Tent Design

“Hey Folks,
I'm new here and I'm just getting acquainted with how things work... forgive me if I mis-post...

This place looks like fun... I really enjoy camping (although with a business and kids, my time is extrememly limited).

So, I found myself looking for a new tent about a year ago... and I gotta confess, I had a hard time finding something satisfactory. Either the rainfly only came half way down the side of the tent... or the floor of the tent wasn't sturdy enough... or there was only one door... Or the door was awkward... etc... etc... etc...

I ended up getting an 8 person dome that is very very dry! Very very nice for a family of 4 and LOTS of CRAP!!! (Car camping tent, if you know what I mean).

Just yesterday I ordered a Eureka Zeus II.

It's light-weight... and simple to assemble...

But it doesn't have a rain fly!!!

I've read reviews and find that it would be a perfect tent if:

1) It came with a rainfly (although!!! Everybody says it's a dry tent without a rainfly)

B) It was better ventilated. Every review I've seen says condensation is a problem.


I prefer to NOT car camp... I prefer to pack it out into the middle of nowhere...

I really like to winter camp and I just know I'm gonna wake up with frozen ice on the inside of my tent...

Anybody have any favorite tents to suggest?”

“Right now my favorite is the Black Diamond Hilite, it had it's maiden voyage in the Wind Rivers and did well. It's a single wall, roomy tent. I generally don't like single wall tents because of condensation. We had some rain and I had minimal condensation problems.

My favorite "storm" tent is the Sierra Designs Mach 1. It's a little heavy but it sits low, the fly comes down to the ground and you have some extra space and a bomber vestibule that has a double zip to roll up and allow you some big views.

Of course, in Az you can get away with a tarp or a bivy most of the time easily.

OOps, these are single person backpacking tents so just ignore the above.
last edited: 1/28/08 4:31:04 PM”

“I just can not bring myself to invest in a single wall tent now. I realize I should get over my attitue, but many years ago I fell for the idea that a "tube tent" was the answer to all shelter problems. I about drowned one night. That was pretty much the end of that experiment. I had carried it as an alternative if I could not find a lean-to. From that night on I made sure I always found a lean-to. The next trip out I had a real tent.”

“I'll check them out...

For winter camping I prefer a 2 or 3 person tent... And we don't really get many strong winds here in KY (although there was this one trip! Whew!!)...

The real weather concerns come in the Spring and, strangely enough, the first two weeks of July (for some strange reason that has proven to be a very dangerous time for me!). Wind (tornado's actually), and lots of Lightning!!! and LOTS of RAIN!!! If you don't have a very good rain fly design, you will get wet!

So, I'll check out your suggestions... maybe they will have a 2 or 3 man tent based on the same designs...”

“ickyma, please fill out your profile a bit if you want on subject answers.”

“My favorite tent is my Eureka flashlight design. I don't remember what the model is I've had it for years. I have slept in that through everything. My kids call it my "ahlf-man" tent even though it is rated for two. If the wife comes I take a Kelty Summer Breeze. Nice and light, full rectangle design. If we car camp I take my Eureka Juno. I can almost stand up in the sucker. My wife can stand up. She likes that.”

“Eureka makes a fine tent. To this day the driest tent I've ever seen.”

“OK...

What are the most important features of a tent in your opinion(s)?

For me:
1) Rain Fly must go all the way to the ground on all sides of the tent.

2) Ventilation.

3) A substantial floor if possible. (I realize that 1 and 2 man tents are light weight and there are limits).

4) Two doors (one front, one back, preferably)

5) CLIPS!!! I hate having to sleeve a tent pole! It's a pain in the arse... and heaven forbid you get a hole in the sleeve!!! ALSO, the clips provide distance between your tent and your rainfly with minimal contact.”

“the Hilite is an interesting tent. The floor seems very dry.

I like the full side opening door... very smart.

The vestibule is unusual... I suppose it's ok, but I wonder about the pole running across the ground... seems like I can imagine myself tripping over that in the midde of the night...”

“What are these???



Mega floor... Beta floor?”

“Also...

Tent Polls:

Aluminum
or
Fiberglass

...and why?”

“Mega floor... Beta floor?

they go to those same mega and beta tarps... on the same page you got the picture from.”

“BTW,

I kinda like what I see at Tarptent
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html

Bucket floor, Great rainfly, Well ventilated...

Anybody know anything about this brand?

Had any experience with these tents?”

““Mega floor... Beta floor?

they go to those same mega and beta tarps... on the same page you got the picture from.”

Right...

But are they like a modified footprint? You put them down first, then put down your tent?

That's a neat idea.

