suggested UL tent?

[freewheelingal]

what are folks using for UL tents in the bikepacking world?
big agnes? SMD? tarptent? other?
thanks.

[bmike-vt]

Tarptent for me. Contrail or Moment

[freewheelingal]

do these breathe well? I know the SMD has condensation issues. side note: any suggested newbie bikepacking trips near the long trail?

[bmike-vt]

Lots of options in Moosamaloo, others further north. There are threads on here about XBT and other trips.


Define 'breathe'. The moment is a DW tent. The Contrail is single wall. They both keep rain and snow and freezing rain off of me. I'm not sure what the 'breathe' comment is supposed to mean. The moment can be vented heavily, the Contrail has been replaced with the ProTrail.

[freewheelingal]

"breathe"? it is my understanding that several models/ makes of UL tents require precise set-up, or they collect a significant amount of moisture from mere breathing! personally I cannot speak to this; perhaps others can? silly question... I use my trekking poles for my tent when I am backpacking...do the models you suggest utilize one's own poles (not that one would tote trekking poles on a bikepacking excursion? I would not think anyways), or are these models equipped with with factory-ready poles? thanks.

[bmike-vt]

https://www.tarptent.com/momentdw.html

https://www.tarptent.com/protrail.html


I've never had a problem with condensation.

[Britt]

Eureka solo tent. Light , easy to set up and alot cheaper.

[eec]

I recently picked up a Marmot Eos 1P. Only have one overnight with it so far, but I like it. My only beef is that there's not a lot of headroom, but I bought it with intention of Tour Divide Race next year, so most of my time in it will be sleeping. Super easy to set up.

[phillip]

I also use the Marmot EOS1.  Agree about the headroom but I knew that before I got it.  Got a great deal on it from a member of this forum because it had no fly.  So, I carry a cheap tarp just in case.  And, the tarp also protects the tent and my sleeping pad during the ride.  Used it on a week-long trip in July around Lake Tahoe and then last weekend for an overnighter.  I like to keep out the bugs and very easy setup.  Also, has a small footprint so nearly any camp spot will work.

[RonK]

My packing plan is to carry my tent in an Anything bag.

So my focus is less on weight and more on packed size, although the one usually follows the other.

So I chose a Tarptent Protrail which fits nicely in an Anything bag and I tuck the poles along the top tube.

[bakerjw]

I have a Eureka Midori Solo tent. It is a tad on the heavy side (4 1/2 lbs) but I love the bathtub design of it. I'm still looking at making a new fly out of lightweight material and getting some carbon tent poles for it. I am pretty sure that I can shave a pound off of it.

If money were not an object, I'd get the Tarp Tent Moment DW.

[RonK]

If money were not an object, I'd get the Tarp Tent Moment DW.

I had a Moment DW.

Take note that its packed length is 19" due to the corner struts, which are not readily removable.

This didn't work for my packing plan. I now have a Protrail.

[harryonaspot]

I really like my Big Sky International  Revolotion 1. Sets up really fast stable lots of features. Recommended

[eec]

That Tarptent Moment DW seems like a PIA to set up. It says on the website "1 minute from sack to pitched", but in the photo it looks like there's a lot of staking to be done. I do like how roomy it looks, though.

[bmike-vt]

That Tarptent Moment DW seems like a PIA to set up. It says on the website "1 minute from sack to pitched", but in the photo it looks like there's a lot of staking to be done. I do like how roomy it looks, though.

No, 2 stakes or freestanding with extra pole (although I'd still stake it down. )

Watch “Tarptent Moment Setup” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/130342073?ref=em-share


The Contrail and Protrail require more stakes, both are less than 2 minutes once you practice

[bakerjw]

If I were to go with the TarpTent, I'd get the extra pole.

That Big Sky International Revolution is quite interesting. Looks almost to be the same design as the midori that I own. Just lighter.

[bmike-vt]

I have the extra pole, only brought it when I expected snow, late fall.
Helps in the wind too, but a good pitch / location will do that too.

[mtnbound]

I have the contrail tarptent, the precursor to the pro-trail.  It was fairly inexpensive (about $200), light (around 25 oz) and I did buy the 2 oz collapsible pole (which fits easily on my top or down tube under the Velcro straps of my bikepacking bags) since I don't bring treking poles on a bikepacking trip.  I don't recall how small it packs down but it fit inside my Revelate Design harness handlebar bag with no problem, along with my sleeping bag and pad (though it was tight fit for all three items).

After a few attempts to become familiar with it, it does go up in less than 2 minutes.  It is a single wall but I haven't had a problem with condensation. The bottom area does adjust for ventilation purposes, which helps when it rains. 

[bon]

I love my Big Anges Fly Creek 1 Platinum.
I'm 5'5" and fit it perfectly. I wouldn't want to be any taller but I'm also very sensitive about anything touching my toes when I'm trying to sleep.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/FlyCreek1Platinum

[offroute]

Nemo Hornet 1P gets a nod from me.

No seam sealing needed; works as advertised. Some inside-fly condensation, but what tent doesn't? Packs incredibly small. Enough room to sit up comfortably. Reasonably quick setup with six stakes and one 3-pronged pole.


For two people, we had great results with the Dash2 tent by REI. No clue why they stopped selling it. In any case, the Nemo Hornet 2P appears to be quite similar. Two doors is a boon.