View Full Version : Pack/Tent combo ?
Cast Away
02-22-2009, 23:46
I am undecided about which pack/tent combo to get. I am asking for help. I don't have alot of money to spend so I am picking some not so pricey items. I am not into the ultra lite when it comes to shelters, so keep that in mind. The packs and tents that I have listed are ones that I like. Which pack/tent combo would you recommend?
Vapor Trail, Nimbus Ozone, Golite Pinnacle
Clip Flashlight or Lightyear or Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1
Thanks
skinewmexico
02-22-2009, 23:54
I like my Pinnacle, and it's huge, but don't overload it. The tents don't do a thing for me, so I can't help you there. Watch long enough and be patient, you could probably find a ULA pack used.
bigcranky
02-23-2009, 09:03
The Granite Gear packs are well made. You might also look at ULA and Six Moons Designs, as well as the Osprey Atmos and Exos packs.
Those tents don't do anything for me, either. The SL1 is tiny, the Flashlight is heavy. I have been using tarps and tarptents for so long that I just couldn't go back to a double wall tent.
Where in NC are you? If you can manage a day trip to the mountains, there are several terrific outfitters where you can get a look at gear that the local places don't carry.
I use the Vapor Trail and Cloudburst II tarptent combo, 5 lbs total but a little pricey. Worth it if you are going the extra miles.
garlic08
02-23-2009, 10:02
ULA packs are really popular, on the heavy end of lightweight, and they last. Tarptents are also very popular, a compromise between ultralight tarps and double wall tents, and are well made and last many miles.
ChinMusic
02-23-2009, 11:34
I don't think you have to look at it as a "combo". You are looking at items that all play well with each other. As long as you don't get silly with a huge tent you are fine.
I have the GG Vapor Trail pack and it is amazingly comfortable. I hate the way it loads but have learned to live with it.
I just put my Osprey Aether 60 on this weekend, in planning for a long trip (needed the space and the 60 holds a bearikade nicely), and realized again how comfortable the Vapor Trail is. I now almost hate the feel of my Osprey.
Re tents: Do take a look at the Six Moon Designs products. I personally would consider the Lunar Duo for a thru. I've had buddies switch from the Solo to the Duo and have not looked back. For an extra pound and a half you get an amazing amount of space. Four people can play cards in the thing. If you are going to be living in a tent for half a year I think it would be nice to have the room.
good old trusty Kelty products.ky
bulldog49
02-23-2009, 13:50
Of the options you listed, I believe your best choices are the Vapor Trail and Seedhouse SL1. They give you the best value of weight to durability.
Of the packs, unless you are carrying over 35 lbs on a regular basis, the Nimbus Ozone is probably more pack than you will need. If you are relatively inexperienced and aren't used to going pretty light, the Pinnacle may not be enough pack.
I have no experience with any of the tents you listed but based on what I've read the weights of the tents are very comparable, but the Seedhouse appears to me to afford a bit more durability and weather protection than the other two.
optimator
02-23-2009, 13:58
I'm not a fan of one man tents myself. But the SL 1 is on sale for $187 here http://www.campsaver.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=bag0037
Cast Away
02-24-2009, 01:02
Thanks for all the advice. Heard some things that I needed to hear.
mtnkngxt
03-03-2009, 16:03
Personally I like the ULA Ohm and Tarptent SubliteSil. Planning on rocking this setup on my thru in 2011.
daddytwosticks
03-03-2009, 16:25
mtnkngxt...2011 is a long way away. If you are a gear-a-holic like many of us, you'll probably change your mind about 20 times before you leave Springer (or Katahdin). :)
skinewmexico
03-03-2009, 17:11
2011? No telling how many tents I will have gone thru by then. But one of them will be a Sublite; that tyvek would be perfect for where I live. And a new 2 and 4 person Tarptent are coming out in the next week or so, we I'll have to see what those look like.
Rickosovitch
04-03-2009, 15:46
The feature, or lack thereof, that I don't like about the Seedhouse is the lack of a vestibule. I got an MSR Hubba last year and I love it. Lots of room for wet gear under the vestibule, but not in with me. The least condensation of any tent I've used (The SD Clip Flashlight and Lightyear, Eureka Spitfire and TT Contrail). Please note, however, that my version of the Hubba has mostly mesh inner walls. The newer version with more fabric than mesh will probably not ventilate as well.
