Tent Review: Exped Vela I Extreme

[corvus]

c'mon, Play fair... afterall ive only asked questions, your the one who came up with the answers ^^ (i see your still smiling thats a good sign, ill back dowwn if its more ....)

I guess I am

[Son of a Beach]

(no...yer... ah, what the... hey Corvus have a look back at the first post!)

Nice test nik, will you use it in winter again? Bet you were coveting the olympus

Yep, I've never got to use the Olympus in anything but very light snow. I'm a bit annoyed I had it there with me, but was confined to the squashed Vela I instead.

Yes, I would use the Vela I in winter again, as I felt safe in it, just not comfortable. However, I would consider taking the Olympus instead if the weather looked like either heavy rain, heavy snow, or strong wind. I'm confident the Vela I can cope with all these enough to keep me safe, but it is just not entirely comfortable in any one of those three.

I'm considering selling it and looking for an alternative 1 person tent, but I'll be hard pressed to find something with all the features I want at such a light weight.

Anyone want to buy a Vela I Extreme? It's really good! Just don't read the second half of this topic, eh?

[Nuts]

Hi Nik, good report. Its a shame it didnt work out for you.
Perhaps there are things that can be done to make it more livable? It actually doesnt seem to have handled the snow Too badly from that shot? though it does seem to have not much angle to the walls?
Ive had a few restless nights like that in small tents, while probably safe enough they do get a bit claustrophobic eh

From the other tents that ive tried, The Nallo 2 is a nice compromise sizewise but the weight is not as light as some...

[Son of a Beach]

I agree - it handled the snow OK - not as badly as I've seen other tents do. Ie, it didn't collapse, or break anything. The snow merely pushed the walls out of shape a bit, reducing the already small internal space (and pushing the fly onto the inner tent). I felt perfectly safe, just not as comfortable as I'd like to have been.

I did have to frequently knock the snow off from the inside to avoid feeling too cramped in by the reducing internal space.

[johnw]

A few weeks ago I was very tempted to buy one of these. Mountain Equipment in Sydney's Kent St had one on sale for $260 which is extremely cheap. It was the last one they had, and was set up in the shop so I had a good look at it. I don't think there was anything missing or wrong with it (maybe shop soiled?). Nice thing and spacious for a one person tent, particularly the vestibule area. I'm kind of interested in a 1p tent although ideally something lighter than the Vela which is 1.9kg packed. And sInce I already own 2 tents (both 2 person) I'm trying to mentally justify the idea anyway. It was a close thing though as I had the cash in my pocket . Looks like it coped reasonably with the snow although maybe not comfortably, as you said. Having now examined one I can see that the steeper angled walls of some other tents would handle that better.

[Son of a Beach]

NB: The Vela I Extreme is only 1.4 kg.

This was the critical buying point for me at the time - I was trying to get my pack weight down at a time when I needed a new tent.

It ended up being a compromise between weight and snow load capability. I went for the weight, but I think next time I'll go for the snow loading, as I seem to have ended up in the snow a few times recently.

[johnw]

NB: The Vela I Extreme is only 1.4 kg.

Does that weight include everything Nik? I asked the shop assistant about the weight who told me 1.9kg. I queried that as I thought it would have been lighter. So we checked the tags on the packaging. From memory it said 1.4kg min, 1.9kg packed. Exped's site is different:
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf

Weight: Minimum: 3.1 # / 1.4 kg; 3.3 # / 1.5 kg including endpoles;
LightPackers:2.2# / 1.01kg; fly, centerpole and footprint(sold separately)
UltraLight Packers:1.6# / 0.75kg; fly and centerpole
Packaged: 3.8 # / 1.75 kg

Although now I'm wondering if it was actually the Vela 1 (not Extreme) I looked at:

Weight: Minimum**: 3.3 # / 1.5 kg; 3.5 # 1.6 kg including endpoles;
LightPackers:2.4# / 1.1kg; fly, centerpole and footprint(sold separately)
UltraLight Packers:1.8# / 0.84kg; fly, centerpole
Packaged:4 # / 1.85 kg;
**fly, cabin, poles

[Son of a Beach]

hmmm... now I'm confused. I thought it was 1.4 packed, and 1.2 without the end poles, but it looks like my memory has let me down. Actually, more likely I confused the weights early on, and remembered the wrong number.

