View Full Version : Any comments on this tent choice?
HockeyGirl
04-06-2011, 07:55
After buying 2 tarptents and not getting on with them very well - am now looking at a full tent and have stumbled onto this.
http://www.springfield-camping.co.uk/Tents/Backpacking+Tents/Wild+Country/Aspect+1/1789/pc
Any thoughts or possible experiences of it?
Liking height and weight - seems good usable space?
Wanted something we a bit more space to move around - they also do 2 person which I'm also considering?
http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Gear-Reviews/Search-Results/Tents/Wild-Country-Aspect-2-2010/
mweinstone
04-06-2011, 08:17
no way. it is as if someone wanted to pick a bad tent just to solicot comments. but im not sayin you didjust that its that classicaly bad. it dosnt miss a beat as far as keeping up with the most rejected designs and materials of history. this tent would be hard to use for the consumate professional. he or she would cowboy camp even if it was all set up tight in a prime spot with steaming tea inside and middel eastern soothing music. its a dew trap lead weight wind scoop fluke from a fluke seperating plant chosen from the flukyest of the fluky.
HockeyGirl
04-06-2011, 08:19
Ok, yes, it's not pretty :D
i was thinking more function than my trail cred!
mweinstone
04-06-2011, 08:25
it dont stand a chance in wind, rain, dew, fog, sun or dark. yes even dark will collapse this freak of nature. lol. sorry.
Tipi Walter
04-06-2011, 08:29
I looked at your Wild Country tent choice and noticed right off that the vestibule door will be a small hassle to keep open unless you unzip both sides and fling it over the top of the tent. Also, I could not find a single mention of interior sq footage, a very important number.
I'm not sure of UK tent availabilities, but here are two possibles:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xFEGZbYyL._SS400_.jpg
Heavier, of course. See at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face-Big-Frog-Tent/dp/B0036TRK96/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1302092060&sr=1-1
http://ec5.images-amazon.com/images/I/41u59JprT8L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Vango Tempest. See:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Tempest-Tent-Updated-2010/dp/B002ZDMLO8/ref=sr_1_40?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1302091880&sr=1-40
I'd study more of the Vango tents:http://www.vango.co.uk/tents/apex.html
It's odd, but Vango doesn't seem to want to list the most important number of all: interior sq footage.
Good luck.
stranger
04-06-2011, 09:57
For anyone who's been around the block a few times knows, Wild Country have been making bomb proof tents for many years now that have excellend in a variety of conditions.
However, if you are not using your tent at high altitude, with strong winds, and perhaps snow...I personally see them as overkill.
I agree with you on Tarptents...little to be desired in my view, there are better alternatives, with better construction, with more flexibility for the same money out there. However they still involve a single wall type of design in most circumstances. But you might want to check out Mountain Laurel Designs, Alpinlite Gear, Six Moon Designs and Lightheart Gear tents before dismissing the overall concept.
If you are looking at more of a standard double wall tent, for one person...then I would strongly recommend checking out the following:
- Big Agnes Copper Spur 1
- Big Agnes Fly Creek 1
- MSR Hubba
My two cents...
Chubbs4U
04-06-2011, 11:30
what tarptents do you have? Looking to get rid of them?
88BlueGT
04-06-2011, 12:11
^^ I am also interested in the TarpTents, let us know what you plan on doing with them!
Unfortunately, I do not have any suggestions, besides another TarpTent! lol
I'd consider Terra Nova (http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents) in addition to the rest that have been mentioned. They actually make one that looks almost identical to the one you linked to. They make good products from what I hear, and reasonably lightweight too.
Get a single HUBA - be done with it - you'll love it
stranger
04-06-2011, 22:09
I'd consider Terra Nova (http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents) in addition to the rest that have been mentioned. They actually make one that looks almost identical to the one you linked to. They make good products from what I hear, and reasonably lightweight too.
Good point, Terra Nova makes very, very light stuff...just be aware that in many circumstances they actually consider the tent disposable, meaning they often, not always, are designed to be the lightest they can be...as opposed to durable.
Saying that, often companies play this conservatively, so you can often extends the use of their products beyond the recommendations.
The design of the top guyout on the Wild Country tents make it look like they'd perform horribly in high winds. There are aspects of the design I like, and might love if the tent were revised slightly and in lighter materials.
Jeez matty, tell us what you really think.
What are the conditions in which the tent is to be used? Consideration to ventilation (amount and control) should be given as well as space, weight, etc.
I have a Hilleberg Akto, which is a wonderful cold weather tent for one person but the ventilation is dismal. With only a single small window no air can flow through the tent inner so on a hot night there is no option but to "sweat it out".
Shape is important to wind-worthiness and should be considered as well as the number of poles and how well they tension the canopy to shed wind.
HockeyGirl
04-07-2011, 08:29
Thanks for the replies and advice.
Tent I'm planning on using both here in the UK for backpacking and on the AT next year.
Just can't seem to find the one I fall in love with :(
Ideally want as lightweight as possible - have Rainbow Tarptent and love the weight and general usable space (especially so much height in the majority of the tent) but looking for something a little wider and an actual tent due to condensation driving me nuts.
Looked at some of the Vangos but they all seem so heavy esp after a TT.
Have been looking hard at the new hubba, like the overall idea but doesn't seem to offer any more space that the TT - would a hubba hubba be overkill?
Anyone out there use it as a 1 person tent?
Also, anyone comments of the differences between the hubba and hubba HP?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but in the UK I can't seem to find a local supplier where I can go try the tent, I have to order and pray!
Thanks :)
ekeverette
04-07-2011, 08:36
papa d. has it right on. have researched forever. hubba 1. the best tent you can get!
I'm not sure of UK tent availabilities, but here are two possibles:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xFEGZbYyL._SS400_.jpg
Heavier, of course. See at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face-Big-Frog-Tent/dp/B0036TRK96/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1302092060&sr=1-1
Good luck.
Is this like a European version of the TNF Big Fat Frog? The ones I see around here (U.S.) are all mesh.
It seems that some manufacturers make the same gear for other countries, but do it a little different.
Yep, Papa D gave good advice. I carried one on my 2009 thru and it was bombproof.
However, to cut weight I recently purchased a Six Moon Design Lunar Solo. Darn thing is roomier inside than the hubba hp.
Cheers!
mybackpackingblog
04-14-2011, 11:56
Uh....errr...Uhmmm...yeah...Don't do it...you won't be happy...
I have a contrail tarp tent to sell. bought it (2010) thinking to reduce my pack weight. but when i set it up in the backyard, i just could not see me liking it. i have a nice SD solo that works much better for me. wish i could keep the contrail but just won't use it. ANYONE INTERESTED? would sell for $150 or so.
dottie
p.s. i'm leaving to hike GA into NC tomorrow for a bit, so will check back later if any takers.