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| COOP'S HIKING PAGE |
| GEAR - SHELTER OPINIONS |
| Some thoughts on shelters that I have used: My original tent was similar to the Eureka Apex, a good two person free-standing dome. I really like it with its roomy vestibules and two doors, but it weighs over 6 lbs. The Inyo II from Coleman, it is a great 1.5 person two door single hoop shelter but it is too short for me to stretch and does still weigh 4 lbs. The Eureka Solitaire, a two hooped tent/bivy. This is light at about 2.5 lbs, but it is also short on space (for me) with no vestibule, and getting in and out is difficult. I do have enough room to sleep in it though and it has a full mesh body with a built in fly, so on clear nights I can stare at the stars. Tarp - I have Campmor's 8'x10' sil nylon tarp that I have been playing with and have used on a few trips. I'm working on a homemade bug bivy to use under the tarp in the summer months. I just recently bought an MSR Zoid 1 2003 model - here are my initial thoughts: Weight: Carrying weight is just about 3lbs 4oz. This includes 4 stakes and the three stow bags (poles, stakes, tent). Size: I just fit into this tent. I have room to sit up with my head scrunched down. I have room to flip from side to side on a ful length thermarest. I stuffed my clothing into the front nook and used that as a pillow and I was able to stretch my legs at the other end - but they were touching the fabric. In my usual sleep position on my side I was not touching any of the mesh walls. Pitching: Pretty easy, not freestanding, but only two stake points needed for a good pitch. I would not use more stakes unless the weather was nasty. Another stake is needed to create the vestibule and doorway. I questioned whether I wanted a tent with pole sleeves, but these are so small that it's not like threading a long pole down a long chute - that part is a snap. It does take a little work to get the fly taught. You need to tension the endpoints just right and you also need to make sure the fly seams are on the correct side of the poles - this will make sense once you see it pitched. It's no biggy, I just like it taught for the breezes. Doors: The outer and inner doors do give you plenty of venting options, but to save weight their is only a door on one side of the tent so cross breezes are difficult to capture (no different than most solos like the Sierra Design tents, or the Eureka Backcountry). I am planning on creating a way to stake out the non-door side of the fly to let a little more crossbreeze in. This won't be a problem in temps under 60 degrees. I could easily get in and out of the tent. Easier than the SD Light Year. I also liked this tent because it has a real vestibule. Yes it is smallish compared to a typical two-person, but between the endpoint pillow and the vestuble I can get all of my gear under cover (I use a GVP G4 pack so no frame). There is also room to cook in this vestibule. Inner Tent: Lots of meash, nylon above the body to protect from condensation dripping in. A cool feature is little "gear-loft" pockets on both sides of your head to put a reading light, watch, maps, journal, lighter, mini-tool, whistle, etc while your sleeping - very handy. There is also a zipper at the top of the tent so you can reach your hand out and open or close the kick stand vent at the top. Fly: I lke the natural tan color, its cheery in the dark, but subdued in the daytime. Kickstand vent at the top. Factory seam sealed I believe. It has guy out loops if it gets really windy. As can be seen in the picture the pitch psace is quite compact. I bought the MSR footprint but probably will not use it. The fastpitch without the inner tent is really saggy and I'd rather take a regular tarp, so I doubt I'll use the MSR footprint much. Weather: I have only had it in non-windy rain and it did fine. I have not seam sealed it - as it appears that MSR has already done a good job - no leaks so far. The fly goes about as low as any typical tent and I imagine that it would keep about as much blowing rain out as the next tent. Pros: Lightweight, tan color, easy pitch, good quality, good solo protection from rain and bugs with room to move around a bit (unlike a bivy or the Eureka Soitaire). Cons: It is snug - I can't fully sit up, ventilation is not great while the fly is fully down. Door on only one side. Conclusion: I have the right solo tent for me and will not be looking for another for a long while. The only other shelter I plan on use will be a tarp which gives more ventiliation, but less weather and bug protection. |