View Full Version : Gossamer Gear "The One"
Does anyone have any experience with this tarp tent? Planning on hiking the CDT in a couple years, and need a good lightweight shelter. I've looked at a bunch of tarp tents online, and this one seems to be the one that has all the features I want. Now I am hoping to hear and first hand knowledge on this shelter. Thanks
I've been using The One for a couple of years now, and it has become my go-to choice for most trips. Has held up well to some pretty strong winds, easy to set up once you get the hang of it. Might want to find a sheltered spot to pitch it when at elevation. They do recommend setting it with the large back wall into the wind. While it seems to shed the wind well, it isn't designed as an alpine tent.
Things I like:
1) Weight - can't beat it for full protection from weather and bugs
2) Great storm protection. Some questioned the design of the vestibule, bottom edge being about 10 inches above the ground. This hasn't been an issue at all for me. It's recommended to site The One so that the back wall is into the wind, this leaves the vestibule on the leeward side, so no real chance for blow-in. Allows for great ventilation. In a real blow, the back wall can be lowered right to the ground.
3) Extra tie-outs on the "back side" for high winds. Work well.
4) Plenty of room for one plus gear inside. Vestibule large enough to leave boots and water bottles etc. outside but still protected.
5) Easy, two finger adjustment of tension on the tie-outs.
6) Great ventilation if there is any breeze at all. Good vents up high, perimeter venting at the bottom, plus the entire front side is mesh, and thus a vent.
Things I don't like so much:
1) Roof steeply slopes to the head and foot end. While there is plenty of room for sitting up and moving around, having the roof slope down over your head brings it closer to your mouth, and thus your exhaled breath. On condensation prone nights, with no breeze, this can be an issue.
2) The same sloping roof causes the condensation to run down and, in my experience it drops off right above your face and ankles. Good thing about that is it wakes you up so you can wipe the inside down. :D
3) Floor is very slippery, needs some silicone applied to give you some purchase. This problem is common for ALL tents with a silnylon or similar floor.
Overall, on the vast majority of nights, the tent has offered stellar shelter. The less then stellar nights were when it was cold, steady rain, and virtually NO breeze. Those are pretty unusual nights. I've used it in light snow with no problems - may need one adjustment of tension during the night if you want a taught pitch in the AM.
I won't say it is a PERFECT solution, but it is very, very good considering the weight and full protection it offers. It shares some of the common single wall tent weaknesses, but minimizes them with great ventilation.
Hope this helps.
Helps a lot, thanks. Seems that all of the cons you have experienced are cons that most single wall tents have. I am willing to make those sacrifices for the weight though.
You think if when I mixed some silicon caulk with some mineral spirits to make the seam sealer for the tarp I could paint 2 or 3 one inch wide "racing stripes" down the length of the floor for traction?
Helps a lot, thanks. Seems that all of the cons you have experienced are cons that most single wall tents have. I am willing to make those sacrifices for the weight though.
You think if when I mixed some silicon caulk with some mineral spirits to make the seam sealer for the tarp I could paint 2 or 3 one inch wide "racing stripes" down the length of the floor for traction?
Should work. Probably don't even need to be that wide, just a few narrow squiggles should do it, start with a couple add more if needed - they will add some weight.
If you want cheap seam sealer, go to an auto parts store. Ask for Flowable Silicone Windshield Sealer. I got a 1 oz tube for something like $2. Had enough to seal The One and the roof seams of a Wild Oasis. No hassles with mixing. Get a narrow, disposable foam brush to apply it with. Works great.
Should work. Probably don't even need to be that wide, just a few narrow squiggles should do it, start with a couple add more if needed - they will add some weight.
If you want cheap seam sealer, go to an auto parts store. Ask for Flowable Silicone Windshield Sealer. I got a 1 oz tube for something like $2. Had enough to seal The One and the roof seams of a Wild Oasis. No hassles with mixing. Get a narrow, disposable foam brush to apply it with. Works great.
Hadn't heard of that stuff, will check it out. Thanks.
take-a-knee
10-26-2009, 10:44
Hadn't heard of that stuff, will check it out. Thanks.
Look for Permatex Flowable 100% Silicone Windshield Sealant, part # 81730. It does in fact work better than McNetts, IMO. Use a small flux brush as described. Cut the tip on the silicone tube small to start with.
garlic08
10-26-2009, 11:28
I haven't used The One, but I am a Gossamer Gear customer. I like the company and the products of theirs I've used. My one caution would be using Spinnaker cloth for the shelter. I know some like it, but I tried a pack made from it and it was not durable enough for me. In all fairness, it performed exactly as advertised. The company recommends using a ground cloth for The One, which I don't use for my silnylon shelter. At $295, it looks a little pricey, too. Compare it to Henry Shires' Contrail, if you haven't already.
