Six Moons Lunar Solo VS Tarptent Sublite

[mrhughes1982]

Any opinions here would be much appreciated


Lunar Solo link: http://sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36

Sublite link: http://tarptent.com/productsheets/sublite.pdf *requires Adobe Reader

[garlic08]

I've tried products from both companies and have had better customer service from Tarptent. I haven't tried either of these.

The Lunar Solo is a very popular shelter and looks well made from what I've seen.

If I needed to replace my Tarptent Contrail right now, I'd probably get the Sublite.

[mrhughes1982]

Thanks Garlic. I think I've been kinda leaning on the Sublite. It's lighter and cheaper too. I've heard a lot of good things about both these brands.

[Passion Hiker 73]

I have the sub-light. It's a great tent. Easy set-up with trek poles and lots room for you and your gear. I'm 6'6 and it works for me. And at a little over a pound and small pack weight it's a great value. Just my thoughts on the sub-light. PH73

[skinewmexico]

I had a LS, and it's a good tent. A little wider, but shorter than the Sublite. I haven't spent enough time in my Sublite to say anything bad about it, looks solid. The LS is good, has a bigger footprint for sure.

[Kerosene]

I have the original SMD Lunar Solo and have had very good luck with it, once I figured out how to use long Easton aluminum stakes to tie out the upper guylines. I'm 5' 9" and probably wouldn't recommend it for someone over 6' 3", as your head and feet would likely brush the tent walls. I've been considering the SubLite should I ever need to replace the Lunar Solo, but I'm more likely to try out a tarp/bivy setup which would be lighter and suitable for the cool-weather camping I typically do.

[Manwich]

I won't give up my SMD Lunar Solo for any other tent. The sheer space inside is unbeatable (I'm one of those newfangled morons who sleeps with their pack and everything inside the tent.)

[FamilyGuy]

I really like a drip free entry into a tent and a vestibule. For that reason alone, I would go for the LS. The Sublite really isn't big enough for a bunch of gear inside.

[brooklynkayak]

I'm one of those newfangled morons who sleeps with their pack and everything inside the tent.

You may change your mind soon if you backpack in NJ. The bears there have been know to rip holes in tents and steal food bags/packs from tents with their occupants inside.
The bears there are getting as bad as the one's in Yellowstone used to be. Some bears aren't so afraid of people and freely roam residential neighborhoods.

[Manwich]

I live in NJ and have spent 2 dozen nights sleeping in my tent in the kittatinnies, near pochuk and high point. Spare me.

[sparky2000]

I've had good experience with the 6 moon. I like the side entrance, the extra room, the easy set-up, the mini weight. About twenty nights in the tent with-out trouble or bugs.

[skinewmexico]

I should probably mention that I bought my Sublite mostly for bug protection and shade, since most of my hiking / backpacking is in high desert.

[garlic08]

I really like a drip free entry into a tent and a vestibule. For that reason alone, I would go for the LS.

That would be my one reservation, too. The Contrail works great in that regard, for another 7 oz and $20 or so.

[brooklynkayak]

I live in NJ and have spent 2 dozen nights sleeping in my tent in the kittatinnies, near pochuk and high point. Spare me.

I guess I should've made my comment as a PM. but I know many people who have had bear problems in that area. It's a bit like playing russian roulette. You may be able to do it 100 times, but it only takes once. It is more common than you may realize. It's getting to be like the national parks with bears in that area of the AT.

[Manwich]

I know of only 2 published cases where a bear trampled a tent, and if I remember correctly they were in PA.

A butterfly's fart will scare away Jersey Bears.

[FamilyGuy]

A butterfly's fart would scare me too!

[brooklynkayak]

A butterfly's fart will scare away Jersey Bears.

I agree they will run away if you get too close, but I have seen them get pretty gutsy at times and steal food within a hundred feet of people.

A hungry bear may not associate a tent with a person.

I've seen what bears have done in Harriman park. I've seen many tents ripped apart, with people nearby, but not in the tent. My cabin had it's door bashed in and ripped apart there and there were people nearby.

I've heard many stories of tents getting ripped open by bears in the NJ/NY area.

Stealth camping shouldn't be a problem, but camp in or near a popular site...

chaco taco used to keep his food in his tent:
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53036

[Manwich]

I hear a lot of stories about Bigfoot in NY too. Worry about yourself.

[dmax]

I wish I would have started this thread. It would have been between the wild oasis and the sublite.....So to stay on track,...Is the sublite sil worth the extra few dollars?

[skinewmexico]

Isn't the Wild Oasis just a Lunar Solo without a floor?