Checking out a new tent

“I am looking at a new tent for bping. The Kelty Clark and Kelty Dart have both caught my eye. The features for the two are pretty much the same.

The Clark- 2 and one-half pounds, not quite as roomy, $100.00.

The Dart- 4 pounds, more room (most obviously head room), $89.00 (on sale).

What do you all think.”

“the clark is easir=er to set up and has less condensation issues (from what i have seen, with my friend's tents).

the newest clark is on sale at REI, for 89.00.”

“Does anybody know if the prices at the REI store are the same as the REI.com prices? I would rather see the tent in person when I buy it.”

“usually, yes.”

“I think the Dart is what a friend has (his is orange/white). Every morning that tent is hanging up to dry.”

“Hi Tahoe, I've seen differences in the prices between the two stores. If the difference is big enough to cover shipping just go in and check it out in person and then buy online.

Campmor has the Dart for $80.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/CategoryDisplay?cgrfnbr=980&cgmenbr=226&sort=A”

“Tahoe:

Did you look at the Peak 1 Cobra thread I dredged up last week?

I'm thinking of getting one as a solo tent...”

“Tahoe,

My buddy has a kelty dart and has mjor condesation problems.

I purchased a Walrus Microswift about 2 months ago. It is great with condesation, and weighs about 3.5 lbs. The only gripe I have with it, is it's too damned small for me (I'm 6'4") I've used the tent twice and plan on selling it (I'm buying a trekker tarp w/insert). If you are interested, I'll sell it to you with the footprint for $70 (I've used it three times (6 days).

Lemme know.”

“I have a Peak One Cobra I picked up a couple years ago. I was evaluating it as a lightweight tent for my smaller scouts. Only weighs about 4 lbs, I was only in the rain once w it, seems OK. If I were buying today I think I'd look at the Walrus (it's lighter). I think Eureka also has a one-man tent, but I haven't looked at it.”

“BB offers a good deal.

I can vouch for the Microswft. I'm 6' and it has done fine by me as a solo tent.”

“I think the Eureka Gossamer is a great buy at 89$$ and an exilent tent”

“Tahoe, the Gander Mtn. stores in my area have the 2001 Clark at $79.00 now and after weighing one packed ready for the trail & then setting it up, I decided against getting one. Just wasn't an advantage over tents I already own.

The published weight is 3# 3 oz and that one weighed 4#. The lowest weight I found on the prior model was 3# 14 oz, not the 3# 1 oz listed by Kelty.

I didn't like how the "FlyBoy, WebForce" apparatus that is on this current model operated, although it surely reinforces the stability of the tent. I felt the tent would be very secure once set up was completed. And it certainly has plenty of floor space and headroom for me (I'm 5'5"). Just my $.02.”

“Don't get the Dart unless you like having a wet sleeping bag. I bought one and got rid of it pretty quickly. It has major ventilation problems.

I really like my new Integral Designs MK1 Lite.”

“Very cool tent WD, did you use it in the Grand Canyon? Only one night in my new XL and it didn't get tested weather wise, but no condensation and I fit in it so...”

“I'm still trying to make a decision as well. Have you considered tarps? http://www.integraldesigns.com/
is one site you may want to check out, they make the MK1 Wingding referred to (Rockbuck's tent is also Integral Designs). Also, the Betamid tarp looks interesting, one of the guys in my troop is using this, their site is http://www.bdel.com/rockclimbing/shelter_betamid.html.

Depends on whether you need 4 season protection... a tarp / bivy combination is an interesting (lightweight) alternative to the traditional "tent" for most situations. Most of the time, my Bivy is just fine, if the weather looks like it could turn nasty maybe I'll just throw a tarp into my pack?”

“The Peak I Cobra is now the Exponent Inyo 2. I got mine on-line at Global Mart for about $64. It seems OK so far. I prefer a freestanding tent, but I like the idea of a full fly, two doors, and two vestibules.

Regarding the Kelty tents, I like the Kelty Assault, but it is overpriced if you pay full retail. Mountaineering tent that weighs 5 lbs.”

“O.K. I am down to either the Kelty Clark or the Exponent Inyo II. Here are the current standings-

Clark- 89.99 @ REI.com, 4 Pounds.

Inyo- 84.99 @ Outlaw.com, 4 Pounds.

I just can't make up my mind.”

“the eureka gossamer is only 2.5 pounds.

so is the SD ultralight, but it's a bit more $$$.”

“Too bad you're down to two tents, tahoe.

I'd lend my recommendation to the Walrus MicroSwift. The MicroSwift weighs less than 3 lbs (without footprint). I'm 6'1 and it fits me fine. I bought some titanium stakes to reduce it's already light pack weight. If I'm in bad weather, I use my sil tarp as an extra large vestibule. That is a great weather resistant combination.”

“I agree arclite. I like the walrus, but I'm just too darned big for it. I used my poncho/tarp as a vestibule and it worked great.

Tahoe, whatever you do, steer clear of the Kelty Dart. I just got off the phone with my buddy who has one, and he wants to get rid of it pretty badly. He woke up soaked every day on our trip to Vermont this summer becuse of the condensation problem.

My offer still stands... good luck!”

“Arclite:
Don't you find getting in and out of the Microswift to be a pain the ass? I held out for the Zoid and it seems to have alleviated that problem.”

“Tahoe, be careful!

The reason I've not yet done something for a 4 season tent is because there are a LOT OF OPTIONS out there!

IMPORTANT... no offense meant here... those from other areas of the country may not necesarily appreciate your needs.

