MH Phantom 32 and TT Cloudburst - good combination

[greginmi]

I'm looking to lighten my load and want some feedback on how water proof/resistant a sleeping bag you need with a TT Cloudburst?

I'm concerned about the amount of mesh around the perimeter of the tent. Does the Cloudburst take on any rain/mist when it rains with any substantial wind?

I'm looking at the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 on sale at Campmor.com for $190. Is the shell on this bag good enough to do the job?

Thanks.

Regards,
GregInMI

[Johnny Thunder]

I used a Phantom 15 and TT Rainbow for the majority of my hike. It worked very well except I'm not fully satisfied with the lining on the bag. Try one out before you order.

[bigcranky]

My wife had a Phantom 32, the original model. We've used several Tarptents. You don't have to worry about rain coming in the sides, but in *really* heavy rain storms you may get some misting through the fabric. That's unusual, but it has happened to me. Once. In six years of using Tarptents. Wasn't a big deal.

The Phantom is a nice bag. Does it still have a half-length zipper? She didn't like that opn her Phantom and traded it.

[garlic08]

I used a TT Contrail and a MH Phantom 45 during the summer on my AT thru, in some wet conditions ('08, not as wet as '09 though from what I hear). Ditto all the above about the shelter, and the bag was just fine.

If you're new to a single wall shelter, you'll have a learning curve about pitching it well. Not only the mechanics of getting it tight for a dewy night, but also site selection. The silnylon floor is more porous than coated nylon so you need to choose more carefully for drainage. Try to stay out of low areas near water where dew forms more often--opt for a dry breezy ridge, for instance.

[300winmag]

Phantom 32... not fer me. I took mine back to REI W/O using it because it had very little loft.

Then I spent $100. more on a WM Megalite and found it was good to 25 F., not the advertised 32 F. Ya (often) gets what ya pays for.

[stranger]

Cloudburst has excellent beaks for coverage and the sides extend down for heavy rain/splashing, etc...

A great trick with the Cloudburst is to carry 4 small loops of bungy cord to slip onto the poles before placing them in the grommets, then guy, stretch and stake the loops. This will result in a much better pitch.

[greginmi]

Cloudburst has excellent beaks for coverage and the sides extend down for heavy rain/splashing, etc...

A great trick with the Cloudburst is to carry 4 small loops of bungy cord to slip onto the poles before placing them in the grommets, then guy, stretch and stake the loops. This will result in a much better pitch.

Thanks for the tip. I just picked up this bag/tent combination with a Neoair over Christmas. Just looking at this tent in my basement, I can see I'll need to practice pitching a Cloudburst before heading out on my 1st hike with it.

Regards,
Greg

[Franco]

Greg
I posted this before and it annoys the crap out of some, but...
Take a very good look at the photos on the TT site. If your Cloudburst does not look like that, something is wrong.
Aim for a wrinkle free as possible floor and fly.
BTW, this is true for any tent.
Franco