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Ultralight & stealth tent that fits in front panniers

Old 06-03-16, 10:01 AM
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lax
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Ultralight & stealth tent that fits in front panniers

Hi there. I'm going to be doing some short <1 week tours and will be travelling light with only front panniers (ortlieb sport packer plus) and a drybag on a handlebar harness (filled with my sleeping bag). I'm looking for suggestions on a compact 1 person tent that packs down to no longer than 15" including the poles. Dark colours for stealth camping is a bonus (at least nothing neon orange!). Alternative suggestions to a tent are welcome, I will be camping in Ontario/Great Lakes region in the summer mostly and I don't mind a bit of a "wild experience" except for keeping the mosquitoes and ticks off me at night; i'm also looking at tarp + bug bivy as an option if I can't find a tent that suits me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
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Old 06-03-16, 10:07 AM
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Carried my Coleman Tent, drop cloth, Rain fly in one front pannier.

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Old 06-03-16, 10:15 AM
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600 mile 11 day trip

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Old 06-03-16, 10:17 AM
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I can fit a two person REI Quarterdome and sleeping bag in a drybag and harness, using compression bags to make them smaller. Poles and stakes go in the frame bag.

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Old 06-03-16, 10:32 AM
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you asked for alternate ideas - here is one i have NOT tried:
- just using a mosquito net: Sea to Summit Mosquito Pyramid Net Single Shelter with Insect Shield | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean
-- $45, 9 oz
- add a large foot print to cover the net when it rains: https://www.rei.com/product/897102/k...mo-4-footprint
-- $35, 13 oz
These links are examples only. So a bit of internet hunting might get you spending less ca$h.
You can only rig up the fly when you think it will rain.
I haven't pursued it beyond thinking about it ~ so just throwing it out as an option. You might need to figure out how much vertical height you get with an 8x8ft tarp at 45 degree angle (2.8ft, I think cos45 * 4 ft).
You'd have two open ends, possibly, that might not be good. Or you might want it open if you're trespassing. Not sure.

Or if you want to spend some cash and buy a tent, I've heard good things about this one that exceeds your length: https://marmot.com/products/details/tungsten-1p
- $180ish; under 4lbs
- it'll be my next tent when I have the fund$. I'm still using a 2-man REI tent. But after 4ish years of moderate use, the mesh is starting to show signs of wear.

Post what you decide on.
Cheers!
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Old 06-03-16, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by mrv
you asked for alternate ideas
I was probably a bit unclear, sorry about that. What I tried to convey was that a tent that fits my ideal (<15" packed + stealth colours) would be my first choice, but if I cannot find one that I like I will probably go with something more spartan (tarp, bivy, etc), and would also be interested in hearing about these sorts of shelters in the case that I don't find a tent.
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Old 06-03-16, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by lax
I was probably a bit unclear, sorry about that.
I thought you were clear. I think you could pack a mosquito net and tarp to less than a 15in length. Set up would be require practice and trees.
Speaking of trees needed for camping, did you consider a hammock? They look to pack very small, but you're not needing two vertical "things" to camp: https://www.rei.com/product/830267/e...lenest-hammock
Another thought. I've not tried a hammock yet. Not sure it's my thing. I could just be too old.
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Old 06-03-16, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by lax
Hi there. I'm going to be doing some short <1 week tours and will be travelling light with only front panniers (ortlieb sport packer plus) and a drybag on a handlebar harness (filled with my sleeping bag). I'm looking for suggestions on a compact 1 person tent that packs down to no longer than 15" including the poles. Dark colours for stealth camping is a bonus (at least nothing neon orange!). Alternative suggestions to a tent are welcome, I will be camping in Ontario/Great Lakes region in the summer mostly and I don't mind a bit of a "wild experience" except for keeping the mosquitoes and ticks off me at night; i'm also looking at tarp + bug bivy as an option if I can't find a tent that suits me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
look at Marmot Tungsten 2 man in Shadow Green/Moss Green
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Old 06-03-16, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by lax
Hi there. I'm going to be doing some short <1 week tours and will be travelling light with only front panniers (ortlieb sport packer plus) and a drybag on a handlebar harness (filled with my sleeping bag). I'm looking for suggestions on a compact 1 person tent that packs down to no longer than 15" including the poles. Dark colours for stealth camping is a bonus (at least nothing neon orange!). Alternative suggestions to a tent are welcome, I will be camping in Ontario/Great Lakes region in the summer mostly and I don't mind a bit of a "wild experience" except for keeping the mosquitoes and ticks off me at night; i'm also looking at tarp + bug bivy as an option if I can't find a tent that suits me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
I'm not sure about the 15" (pole section) limit, otherwise Tarptent has exactly what you want. Their tents are so light that you could carry a roomier 2 person tent and still be lighter than most 1 person tents. I quit using my OR bivy after I bought a Tarptent Squall 2 ten years ago; this model has just been replaced by the current MoTrail model.

https://www.tarptent.com/index.html
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Old 06-03-16, 11:43 AM
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In a single compression sack I carry my Warbonnet Ridgerunner hammock w/bugnet, top quilt, under quilt, and 10'x10' rain fly. I strap that on top of my mini front cargo rack.
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Old 06-03-16, 11:43 AM
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Again I will suggest going to Whiteblaze.net for light camping stuff.
The hikers really know their stuff on the subject. Carbon poles instead of hiking poles is an option. Do consider single or double wall. My personal opinion you're better off with the tent on top of the rear rack instead of in the front pannier. Wind resistance.
May the lightness be with you!!

