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Have a look at Six Moon Designs they make some well regarded kit and pretty light weight.
Can anyone recommend a suitable tent, nominally for two people, but which I will be using solo? Properly waterproof, with a floor, sealed seams, and quick to put up. Preferably with the inner liner tent already attached and the pole or poles on the outside. Hooks not a channel for the poles. Needs to not blow away in a gusty wind. Not a full mountain spec, but not throw away rubbish. Weight as low as possible consistent with not needing to sell my house to pay for it?
The one I currently have meets all these requirements except for weight, plus it's bigger than I now need. I used to have a donkey to carry my stuff, and had to put her saddle and bags inside. Weighed 3.4 kg. I'd like to get down to under 2kg. Biking, so can go to 12kg all included. Tent, mat, sleeping bag and all usual stuff.
To see the tent I have. I need something like this but smaller.
Perhaps you could post these publicly - I would be also interested in your take on this. I don't regularly tent camp any longer - perhaps only a couple of overnight walks in a nearby National Park each year. And camping there is no longer permitted while it recovers from the recent bushfires. Mind you, under the current measures in place here, the furthest I will get is down the stairs into my back yard.I'd be happy to try and make some suggestions; feel free to send me a PM, if you'd like. There are some ways to go with backpacking shelters that will go under 1 pound and be very inexpensive
I had to go back and re-read! Ooops!The OP doesn't use hiking poles.
The OP doesn't use hiking poles.
Well, thank you all for some great input. I'm refining my long list now, decided not to go for a tunnel or anything that requires me to pitch the inside first. That's from experience of getting self and bag soaked while I put the rain protection layer over the mesh in a Galician rain shower. The one I'm looking at right now is pretty much a smaller version of my existing tent in a lighter fabric. I found it while looking at the MSR zoic. I'm just waiting on an email from outdoor gear in the UK to answer some questions. There is some great stuff in the USA but postage makes it difficult, and not all sellers are happy to post to Europe anyway. And of course duties...
So if anyone has experience of this Jack Wolfskin tent please let me have your thoughts.
Looks fascinating. I don’t want to sign up - so can you tell us the price please?Here is a well thought out lightweight tent, used with hiking poles, that might meet your criteria. A walking friend was using it on the St. Olavsleden last fall. I was so impressed I ordered one when I got home. There is also a 2-person version available.
@davebugg could you post your thoughts publicly with a wee caveat “these are my opinions on such and such a date but may change if I find other information in the future”. Many of us value your insight.
1. You can request changes to any review you have written in any thread at any time if you so wish.I think this is the best course for me right now. I wish I could go back and update a lot of older stuff I've posted, but that isn't possible. And regardless of any caveats given, I still feel uneasy with old and outdated information in a post with my name attached.
I wish providing email addresses was allowed, as I have an email account that is different from that of my personal email, and I do not mind emails.
I really enjoy the Forum, and there are a lot of folks who share a lot of excellent advice.
Looks fascinating. I don’t want to sign up - so can you tell us the price please?
1. You can request changes to any review you have written in any thread at any time if you so wish.
2. Useing emails IS allowed. You can use any email that you are happy to have on a public forum.
Yes, I think the weight is acceptable, a little over what I was looking for but a nice roomy tent. I saw a description of the inner and outer going up together, did I misread this? The Jack Wolfskin Exo light III is the one I'm looking at in the link I posted. This is in the UK, no problem with postage. I was wondering about overall build quality and speed of erection.It looks like the total weight is 4.6 pounds / 2070 grams. It requires the inner tent shell to be pitched first, and then the rain fly is placed over the shell separately.
I am a little confused by this. I thought I've noticed several times when someone has given their personal email publicly on the forum they are told to send it in a PM instead. Am I misunderstanding?Useing emails IS allowed. You can use any email that you are happy to have on a public forum.
Yes, I think the weight is acceptable, a little over what I was looking for but a nice roomy tent. I saw a description of the inner and outer going up together, did I misread this? The Jack Wolfskin Exo light III is the one I'm looking at in the link I posted. This is in the UK, no problem with postage. I was wondering about overall build quality and speed of erection.