IMHO, I don't really care much about what someone from New Jersey, Tennessee or Ohio has to say about tent needs of someone who routinely hikes the higher elevations of the western Sierra's. That's the beauty of TT, you can comm w people from YOUR area who understand your needs for the area you hike.

What are YOUR needs? Are you considering a single-person shelter, or, one that you'd share w your S.O.??

3 season? 4 Season? Is weight important, or not, or how much ("kinda" important means a "5" on a scale of 1-10")?”

“Good point wanderer. I have to say my only knock on the Kelty is the major condensation problem, which pretty much occurs everywhere, right?”

“I am looking for a three season tent, less than 5lbs, solo is fine.
I'm not looking for a bivy type shelter. I would like a vestibule large enough for my pack, and an escelator to the second floor. HAHAHA. Maybe even a freestanding one.

I checked out a Mountain Hardware solo the other day, I forget the model name but damn did it have a bunch of stakes to put in. I ended up not getting anything, I need to do some more shopping around.

Is the condensation issue just more remarkable in the Dart or is it with the Kelty brand tents?”

“how 'bout the Mountain Hardwear Solitude? anyone use one of these? i'm real curious.”

“I have the older Kelty Windfoil ultralight, which is a bigger, older version of the Dart. That pointy front is a poor design. The fly tends to touch the tent which gives poor air flow and lots of condensation. And you can't crawl in or out without mopping the fly with your back. The Clark is engineered better and has more room than the Dart. It looks like a good tent - I'd have one. My tent is about 6 years old and in great shape and I don't plan to replace it.

My favorite and driest tent (for 3 seasons, Rocky Mtn high elevations) is a tarp. I don't use a bivy.”

“6'1 Buddah, that's about as big as I'd want to be and use the MicroSwift. I think 6'2 would be too big and you're bigger than that.

BaSO4, it's almost like climbing into a sports car. I'm not ready for a Cadilac yet.

The vestibule on the MicroSwift is pretty small. It fits my boots if I put one on each side of the door.

I also own a Quest Preying Mantis. The vestibule on that puppy is 15sqft. Makes a great place for a pack AND a wet dog.

It's all about compromise: light weight, vestibule, interior room, price, weather performance. I don't know of any tent that has them all. The MicroSwift has everything but a large vestibule, unless you're a monster like Buddah. The Preying Mantis has everything but light weight.”

“I'm reporting this to Col. Klink AT ONCE!”

“Mountain hardware makes heavy stuff, because its ment for everest”

“I'm 6'6" and have a hard time fitting comfortably in most backpacking tents. I was talking with a salesperson who said the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight (recommnded to me by a few folks) would be a tight fit. Any folks out there who would agree?

I ended up getting a house brand called the "Iron Mountain Gear" 2-man Hut tent which is like the Apex from Eureka. I still touch both walls when completely stretched out.”

“The reason for the Kelty Dart having a condensation problem in climates that result in condensation is due to this tent being a single wall tent.

The Clark seems like a fine tent, is a double wall tent, and roomier than the Dart. Small vestibule, tho. The Clark just didn't offer me more than tents I already own.”

“By a Trekker Tarp!!! Light is right my friends!!!”

“Big Coop, I have a good friend that is 6'5" and he carries the clip flashlight and loves it. He says it's the only lightweight tent that is long enough for him to be comfortable in. By the way, he owns the local gear store and has his pick from anything on the market.”

“Do you tarp dudes just lay the thing on the ground or make like a lean-to out of it.”

“Depends on if it raining or not. I usually cary two tarps when tarping it. A nice nylon one for overhead and a blue p.o.s. for the ground. If the weather isn't inclement, I'll just throw the blue p.o.s on the ground and sleep on top of it.”

“I have a 9'x7' tarp that I usually pitch in a A-frame shape with hiking poles for the tent poles. I use rope at the corners going to stakes in the ground so there's an open space all the way around. If there's a lot of wind I'll bring the edge of the tarp lower to the ground or all the way to keep the wind out. In nicer weather I pitch it real high. I lay my down sleeping bag on a cheap plastic poncho (I recommend nylon but too cheap to get one myself).

I think the tarp is dryer than a tent in real bad downpours cause there's never a puddle in the floor (as long as I didn't set up in as creek or drainage). You just have to watch for rain blowing in sideways. Nigal says he clips up a trash bag with clothes pins to keep out horizontal rain.

This setup works great as long as there's not a lot of bugs!”

“Tahoe... if you're considering a Kelty tent, have you checked out the Zen yet? I hiked with mine this year(into mid-October & -15C weather) without any problems. It's about 4lbs and IMHO can fit two people comfortably(as long as they're not 'thrashers'). The vestibule is great... if I weren't concerned about bears I'd put my pack in it along with everything else.
Coop... it'd definately be a tight fit! Ever bought a sweater that was too small? I'm only 5'7" and my head & sleeping bag bottom touched the ends of the tent unless I curled up...”

“I have a clip Flashlight too and it's a great 3-season tent. They say it's a two-person tent, but I use it solo and think it might be crowded as a two-person. My tent is a few years old and is a little lighter than the new ones. I have it down to 3 lbs 6 ounces with titanium stakes.”

“when tarping, i usually tie one corner to a tree (you could use a hike pole or staff if needed). i stake the opposite corner to the ground (i use p-cord in nice weather. it allows the edges of the tarp to remain off the ground for air movement. rainy or windy, i stake the corner directly to the grond). pull the other two opposing corners out until it all is taut, stake them and your done.
i use a nylon footprint from and old tent for a ground cloth, most anything would work though.”

“Thanks for the info bpbaby and wingding. I'll have to wear the heck out of this current tent and then look into a SD Clip in the future. I don't know that I'll be ready to be a full-time tarper by then.”