A friend of mine attempted to use The One on an AT hike in a very wet season and it did not work out--she complained of too much misting through the spinnaker. But be sure to see this post for a conflicting report: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55281
SouthMark
10-26-2009, 12:35
I owned both The One and a Contrail. I finally sold my Contrail because I always used The One. The Contrail is a good tent but I just preferred The One. It has held up well. I used it for three weeks this summer in Maine where it rained almost every day and it performed perfectly including one night on the side of Sugarloaf in rain and 35-40 mph winds. No leaks, no rips, no tears.
I have a "The One". It came with 2 of the polycro groundsheets, which cost only $5 to replace. One polycro groundsheet will last a long time and weighs nothing.
It took me a while to figure out how to set the tent up properly. Once I got the hang of it, I really got the most out of it.
It's very spacious. I could sit up comfortably in a large area of the tent. I have also used a squall classic and there was only once tiny spot in the tent where I could sit up. Being able to sit up easily means it is easier to put your stuff away when there is condensation inside the tent. It's also easier to kill mosquitoes inside The One than other tents I've used. You can reach those corners where they like to hide easily.
I am pretty short, so your mileage my vary, but I can put my pack down at my feet and my other things above my head. This way I don't have to sleep too closely to the sloping roof.
I have found it to be a lot more durable that it seemed like it would be. I did tear it once when my dirty girl gaiter hook snagged on one of the overhanging "eaves" while I was setting it up. I was able to fix that with some stick-on rip-stop patches. I also set it up on top of a log by accident once and poked a small hole in the bottom. I massaged it and the hole mended itself.
The only thing not durable is the zipper. I had to replace the zipper after about 5 months of hiking days. But to be fair, another tent I borrowed while waiting for my zipper to be replaced also suffered zipper failure after a few weeks. I think GG might decide to put heavier zippers on in the future.
I think spinnaker is ideal fabric for a tent. I have a silnylon tarp and it sags greatly by morning. Not so with the spinnaker fabric. It may sag a little when wet, but not as much as silnylon.
So far everything sounds good. I have looked at the Contrail, and the weigh difference is too great. I know it is a lot of money for a few ounces, but I don't want to spend a hundred dollars here or there then wish I spent a little more for less weight. I figure I might as well bite the bullet once and just go for the lightest one I can find with price not being too much of an issue. That is how we all end up with gear closets. We slowly upgrade as we get the money and experience. I would rather jump straight to the high end and save a lot of money in the long run.
Appreciate all the responses so far. About the zipper issue, does anyone know what brand zipper they use? If it's YKK then I figure the zipper problems may not be too bad.
skinewmexico
10-26-2009, 20:22
If you paint dots on your floor instead of stripes, it's easier to sweep.
Dots!
Good tip. Learn something new every day here on WB.
have you looked at uisng the Spinnshelter and Bugnet instead of the One?
I would confirm this with GG, but I think The One is now made out of stronger, more durable, and slightly heavier Spinnaker EXP which is a slightly heavier fabric than The One used to be constructed of. Just like SilNylon comes in different wts. and versions for different applications so it is also with Cuben and Spinnaker.
have you looked at uisng the Spinnshelter and Bugnet instead of the One?
No, but I will look into that idea now. Thanks
I would confirm this with GG, but I think The One is now made out of stronger, more durable, and slightly heavier Spinnaker EXP which is a slightly heavier fabric than The One used to be constructed of. Just like SilNylon comes in different wts. and versions for different applications so it is also with Cuben and Spinnaker.
From what I could tell the specs on the website are for the 2009 version, and the total weight for it including everything from seam sealing to stakes is 25 oz. There's another thing to look into further.
Also, thanks for the dots instead of lines idea.
skinewmexico
10-27-2009, 01:43
Dots!
Good tip. Learn something new every day here on WB.
Wish it was an original idea. I think I stole it from Franco.
Dots...
Nothing new under the sun
At the time my wife was setting up an art gallery/shop for a remote Aboriginal community. So that inspired me to do the dot bit..
http://www.aboriginalartstore.com.au/aboriginal-art-culture/aboriginal-dot-paintings.php (http://www.aboriginalartstore.com.au/aboriginal-art-culture/aboriginal-dot-paintings.php)
(not this particular one...)
Franco
Don't lie. You were inspired by the polka dot themed clothing that is all the rage on fashion runways.
You know you live for couture. :)
I would also like to know about the usable length of this shelter for the tall person.
skinewmexico
10-27-2009, 12:12
Franco lives for tent couture.
Reply to mudhead:
Being 5'9", I have no personal experience, but I believe the designer Glen is over 6' - Seem to remember seeing that somewhere. The video for the 2008 model on their website shows Glen getting into The One, he appears to have plenty of room. It doesn't, however show him on a mattress with a sleeping bag, so you'd have to judge for yourself. Call 'em up and ask.
I saw a video of Glenn getting into a Spinnshelter. Someone in the video joked about needing some lube.
I would go with the One over the Spinnshelter. You get a complete tent. You'll be comfortable, warm, safe from bugs and dry.