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Any experience with modern Tarptent tents?

Old 10-11-20, 12:10 PM
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KC8QVO
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Any experience with modern Tarptent tents?

Does anyone have any experience with Tarptent tents in recent years?

The only one Ive seen in use was well over 10 years ago. It was a single wall Tyvek material design (white fabric) that a backpacking buddy used. It wasn't much more than a large bivy - similar to their current Protrail, just without a fly and solid single wall body construction.

It looks like they have morphed in to conventional materials and designs with the double wall construction (inside body with mesh and bathtub floor covered with a full-coverage/low fly). How well do they hold up? Do they take wind and heavy wind-driven rain well?

It looks like with one of those I could get down to the 3-4lb range. That would be a welcome weight/bulk reduction from my current tent, but if it means sacrificing too much sturdyness I'd still be inclined to carry the more robust tent I have. My next trek I won't have a choice, but maybe next year that can be different.
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Old 10-11-20, 12:27 PM
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Try doing a search on YouTube for "tyvek tarp tent". Tyvek is at least close to waterproof, and others have attempted what you are trying.
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Old 10-11-20, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DeadGrandpa
Try doing a search on YouTube for "tyvek tarp tent". Tyvek is at least close to waterproof, and others have attempted what you are trying.
You missed the boat.

I am asking if anyone has modern experience with Tarptent tents - they are commercially made tents.

Where Tyvek came in was my comment that over 10 years ago a fellow backpacker I went on some trips with used one. That was my reference of NOT being modern experience.

Maybe a couple links would help.

Stratospire model:
https://www.tarptent.com/product/stratospire-1/

Scarp model:
https://www.tarptent.com/product/scarp-1/

Of course, there are several other models.
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Old 10-11-20, 12:42 PM
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If you're willing to spend some $$$ you could try one from this place:

https://www.tarptent.com/

I've got one of their older 'Cloudburst' models, bought about 15 years ago, and its held up well when I was doing a lot of backpacking/peakbagging. I used it in some windy environments (maybe 20-30 mph winds), some snowy conditions (not full-on blizzards), and its held up well. Single wall sil-nylon fabric (silicone coated nylon), aluminum poles, bathrtub foors. Only issue is the fabric is waterproof, so don't leave the tent fully closed at night or you'll wake up in a damp environment the next morning.
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Old 10-11-20, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by KC8QVO
You missed the boat.

I am asking if anyone has modern experience with Tarptent tents - they are commercially made tents.

Where Tyvek came in was my comment that over 10 years ago a fellow backpacker I went on some trips with used one. That was my reference of NOT being modern experience.

Maybe a couple links would help.

Stratospire model:
https://www.tarptent.com/product/stratospire-1/

Scarp model:
https://www.tarptent.com/product/scarp-1/

Of course, there are several other models.
Yes, I misunderstood. Didn't realize that Tarptent was a brand. Those linked above look fine. I suggest you look at REI.com. Their return policy is very helpful if you regret your purchase.

If you have a sudden windfall of money, look at Zpacks shelters. Wind and water proof, 2 person tent at 1.5 pounds. Duplex is similar to the stratospire, but way lighter and expensive.
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Old 10-11-20, 03:34 PM
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Tarptents are extremely sturdy. Don't let the single wall of lightweight fabric fool you. My Contrail had 10,000 hiking miles and 6,000 biking miles on it before I replaced it a few years ago. And yes, I bought another Contrail. I'm sold on that shelter forever. Just over $200 if I remember right. They handle extremely high winds, hail, snow, desert and tundra.

My wife and I use a Double Rainbow when we travel together. We both agree it's the best tent we've ever owned. We got that for a one-week tour last year and have been using it for car camping since then. I think that one was about $300. There's a weight penalty for the long pole though.

I met Henry Shires at a gear expo and he's the real deal. I beta-tested an early floorless model for him nearly 20 years ago. I broke it and he replaced it right away. (I gave that one to a friend and it's still in service.) By all accounts I've heard the company stands by the product and you will get personal service.

A favorite photo of the Contrail on a ski tour:
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Old 10-12-20, 06:40 AM
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I don't have experience with a tarp tent but have difficulty seeing the point for my purposes. Depending on my type of trip, I gravitate towards one of two solutions:

A. On an extended trip e.g. months or more; I like a more general purpose solution with a few attributes: (a) good shelter from the elements (b) flexibility in how/where I pitch it including freestanding as necessary. In this vein, I took an REI Quarterdome 2+ for an 18-month trip across the Americas and also on a 4 month trip across Africa. I took a Hubba-Hubba for a 10 month trip including across Russia. I found these to be general purpose reliable tents - that while pretty worn after trip of 18 or 6 or 10 months, did the job.
B. On a shorter trip where perhaps a tent isn't my primary shelter, e.g. a week or so trip or a longer trip but with camping more as a backup; I can take something that does basic job of sheltering. Light and inexpensive are two useful attributes and needs to at least handle weather. For this a basic tarp or tube tent can fit the bill.

