Henry Shires Tarptent Info?

“Anybody currently using these tents on recent backpacking trips? I was seriuosly thinking of getting one for use in spring/summer/fall in California & the Southwest. The Cloudburst would probably stand up better in wind, while the Squall has more headroom up front. Sewn-in floor looks like a good addition, too (personal preference).

There are some old posts about them from the 'dark ages' of 2004, but I thought it was odd there were no listings for H.S. Tarptents in the gear reviews. (then again, this IS Trail Talk, so expect the oblivious, not the obvious!).

Thanks”

“I have a cloudburst 2. First night out in it was a car camping trip last weekend. Awesome tent. No torrential downpours, but there was persistent drizzle and intermittent sleet/snow pellets. Stayed dry inside. I did break one of the included tubular aluminum stakes trying to push it into the heavily compressed clay soil. switched to a ti nail stake and was fine.

Can't say much about condensation. It was cold with dense fog and no wind. EVERYBODY got condensation inside their tents. My condensation at least remained liquid and wiping with a pack towel dealt with it just fine.”

“I have the Tarptent Virga, the older model. I love it. When it gets wet the nylon relaxes and it sags quite a bit. I quick tug on the front line to take up the slack pretty much addresses that. I have the sewn-in floor. The floor is very tough and I have never had need of a groundcloth, however if I did I would use something very light... Tyvek would be way overkill. It is very light, almost as light as my bivy... almost. :)

It is trivial to pitch.

I would say the one trick I had to master was using it in bad weather... and I have for sure not "mastered" this. I have only one data point, the Mammoth Cave trip this year. It wasn't THAT bad but it did rain. I slept dry however I had stuff too close to the netting on the edge. Some of my clothes got wet, however the clothes wicked the water into the tent. I had quite a few damp things in the morning. It was no big deal, and I have had worse experiences sleeping under a tarp, however I expected to have a totally "tent like" experience and it was more a "tarp like" experience if you get my meaning. If I had been a little more careful this would have not been a problem for me... that is if I had thought "tarp" rather than "tent". Oh well, live and learn.

Bottom line: It's a reliable shelter.”

“My first night in the Cloudburst was a very windy one on the Eastern Continental Divide on high mostly open plateau in West Virginia.

They call this place Roaring Plains because that's what it sounds like from the valleys 2,000 feet below when the wind is rippin'.

The rain was intermittent and from all directions and the tent would touch me in the middle under pressure from some of the wind gusts, but it always snapped back into place.

The top of my head got a little wet.
The extended beak on the #2 would have kept me totally dry.

I was pleased to see a thing made of toilet paper weight material hold up like that.

My second night in it was almost as windy but with no rain.

I went with the roomiest of the Tarptents since I am a long tall kind of guy and mine has the sewn-in floor.
I can sit up "OK" right up at the door.

This tent serves me well as a one-man, I have yet to share it.”

“I think Stovey has one of these.”

“I have the older model Squall.
Fine shelter.”

“I've got the same as StoveStomper, had it about 2 years now. Ain't going back to a regular tent, love my tarptent.”

“All single wall Tarp like shelters require some common sense to site and use, so they aren't for everyone.”

“I resemble that remark!”

“LOL”

“Thanks guys. I'm just as confused as before, just a more 'informed' state of confusion.

Now, Cloudburst or Squall, Cloudburst or Squall . . . .”

“Get one of both.

:-O”

“I love mine - and have lots of confidence in it.”

“I heart my Squall.”

“Here's 3 reviews on the Cloudburst. I have this one and really like it. It sleeps 2 very comfy. I stayed dry in the rain so far. Just have to tighten the pitch occationally. http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20Bivys/Tarptent%20Cloudburst/
And here's 3 reviews on the Squall. http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20Bivys/Tarptent%20Squall/”

“Yep songbyrd, saw those reviews on backpackgeartest.org. Always a good source if you're looking for new gear. I've never seen a Tarptent in use, so I'm checking all sources (and even some other brands) before opening my wallet.”

“Go with the cloudburst. Easier to set up and the steeper walls are nice.”

“http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbow.html

a double rainbow - two-person free-standing tent... 2.5 llbs
last edited: 5/02/06 11:17:26 AM”

“Looks interesting.”

“I like the double side doors/beaks. Looks like it would be very airy, too.”

“Single wall tents HAVE to be airy!
Condensation City if not.”

“It looks interesting. I wonder how much it will weigh.

2.5lbs I just reread Y2's post
last edited: 5/02/06 11:57:22 AM”

“I keep getting the ol' Page can not be displayed error.
I wonder if TT broke Henry's site?”

