Best Personal Shelter for a Thru!?

[ParkRat09]

So I am battling between several different shelters to bring with me on my thru-hike next March. I have a OR bivvy that is obviously super small but very lightweight @ 16oz, Sea-to-Summit's new ultralight shelter called the specialist Solo (http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/161) which is super light but maybe not as waterproof as some, a Tarptent, Lightheart Solo, etc...What have thru-hikers taken and how often do you stay in a tent vs an AT shelter? Btw I count my ounces!!

[Spokes]

I carried an MSR Hubba HP solo on my thru. It was bombproof. Since then I've switched to a Six Moon Design Lunar Solo. I swear it has more room inside than the Hubba.....

[Don H]

I used a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, 23 oz., uses 1 trekking pole.
Good points: Light, quick and easy to set up, no tent pole to carry, wind resistant, kept me dry, stuffs easy (no struts attached to the tent).
Bad points: Large footprint, not freestanding (although that was never a problem).

I also own a TT Rainbow.
Good points: Small footprint, lots of head room, free standing (with trekking poles)
Bad points: Need to carry poles, has a roof strut which needs to be removed if you want to stuff it, not as light as other tents (34 oz.).

[ParkRat09]

I used a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, 23 oz., uses 1 trekking pole.
Good points: Light, quick and easy to set up, no tent pole to carry, wind resistant, kept me dry, stuffs easy (no struts attached to the tent).
Bad points: Large footprint, not freestanding (although that was never a problem).

I also own a TT Rainbow.
Good points: Small footprint, lots of head room, free standing (with trekking poles)
Bad points: Need to carry poles, has a roof strut which needs to be removed if you want to stuff it, not as light as other tents (34 oz.).

Yea 34oz would be way to heavy for me but I'll def look into the SMD tent since there's alreay been 2 recommendations for it. How much is the Lunar Solo? Did you get it seam sealed?

[Spokes]

I've always seam sealed all my tents myself. Sprinkle some talc powder on the seam after it dries.

[leaftye]

A cuben fiber SMD Skyscape X costs $20 more, is much bigger inside, and weighs very slightly less. The height is a big factor for me.

The Specialist has a very low roof, and I'm not sure I could deal with it.

Long term, silnylon will probably last longer, partially because it can be recoated to regain water resistance. Short term, cuben fiber is easier to fix, especially in poor weather since it just tapes a strip of duct tape.

[Papa D]

With care and practice this is a great ultra-light shelter - - it also goes up fast in the rain:

www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/LunarSolo.html (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/LunarSolo.html)

This tent is a mainstay for a lot of long distance hikers - setting up in the rain is a little tricky and
it's more of an "outdoor industry" tent but still a good company and certainly a solid bet - I've got this
a few of these and it's cousin, the non- free standing MSR Carbon Reflex:

Here is the carbon reflex:

cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/carbon-reflex-1/product

Here is the basic Hubba - it's very basic - you probably can't go wrong with it

cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/hubba/product

I'd recommend any of the three depending on who you are, your experience, how you like to hike, your expectations, budget etc. to
an aspiring thru-hiker

[10-K]

How tall are you and what size are you? Do you want a vestibule to cook under in the rain or store wet gear? Do you want a freestanding tent?

Lots to consider when selecting a tent.

[swjohnsey]

Another option, the Big Agnes Fly Creek 1, under two pounds, almost free standing, very popular on the trail.

[RED-DOG]

I used a Mormot EOS 1 Person very light and its also free standing.

[moldy]

Expect a wide variety of answers. Here is my advice: March, April, May. Expect full shelters and heavier rains. To stay dry and get some sleep you need a tent. June, July, August. You wil sleep in shelters for the most part so a light weight tarp or better yet a light tent with bug screen will be fine for those days you can't make it to a shelter or it's full. At some point you will swap out your heavy clothing and sleeping bag anyway, swap your tent.

[LIhikers]

While I haven't thru hiked the AT, I use a Rainbow from Tarptent.
I like the fact that it's got tons of room. For me that off-sets the fact that it's not the lightest option.

[jakedatc]

that is TINY for what it costs.. 14 sq ft?? no wonder Sea to summit won't even put the dimensions on their site lol 1000 mmHg is not that waterproof either.. you'll probably get misted in a heavy rain. there is also not a lot of mesh so it will be a condensation maker.. or a steam oven in the summer.

Lightheart solo in Cuben 18-20oz handmade 30sq feet of floor.

[Old Hiker]

Lightheart SoLong 6 if you are tall:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?86824-LightHeart-Gear-SoLong-6-First-Impressions

otherwise:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/3-million-luxury-camper-40-mobile-mansion-220233175.html

[Sandy of PA]

I am very happy with my Z-Packs Hexamid. 1 pound with extended beak, lines and stakes, groundsheet inside. Just add one trekking pole.

[Feral Bill]

A basic 8x10 tarp plus a bug net works as well. Use the money you save elsewhere.

