Anybody heard or read good things about tarptent brand tents?

[ednotmilkman]

I was looking through the March "gear guide" issue of Backpacker Mag for tents and noticed some ultralight models made by http://www.tarptent.com . The website shows lots of photos of single, double and three man tents that weight between 1.0 and 2.8 #. Many of them save weight by using one or two trekking poles that you may already be carrying. Prices are very reasonable, under $300, too. And they say they are made in Seattle, USA though sold from California.

Problem is I have not found reviews of them in other sites although there are plenty of testimonials on the tarptent site itself.  Hope some of you might help me find some impartial reviews, or maybe you have seen one of these yourself and would share what you know about them.

Edwin (just back from an 8 day Montana hike with a national Sierra group)

[highlife]

 About 6 years ago we got the Tarptent cloudburst made by Henry Shires (tarptent.com). This tent has held up very well. The only problem ...well not really a problem, but getting in and out is annoying. especially if your partner is sleeping and your trying not to disturb them. This is because of the front entry. We have used it for hundreds if not thousands of miles. It has held up to numerous strong storms and even hail. When really strong winds and rain got sideways you could feel a slight mist coming through the front. Didn't bother me....But,They have fixed this with the Cloudburst 2 (the current model). All in all ...awesome shelter...


This year we got the Six Moon Designs Lunar duo.
I can't say enough good things about this tent.
39 ounces
Dual entry
Dual vestibules .
height of 45 inches
2-4 small people can sit up playing cards in the rain..
Check out my gallery, we have some pictures of the Lunar.


Let me know if you want to know anything else.

[dayhiker]

I've been using a homemade version of one for about 5-6 years now.  They work great.  I know lots of folks that use them.  lots of folks at thebackpacker.co m use them.

thru-hiker.com is where I got the plans to build mine.  This was before you could buy the finished product.

[Lostsheep]

YES. Excellent. I have used a few of them and can't complain. If you have the money and don't mind spending, then I'd say go for it!

Which one are you buying?

[ednotmilkman]

well lostsheep, 

I'm just at the "wishbook" stage right now since I don't have any extended trips planned where I could use an ultralite replacement for the old stuff. My current 1 1/2 man tent weighs 4#4oz and my two man is 5#2oz, (both with ground cloth).  Am leaning toward the Contrail that sleeps 1+, weighs 1#8oz, for $200.

One other thing I saw but am only wishing for is a Big Agnes 35 degree down bag on sale at backcountry.com for $130. The green color is $180, but they are trying to get rid of some gray ones. Kinda hard to justify when I already have the 20 degree down bag and it only weighs like 14 oz more. It cost $250 last year.

[highlife]

if your interested in used gear, like a used tarptent cloudburst...sen d me a pm

[Mountain Dog]

I use a tarptent and I like it.  My son in law bought one and ditto for him.  Tarptents were the most common brand that I saw on the AT last year, and I heard no complaints.  There are a lot of styles.  Make sure you buy one that fits your habits.  I need a two person because i take gear into the tent with me.  Others go with a single person to save weight and extra poles.  There is no perfect design but you do want to be right the first time for you because of price.  The closes to a perfect design for me would be "The One" if it could also hold my gear.

[Magic City Matt]

Why is it those tents and the sixmoons designs tents just seem to me like they would be a condensation nightmare.

[Cuffs]

Only one or 2 of the models are freestanding.  I only say this as a precaution in case you were looking for that feature.  They can be a condensation issue since they are single-walled tents.  They do take some practice to get the pitch down pat and it usually takes some jockeying around everytime to get it 'just right.'  If you are really looking to go that light, you may also want to consider a hammock...

[highlife]

Ed, maybe you should check out whiteblaze.net,backpackinglight.com,backpackgeartest.com etc for reviews as there are many positive reviews for these shelters.

[ednotmilkman]

Thanks for the tips on other sites highlife. I haven't look at them. Want to offer your tent to the alatrails public, Since I'm still in the "lookin" stage?  What exactly is the difference between your cloudburst and the newer model?

The single tent I have now is a two-hoop, big bivy style I'd say, with room for my pack beside me. So I'm used to staking it down. The problem with it is there is no fly over the door, so if it's raining when you gotta get in or out, you get water dropping in from the door, plus it still leaks around the zipper after a new seam sealing. I've just pitched the door downhill a bit if rain is threatening, and keep my sponge handy.

[highlife]

I'll have to say the newer cloudburst is nice. Off of tarptents website..
The  Cloudburst 2 offers stability, setup, entry/exit, and airflow improvements to the 1st generation Cloudburst design.

One thing that I see a big improvment on is the extended front beak, and how there isn't a middle line in the front, that line is a painin the butt when setting up your sleeping bag etc, I got to where I would leave it out of the ground.

The newer one..

Anybody heard or read good things about tarptent brand tents?

The Older one

Anybody heard or read good things about tarptent brand tents?

And yes I would give you a great deal on this.

[Cuffs]

That is quite a marked improvement!  I had a Squall2 and had the same center-line issue with entry/exit.  Other issues with it as well (for me) so I sold it!  I like the ventilation the new Cloudburst offers.  Does it help with condensation problems?

[Cuffs]

Why is it those tents and the sixmoons designs tents just seem to me like they would be a condensation nightmare.

Because they are!  Had one... a Squall 2...  sold it because of 1. Condensation issues.  2.  If even pitched on the slightest grade, the silnlon floor and my bag did not get along... I wound up in the corner every 10 minutes from sliding down hill!

[freshface]

Last Spring my husband and I purchased the Rainshadow 2. It's a 3 person tent. We got the bigger tent for when my daughter goes with us. When she doesn't go, it's still our 'tent' due to its light weight (42 oz) and extra room. My husband is 6'4" and fits in the tent comfortably (even when it is the 3 of us). I like tarptent products. Before owning the Rainshadow 2, I slept in a Coudburst (forgotten the model). Never had any trouble with that model either. It kept me dry during very scary times! But, back to the Rainshadow 2, I would recommend this product. We have yet to experience any trouble with condensation, leaks, zipper hangs, etc. My only complaint is the line in the middle. It becomes bothersome when you want to emerge directly from the tent. It's in the way. I trip on it constantly, but of course I'd trip over the line regardless of where it was located!

[thereisnospoon]

Tarptent adn Six moon were the inspiration that started me making tents.  I have never heard a bad review regarding their tents except for the price, but its a once in a life time purchase, as most owners use the ir products for a long time.