I've more or less ruled out all the really tiny tents, I'm not keen on getting dressed lying down or reversing in. I would actually prefer only one entrance but all the two person tents seem to have two.
I see your point about outdated reviews. Thank you for your help with this, it's not easy choosing when you can't look at stuff. Oh well. Looks like another month before I could use it, anyway.
New members are advised not to post their email or phone numbers as they may not be aware of the dangers involved, long standing members know the risks and we normally leave that decision to them.I am a little confused by this. I thought I've noticed several times when someone has given their personal email publicly on the forum they are told to send it in a PM instead. Am I misunderstanding?
This shouldn't be necessary. This is a forum, where it is implicit but abundantly clear that we are expressing personal opinions. As for those opinions changing, for whatever reason, that is only to be expected. There are any number of reasons for this. Looking back over the decade since my first camino, there have been some substantial changes in all areas of the camino - the gear technology, IT services, pilgrim services, etc, etc. Of course our advice is going to change as we better understand the environment that has emerged.@davebugg could you post your thoughts publicly with a wee caveat “these are my opinions on such and such a date but may change if I find other information in the future”. Many of us value your insight.
This shouldn't be necessary. This is a forum, where it is implicit but abundantly clear that we are expressing personal opinions. As for those opinions changing, for whatever reason, that is only to be expected. There are any number of reasons for this. Looking back over the decade since my first camino, there have been some substantial changes in all areas of the camino - the gear technology, IT services, pilgrim services, etc, etc. Of course our advice is going to change as we better understand the environment that has emerged.
And this will happen as we adjust again. The pundits are already predicting what the camino will look like as national restrictions are lifted. It would be a sad day if we didn't contribute because it will become evident that we might be offering new (and better?) advice over time.
Such a helpful, detailed reply you have given to Barbara, Dougy. I am always warmed when members go above and beyond when trying to answer questions to offer help.@Barbara I will go out on a limb here. I have used tents from Macpac, MSR, Kathmandu, Mont and some others over the years. The Kathmandu I have is a one person tunnel, and I don't like it very much. And as you are looking for a two person tent, its limitations won't really be a worry. The Macpac and Mont might be difficult to get in Europe, but they illustrate the sorts of characteristics you might want to consider in your selection.
The Macpac is my favourite - but at 2.8kg it is too heavy for extended walks, I can tolerate carrying it for overnighters or for a long weekend where it gets set up in a base camp, but wouldn't be my choice for extended walks over several days. Their current offering here is the Apollo. It is the least cramped and most versatile of the two-person tents that I have used recently, with good waterproofing (10,000 mm hydrostatic head on the floor, 1500 mm on the walls).
I have used the precursor to the MSR Zioc (the Hubba Hubba). This was a good design let down somewhat by the waterproofing of the floor, which did start to get damp when used on wet grass. I think of this almost as a summer tent, although I have seen it described as three-season on some sites. Perhaps I am being a little harsh here, but I suspect that if you are using it to camp in someone's fields (with permission of course) that will involve a fair bit of camping on damp grass or similar damp surfaces. The floor and walls seem to have the same water resistance, at 5,000 mm hydrostatic head. At around 2.2 kg in the configuration I tried, it was also a little heavier than I wanted.
Having tried the MSR Hubba Hubba, I looked for an alternative, and selected the Mont Moondance 2. Mine is an older model which has a slightly tapered floor plan rather than the rectangular plan of the current version. It can be erected fly first, or even fly only if you have a suitable groundsheet, are comfortable 'cowboy camping' or just want to do a quick erection to get out of the rain. This has a more reasonable waterproof floor for three-season use (10,000 mm hydrostatic head, and 2000 mm on the walls). Mine is just on 1.9 kg with a full set of pegs. It can be erected with as few as two pegs, but I have never tried that.
I had a quick look at the ZPacks Duplex specifications, and it certainly stacks up well, as one might expect with products from that company, when looked at from the specifications alone. It is also expensive. @davebugg or others who have used it might be able to share their experience with its utility and durability.