The tarp tents on that site don't quite fit the bill for either of these points. Either they are essentially enough like a tent - that I can evaluate them as tents - though seem to be on the expensive side. Or they come after my quick shelter idea in which case they seem both heavier and considerably more expensive than a basic shelter.

After wearing out my most recent Quarterdome 2, I picked up another that I took on a trip this past week. The new model is pretty lightweight, though unfortunate for my purposes "semi-freestanding" meaning one needs to at least stake out the back corners. This is ok for weekend and week long trips now, but when I go on another extended expedition, I'll pick a different model of tent.
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Old 10-12-20, 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by mev
I don't have experience with a tarp tent but have difficulty seeing the point for my purposes. Depending on my type of trip, I gravitate towards one of two solutions:

A. On an extended trip e.g. months or more; I like a more general purpose solution with a few attributes: (a) good shelter from the elements (b) flexibility in how/where I pitch it including freestanding as necessary. In this vein, I took an REI Quarterdome 2+ for an 18-month trip across the Americas and also on a 4 month trip across Africa. I took a Hubba-Hubba for a 10 month trip including across Russia. I found these to be general purpose reliable tents - that while pretty worn after trip of 18 or 6 or 10 months, did the job.
B. On a shorter trip where perhaps a tent isn't my primary shelter, e.g. a week or so trip or a longer trip but with camping more as a backup; I can take something that does basic job of sheltering. Light and inexpensive are two useful attributes and needs to at least handle weather. For this a basic tarp or tube tent can fit the bill.

The tarp tents on that site don't quite fit the bill for either of these points. Either they are essentially enough like a tent - that I can evaluate them as tents - though seem to be on the expensive side. Or they come after my quick shelter idea in which case they seem both heavier and considerably more expensive than a basic shelter.
Hmm. Interesting thoughts.

Of the tents that you can put in your category of a more robust tent - why do you say the Tarptent models closest to that still don't cut the mustard?

Reason I ask, is that, to me, if you add a solid interior the tents seem like regular tents to me. They just make use of lighter support options and/or trekking poles, as opposed to tent poles. So what about their construction or design, to you, makes them not fit?

I can understand the quick/light shelter idea.

The A frame tent I have is pretty small - sort of like the Pro Trail model only it doesn't taper on the far end (either side to side or top down). The reason I haven't used it beyond 1 backpacking trip (it has been on some car camping treks of sorts) is I can't stand bumping the sides in cold weather when condensation has formed. With more ventilation that would be better, and certainly with a proper fly. With that said, a small solo shelter like the Pro Trail - with a good fly - might be a good option to have. Though, it might be hard with that space to hunker down for a day of storms in it.
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Old 10-12-20, 12:54 PM
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People, he is not asking about using a tarp as a tent, but products from the manufacturer "TarpTent".

I recently bought a TarpTent Stratospire 2 with a "solid" inner tent (very little mesh).
I've only used as a test for a couple of days so far, and in general, I am very impressed with it. What I don't like (coming from decades of Hilleberg use), is the floor material in the inner tent. It seems very fragile (thin ripstop nylon) compared to the tafetta used in the Hillebergs.
I don't know if the bottom is actually "Nylon 66", but I'm going to buy some (in red, to liven up things) and swap it out to at least get the strongest of the lightest ripstop. I will replace the bottom if and when the one fitted as standard punctures/rips.

In a couple of weeks, I'm going out again for a short trip (small country, and living on an island, see) again, and maybe I'll revise my opinion.
Overall, I think they have excellent tents with a lot of good details.
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Old 10-12-20, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by KC8QVO
Of the tents that you can put in your category of a more robust tent - why do you say the Tarptent models closest to that still don't cut the mustard?

Reason I ask, is that, to me, if you add a solid interior the tents seem like regular tents to me.
Actually, I don't have an issue with the more robust tarptent - as a tent. They look robust enough to me. However, here is how I might make a comparison with Tarptent Double Rainbow vs. REI Halfdome2 vs REI Quarterdome 2:

Double Rainbow - https://www.tarptent.com/product/dou...nbow/#tab-id-2
weight = 40.8 oz (2.5 lbs)
floor = 88"x50"
height = 40"
cost = $299
freestanding --> requires extra trekking poles ( ~15 oz ), I wouldn't normally bring on a bike trip.

