I am looking for some opinions on which tent is most suitable for my thru-hike.

I am tall (6' 3") and want enough room so that I won't be rubbing up against the walls just by turning. From everything that I have read, I should try to minimize the weight---so I've been looking at shelters that weigh less than 3 pounds. I also want the shelter to be enclosed, so that I get protection from mosquitoes and other bugs.

I've been researching the following "tents": Tarptent Virga, Wanderlust Nomad Lite, Six Moon Design Europa II, and the Sierra Designs Ultra Light Year CD.

I'm hoping to get some opinions first on the two lightest of these tents---the Tarptent and the Nomad. But, please provide perspectives on the other two tents if you would like.

From what I can tell, the Nomad Lite seems more suitable for me. Although it is more expensive ($285), it is roomier than the Tarptent (width 66", Length 128"). It is only 3 oz. heavier than the Tarptent at 27 ounces, and appears to have more "tent" features than the Tarptent. It is big enough for me to bring my pack in the tent.

The Tarptent is the lightest choice at only 24 ounces with the sewn in floor. But, it has a smaller footprint than the Nomad---Width 54" tapering down to 42" at the feet, Length 93". The cost of about $190 is lower than the Nomad, although still more expensive than some of the other tents I'm considering.

Finally, the Sierra Designs Ultra Light Year looks interesting. The length is between the first two tents (111"), although the tapering effect might make this misleading. It's narrower at 44", and is the shortest at 38" high. The cost is comparable to the Tarptent. The weight is 41 ounces---almost a pound heavier than the Tarptent. I do like the fact that I can buy this tent from any outfitter, versus having to special order it over the internet.

If you have experience with any of these tents, I would be very interested in your perspective. I am in the process of compiling my gear list for a thru-hike. My existing gear is far to heavy for that purpose, so I will be purchasing the big items (tent, pack, sleeping bag). Since it is a significant investment, I want to make sure that I make good choices.

On some things, I can go into an outfitter and try things out. But, I need some help here since the Tarptent and Nomad are not sold in stores.

For your reference, here are the links for the tents I've mentioned:

Wanderlust Nomad Lite
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/tents.htm

Tarptent Virga
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html

Sierra Designs Ultra Light Year
http://www.sierradesigns.com/cgi-bin/driver.pl?index=1&conf=tent_show_03

Six Moon Designs Europa II
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/Europa2.asp

Thanks, Glenn

I have the Virga. I used this for bicycle touring. I will be using this tent for all of my overnite hiking trips. So far I'm very happy with this tent. My tent is floor less. Had no problem with bugs. ;)

Sakkit

The Wanderlust tent has a 3-4 month delivery lead time plus you will need time to seam seal the tent. Excellent quality tent. I have the Nomad 242 and has tons of room for 1 or 2 people. I have heard the one person Nomad Lite has some condensation issues on the AT.

I have the Nomad 1 person & love it (see review posted this forum).

However, as you will note in the review additional posts, at 5' 8" I am almost as tall as the tallest person a Nomad will comfortably accomidate. About 5' 9" seems the reasonable limit, but this is just a guess, from my POV, the "usable sleeping length is somewhere around 6', but it gets somewhat "snug" around the head/shoulders & feet at that length. My 6' x 27" sleeping pad fits, with just a few inches to spare. However, the 2-4-2 may sute your needs and then some.

I havn't actually seen any of the others you mention but a description & a few pics.

Doctari.

at 5' 8" I am almost as tall as the tallest person a Nomad will comfortably accomidate. About 5' 9" seems the reasonable limit, but this is just a guessDoctari.

Thanks for the input. That's what makes looking at web sites to select gear so tough. The Nomad Lite is listed at a length of 10 feet, 8 inches on the Wanderlust web site. The Nomad 2-4-2 is only 9 feet long. However, the Nomad Lite is tapered and that must account for the reduction is usable space.

At first, I thought the Wanderlust tents also had sewn-in floors. Upon closer inspection of the pictures, it appears as though the "floor" is a separate Tyvek ground cloth.

I think I would like to go the tent route. I might have to add a pound or so and look at the more conventional solo tents...

Thanks for the input. That's what makes looking at web sites to select gear so tough. The Nomad Lite is listed at a length of 10 feet, 8 inches on the Wanderlust web site. The Nomad 2-4-2 is only 9 feet long. However, the Nomad Lite is tapered and that must account for the reduction is usable space.

At first, I thought the Wanderlust tents also had sewn-in floors. Upon closer inspection of the pictures, it appears as though the "floor" is a separate Tyvek ground cloth.

I think I would like to go the tent route. I might have to add a pound or so and look at the more conventional solo tents...

You are Welcome!

Yes, it tapers quite a bit. plenty of room for me & gear, but , , ,

The Nomad has a floor, all models do. However, you CAN get it made without a floor if you want, saves a few OZ, and use the "footprint" as a floor. Kurt (the owner/maker of the Nomad) is a former tarp user, so the Nomad is (Mostly) designed for tarp users that want a tent so the floorless option is a natural addition (Omission?). No floor is an Option though, not standard issue. :D

If you are going to be In the Cincinnati area anytime, e mail me & I will gladly show the Nomad to any interested.

The Nomad has a floor, all models do.
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Thanks again. It certainly helps to get confirmation that the Nomad tents have sewn in floors. I guess that's why they call them tents rather than tarps.