There are clearly compromises here between weight, cost, waterproofing, spaciousness, accessibility, etc, etc. If you don't need a three-season tent, you will find plenty of reasonably inexpensive and relatively lightweight options. @David has provided a link that illustrates that. Really lightweight options, under 2 kg, will be getting more expensive, and even then still might not have the waterproofing to be reliably more than a one-season tent. Good floor waterproofing (10,000 mm of hydrostatic head or greater) and reasonable wall waterproofing seem to be the features that separate the really good lightweight tents from the rest at this end of the market.
As for my tunnel tent, I can only just sit up in it, and my old body no longer has the flexibility to change clothing without stepping outside. For me, it is little better than using a swag/bivvie, which would be around half the weight.
That sounds like my shopping strategy as well.Or go and bang my head against the wall for a while....
Can anyone recommend a suitable tent, nominally for two people, but which I will be using solo?
Dougfitz, that's an excellent summary of what's available. The zPacks looks very good, but my budget would be very stretched. Also availability in Europe is a problem, as would the Mont. Having said that, my current tent cost nearly 400 euros in 2012.
I'm too poor to buy cheap gear. My last tent has done eight years and many km. I'm only changing it because my walking partner who carried it is no longer with me. It doesn't have to come from the USA to be good quality.
Love that shop, I bought quite a few things from them, including my tent.I find this site useful as the weight of all products is clearly shown. You can even rank by weight.
Ultralight Outdoor Gear | UK | Lightweight Gear Specialists
Lightweight Outdoor Clothing & Gear Specialist. Massive range of Backpacking, Trekking & Adventure Racing kit with reviews, specs & advice.www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
We've been especially pleased with Big Agnus products, they're made from high quality materials, are very light weight, and they stand behind their products long after the initial purchase (they exchanged an inflatable pad for me after 10 years, and all I'd requested were suggestions for how to repair it). We have a 2-man tent from the Seedhouse series that's going strong after 10-12 years of 3+ season mountain backpacking, well over 100 nights, and acquired a Copper Spur HV UL2 several years ago for its double side entries. The inner tent is suspended by hooks with the fly laid over the poles, but when it's raining we can place the fly first for shelter before hanging the inner tent. The Copper Spur is in the 1.5kg range, free standing, and with external guys we've made it through some very strong, gusty winds, though one really should have a 4 season tent for those conditions. They also have lighter models. Other quality manufacturers offer similar products.Can anyone recommend a suitable tent, nominally for two people, but which I will be using solo? Properly waterproof, with a floor, sealed seams, and quick to put up. Preferably with the inner liner tent already attached and the pole or poles on the outside. Hooks not a channel for the poles. Needs to not blow away in a gusty wind. Not a full mountain spec, but not throw away rubbish. Weight as low as possible consistent with not needing to sell my house to pay for it?
The one I currently have meets all these requirements except for weight, plus it's bigger than I now need. I used to have a donkey to carry my stuff, and had to put her saddle and bags inside. Weighed 3.4 kg. I'd like to get down to under 2kg. Biking, so can go to 12kg all included. Tent, mat, sleeping bag and all usual stuff.
To see the tent I have. I need something like this but smaller.
Many have done this research, myself included. The culmination to my work was a Tarp Tent Contrail. It is a single person tent but with enough room for two to sleep. What really sold me was the weight, only about 450g. It uses 1 walking pole to erect just about anywhere. The bad news is that the Contrail is no longer being made.
Now there are two ways to go. A Contrail may possibly be found in the used market, (where I found mine), or, take a look at https://www.tarptent.com/.
The good news is that the design has been revised into the Protrail, which is on sale right now in th blems and NOS section. If more room is needed, they have the Motrail.
That sounds like my shopping strategy as well.
Confusion happens when we don’t like our choices.
I know nothing about donkeys but am constantly intrigued by those who use them. I want one, as soon as I win the lottery. Bit of a job getting it up the stairs tho and into my flat! I remember being passed under the belly of a donkey three times as a child which was supposed to be the cure for one of my many ailments! Sorry dear moderator if that was off post but I use a Laser comp tent as my back up accommodation and if I could learn how to acquire a donkey and look after it properly then bejasus we would both be happy! Me and the donkey
that is!