Halfdome - https://www.rei.com/product/128692/r...me-2-plus-tent
weight = 82 oz (5+ lbs)
floor = 88x52"
height = 38"
cost = ~$200 (no longer available)
freestanding

Quarterdome sl2 - https://www.rei.com/product/147863/r...dome-sl-2-tent
weight = 40oz (2.5 lbs)
floor = 88x52"
height = 42"
cost = ~$349
semi-freestanding

MSR Hubba Hubba - https://www.rei.com/product/141933/m...ubba-nx-2-tent
weight = 56oz (3.5 lbs)
floor = 84"x50"
height = 39"
cost = ~$450
freestanding

What I liked best were the previous versions of the Quarterdome (https://www.rei.com/product/827785/r...r-dome-t2-tent) that were truly freestanding and around 4 lbs trail weight and not too expensive. Prior to my next expedition, I'll look for something similar. If I'm cycling, then there isn't much advantage to using Trekking poles as part of the tent. The newer Quarterdome SL2 that I picked up and used last week is OK, though I'd probably still go for something truly freestanding.

I spent a full day of rain inside the Quarterdome2 while I waited for the normally gravel (now mud) road across Siberia to clear up - so I like having a full tent for that type of situation. However, if I am not on a longer term expedition, then a lighter alternative can also work.
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Old 10-12-20, 04:02 PM
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My Big Agnes HV1 bikepacking tent weighs 2.5 lbs. waterproof, mesh interior. Long enough for me at 6'4 and can sit up in it. Advantage of a tarp tent is what? And mine has short poles that fold.
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Old 10-12-20, 05:00 PM
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One of those Tarptents you linked to uses trekking poles to save weight for the backpacker.

I have a couple tents that were designed for trekking poles, one of those tents (Big Agnes Scout Plus) I have used for three summers for a variety of trips including bike touring, I cut tent poles to the correct length with sections that are short enough to fold and put in a pannier.

The only time I had trouble setting up that tent was in a state park in Florida Keys, there were roofed wood platforms in the mangrove, and that tent required stakes. You can't pound in stakes on a wood deck. i was jamming twigs in between the boards to tie off my lines.

Some companies sell optional poles if you do not want to use trekking poles, but I made my own.

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Old 10-12-20, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN
One of those Tarptents you linked to uses trekking poles to save weight for the backpacker.

Some companies sell optional poles if you do not want to use trekking poles, but I made my own.
You are correct. Tarptent sells them in various lengths for $16/ea.

https://www.tarptent.com/product/vertical-support-pole/

For what its worth - those poles could be used with any tent that is made for trekking poles, provided the length chosen is the right length for the tent you have.

I do have trekking poles for backpacking. If I had a model tent that required them and used it biking then the optional poles (linked above) would be nice to have - surely lighter and less bulk than my trekking poles.
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Old 10-13-20, 06:41 AM
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As I value freestanding tents , I'd be less keen on a tarptent, and would accept the extra weight. Here in Canada you're looking at the $350-400 cad. range minimum for top brand 1 person or 2 person tents.
My older 2p MSR bubba is a good 4.5lbs but newer ones are lighter, as well as much lighter Big Agnes models, other msr models and the 1p tents.
I've hummed and hawed about getting a lighter tent but just keep using the 2p and 3p tents we have, really more of a money issue and the fact that we have them and they don't get used that much.

but back to your question, I still would prefer a self standing tent for overall use, but realize there's a weight penalty , although you can spend $ 6,7,800 on supper light self standing tents by known brands.

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Old 10-13-20, 06:56 AM
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One of my riding buddies made the comment, regarding free-standing tents, that the ones he has he can pick up and move to flatter ground if need-be.

I am not overly concerned with the flat ground issue - I am pretty good about finding OK spots. However, I am more concerned with the ability to get stakes in the ground - or not. If there is a spot to pitch but is a wood deck, like Tourist in MSN posted about - that would be a difficult predicament without a free-standing tent.
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Old 10-13-20, 07:14 AM
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Ive put my various freestanding tents up many times on hard surfaces, enough times anyway that this is why I have always used them.

