View Full Version : Gossamer Gear: The One
Anyone here have any experience using this shelter? Looks like they're out of stock on it now; but I'd like to hear what anyone who owns one has to say about it. Thanks.
Wise Old Owl
10-22-2008, 23:04
Just watched the video - light and noisy. reminded me of one night with a space blanket... wasn't a good scene. Appears to be back in stock after correcting a major issue. - As much as I would appreciate jumping into one, I will stick to BB or HH
garlic08
10-23-2008, 00:02
My friend German Tourist, SOBO right now, had a bad experience in hers in ME in July.
I used a spinnaker version of the Gossamer Gear G5 pack last season. I decided then to never use that material again. It's very fragile, not worth it.
"The One" with the required ground cloth is over 19 oz. My Tarptent Contrail packs at 23 oz. I'd recommend the Contrail any day.
I have The One. Have used it both in winter and on the AT in Georgia and NC and a few other trips. Not a ton of nights in it. Works great if there is any kind of breeze - good ventilation, so little condensation. Spent an extremely windy night camped at Woody Gap. Had to get up twice to replace a couple of stakes when they were pulled free, but otherwise it performed very well. I don't find it all that noisy in use.
The only bad experience with it so far was here in Michigan in June. Spent one night during an all-night deluge of rain fighting with extreme condensation. It was a perfectly still night - absolutely no air movement. It was also quite cold, so a lot of condensation accumulated.
For the vast majority of nights it offers great protection, good room, easy to sit up, good vestibule size, floor and insect protection. I believe that one night of condensation will prove to be the exception, not the rule.
My other current shelter options are a Wild Oasis (no floor) and a Speer hammock and tarp. Happy with them all.
I met a thru that had the One this year. It was a nice piece of equipment. The set up seemed easy. He said he had experienced some rough weather while using it and it held up no problems. I also have a friend who uses this tent and really likes it. Honestly if I were going to go with a lighter tent I would seriously consider getting it.
skinewmexico
10-23-2008, 11:37
I do know that GG did some re-designs on the One, and found a new source of spinnaker fabric. Never used one though. Henry is having a fall sale with 20% on Tarptents right now too.
I've been using The ONE since Feb 08, 65-70 nights so far. Very little condensation, usually only when fog sets in or heavy rain. I applied McNett seam sealer to all seams, no leaks or tears in the fabric, it was a little noisy in the wind at first, the more I use it the less noisy it is in the wind. The interior has enough room for a full length sleep pad (20x72), pack and shoes, I can sit up without my head rubbing the roof. Great ventilation, bug netting and a full bath tup floor. And you can't bet the weight or lack of. I use 6-6'x1/8" Ti shepherd stakes at a 45* angle in all types of soil, so far they have held w/o any problems unless a dork comes along and trips over a line. ;)
Skidsteer
10-23-2008, 19:35
I've been using The ONE since Feb 08, 65-70 nights so far. Very little condensation, usually only when fog sets in or heavy rain. I applied McNett seam sealer to all seams, no leaks or tears in the fabric, it was a little noisy in the wind at first, the more I use it the less noisy it is in the wind. The interior has enough room for a full length sleep pad (20x72), pack and shoes, I can sit up without my head rubbing the roof. Great ventilation, bug netting and a full bath tup floor. And you can't bet the weight or lack of. I use 6-6'x1/8" Ti shepherd stakes at a 45* angle in all types of soil, so far they have held w/o any problems unless a dork comes along and trips over a line. ;)
Jermm, are you going to Soruck?
I sure would like to see one up close.
Jermm, are you going to Soruck?
I sure would like to see one up close.
probably will, I'll bring it if I
But, it Two Speed wants to look at my tent I'm charging admission
Skidsteer
10-23-2008, 20:20
probably will, I'll bring it if I
But, it Two Speed wants to look at my tent I'm charging admission
Understandable. For the cleaning bill, no doubt.
I used it for about 50 nights this summer in the Pyrenees. Great shelter, as long as the conditions are fairly straightforward - really light, 100% bug protection, fast setup (although hard to get taut), and good rain protection, as long as you know a thing or two about site selection. But, it's no good in wind - if you're going to be above treeline, use something sturdier.
Understandable. For the cleaning bill, no doubt.
um, yeah. :rolleyes:
I used it for about 50 nights this summer in the Pyrenees. Great shelter, as long as the conditions are fairly straightforward - really light, 100% bug protection, fast setup (although hard to get taut), and good rain protection, as long as you know a thing or two about site selection. But, it's no good in wind - if you're going to be above treeline, use something sturdier.
Clured- tell me about the wind problems you had with The ONE, I haven't used mine above tree line on a windy night yet. But plenty on windy nights in the woods, it was fine there.
JERMM - Anywhere on the AT (except, like, Franconia/Presidentials) The One would be a fantastic shelter. If/when I thru-hike again, I think it would be my first choice for a shelter; it's basically designed with AT-style stuff in mind, I think.
I ran into trouble in the Pyrenees when I (stupidly) tried to pitch it on exposed ridgelines at 9,000 feet, and then woke up an hour later to sustained 30-40 mph winds. I learned my lesson after two or three bad nights, but twice I had to pop out the trekking poles (lest the wind rip the seams) and just sleep cowboy-style under the stars - luckily there wasn't any bad weather...
But yeah, on the AT (or just below treeline, wherever you are) you aren't going to run into conditions that fierce. Overally I love the thing; I was just trying to use it when I should have been carring a bomber/alpine tent.