Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board One person ultralight tents - considering TarpTent

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone has experience with any of the TarpTent products? I'm looking at the Contrail http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html

I picked up the 3.5 pound Sierra Designs Light Year tent, http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=29885&cdf=TopSeller

but having serious second thoughts after putting some stuff in my pack. I need this for a JMT-High Sierra Trail trip in August. I'm trying to keep pack weight under 30 pounds with a full bear canister and so far I won't be making it with the Light Year tent!

The TarpTent weighs 1.5 pounds, using hiking pole to pitch. I've looked into just a tarp & ground cloth but really don't want to be open to the ground at the bottom. The bathtub floor in this tent would be fine.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Go over to Backpacker Magazine's Gear Forum, there are a lot of folks who use Tarp Tent products. I'm sure they can give you the information you need.

Not personally, but I met a bunch of people out on the trail last summer who were using the tarptents. They were huge, but weighed about the same as my Big Agnes SL2. I think their main complaint was in higher wind situations, it took a lot to ensure they were guyed (sp???) out properly They looked pretty tough, quality wise, as well.

I'll ask them if it's OK to give you their e-mail if you want their direct opinion.

-L

I use the tarptent frequently on my trips, IF there's limited forecast for rain/bad weather. I actually sewed my own (OK, my mom helped me do most of it)---it has the mosquito netting on the sides, and uses a separate ground cloth, so it's a little shaky when it rains hard---you have to really be careful about where you set it up.
if you're using the bathtub floor tarptent, you probably don't have this problem.
I love it, though, because it's so light. I think it's about 20 ozs., which is great.
I used it on an August JMT hike two years ago, and it worked perfectly---the single wall material got frosted up a couple of times when I camped in a meadow, but it dried very quickly.
overall, I highly recommend it. (You don't get too much rain on the JMT in August--not like June or July, but then again, you never know....)

I spent a great deal of time debating whether to go with a tarp or an ultra light weight free standing tent. Finally went with the Black Diamond Hylight and have no regrets. The Hylight is a great 1-person shelter. Plenty of room for gear, tall enough to sit up, well ventilated.

The big disadvantage to a tarp is their performance in any kind of blowing rain. Although my 16 day Sierra trek last year was rainless, in 2006 I was rained on for 9 consecutive days - 6 of which involved sporty thunderstorms.

Most times a tarp will work well, but when the weather hits the fan, expect more problems than if you had a freestanding tent. But hell, it's only water and will eventually dry.

I've never used one, but I've been on many trips with folks who had them, and I'll say that I've been very impressed. they functioned well in poor weather, and worked well against the bug hordes.

You do need to follow the directions re: seam sealing, and setup, but that's good for any tent.

All in all, very well engineered, and liked by the users. If I didn't have 8 tents, this would be my choice.

Another option for your SD Light Year is to purchase the foot print and just carry the fly, poles, and ground cloth. This will bring you in under 2 pounds and you should leave the stuff sack at home. I have traveled for multiple days with an SD Lightning (2 person version) setup in this fashion and really liked it. On nice nights you can just throw down the ground cloth only and sleep under the stars.

Yes, I have a Rainshadow that is a great shelter for more inclement weather (and can fit two comfortably with full racks of climbing gear), and I have friends who have Squalls. Henry Shires makes a really solid shelter. I also have a RayWay tarp (sewn myself----big pain in the butt sewing silnylon, but it's been bombproof for several years for many Sierra trips including 3 Whitney trips, along with snow, rain, hail and wind).

My multi-day hiking trips, with bear canister, food, water and everything else, I manage to keep the pack at about 24 to 26 pounds (with the RayWay tarp) and I feel like I haven't given up many luxuries. You should be able to reach a similar weight with the Contrail.

Good luck.

About two years ago I bought a Cloudburst after seeing them at the PCTA meeting in Riverside. Its the tunnel-style tent with curved poles, and I got it with the sewn-in floor and net doors. Total weight is about 2 lbs 4 oz, and it'll easily sleep two persons, or one person with gear. I've used it in spring-summer-fall and been very happy with it, evenin afternoon rain. The rounded shape of the Cloudburst seems to give it a little extra strength in the wind when compared with other tarptents.

Cheers

Runnergirl,

Have you looked at "The One" by Gossamer Gear? I don't have any experience with it but it looks interesting:


It weighs in around 1.4 lbs. Although it's pricey I'm also trying to lighten the load on long backpack trips. Any input would be appreciated.

Website info - Gossamer Gear

Hi,

No, don't have any experience with Gossamer Gear. Looks like it's 19 oz., without the poles, and 34 inches wide. I'll just use my trekking poles to put tent up - this will be a first for me! .

Not having experience with either product, I think I'll pick the TarpTent Contrail. It's 40 inches wide and weighs 24 oz., and costs $75 less. My sleeping bag is maybe 24" wide at shoulders ... plenty wide enough for me but nice to have a little extra space to put things.

Thanks, everyone! I think I'll get the TarpTent. 2 pounds is 2 pounds ...

I use the REI Roadster 2 lbs and love it , but the thing is they do not sell it any more.

I got interested in tarp tents from this string but then got diverted to Hennessy Hammocks. Does anyone have real world experience with them? Has anyone used both and is able to make a direct comparison? Thanks for any information.

I recently bought the Comtrail by Tarptent and am very pleased with it. I bought it for a Whitney trip this July and was concerned about weight. I have set it up in the backyard and have the following observations. The lightness of the material could come back to bite you if you aren't careful with it. The instructions in the box tell you that it won't stand up to abrasion. I believe it. HOwever, treat it well and I think it will be a great tent. Purchase a separate ground cover from Tarptent--I think it ran another $8 or so.

Although a person with claustrophobia will not do well in this tent, it has enough room to sit up at the front part. I really like the design and the integration of the treking pole.

Although you can't tell from the pictures or the website, it has a floor sewn in with mosquito net running all around the tent which joins the floor to the fabric of the tent.

I'm pleased with my purchase and still can't believe how light it is.

Thanks for the review! I ordered mine today.

I think you will be pleased.