Walk soft and stay safe.
The Malingerer.
Thanks for the note and it sounds like you've made a fine choice. Best wishes for your trip.Thanks Ken, and all who have replied. I juggled the following considerations of weight, comfort, easy and quick pitching, availability (also including after sales service) privacy, and cost. Not necessarily in that order.
Of course everyone will have a different order of priority.
Remembering that none of the Caminos is very high altitude or requires mountaineering skills, and that I intend to camp most nights, I choose comfort and speed of pitching high on my list. Then weight, availability, cost, and privacy (which is probably a small part of the comfort factor)
Which left me looking for a three season tent which didn't require a second mortgage to purchase.
That eliminated all the tents under 1.5kg (cost), and all the tunnels ( comfort). I set 2.4kg as absolute maximum weight. I cycle, so walkers will probably choose a lower weight.
Then it got harder, looking at the fine detail of water resistance, speed and ease of pitching, including doing this in the rain without the inside getting wet.
Strangely enough, and probably because my requirements haven't changed much since my donkey Camino years, I ended up with a smaller and lighter fabric version of my existing tent. 2070g, poles on the outside, same good ventilation. Not the best floor probably, but I'm unlikely to be putting it on stoney ground. I might add four triangular section pegs and remove four round ones.
I got it on sale, (£351 reduced from £500) which helped with the cost. Speaking of which, although I will always go for the best quality I can afford so that I only have to buy once, some of the very light tents are way beyond my price range. Four figure prices. I reckon my last tent complied with the too poor to buy cheap, too mean to buy expensive, mantra. I used it for eight years, and it's still good to go. Just too heavy for changed circumstances. I can't put sheepskins on top of the sleeping mat now, either.
New tent due tomorrow. I'll put it up in the garden and post a photo. Now I just need to think about sleeping bags. I have several, just need to choose, with the same considerations in mind. I'm trying very hard to convince myself that one of them will be just fine. For the rest, everything I already have will work. I've got the titanium cooking stuff and tiny stove already. Down jacket, check. Waterproof saddlebags, check. Self inflating mat, check. Bike tools. Not a lot to be done to reduce weight there. Tubes weigh what they weigh. All the tools are already as light as possible.
I do think that anyone planning to camp, as a walker or a cyclist might do well to team up with another person.. There are economies of weight to be made sharing some of the gear. I'll be going alone despite this thought, though.
I recently bought Dan Durston's X-Mid 2P from Drop for $280 USD. It's a great, double wall, sil/poly tent and light weight (~2.75 lbs, or a bit over 1,100 gms) for 2 people and roomy. But it is a "trekking pole" tent and for both it and the 1P, you need 2 poles that can be adjusted in height to property tension the tent. The OP does not use trekking poles, so I don't think these would be a good choice for her, though she could purchase inexpensive trekking poles of her choice separately or purchase the inexpensive Fizan poles ($60USD) via Drop that are recommended with the tent. See here on the Tent: https://drop.com/buy/drop-x-mid-2-person-tent-designed-by-dan-durston and see here on the Fizan poles: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-fizan-compactPrice here quoted as $ 200
https://sectionhiker.com/drop-x-mid-1p-tent-review/
I see now you made your pick with the ExoLight. Looks like a good tent. I think you'll enjoy it.Thats a splendid sélection, and i am sure will help others. I've tried my Jack Wolfskin tent in some nasty wind and cold rain and I'm very happy with it.
Hello Barbara!Another idea. I don't think the Outdoor world shops' tents would suit me, though. I've camped quite a lot and find that you really do get what you pay for. Some of the others are indeed expensive, and not all will ship to France.
The laser tent and the Zephyros look interesting, sensible money and good design. Pity about having to thread the pole through a channel, though. It's all too easy to rip the channel if you are in a hurry.
I exclude free standing tents completely. No way would I rely on my weight to keep a tent in place. Ok if they can also be pegged, but even so I suspect they will be more likely to collapse in a strong wind. The orange tent in my original post has stood up to 50mph winds. And stayed dry inside. It's too big and heavy to carry on a bike, though.