“Ok, looks way more airy than my Squall, and its pretty airy. Better?”

“Darn...gonna have to work one of these into my budget....THEY LOOK NICE.”

“A Rainbow and possibly a Rainbow II will be set up at Trail Days (Damascus VA - weekend of May 19) at the WhiteBlaze booth. Unfortunately, Henry Shires won't be able to attend.”

“good info,,, i've been meaning to e-mail him about his attendance”

“On that Double Rainbow, how's it free-standing?

And I see trekking poles used, but only in the final picture to hold out the mini-porch. (Which I can do with my old heavy Sierra Designs Nightwatch, too)

Are the poles somehow incorporated into the regular set up?

Upon second and third look, the mini-porch looks like a good idea BUT...

-The actual awning is just the short beak, because it looks to be unzipped.

-It would be unhandy, because the tarptent door is way up under the one end of the mini-porch. Seems it would be hard to get out, plus the other end of the mini-porch would be almost unusable, since there is no door to sit in to give extra space.
last edited: 5/07/06 9:10:58 AM”

“Too much going on in an awfully small space.”

“Henry AND his tarptents were at the March 2006 Pacific Crest Trail Association gathering in Riverside, Calif. He had the Cloudburst, Virga, and Rainbow models set up in a light rain (they didn't leak). After I got to see them, crawl inside, and noticed they did pretty good in the stready rain, I bought one the next week (a Cloudburst II). Used it once so far (in the snow on a mild weekend) and its worked great.”

“I also wonder with the TarpTents, of which I have one: How long will the mesh last? The mesh will always get the worst of it, such as the side mesh being tucked under right by the ground when it's rainy out.”

“I broke the rear (curved) pole on my Virga tarptent while on a river expedition a couple of days ago. The net result is I had to share a one man MSR microzoid with my smelly, snoring brother. Last night I was telling Tim, my brother, about how good Henry Shires is with providing support to his customers. I sent an email asking only for the price of a replacement pole. A couple of hours later I got a reply email from Hank himself, telling me that a couple of replacement poles were in the mail free of charge. He also described a new prototype that's coming out, lighter than the Virga, more headroom, the only moving part is the zipper. He's sending me one gratis. That's what I call product support!”

“Dang, you got the hook-up! Henry knows how to do customer service, he's been there for me, too.”

“he only sent me one pole, and charged me for it!”

“He likes me best and he probably heard what you do with beer cans to prevent prostate cancer.”

“do i understand you that he is sending you a prototype free of charge?”

“....maybe....”

“Whoa, cool beans nimble. I wonder if Ron Moak at sixmoons would do the same for me if I told him a loop tore out of my lunar solo?

(It really hasn't happened, but I wouldn't mind a free proto shelter)”

“my tarptent cloudburst 2 is in the hands of the man in brown....eta...friday”

“

Anyone have it? 24.5oz pretty sweet!”

“that is pretty sweet. I have the cloudburst 2, which I like a lot.”

“With vestibule...

”

“I just ordered a Contrail last week and should have it by Tuesday!

I also had the Cloudburst and went through a big-time, Thunderstorm in it. It handled the high winds and blowing rain very well.

I plan on getting another Cloudburst in the near future.
last edited: 4/04/07 10:03:55 PM”

“paige and oldog have it”

“Yes, I have the Contrail and am a bit frustrated with it, it was difficult for me to pitch and doesn't seem as stable as I would like (the rear struts are hard to get just right) but, I am not a fiddler, I like things easy and I've only had it out for 6 nights so far. I am taking it out again for a week tomorrow in the Grand Canyon again and will report back. The sides don't come with tieouts, but they are very neccessary to pitch it right so I recommend adding them before using it.
Pics of it in use
http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/2574218#135628664-L-LB
http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/2581237#135992460-L-LB
http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/2581237#135993385-L-LB”

“I've had one since September and have been pleased and agree with Paige that the rear struts take some adjusting. Once this is accomplished, it seems very stable and the added side space (compared to the Virga) and headroom are most welcome. For the repeated benefit of Crash Bang, this tent was free:)”

“paige! i want the rest of the gc pics, woman! here i was, giving you the benefit of the doubt, saying, oh shes probably out on another trip, and boom! in pops your head!”

“Love my TT, still getting all the particulars of "tight set up" down but it is a neat shelter”

“Paige.......man those pics were great!.....I wanna jump in the car and go right now.........perhaps that will be our vacation this year....we'll see.......that was a great way to drink coffee this morn....thanks man, post more pics......”

“I've also been considering the Contrail for weight and space issues. I currently have the Cloudburst which I've been very happy with.
I'll wait for more user update.”