Lets face it though, with a superduper light Tarptent, or even with a just a bit more weight but rather expensive Big Brand tent, you still are dealing with having to treat it carefully-- specifically on what you pitch it, sharp sticks, rocks, you name it, not to mention to not being a hack with the zippers, keeping dirt out of the zippers, and not being rough in general.
Some folks are just plain rough with things and wear stuff out and break stuff, others are not.

and we havent even touched on packed size, which Im sure the Tarptents win by a large margin--so for a bikepacking trip where space and weight is crucial, this would be a factor.
Just as the type of trip. If I were ever to do a trip like The Divide route or something with a long time spent on a trip and space and weight factors being an issue, then looking at one of these types of shelters could be attractive.

I do like how easy putting up my freestanding tents are, modern designs are great, nice when you are tired at the end of the day and bing bang boom its up. But I guess one gets used to putting any tent structure up, and a Tarptent probably wouldnt be different after doing it day after day.
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Old 10-13-20, 07:50 AM
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Tents from Tarptent are "modern designs". They are not tarps. They are tents. You can choose to use (or buy) them with or without an inner. And they are as quick to set up as other modern tents.

Go to tarptent.com/tents to see (can't post URLs yet).
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Old 10-13-20, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by KC8QVO
You are correct. Tarptent sells them in various lengths for $16/ea.

I do have trekking poles for backpacking. If I had a model tent that required them and used it biking then the optional poles (linked above) would be nice to have - surely lighter and less bulk than my trekking poles.

I also have trekking poles, but they are much longer than would fit in my panniers. If I travel light and do not have a bag on top of the rear rack, I want everything to fit in the panniers.

Initially I cut some poles from an old A frame tent that I need to dispose of some day, has not been used since the 80s. But those poles were longer than I wanted when folded.

Later I bought a new long 11mm diameter pole and some trekking pole rubber feet, that way I could cut my pole sections to the length I needed to fold them and fit in the panniers. The rubber feet are for both ends. The long pole I bought was long enough to provide several shorter poles.

I also backpack with one pole, not two, thus if I use that tent backpacking, I still need to add a pole.

Originally Posted by KC8QVO
One of my riding buddies made the comment, regarding free-standing tents, that the ones he has he can pick up and move to flatter ground if need-be.
....
I camped for decades with an old friend that had a large self supporting tent. We often pitched the tent and then did a final check on location by holding up one side and looking for twigs, rocks, etc., before we staked it out.

We also always carried a 10 X 10 tarp we would put up if it was raining, we could hang out under the tarp, cook on a stove under the tarp, store our gear under it, etc. And if it was raining in the morning we often carried the tent over to and under the tarp so that we could take down the tent out of the rain. The tent fly was of course soaked, but that kept the tent body drier when we folded up the tent. There were a few times in rain when we set up the tent under the tarp and then carried it to where we wanted it, that also kept the inside of the tent drier.
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Old 10-13-20, 09:06 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN
We also always carried a 10 X 10 tarp we would put up if it was raining, we could hang out under the tarp, cook on a stove under the tarp, store our gear under it, etc. And if it was raining in the morning we often carried the tent over to and under the tarp so that we could take down the tent out of the rain. The tent fly was of course soaked, but that kept the tent body drier when we folded up the tent. There were a few times in rain when we set up the tent under the tarp and then carried it to where we wanted it, that also kept the inside of the tent drier.
That is a good point.

On my coming trek I will have both the tent and hammock. I think the hammock tarp is pretty close to 10x10. I've done the "group shelter" thing with it on backpacking trips - hang the tarp minus the hammock and several of us could get under the tarp for meals while it was raining. Good piece of gear to have. The only thing I wish my hammock tarp had set up differently is more tie-outs. It only has them in the middle on one side and 4 corners. That makes it hard to make it in to a lean-to with overhang as there is no in-between tie-outs. So its either a 1/2 length bend or no overhang and just a full length panel.
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Old 10-13-20, 09:38 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN
We also always carried a 10 X 10 tarp we would put up if it was raining, we could hang out under the tarp, cook on a stove under the tarp, store our gear under it, etc.
As mentioned I vary between two setups: a minimum camping setup and a regular camping setup.

My minimum camping setup is this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
On the PRO side, it serves as either tube tent or unzips to be a tarp. It cost me ~$25, is less than two pounds and fits inside my pannier.
On the CON side, it doesn't protect me from bugs and requires trees or something else if I want to string it up.

So I take along my minimal camping setup under several circumstances such as (a) typically shorter trips e.g. weekends or weeks and not months (b) as a backup solution when I expect to motel most of the time, but want flexibility (c) when I know more about bugs and weather, either because it is short-term and I can see weather forecasts or if I am in drier areas where I don't expect bugs. Below is an example where the town I stopped at had a motel, but it was full so I camped in their backyard.