Little walls that extend upward around 6" around the bottom edge of your tent...”

“its a bathtub design floor


little walls that extend up...yes...neato!”

“nobody here would be caught dead in a Henry Shire tarp tent.... Don't waste you money....




NOT

Check out any campsite pics people post.... at times it looks like a tarp tent showroom... mostly Henry Shire...
last edited: 1/28/08 6:21:46 PM”

“nobody here would be caught dead in a Henry Shire tarp tent.... Don't waste you money....

HA! that sentence made me have to catch my breath waiting to see if lightening was about to strike rev..lol
last edited: 1/28/08 6:22:03 PM”

“LOL

Cool... Thanks.

They certainly do look smart.

I also saw a Sirus 2 (and 3)...

[img]http://sierradesigns.com/images/products/70_6_1_sd.gif [/img]
Those look pretty good...

But the Tarptent looks great!”

“nobody would be caught dead in them because they all sleep like babies, get up and take off...

If it weren't for my intense dislike of single wall tents.. see above... I would probably have one.”

“ickyma -

Check out the Six Moons Designs Lunar Solo - 23 oz., bathtub floor, water-tight and well ventilated. Sets up with only one trekking pole. I have one and it is an awesome tent. I also have a Sirius 3 which is nice for 2 people but almost 5 pounds - a lot for one person to carry but OK if you share the weight.”

“I grew up in the days of the 43 ton canvas beasties. Single wall... nice and dry... until you touched it... then you might as well get out the surfboards. Iknow technology has changed a lot. But old phobias die hard.”

“6 Moons...

Neat tent!

Very practical...

You say it's dry??? The Rain Fly must make all the difference.
last edited: 1/28/08 6:45:59 PM”

“I'm very happy with my REI Half Dome. Full fly, two doors and two vestibules, plenty of ventilation, free-standing. I've used it in all seasons with success. I have zero complaints.

I also have a similar tent for one-person: The Cabela's XPG1. I have also used this one in all seasons. Works great.”

“Tara, my Sierra Designs Sirius 3 is the same with two doors/vestibules, lots of room inside and super ventilated, freestanding and i just pick it up to clean it out and shake it upside down.....then there's my Hennessey Hammock for warm weather...”

“I have a Hennessey, too. I've slept so comfortably in it! However, I'm not single anymore... hammocking is tough for two! lol”

“I realize it doesn't fit your criteria, icky, but my all-time fav shelter is my MegaMid. I love it for every season (except skeeter season).”

“...and a piece of blue tarp is cheap and light, real nice 'cept when 'critters' come to visit at night....”

“I have a Lunar Duo from Six Moon Designs and love it! I've used it in rain or wind without any probles. Condensation, hasn't been a issue either.”

“The MSR hubba is a nice tent. Just don't fall on it in 4 degree weather. The pole might snap and rip through the fly.”

“Yes, I've had more than my share of critters visit me in the Mega. Fortunately, they've all been relatively small!”

“That REI Half Dome is beautiful.”

“the only critters that came to visit that I worried about were the skunks....they curious buggers..........”

“Skunks are very curious but also can be curiously polite. If they don't feel threatened they are usually well behaved. We watched a skunk patrol the courtyard of an upscale motel in a NYC suburb one night. It was great. Course getting woken up by a skunk might give them cause to feel threatened.

I was visited by a porky one night. Face to face with a porky schnoz was an interesting experience.”

“i use a sirius 2 when the wife comes. pretty nice tent.

when i'm wifeless i use my black diamond bivy.”

“The Eureka you descibe is a single wall. It's not supposed to have a fly. It's supposedly a waterproof/breathable job. It think someone on here uses one. In your profile you say you like to winter camp. A single wall excels in dry/cool-cold conditions. However, you live in Kentucky, and doesn't it get humid there? Are winters dry or wet? If this is the case, a single wall may not be the best choice.

My four season tent is a Hilleberg Nallo GT. It rocks. The fly and tent pitch at the same time. The rest of the time I use a TarpTent Cloudburst or sleep in the open.”

“The skunks will usually move on with a little persuasion after a 'stomp' or two and a hiss...”

“I have so many tents its shameful, but they are for different purposes and they don't wear out.

for light weight, a tarp tent 2 man 2 lb Contrail. I use it when hiking solo or with my 11 year old son. Single wall, no fly, but good ventilation.

if I know its going to rain: mountain hardware 2 man, with fly. Its a bit cramped, but will hold up to wind and rain.

for rain on family trips, or for winter trips with 3 people, or for climbing a big peak like Rainier or Shasta: REI 4 man 4 season dome tent. We hiked on the Olympic coast with it, and it holds up to rain. With 4 people its crowded and humid, and of course its heavy.

fair weather backpacks with the family: I sleep in my tarp tent, the family steeps in an REI TAj 3, very roomy, and sturdy for wind and rain. The main feature we use it for is the roominess that my wife needs to not feel trapped in a small tent. Wife, 2 kids and the dog get the Taj 3, I get the tarp tent.”