But yes, it sounds like you were looking at the non-extreme version.

I've not actually weighed mine at home, but I guess it must match that 1.75 kg, which would include not just the end poles, and bags, but also the repair kit.

PS. I've updated the weight information in the original post of this topic.

[Son of a Beach]

Riddle:

By the way, there is a single bag which holds the poles, pegs and accessories in three separate zipped compartments. Each compartment is labelled in three languages. The compartment for the pegs is labelled:

stakes • heringues • sardines

So how did this strange language anomoly come about? Why are pegs (stakes) called herrings and sardines in two other languages? My only guess is that because the company is based somewhere very cold, the fish there are frozen solid, and can be hammered into the ground and used to tie the tent down.

[Son of a Beach]

OK, this tent is officially up for sale. See this topic in the Market Square forum.

[Joe]

Exped have a new range of even lighter tents on the way Nik...well worth a look. Due to hit aus very soon. I'd hold off on purchase until I had seen those. New Vela I UL(not for you perhaps) clocks in at 1.10kg and the new Venus II UL a mere 2.1kg...thats for nearly 3m of internal space....

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks Joe. Sounds pretty impressive! I won't be in the market for a new tent for a while yet. I need to save up for a new home computer first (our 5 year old machine just isn't cutting the mustard these days), and then I can start saving for a new solo tent. Maybe some time next year.

But please let us know when you get this new range in. I'd be very interested to hear more about them.

[walkinTas]

Keep us informed Joe. I am in the market for a light-weight 1P tent. My current 2P tent is 3.2 kg. I'd like to at least halve the weight.

Do you have all the specs yet? How's the new model compare with the old?

[Joe]

The venus (which is exped number one seller world wide) soon to be available in UL version.

VENUS II UL

A featherweight fly fabric with fully taped seam for absolute waterproofness.

25% weight reduction compared to the Venus II Extreme. This has been achieved
by using the lightest fabrics available, the latest technologies and detailed solu-
tions. We have not made any compromises in the strength and waterproofness
(10000 mm water column) of the tub floor, yet managed to reduce the weight. The
roof of the canopy is made of ultralight DWR treated Taffeta nylon which prevents
condensation from entering the canopy.
Canopy and fly can be set up separately if desired and thanks to an ingenious hook
system, the Tent Anchor*, it can be done quickly using one hand only.

*pat. pend


2.3 packed 2.1 min - Solo weights in a two person tent. Integral pitch, solid inner, ticks all the boxes I can see.

[Joe]

Also the Aries is coming UL. Its 1.9min 2.1packed. Same materials etc as the Vela and Venus. The Aries might be exactly what you are after nik....over kilo lighter than your current 2 person tent....with same room etc.

[Jellybean]

I'm kind of interested in a 1p tent although ideally something lighter than the Vela which is 1.9kg packed. And sInce I already own 2 tents (both 2 person) I'm trying to mentally justify the idea anyway.

Hi johnw,

It's a no-brainer! The way to justify the purchase of a lightweight 1P is that the two tents that you already own are both heavier 2Ps! (You don't have a 1P). Easy! (Not to mention the relief and extra walking years a lighter load will give your arthritic, meniscus trimmed knee!).

'Hope you had a good time in Fiji!

Cheers,

JB

[Son of a Beach]

Full details of the Exped Vela I UL (newer, lighter version of the Vela I Extreme) appear to be available at: http://biwakscharte.de/Zelte-Camping/1- ... :2986.html (for those who can read German, or whatever language it is in).

Weights appear to be as follows...
Gewicht: Minimalgewicht: 1.1kg; Packgewicht: 1.3kg

[Son of a Beach]

NB: The Vela I Extreme is only 1.4 kg.

