Tarptent sublite

[stevage]

Anyone used one of these? 525g. $180. That's a nice combination for a fully enclosed tent! Hardly makes using a straight tarp worthwhile. And the reviews are pretty positive - although the tent is claimed not to be suitable for big thunderstorms, people have said it's survived "all kinds of weather" and kept them dry.

When hiking, I use adjustable trekking poles, so that's a bonus. For bikepacking, I'd probably look to suspend it from a tree. It really seems ideal for south-eastern mainland Australian conditions, where rain is the exception, and persistent downpours are very rare.

(Ok, I don't really think I'm in the market for a tent, but if I was...)



Five hundred and twenty five grams. Wow. (My current tent looks much the same and more than three times as much!)

[12wheels]

It's a nice light design for those folks who prefer tents but an ultralight tarp and bivy weigh about the same and don't require poles or trees to set-up. 

[stevage]

Are trees in short supply in your area? I'm curious because I've seen this sort of comment around, but can't really imagine camping anywhere without trees around here.

[donmeredith74]

The Sublite is pretty slick. I'd avoid the Tyvek version if you plan on camping through longer rains but the Silnylon version would be a great alternative for those environments. I prefer a tarp setup because of its flexibility (cook under it in the rain, multiple pitch configurations, etc) and because I don't have to deal with the condensation issues inherent with a single wall enclosed shelter here in the southeast. All that said, Henry's Sublite design is a creative shelter with a great rep. Here's a photo of my Mountain Laurel Designs tarp and bug net inner. This setup is light, flexible and very low pack bulk.

[stevage]

Yeah, I'm having trouble finding any lightweight tarps at a reasonable price. It seems like a much simpler product, hence should be cheaper...

[Pivvay]

sil tarps should be pretty cheap. The cuben and spinnaker ones are a pretty penny.

The Sublite looks sweet, i've been tempted to buy one but a contrail would fit Marni and I better and I don't solo tent very often.

[12wheels]

"Are trees in short supply in your area?"
Sometimes and often those available are on uneven ground and in spots prone to lightning strikes.  I'm impressed with the Sublite and most of the models sold by Traptent but find tarps more versatile.   No poles, no trees, just flip your bike over and use it as a base for your tarp.  It's also nice not having to worry about your bike being stolen while you sleep.   

[efuentes]

I really envy you guys, that can just pinch a tarp, lay a groundsheet and go to sleep. Here bugs are so bad most of the year that its close to impossible (At least to a semi-city slicker  ).

But for me, the tarptent makes alot of sense. Are they freestanding?

Saludos

[Pivvay]

if bugs are super bad, look at some of the cool bug net setups to use with a tarp. MLD has them. Of course a tarptent works too and they're sweet. Just depends if you want the versatility of the tarp.

No bug pressure is one very nice thing about Colorado most of the time. Other than skeeters, the west is generally annoying bug free.

[12wheels]

Six Moon Designs sells a 7oz bivy which is bug proof and water resistant.  
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=61
They also post instructions on their site so that you can make your own version:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/ultralight/myo_Meteor.asp
It will cost roughly $50-$70 depending upon the material you choose.

Combine that with a 5x8 or 8x10ft silnyon tarp and you have a system that can be used in all kinds of weather and weighs roughly the same as the Sublite.