Edit. Just looked at the MSR tents. Think I might be going for one of them.
Many have done this research, myself included. The culmination to my work was a Tarp Tent Contrail. It is a single person tent but with enough room for two to sleep. What really sold me was the weight, only about 450g. It uses 1 walking pole to erect just about anywhere. The bad news is that the Contrail is no longer being made.
Now there are two ways to go. A Contrail may possibly be found in the used market, (where I found mine), or, take a look at https://www.tarptent.com/.
The good news is that the design has been revised into the Protrail, which is on sale right now in th blems and NOS section. If more room is needed, they have the Motrail.
For the superlight option of 218 gr. /7,7 oz (my knees are not the strongest) I had this in mind, used with my poles and then attach light tent mesh cover (velcro fasteners) on the two open sides:
LACD Emergency Tent, grijs - campz-nl
LACD Emergency Tent, grijs I Voordelig online bestellen bij outdoor specialist CAMPZ. Ruim assortiment, 30 dagen gratis retour✓ Snelle leveringwww.campz.nl
Zpacks makes just about all of their products with Cuben, an extremely light and expensive material. The Sil/nylon material is less expensive and a touch heavier.The ProTrail looks good.
This was another one I found on Dave's links. Slightly lighter and the design looks easier to get in and out of. Though not cheap!
Zpacks makes just about all of their products with Cuben, an extremely light and expensive material. The Sil/nylon material is less expensive and a touch heavier.
It is like most things. You can have a $50 tent but it will be heavy and / or poorly constructed. When the cost of the material rises, usually, the weight drops and the quality rises as no one wants to waste good material. There is too much invested.
This reminded me: IF weight is an issue and IF you use a poncho, you can use said poncho opened up under your tent. That is what I did and it worked really wellIf you decide for an MSR, I would strongly suggest getting a footprint tarp as well. Super light weight but extra peace of mind that the floor of your tent is protected.
Whatever you decide, happy camping!
Buen Camino
I am thinking of all this at present because a friend has just telephoned to offer to drive me to a trail in the mountains in August or early September. This is currently looking like a good plan for this year's walk.
This reminded me: IF weight is an issue and IF you use a poncho, you can use said poncho opened up under your tent. That is what I did and it worked really well
Happy camping!
(Just typing this gives me pangs of longing)
I don’t know about ‘best choice’ but I used one like this (or similar - I bought it 6 yrs ago).I never paid attention to camping gear because I thought there are the albergues... until recently, when I thought... oh, maybe travelling to Spain may be allowed before albergues will be opened again.
Which camping mat / sleeping pad are you using? I think for sleeping well the right sleeping pad is essential. Maybe you can comment your "best choice" and a good price-quality-alternative.
I don’t know about ‘best choice’ but I used one like this (or similar - I bought it 6 yrs ago).
Not cheap but did the job
...NeoAir XLite Small Sleeping Mat
Therm-a-Rest's 2020 NeoAir XLite Small Sleeping Mat is still one of the lightest airbeds on the market and it builds on the performance of the previous mats. This updated version comes with the new WingLock valve with easier one-way inflation and secure two step deflation. Insulated airbeds...www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
...
Thinking out loud now....apologies if a bit off-thread:
IF we were allowed to travel but the albergues were closed....It would probably mean all cafes, restaurants would be closed too... ? So cooking gear would also be required.... Ah but wait, lighting fires in Spain is forbidden and extremely dangerous.... Food for thought (or lack of)
Thank you for the sleeping mat tip.
At the moment the bars and restaurants are closed in Germany... but many offer something to-go or for delivering. So there may be a time when the albergues are still closed but you can buy food at some cafes or restaurants in Spain as well... even if these cafes or restaurants are closed for normal use and you cannot sit there for eating and drinking.
I would be more worried about the accessibility of toilets and showers... but it is much too early to really plan such details... it is more about hoping and dreaming...
