and I love it. Its easy to pitch and its packed size is very compact. To me its a nice compromise between light weight yet still able to cope with the weather. Another tent I considered which would fit your freestanding requirement is the big sky chinook with the 4 season poles. Backpacking light in Melbourne now stocks them I believe.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[corvus]

I you want freestanding and lightweight Scarp TT 1 with the cross poles should fit the bill especially on the platforms on the OLT,works well for me

[Tai]

Hi all,

Think i will get Second Arrow. Thanks

Tai