Tent recommendations for a TALL couple

[SSSasky]

Hi all,

I'm working at lowering my gear weight significantly, and the next major purchase is definitely a lightweight tent.  The problem I face is that I'm a pretty tall guy (6'6"), and most tents (especially the really light ones) don't have enough length for me.  Most have a floor length of around 84" (7'). Once you factor in my sleeping bag, stretched out sleeping length, and the slope of the tent walls, it means I'm usually jammed up against both ends.

My GF isn't interested in tarp setups, and most of my travels will be with her. She's nowhere near as tall as me, but that doesn't really help the situation. I would be happy with a 'tarptent' style setup, but the floor length is a major issue on all the models I've looked at.

I'm currently looking at the Black Diamond Mesa http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/mesa-tent and Mirage http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/mirage-tent, both of which have longer than average floors, and are reasonably lightweight.

Anyways, I'm just hoping there are some other tall folks on this forum with thoughts or suggestions. Thoughts about either tent, or alternative options are very welcome.

Thanks! 

[paxton coyote]

I know how you feel, 6' 5" here(although my wife is only 4' 11") I'm getting ready to order a Mountainsmith Morrison, 92" long, that's 7' 8" long! It may be a little heavier than some at 4 ibs. 3 oz. but I'm not ultra-racing & have a small 1 man tent for solo trips, it was rated killer deal by Backpacker & Outside mags, says it packs down to 18"x7.5", beauty part about my wife being shorter, more room for gear or dog at her foot end!

[SSSasky]

Thanks Paxton. Interesting tent for sure. The length is tempting, and the price is great. I read one review that said the weight was a full pound heavier than the listed weight, but otherwise reviews seem very positive.

I work at a Black Diamond dealer, so I can get the BD tents for close to the same price as the Mountainsmith (although I think the MS would still come out cheaper). If you order it, please let me know what you think.

[paxton coyote]

Ya, I saw that weight difference to after reading some reviews & that would have me a little nervous but I may give it a try anyways as the older I get the more I'm about comfort!

[seat_boy]

I'm only 6'3", but I find my Eureka Spitfire 2 quite roomy. Here's a picture my four year old took while I was doing a test setup:



Here's my 72" Thermarest:



I'm quite happy with the Spitfire. Reasonably light, cheap, and easy to set up. Not freestanding, if that matters.

[SSSasky]

I'm only 6'3", but I find my Eureka Spitfire 2 quite roomy. Here's a picture my four year old took while I was doing a test setup:

Here's my 72" Thermarest:

I'm quite happy with the Spitfire. Reasonably light, cheap, and easy to set up. Not freestanding, if that matters.

Certainly interesting. Am I reading the Eureka site correctly in that there is no vestibule space? That's too bad.  The weight and size are otherwise very attractive.

[seat_boy]

No vestibule, but there's a triangular shape at each end that's useful for storing stuff.

[joeydurango]

I'm 6'2" and use a Henry Shires TarpTent Moment.  It is a little small for two people, but quite large for one.  My partner and I have both slept in it before - she's 5'9" and as long as you don't need a lot of personal space when you sleep it's just fine.  There is a vestibule.  I have plenty of extra room at both my head and foot ends - certainly more extra room than you have extra height over my own.

The Moment is quick to set up, tear down, and only weighs 29 oz.  I used it on the CTR this year and couldn't be more pleased.

Hope that helps!

[SSSasky]

I'm 6'2" and use a Henry Shires TarpTent Moment.  It is a little small for two people, but quite large for one.  My partner and I have both slept in it before - she's 5'9" and as long as you don't need a lot of personal space when you sleep it's just fine.  There is a vestibule.  I have plenty of extra room at both my head and foot ends - certainly more extra room than you have extra height over my own.

The Moment is quick to set up, tear down, and only weighs 29 oz.  I used it on the CTR this year and couldn't be more pleased.

Hope that helps!

That's great to hear, Joey. I really like the TarpTents, but the 84" length has me nervous. If you are comfortable in the moment, which has fairly sloped ends, I would probably be fine in something like the Squall 2, which has somewhat more vertical ends.

At this point. I think I'm actually going to order and sew this tarptent from Quest Outfitters:

http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-tent,sleeping%20bag-cart.htm#BILGY TARP TENT

I plan to modify it with a hoop pole at the front, and some sort of vestibule doors that can be more fully closed. Usable floor length is 92", with very vertical ends.

The weight for a modified 2 person should still be under 3 pounds, which is pretty great in my books. New winter project!  Keep the suggestions coming though - there are almost no resources out there for tall folks looking for tents.

[r.stephens]

Have you considered a Black Diamond Beta with the floor option? Would that be enough like a regular tent to satisfy your wife? It is a bit awkward for a couple since there are poles in the middle...

[AmyL]

You might want to take a look at REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus.  94x54 inches.

We've been very happy with our Quarter Dome.  We have the Regular, not the Plus, because we aren't tall.  The Plus version adds a little extra length and width and might work for you.  It's a very nice design.

AmyL.smugmug.com

[a.k.a.]

+1 on the Quarter Dome T2 Plus.  It also comes in a T3 Plus.  Weight is 4.5 or 5.5 lbs depending on the capacity.  Easy setup, too.

Additional designers that have MULTIPLE long tent options include: Brooks-Range, Black Diamond (Beta series), Exped, GoLite, Gossamer Gear, Granite Gear, MontBell, Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD), Nemo, Tarptent, Vaude and Stephenson's Warmlite.

[SSSasky]

+1 on the Quarter Dome T2 Plus.  It also comes in a T3 Plus.  Weight is 4.5 or 5.5 lbs depending on the capacity.  Easy setup, too.

Additional designers that have MULTIPLE long tent options include: Brooks-Range, Black Diamond (Beta series), Exped, GoLite, Gossamer Gear, Granite Gear, MontBell, Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD), Nemo, Tarptent, Vaude and Stephenson's Warmlite.

Wow! Thanks for the information overload AKA!

[a.k.a.]

Yeah, I know it's a lot of info.  The consolation is that there are a WEALTH of tent designs out there that will go above 7'6" (90 inches).

There are actually even more out there, but I eliminated the ones I know about that suck.  From here on, it's strictly down to your preference.

If you want a short list of tents that actually have a structure (not pyramids or tarps that require trekking poles), let's say:

Tarptent Double Rainbow
$260
2.75 lbs
98x54"
- Decent double vestibules

MontBell Crescent 2
$275
3 lbs
96x59"
- Small vestibule

GoLite Eden 2
$425
5.5 lbs
105x79"
- Decent single vestibule

Nemo Morpho 2P
$425
5.5 lbs
104x64"
- Decent single vestibule

REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus
$250 [currently]
4.5 lbs.
94x54"
- Decent double vestibule

REI Quarter Dome T3 Plus
$300 [currently]
5.5 lbs.
94x72"
- Decent double vestibules

[Jannepan]

We're using the Wechsel Outpost 2 which has an asymetrical innertent which suits a shorter and a taller person, see website: wechsel-tents.de