Tarptent

[3oz]

Has anyone tried any of the tarptent models? I'm thinking of getting one. Here's there website: http://www.tarptent.com/

[stranger]

I ordered a Squall back in December and after setting it up I realized a Cloudburst might serve me better, I exchanged it for a Cloudburst. The reason for this was that we have very constant and high wind here in NZ, and the Squall walls collapsed a little too easy in my opinion. The Cloudburst is more robust, not much more...but gets the job done.

I have the sewn in floor, and it provides "decent" protection from the elements. If your tentsite collects water and starts to puddle you will have to get creative to raise the edge of the floor off the ground to avoid the water. Trekking poles, sticks, small stones and leaves work well for this.

All in all I am pretty happy with the design, however I understand the limitations of ultra-light designs, and I would definitely recommend any model by them. Email Henry before ordering cause he has been changing some designs lately. I would also like to say that the customer service is great at Tarptent...good people.

[Rain Man]

All in all I am pretty happy with the design, however I understand the limitations of ultra-light designs, and I would definitely recommend any model by them. Email Henry before ordering cause he has been changing some designs lately. I would also like to say that the customer service is great at Tarptent...good people.

I'll agree that they give great customer service. Henry volunteered to send me a Cloudburst loaner after seeing a question I posted about tarptents and the rainy Southeastern USA. I didn't get to take it on the trail, but did set it up in my backyard and slept in it last December.

I thought it was LIGHT, and great... but I'd have to get used to the openness of it, but could. I'd also definitely get one with a sewn-in floor, if it were me.

But why not ask Henry if he has a loaner in the model you are thinking of buying? That's how good his customer service is. Would I buy one? Yes.

Rain Man

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[tlbj6142]

My current plan is to purchase a RainShadow (http://www.tarptent.com/tt3.html) for myself and 2 young children. At 41 oz (2# 9oz) it has to be one of the lightest 3 person shelters on the market. And it is just a bit more expensive than a large silnylon tarp (10'x12') plus some sort of bug insert for three. As I plan to use the shelter with my young children I don't expect it to be exposed to anything more than a bit of rain.

Used in the conditions for which they are designed (non-mountaineering 3-season, little to no snow), I have heard nothing but good comments about TarpTents.

You might want to check out Six Moon Design's Europa II (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=25)as an alternative lightweight 2-person tent.