“Another vote for the 6 moons Lunar Duo. I covet it.

Otherwise, tarptent or tarp. Most tents are too heavy.”

““The Eureka you descibe is a single wall. It's not supposed to have a fly. It's supposedly a waterproof/breathable job. It think someone on here uses one. In your profile you say you like to winter camp. A single wall excels in dry/cool-cold conditions. However, you live in Kentucky, and doesn't it get humid there? Are winters dry or wet? If this is the case, a single wall may not be the best choice.

My four season tent is a Hilleberg Nallo GT. It rocks. The fly and tent pitch at the same time. The rest of the time I use a TarpTent Cloudburst or sleep in the open.”
Thank you Rosey!

Very informative...

Of the reviews I've read on this particular tent (Eureka Zeus 2) it appears to not ventilate very well... Condensation is a complaint.

Just wish I'd found this place a little sooner... woulda saved me some jack!

BTW, KY winters are normally kinda dry... but this year it is unusually warm and rainy...

I'm going camping this weekend and was hoping for some cold temps, but it's gonna rain on us on Friday... and it's supposed to be around 50F on Saturday!!! EGADS!!!! It'll be balmy!!!

So... my tent probably won't be ideal for this trip, huh?

Next tent: TarpTent!”

“sheesh another tarp weenie....

I'm looking for a Hennesey next. I would rather be a hammock weenie.”

“or maybe that REI Half Dome... That's sweet!”

“I have so many tents its shameful, but they are for different purposes and they don't wear out." -idaho bob

Ditto! lol

I think I have eight shelters. Tarps, Tarptents, 3-season tents, bivy-tent, hammock, etc. But, you're totally correct; They each serve their purpose. The only type of shelter I don't have is a 4-season. I've managed many sub-zero nights in my tarptents and 3-season tents w/out trouble.”

“I have more tents than I listed, those are just the 4 I use the most. I also have a 2 man MSR tent, I mostly loan it out these days, since its purpose has been replaced by the tarp tent.”

“i have about a dozen tents now and my favorite one is my Eureka Spitfire solo. 2lbs 12oz, 3 season. the only drawback is a small vestibule, but i can still fit my backpack in there.”

“http://www.explore64.com/explore64/TNF1344/The-North-Face-Trailhead-6-Tent-6-Person-3-Season.html
The link above shows a tent Made by The North Face it is called The North Face Trailhead 6 Tent. This style comes in 3 sizes that I know of 4 person, 6 person ,and 8 person. They are true 3 season tents with rain a fly that goes to the ground. I have read that it can even handle snow with some shaking maintenance to shed the snow. I hope this advice helps in your future family tent purchases. Keep in mind these tents are on the higher end in price for tents but you do pay for what you get.To have a tent that truely keeps the rain out I think it is worth the price to keep my family happy and dry.

Take Care”

“I have a Tarptent...Double Rainbow...great tent...I insist on double vestibules...I consider this a one person tent...”

“Okay I have used the Kelty Cyclone 2, the Eureka Apex and Apex XT, the Eureka Spectrum (car camping tent).

Additionally I still love the Walrus Tarp Tent....but my all time favorite is the Henry Shires Tarp Tent. I have the Rainshadow 2 and it is a KILLER tent. I also tarp etc.

The half dome is actually a really neat little tent. I just like having a tad more room for me and another leader.”

“Eureka Apes XT and Eureka Mountain Pass xt, very nice!”

“oops, apex, NOT APES, lol”

“Sorry I read more thoroughly your initial comment There is a great deal through SierraTradingPost.com On a Sierra Designs Tirus 1 tent this is the bomb shell of four season tents granted it is only a two person tent but one you would never be sorry to own.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=88209&cdf=TopSeller
I personally own this tent I bought my first one back in "95" I just bought my second in May of "07" so the first one lasted twelve years before I needed to replace it and I am an avid Backpacker so much so that I worked for the Forrest Service for 7 years as a backcountry trails worker building stone structures. for six of those years I used my Tirus 1 GREAT!!! TENT!!! Oh! you may also want to know that Sierra Designs retired the TIRUS 1 tent, but they have come out with the TIRUS 2 tent. Just as strong but lighter in weight.

Good hunting in finding the tent you want. Take Care!”