In my full camping setup, I've mostly done with vestibule on a tent as well as a footprint. I haven't necessarily carried my tube tent as well. As far as freestanding situations go, those are the minority and I can sometimes work around it. However, I have also found situations where (a) I camped on concrete/asphalt (b) I set up my tent as a bug shelter inside - even on a mattress if it was questionable enough (c) it was convenient to not have to worry about getting stakes into the ground.
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Old 10-13-20, 12:42 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by CargoDane
Tents from Tarptent are "modern designs". They are not tarps. They are tents. You can choose to use (or buy) them with or without an inner. And they are as quick to set up as other modern tents.

Go to tarptent.com/tents to see (can't post URLs yet).
Yes, I'm aware of them. Even considered one at one point. I didnt word things well, I just meant that any modern tent design is fast to put up.
Tarptents are most likely a bit more fragile than other tents that weigh more, given the weight of the materials, and then there still is the non free standing thing, which may or may not be a concern for each person, but they are astoundingly light and smart designs.
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Old 10-13-20, 01:24 PM
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Like mev, we fit the tent we use to the destination, season, and weather.

Try this with a non-freestanding tent-- my wife doing a little house cleaning before packing.


This is the packed size of that 2- person, 3-season tent (blue bag) compared to a water bottle.


My total sleep/shelter system including tent, rainfly, 6' x 8' tarp/ground cloth, 20 degree sleeping bag, Thermarest Pro 4 pad, compressible pillow and Ortlieb Rack Pack, weigh a little over 10 pounds.


If we use this semi-freestanding 2- person light weight tent, it reduces the weight by 2 lbs. Note that the tent stands up fairly well with no stakes.


Most tent's rainflies need to be staked out to be effective.

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Old 10-13-20, 02:23 PM
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good point on how important it is to stake out a rainfly for it to work properly, so yes clearly stakes are an important part of any well working tent.

its those situations putting up the tent without the fly, either inside a structure, on wood or cement, or even on a bed, where self standing tents are handy.

my older hubba hubba was just before they put in those little ventilation openings at each end of the fly to avoid condensation (which really works great, have them on our 3 man tent) and I've attached new additional guidelines to the fly to help keep the fly away from the inner mesh , and to help with ventilation. It works, but now I need four more stakes to bring with me.....
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Old 10-13-20, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
Y
Tarptents are most likely a bit more fragile than other tents that weigh more, given the weight of the materials, and then there still is the non free standing thing, which may or may not be a concern for each person, but they are astoundingly light and smart designs.
Actually Tarptents tend to be much stronger than other lightweight freestanding tents. The silnylon versions use a 30 denier fabric, while the light weight versions of many of the freestanding tent manufactures like Big Agnes, MSR, Nemo, etc.. might be using 20d or even thinner material in some cases. So thin in fact they started the idea trend of selling/recommending using ground sheets so as not to puncture the floor.

I have a Protrail, and it's faster to set up than any of the free standing tents I have used..

Oh many folks don't like the color of the Tarptents, but i have found the newer versions to be a bit greener than the light grey of the older versions, and they also seem to be to reflect the background a bit and look darker in a darker area. See back yard photo attached.

One thing to know about Tarptents is they are not factory seam sealed, You can do it yourself, or pay an extra 30 bucks for them to do it for you. (it's a manual process, but not hard to do)



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Old 10-13-20, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Twang -O- Doom
Actually Tarptents tend to be much stronger than other lightweight freestanding tents. The silnylon versions use a 30 denier fabric, while the light weight versions of many of the freestanding tent manufactures like Big Agnes, MSR, Nemo, etc.. might be using 20d or even thinner material in some cases. So thin in fact they started the idea trend of selling/recommending using ground sheets so as not to puncture the floor.

I have a Protrail, and it's faster to set up than any of the free standing tents I have used..

Oh many folks don't like the color of the Tarptents, but i have found the newer versions to be a bit greener than the light grey of the older versions, and they also seem to be to reflect the background a bit and look darker in a darker area. See back yard photo attached.

One thing to know about Tarptents is they are not factory seam sealed, You can do it yourself, or pay an extra 30 bucks for them to do it for you. (it's a manual process, but not hard to do)
interesting about fabric weight. I need to learn more about this, I don't recall all the details.
Odd that they don't seam seal them. Ive been seamsealing tents for ages.
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