I'm really, really happy with both my Six Moon Designs packs.
I have both the Clip Flashlight and the Vapor trail. The Vapor trail is awesome but the Clip Flashlight not so much. It is cramped for 2 people and much too heavy for just one person. There are tents which are as much lighter and more spacious for not much more money.
If you do decide on the Vapor Trail, be certain you get a pack with a belt in your size. I needed a large to fit my torso and forgot to specify a medium waist belt. The large waist belt was way too big and it is a pain to swap it out...
Manventureoutpost.com has the BA Seedhouse SL1 for $161.28
FamilyGuy
04-03-2009, 21:53
The feature, or lack thereof, that I don't like about the Seedhouse is the lack of a vestibule. I got an MSR Hubba last year and I love it. Lots of room for wet gear under the vestibule, but not in with me. The least condensation of any tent I've used (The SD Clip Flashlight and Lightyear, Eureka Spitfire and TT Contrail). Please note, however, that my version of the Hubba has mostly mesh inner walls. The newer version with more fabric than mesh will probably not ventilate as well.
I'm really, really happy with both my Six Moon Designs packs.
The Big Agnes SL1 has a vestibule.
The MSR Hubba comes in two flavors - one with a mesh inner and one with a fabric inner for cooler conditions. MSR also produces the Carbon Reflex 1 which is essentially a Hubba that has a carbon fibre pole and is not freestanding (but about 1 pound less in weight). This model only has a mesh inner.
maxNcathy
04-03-2009, 22:16
Go with the 2 lightest as the gear you listed is all good quality.
Feral Bill
04-03-2009, 23:19
The new Clip Flashlights have a mesh body, different and lighter than the old ones. Used ones come up used pretty often if you are out to save a buck.
njkayaker
06-01-2009, 16:53
MSR also produces the Carbon Reflex 1 which is essentially a Hubba that has a carbon fibre pole and is not freestanding (but about 1 pound less in weight).
That's exactly what it is. For $449 too!
For $144, you can get CF replacement poles for the Hubba and save 6 oz.
http://www.fibraplex.com/tentpoles2B.asp
My Hubba weighs 3.5 lbs packed.
simplespirit
06-09-2009, 10:05
Another ULA vote. I've been using a Conduit but just replaced it with an Ohm after buying one for my gf and hearing her feedback. Also checkout the TarpTent Scarp models if you want doublewall.
mtnkngxt...2011 is a long way away. If you are a gear-a-holic like many of us, you'll probably change your mind about 20 times before you leave Springer (or Katahdin). :)
Amen and Amen Wife doesn't think I need one more thing, "you got enough stuff to hike from here to the moon" she's proably right but .... What's a working man to do...:banana
take-a-knee
06-09-2009, 12:47
Another ULA vote. I've been using a Conduit but just replaced it with an Ohm after buying one for my gf and hearing her feedback. Also checkout the TarpTent Scarp models if you want doublewall.
ULA Catalyst for me. Looking at a Circuit for the warm season. I had a GG Vapor Trail blow apart at a side seam awhile back. No more Granite Gear for me.
FamilyGuy
06-09-2009, 15:19
ULA Catalyst for me. Looking at a Circuit for the warm season. I had a GG Vapor Trail blow apart at a side seam awhile back. No more Granite Gear for me.
Funny - I had a side seam blow out on my Circuit and a top seam blow out on my Relay. I still have ULA products, but frankly, my Granite Gear products have been more reliable in the field. Go figure.
joelrash
07-19-2009, 23:07
Anyone with a long torso have experience with these brands? Trying to decide and it's looking like it comes down to fit, as always. Thanks.
Anyone with a long torso have experience with these brands? Trying to decide and it's looking like it comes down to fit, as always. Thanks.
I have a 23" torso and use Granite Gear Latitude Vapor large for backpacking and 2 GG Quetico portage packs for paddling with no complaints.