UL freestanding tent

[Goosefruit]

Was looking at the sea to summit specialist solo but if there are any other suggestions id love to hear feedback. Also realized that my thermarest neoair Xtherm wouldnt fit in the footbox of the specialist solo. I don't use poles so they would just be a burden to carry just for a lighter tent.

[Venchka]

The floor appears to be rectangular. Where are the dimensions? Why won't your Xtherm fit?
Is this tent freestanding? Henry Shires sells poles for his tents.
Who sells the S 2 S shelters?
Freestanding and UL are usually mutually exclusive. The new versions of the MSR Carbon Reflex tents are not freestanding.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Goosefruit]

[length] 84 in, [width at head] 26 in, [width at feet] 11 in, [widest point] 36 in. The toe box is too thin. yes its freestanding its 22 oz so that's light enough for me.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Have you looked at the Tarptent rainbow? It isn't technically freestanding, but does not require hiking poles to setup, it comes with the needed poles and just needs to be staked out properly.


https://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html

[Vegan Packer]

There is a new thread about a new freestanding option for the ZPacks Duplex. You may want to check that out.

[Venchka]

[length] 84 in, [width at head] 26 in, [width at feet] 11 in, [widest point] 36 in. The toe box is too thin. yes its freestanding its 22 oz so that's light enough for me.

The Xtherm regular will fit. My Xtherm large would probably fit.
Buy the tent. If the Xtherm doesn't fit, return the tent. No harm. No foul.
TarpTent has several options.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Franco]

Goosefrut,
I think that you are a bit confused by the terminology because there are different versions of "freestanding" but the S2S Specialist does not come close to any of them.
Basically the term refers to a shelter that keeps its shape without being secured to the ground with stakes (and or guylines and stakes)
Can't do that with the S2S, so what do you mean by "freestanding" ?

[Franco]

This is what it looks like with a 20"x66" mat inside :
S2S Specialist std mat.jpg

[geraldooka]

Nearly freestanding options include the Flycreek UL 1 and essentially a side door version the Hornet 1p. I currently use the Hornet 1p and did a brief overview of this tent here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tGAiMKfcWI

While the foot end requires stakes I have had to use it without them as have friends with their Flycreek's its not ideal but it works when necessary.

-Michael

[DuneElliot]

How about the BA Copper Spur UL1? That's free-standing and while not as ultra-light as some at 2lbs 8oz packed weight (fly, body, stakes, guylines etc) it does have a side entry door. I've heard some really good things about this tent from various thru-hikers.

As others have mentioned, if you have the cash to spend, the ZPacks Duplex offers a free-standing option but it ain't cheap.

[nsherry61]

This is what it looks like with a 20"x66" mat inside :
S2S Specialist std mat.jpg

Quick question. Why would someone buy a tent this small and tight to save a couple oz and then carry an extra plush pad so big it doesn't fit?

[poolskaterx]

Even though this is a recent opinion i have made, maybe 1.5 years now: I have come to believe that "freestanding tents" for most purposes are over-rated (obviously there are 4 season tents that have their place). Every time I had a "freestanding" backpack sized tent (and I have had 3 different ones) I always stake it out any how, if not to just to get the extra room, but to stabilize for storms. Lightwieght "freestanding tents" don't do well in storms if not staked and guy-lined properly. Ok, so I really liked a few of my freestanding tents but I get WAY more room at less than 1/2 the weight with the same set up time with my solo-plus.
just my .02

[show me the monkey]

[length] 84 in, [width at head] 26 in, [width at feet] 11 in, [widest point] 36 in. The toe box is too thin. yes its freestanding its 22 oz so that's light enough for me.

I have the sea to summit specialist solo, and it is NOT free standing by any means.
Yes, the foot box is small, but not a problem if you keep your feet in your bag/quilt. The price is another story all together, but I bought mine used.

[geraldooka]

I have both semi freestanding and a Tarptent Moment I also have earmarked to try a 6 stake UL trekking pole based tent. There are really pros and cons to any style shelter. With the Hornet it only weighs 29.5oz there are few double wall tents in this weight class and none that are semi free standing. Here are some things I really like about it:

1. I can set up the inner in pleasant weather easily.
2. I can ignore the foot end stakes if needed.
3. I can move the whole shelter (whilst still up) into the warm morning sun easily to dry off.
4. Even staked it still only needs up to 4 (my Moment only needs 2!)
5. When your exhausted and its getting dark and you barely have enough energy left to boil water, eat and go to sleep its SO nice not having to figure out how to stake out a shelter on a crappy surface. I've done the searching for rocks thing with the Moment (and thats only 2 stakes) while watching my buds finish setting up their Flycreeks and boil water by the time I'm done just pitching my shelter, it sucks.

I'm sure there's more as I'm sure there are pros for other types of shelters as well. The UL shelter I am considering is a Trekkertent Stealth 1 at approx 23oz with stakes I'd save about 6oz which would be one of its pros! I sure don't look forward to pitching it on the conditions I mentioned above though with a 6 stakes mandatory

-Michael