Last edited by Squeezebox; 06-03-16 at 11:51 AM.
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Old 06-03-16, 12:02 PM
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Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 is about 15"x6" in it's original stuff sack. Pole sections collapse to 14". An unobtrusive sage green. At 2 lb 8oz it falls into their "Superlight" category. The Fly Creek would be the equivalent "Ultralight" tent under 2 lb.

I stuff mine into a 10 litre front pannier without it's stuff sack to make best use of the space. There is space left over for rain/wind jacket, hat, gloves, helmet cover and leg warmers. However I use the top of a rear rack to carry the poles wrapped up in sleeping pad.
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Old 06-03-16, 12:06 PM
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As someone noted above, poles under 15" will be the difficult criterion to address. Tarptent, as mentioned, and other small manufactures, e.g.,
  • Six Moon Design,
  • Lightheart Gear
  • Mountain Laurel Design
  • Yama Mountain Gear
offer good options, and some have carbon poles under the 15" specification when folded.

Also as mentioned, hammocks are worth considering. Attached is image of my hammock+bug net and tarp I use for backpacking. Both pack small and combined weigh less than 29oz (about 16.5oz for hammock, suspension, bugnet, and about 12oz for tarp with doors). Hammock, suspension, and bug net in red bag, tarp and stakes in grey bag.

The tarp + bug net with floor is another option. Tarp could be hung between trees or tree and bike to eliminate need for pole, and bug net could be hung from tarp guyline attachments. For example:

Tarp: https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/pr...t-ground-tarp/
Bug net with floor: Mountain Laurel Designs



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hammock-tarp.jpg (83.3 KB, 460 views)
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Old 06-03-16, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Biketouringhobo
look at Marmot Tungsten 2 man in Shadow Green/Moss Green
Except the OP is looking for something light and compact. At over 5 lbs. and 18" packed, that tent is neither light enough nor compact enough to meet the OP's requirements.
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Old 06-03-16, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Except the OP is looking for something light and compact. At over 5 lbs. and 18" packed, that tent is neither light enough nor compact enough to meet the OP's requirements.
see Screen Shot
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Old 06-03-16, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Biketouringhobo
see Screen Shot
See original post, where the OP writes "no longer than 15"." Your screen shot lists 17". Another spec sheet I saw lists 18". And with a packed weight of 5.25 lbs., that tent is not UL, which is what the OP is looking for as evidenced by the thread title. Now stop trolling me!
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Old 06-03-16, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by mrv

Or if you want to spend some cash and buy a tent, I've heard good things about this one that exceeds your length: https://marmot.com/products/details/tungsten-1p
- $180ish; under 4lbs
- it'll be my next tent when I have the fund$. I'm still using a 2-man REI tent. But after 4ish years of moderate use, the mesh is starting to show signs of wear.

Post what you decide on.
Cheers!
The Marmot Tungten 1 man Tent at https://www.campmor.com/
use campmor10 to get 10% off

packed 18x7
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Old 06-03-16, 01:17 PM
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best quality: Hilleberg
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Old 06-03-16, 01:21 PM
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Cabellas got anything in Camo tents?
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Old 06-03-16, 01:22 PM
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OP: UL, and somewhat stealth in color, and packs down to 13":

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...outplusul22016
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Old 06-03-16, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
OP: UL, and somewhat stealth in color, and packs down to 13":

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...outplusul22016
Unfortunately, the 13" is without poles and the optional ones are 17".
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Old 06-03-16, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by lax
Unfortunately, the 13" is without poles and the optional ones are 17".
Doh! Sorry.
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Old 06-03-16, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by lax
Unfortunately, the 13" is without poles and the optional ones are 17".
strap poles to toptube/seattube/downtube
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Old 06-03-16, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by seeker333
strap poles to toptube/seattube/downtube
I'm starting to think that this, or a half frame bag might be the most practical solution.
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Old 06-03-16, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by str
best quality: Hilleberg
You are absolutely right about quality. but I'm not planning on Antarctica. And Geez they weigh a lot. Several 2 lb tents out there.
Check out the Tarptent Notch, well under 2 lb, and under $300. Double walled. A very popular hiker tent.

Last edited by Squeezebox; 06-04-16 at 01:44 AM.
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