A genuine tent discussion thread.
- Thread starter Jww
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Mole
Thru Hiker
I don't really understand why Tarptent changed the Scarp inner away from the basic rectangle with bigger porches.
It was big enough as it was . My partner and I had room enough to sleep in it a few times together (including cooking in the porch with the doors closed down in bad weather).
The main improvement I like on the newer scarps is the moving the vents from the roof to the sides and giving the doors waterproof Two-Way zippers. The flaps on mine do snatch in the zip sometimes.
Though I can't see myself ever buying another scarp. Mine is still going strong after 14 seasons. Although it only gets used a few times a year now. I did have to reproof the floor some years ago.
It was big enough as it was . My partner and I had room enough to sleep in it a few times together (including cooking in the porch with the doors closed down in bad weather).
The main improvement I like on the newer scarps is the moving the vents from the roof to the sides and giving the doors waterproof Two-Way zippers. The flaps on mine do snatch in the zip sometimes.
Though I can't see myself ever buying another scarp. Mine is still going strong after 14 seasons. Although it only gets used a few times a year now. I did have to reproof the floor some years ago.
little1large1
Section Hiker
Tents in Strong Wind: What You Need to Know — Slower Hiking
Understanding wind, tents and terrain can make the difference between an enjoyable hike or a terrible one so, with a little help from tent manufacturers, we’ve written this in-depth, three-part article to help you get the most out of your tent in strong winds and storms.
slowerhiking.com
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
But presumable you've seen the 313 posts about it in this thread?
We have the Double Rainbow Li. I don't use it above the treeline, partly because of the hassle of travelling with the poles on an overnight bus journey (our current situation to reach the high mountains) but also I am unsure how it would fare with strong wind hitting it sideways.
However, guyed out properly (edit: i.e. not as in the 2nd video above), it has been very solid in moderate wind, which is the worst we've had it in. Didn't you have a Rainbow of some sort?
In general they have just been a bit awkward to pitch needed a larger flatter area. For me anyways
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
While true for some tents (X-Mid, Dipole Li?), I would say there are plenty of trekking pole tents that can be forgiving (and don't need a large area). Of the tents I've owned, the Duplex and Swiftline were easy to get a good, taut pitch, as is the Offset Duo (I was recently taking it down and found that I'd forgotten to readjust one of the poles the evening before, so it was 10cm shorter than the other, yet I'd still got a good pitch).
And with the Dipole Li, my pitch is getting better and faster as I get more familiar with it.
Johnny3000
Section Hiker
That's what I said.
Sure, pitching a new tent with an innovative geometry can be awkward the first 1-3 times but then it becomes routine. If it's a forever tent, the first pitch doesn't matter anyway, because it's safe in the backyard and it's much more important how it pitches the following 1000 times.
There's plenty of instructions and videos available online to assist with any brand.
Just saying that this way you're ruling out a lot of light, solid, roomy tents...
Sure, pitching a new tent with an innovative geometry can be awkward the first 1-3 times but then it becomes routine. If it's a forever tent, the first pitch doesn't matter anyway, because it's safe in the backyard and it's much more important how it pitches the following 1000 times.
There's plenty of instructions and videos available online to assist with any brand.
Just saying that this way you're ruling out a lot of light, solid, roomy tents...
Agree I probably am,
The xmid now it's a tarp is easy to pitch, the XL has been hard and I've fitted sloping sides of the standard duomid just a bit to close for my liking.
I know I need a solid 3 season tent, that will be good in wind as I have no intention of summit or high level snow camps.
My poles are 140cm black diamond if that helps
The xmid now it's a tarp is easy to pitch, the XL has been hard and I've fitted sloping sides of the standard duomid just a bit to close for my liking.
I know I need a solid 3 season tent, that will be good in wind as I have no intention of summit or high level snow camps.
My poles are 140cm black diamond if that helps
WildAboutWalking
Thru Hiker
Winds can and do change in the night.
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
It doesn't help that one doesn't have the guy lines used, and the other has them deployed in a way that is completely ineffectual in those conditions.
Johnny3000
Section Hiker
Stratospire
Bonfus Duos 2p Ultralight tent | Backpacking | Wild Camping | Trekking
Weighing just 675 grams, this tent practically vanishes into your pack! Once set up, it becomes your sturdy fortress in the great outdoors. With a height of 127-130 cm and a total length of 280 cm, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort for ultralight gear. With up to 16 guy out points—six of which...
valleyandpeak.co.uk
Left field option?
echo8876
Thru Hiker
The area you need for sleeping doesn't change, and its incline either.
The mid tent ain't pitched per se, it's suspended at the peak of the pole, that you may orient however you want.
I've slept with a bush, large stone and one time even with a small stream going through the corner of my tent. Countless tussock pitches too.
It's all just the question of how long your guylines are.
Only limiting factor are the rocks and cliffs.
They did at weekend, pal
I had 2ft lines on the duomid XL
my pole sadly while long enough, was a tad floppy, story of my life 
I know the theory, but that big back panel I struggled with, agree the versatility of a tarp style tent is impressive.
WildAboutWalking
Thru Hiker
Yes, I noticed that, that's Youtube for you. But a long longitudinal pole will be inherently weak in a sidewind compared to a shorter transverse pole, no matter how well guyed.
echo8876
Thru Hiker
I build tension across the sleeping wall first and make sure it's as good as it gets. But duomid xl is kinda 2 person tent. Why couldn't you sleep at the pole in the middle? If it's silny that should be accounted for too.I had 2ft lines on the duomid XL
I know the theory, but that big back panel I struggled with, agree the versatility of a tarp style tent is impressive.
I use two bd walking poles linked into one, it never trembled, bent or gave me any problems.