Check out Big Agnus tents. They are awesome!! And lightweight and roomy and durable 3 season tentsCan anyone recommend a suitable tent, nominally for two people, but which I will be using solo? Properly waterproof, with a floor, sealed seams, and quick to put up. Preferably with the inner liner tent already attached and the pole or poles on the outside. Hooks not a channel for the poles. Needs to not blow away in a gusty wind. Not a full mountain spec, but not throw away rubbish. Weight as low as possible consistent with not needing to sell my house to pay for it?
The one I currently have meets all these requirements except for weight, plus it's bigger than I now need. I used to have a donkey to carry my stuff, and had to put her saddle and bags inside. Weighed 3.4 kg. I'd like to get down to under 2kg. Biking, so can go to 12kg all included. Tent, mat, sleeping bag and all usual stuff.
To see the tent I have. I need something like this but smaller.
Well, that's the big if, isn't it? I'm not keen on the Frances because of the lack of solitude myself. The problem is of course that the facilities are there because of the walkers, and the walkers are there because of the facilities. Umm. I'm happy to meet other people, just not all the time. And I need my sleep. I don't cope well with bag rustlers at stupid o'clock, so I often stay in small hotels. I find the less frequented routes more to my taste, and not invariably in Spain. There are a lot of pilgrimages in many countries, after all.Barbara, Yes planning as such but for when? I want to finish from Leon to Finisterra, but the numbers of walkers on the Frances is off-putting. and there is so much fantastic walking and facilities on the different caminos that it is difficult to choose which to do! and the people, and food, !
During my research I learned that single person needs a 2 person tent, 2 people need 3 person tent. etc. etc. As far as selecting best one; the lighter they are, the more they cost for sure. Decide your maximum you can afford and then select from there. Naturehike have good prices as well as good reviews. https://www.naturehike.com/collections/tentsCan anyone recommend a suitable tent, nominally for two people, but which I will be using solo? Properly waterproof, with a floor, sealed seams, and quick to put up. Preferably with the inner liner tent already attached and the pole or poles on the outside. Hooks not a channel for the poles. Needs to not blow away in a gusty wind. Not a full mountain spec, but not throw away rubbish. Weight as low as possible consistent with not needing to sell my house to pay for it?
The one I currently have meets all these requirements except for weight, plus it's bigger than I now need. I used to have a donkey to carry my stuff, and had to put her saddle and bags inside. Weighed 3.4 kg. I'd like to get down to under 2kg. Biking, so can go to 12kg all included. Tent, mat, sleeping bag and all usual stuff.
To see the tent I have. I need something like this but smaller.
Well, yes. That's why I got one. About a year ago. Jack Wolfskin and it does me very well. Met my spec exactly.During my research I learned that single person needs a 2 person tent, 2 people need 3 person tent. etc. etc. As far as selecting best one; the lighter they are, the more they cost for sure. Decide your maximum you can afford and then select from there. Naturehike have good prices as well as good reviews. https://www.naturehike.com/collections/tents
I was impressed too. I bought the DD X-Mid 2P. Like the non-absorbent polyester fabric over the absorbent silnylon It is a WONDERFUL tent. It now replaces my marvelous Henry Shires TarpTent SilNylon StratoSpire 2P.Here is a well thought out lightweight tent, used with hiking poles, that might meet your criteria. A walking friend was using it on the St. Olavsleden last fall. I was so impressed I ordered one when I got home. There is also a 2-person version available.
Excellent site! Thank you very much!I know absolutely nothing about lightweight tents .. but if I was choosing one for Camino I would go for one that can also be used not pegged down so that I could put it up on hard surfaces such as refugio porches, rear of closed factory buildings, etc.
The Outdoor Megastore (online) in the UK has these tents, all very cheap - though you have to search a particular tent elsewhere to find the weight ....
Lightweight Tents in Tents by Type over at Outdoor Megastore
Over 50 styles of lightweight and backpacking tent for you to choose from at Outdoor World Shop. Lots of brands at great prices. FREE next day delivery on tents over £50!www.outdoormegastore.co.uk
and this one is freestanding and weighs 1.7kg.
MSR Zoic 1 Tent
NEW 2019 MSR have taken their two bestselling tent ranges the Hubbas and the Elixir tent ranges and have combined the best features from each to come up with Zoic Tentwww.outdoorgear.co.uk
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