Since I am tall, if I go with Nomad or Wanderlust, it appears as though my choices are between the Nomad 2-4-2 and the Tarptent Squall. Both weigh 31 ounces. The Nomad 2-4-2 is roomier, but more expensive.

The only good thing is that I have plenty of time to work through these things, as I will not start a thru-hike until at least 2005. It won't be long before I start posting questions about sleeping bags and packs.

Doctari is right about the taper and the size of the Nomad. At 5'11", either my head or my feet were always against the one end of the tent. Almost every morning, the foot of my sleeping bag was either damp or wet, depending on the weather conditions. The diamond shape of the tent gives you more room in center and less on the ends. At 6'3", I would not recommend the Nomad for you UNLESS you sleep in the fetal position all the time.

At 6'3", I would not recommend the Nomad for you UNLESS you sleep in the fetal position all the time.

Maybe the Nomad 2-4-2 would work better for me than the Nomad Lite.

is what I have and I like it very much. It has the sewn in floor. I am 6'3" tall and weigh 265 lb. I have slept in the tent with my pack beside me and still had room. It that situation if you flop and turn a lot you might brush against the side of the tent some. I am sending mine back to Henry tomorrow to get the extended front beak put on mine. It will make the beak like a vestiblue where you can put your boots and other gear. Forgot to add that my Squall weighs 29 oz packing weight as I use one of my treking poles at the front.

I am looking for some opinions on which tent is most suitable for my thru-hike.

For your reference, here are the links for the tents I've mentioned:

Wanderlust Nomad Lite
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/tents.htm



From what I am reading at other hiking sites orders for the Nomads are not being filled, and Kurt's phone has been disconnected.

Have you considerd the Sil-Shelter by Integral Designs ? I think the newer style might be good for a guy your height. The newer ones have a tie up at the foot end. I have to rig one for my older style, but still really like it. Approx 1 lb Sil, stakes, and guyline. I use a 3 oz. groundsheet.

From what I am reading at other hiking sites orders for the Nomads are not being filled, and Kurt's phone has been disconnected.

Have you considerd the Sil-Shelter by Integral Designs ? I think the newer style might be good for a guy your height.

This lack of responsiveness on the Nomad product does concern me. I will probably look elsewhere.

I haven't yet seriously considered the Sil-Shelter by Integral Designs. The reason is that I am really hoping to find a suitable lightweight tent that will accomodate my heigth. Maybe I'll come around to the tarps before too much longer, but I like the idea of the sewn in floor for extra protection against the bugs and elements.

Thanks.

Don't know the Virga but I own and carried the Nomad Lite on my hike in 2003. Here's my honest assessment. It's a great "fair weather" tent but not the most secure shelter on a windy, rainy night. The Nomad needs to be set up with the back side facing the wind. Now that's great if the wind is somewhat mild and doesn't change direction. However, that's not always the case on the AT. I had wind direction change as much as 180 degrees at night and it damn near ripped the front awning off. If it hadn't been for me being inside acting as ballast the whole tent might have blown away like a kite.

Having said all that I still think for the weight (1 pound 11 ounces) it's a decent shelter for a thru-hike, all things considered. There were plenty of nights on the AT when the winds were calm and the sky was clear so I rolled up the front/rear awning of the Nomad and just fell off to sleep doing some star gazing and enjoying the fresh air.

If you decide on the Nomad Lite and don't want to pay full price or wait the 4-5 months to have it delivered just send me an e-mail. I'm considering selling mine now that my thru-hike is complete. I bought it new for my hike and it's in perfect condition.

Go with the Europa II or the Tarptent. You can't go wrong with either option.

If you want to save an ounce or two, you could go with a tarp and some type of bug netting that you would drap over your head. There are several on the market, here is a simple one from Trailquest (http://trailquest.net/dlgcsleepnet.html) (they make a couple of tarptents as well that are worth checking out). This way you coud use the bug netting and sleep in a shelter or "out in the open" on clear nights and not have to worry about bugs attacking your face and arms.

It is actually a bit more flexible of an option. As you won't have to setup your entire shelter on hot buggy nights when shelter space is available.

Better yet get a hammock.<g>

This lack of responsiveness on the Nomad product does concern me. I will probably look elsewhere.

I haven't yet seriously considered the Sil-Shelter by Integral Designs. The reason is that I am really hoping to find a suitable lightweight tent that will accomodate my heigth. Maybe I'll come around to the tarps before too much longer, but I like the idea of the sewn in floor for extra protection against the bugs and elements.

Thanks.


I use the A-16 bug bivy when the bugs start getting bad. I also like the fact that I can control the size of the Sil-shelter more than I can my SD Lightyear that has the fixed floor size. Just personal preference I guess. I also feel lots less "closed in" with the tarp. I like dealing with the "elements", it's a big part of why I hike. But exra protection is good too...My Epic treated down bag allows me the choice of staying okay in the Sil-shelter.

good luck and I hope you sort it out and get something your comfortable with.. I almost when nuts changing over from the old military stuff to this great lightweight gear thats now available. Give me some blister free footwear and I might never leave the trail....lol

Have you thought about a custom tarptent? I have one from Moonbow and like it very much. This shelter is 8'x7'. It has 2 peaks, 2 doors, 16 inches of vertical adjustment, and no floor. I use this for bicycle touring. I have about 3 feet of space the bike has the rest :D . Never had a problem with wind or rain. The people at Moonbow were great to work with. I use a Virga for hiking and have not had any problems. I'm 6' tall.

Sakkit