Does that weight include everything Nik? I asked the shop assistant about the weight who told me 1.9kg. I queried that as I thought it would have been lighter. So we checked the tags on the packaging. From memory it said 1.4kg min, 1.9kg packed. Exped's site is different:
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf

Weight: Minimum: 3.1 # / 1.4 kg; 3.3 # / 1.5 kg including endpoles;
LightPackers:2.2# / 1.01kg; fly, centerpole and footprint(sold separately)
UltraLight Packers:1.6# / 0.75kg; fly and centerpole
Packaged: 3.8 # / 1.75 kg

Although now I'm wondering if it was actually the Vela 1 (not Extreme) I looked at:

Weight: Minimum**: 3.3 # / 1.5 kg; 3.5 # 1.6 kg including endpoles;
LightPackers:2.4# / 1.1kg; fly, centerpole and footprint(sold separately)
UltraLight Packers:1.8# / 0.84kg; fly, centerpole
Packaged:4 # / 1.85 kg;
**fly, cabin, poles

PS. I've now sold the Vela I Extreme and mailed it to the buyer yesterday. Fully packed, including original printed instructions, added dirt and leaves, the post office scales said it was 1.78 kg.

[Joe]

Full details of the Exped Vela I UL (newer, lighter version of the Vela I Extreme) appear to be available at: http://biwakscharte.de/Zelte-Camping/1- ... :2986.html (for those who can read German, or whatever language it is in).

Weights appear to be as follows...
Gewicht: Minimalgewicht: 1.1kg; Packgewicht: 1.3kg

I have a pdf but im not sure if its public knowledge yet mate. Hesitant to distribute it. Anyone wants to know specs just ask though.

-J

[Son of a Beach]

So are you going to bring a pack full of demo tents and set them up at Silver Lake for everyone to check out on the BWT 4th Anniversary Walk in March?

[Franco]

http://www.bikefeeling.nl/images/100729 ... 0LowR%20(1).pdf

[Son of a Beach]

From the pictures in that brochure, it appears as though their new "UL" tents are mostly mesh, so perhaps not suitable for very cold or breezy camping unless you're prepared to wear more clothes to bed?

[Joe]

From the pictures in that brochure, it appears as though their new "UL" tents are mostly mesh, so perhaps not suitable for very cold or breezy camping unless you're prepared to wear more clothes to bed?

Not seen them in person myself yet. However talking to those that have its a clever design that should avoid that and also made with some sort of loft to stop condensation dripping back in.

[corvus]

Full details of the Exped Vela I UL (newer, lighter version of the Vela I Extreme) appear to be available at: http://biwakscharte.de/Zelte-Camping/1- ... :2986.html (for those who can read German, or whatever language it is in).

Weights appear to be as follows...
Gewicht: Minimalgewicht: 1.1kg; Packgewicht: 1.3kg

My computer programme has a translation feature and yes it is a lighter version of the one you sold still the same design ??

[walkinTas]

Take the URL. Put it in google. You will get.

Click on "Translate this page"

[Franco]

The link I posted above is for the full ENGLISH version of the broshure (the secret one...) . No need for Google translations...
Franco

[Nuts]

The link you posted doesnt seem to work Franco.

[Joe]

The link I posted above is for the full ENGLISH version of the broshure (the secret one...) . No need for Google translations...
Franco

Haha I never said it was secret...I had just been given it by the supplier and wasnt sure if it was public yet. It's a strangely quiet product release this one.

[Son of a Beach]

The link you posted doesnt seem to work Franco.

Copy and paste the URL, and it works OK. The forums software doesn't seem to like some of the odd characters in the URL (which is fair enough, as some of those characters are actually not valid URL characters - but most of our browsers will work it out anyhow, when copy/pasting it).

[Nuts]

hmm, i noticed the pdf wasnt part of his link so i tried pasting, doesnt seem to work either. Ok, jinlish is fine

edit.. ok, thats even better

edit... huh, whered that go.. har har.. (too late i have it (moohaw haw..)

hey, that bivy poncho is lighter...

i see they have a new light synmat pad, its even corn yellow, better luck this time round eh!

Last edited by Nuts on Wed 06 Oct, 2010 8:38 am, edited 2 times in total.