[ParkRat09]

I am very happy with my Z-Packs Hexamid. 1 pound with extended beak, lines and stakes, groundsheet inside. Just add one trekking pole.

Expensive but def looks awesome. What exactly does all the stuff you mentioned mean? Extended beak? Groundsheet inside?

[ParkRat09]

How tall are you and what size are you? Do you want a vestibule to cook under in the rain or store wet gear? Do you want a freestanding tent?

Lots to consider when selecting a tent.

6 feet tall, 160lbs so not very big...yes to vestibule for sure. Don't necessarily care about freestanding but I suppose it would be nice. Any recommendations?

[ParkRat09]

With care and practice this is a great ultra-light shelter - - it also goes up fast in the rain:

www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/LunarSolo.html (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/LunarSolo.html)

This tent is a mainstay for a lot of long distance hikers - setting up in the rain is a little tricky and
it's more of an "outdoor industry" tent but still a good company and certainly a solid bet - I've got this
a few of these and it's cousin, the non- free standing MSR Carbon Reflex:

Here is the carbon reflex:

cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/carbon-reflex-1/product

Here is the basic Hubba - it's very basic - you probably can't go wrong with it

cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/hubba/product

I'd recommend any of the three depending on who you are, your experience, how you like to hike, your expectations, budget etc. to
an aspiring thru-hiker

Can you use with a fixed trekking pole length? How sturdy is it in wind and stuff? I've heard a lot of ppl recommend this tent so seems legit

[leaftye]

Expensive but def looks awesome. What exactly does all the stuff you mentioned mean? Extended beak? Groundsheet inside?

Extended beak is like a vestibule. The original versions had the roof stop at the door. Basically it meant if you stored you shoes outside in the rain, they'd get wet, but that's not the case now with the extended beak.

This tent doesn't have a floor. It's all netting. You can use a groundsheet or removable bathtub floor. Some people put it inside, which is a better way to do it when it's raining. I prefer to keep my groundsheet outside and under the netting when the weather is nice because it keeps the netting clean.

[louisb]

Hammock

--louis

[Odd Man Out]

Extended beak is like a vestibule. The original versions had the roof stop at the door. Basically it meant if you stored you shoes outside in the rain, they'd get wet, but that's not the case now with the extended beak.

This tent doesn't have a floor. It's all netting. You can use a groundsheet or removable bathtub floor. Some people put it inside, which is a better way to do it when it's raining. I prefer to keep my groundsheet outside and under the netting when the weather is nice because it keeps the netting clean.

I'm looking at the hexamid solo plus to get extra room. Do you find the solo is adequate? I especially concerned about wind-driven rain around the perimeter. Thought the solo plus would give a bit more protection. Also, how much do you use/need the beak?

[Sandy of PA]

I am a short person, 5ft. 3in. My Hexamid is the solo with a soloplus groundsheet. Taller people using a fat mattress, should look at the new long version. Camped on the side of a hill my bag will sometimes touch the roof at the end. I use the beak for privacy. I leave it open only if I find a good stealth site. The groundsheet goes inside the net, rain runs down the netting to the ground under the sheet. It really works, I got standing water inside my bearicade, that was outside, all dry inside. I now make sure the bearcan is upside down!

[drbone]

I was surprised to only see one 'Hammock' response. We are leaving Oct to start Georgia in October (section due to dad gum jobs) and are both using Hennessys. Also, anyone know where the map is with the campsites marked? Saw it once and can't find it now. Don't mind staying close to shelters, but want a bit more flexibility.

[rgardn12]

I am not sure if you've seen the Marmot Home Alone but its a cross between a bivy and a tent. weighs in a 28oz and uses 2 TINY poles but is NOT freestanding. $250

http://marmot.com/products/home_alone_bivy

The only other options I'd suggest if you wanted a "bug-free" tarp style tent that is SUPER light is either the Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tarps/WildOasis.html) $175 or a TarpTent Sublite $200 (http://www.tarptent.com/sublite.html)

These are some of the options I've been considering for my long section hikes this next spring... I am leaning mostly toward the Home Alone because of it's weight and compact size. Unfortunately with solo shelters like this bad weather days could be very cramped.

[leaftye]

I'm looking at the hexamid solo plus to get extra room. Do you find the solo is adequate? I especially concerned about wind-driven rain around the perimeter. Thought the solo plus would give a bit more protection. Also, how much do you use/need the beak?

Sandy added a good point of information. I'll do likewise.

I'm 69-70". With a foam pad, there's plenty of sleeping room. With a 2.5 inch thick air mattress, there's noticeably less space above the head and feet. Still enough, but close enough that you have to be careful if there's condensation if you're using a thick puffy hat like a Rayway bomber hat or down balaclava. I have only used it with a quilt, so I cannot say if there might be touching with a sleeping bag. I've only used it in the rain once unless you could a mild sprinkle. Wind driven rain wasn't a problem after I got my groundsheet pinned down, but that was a little challenging to do with a wispy light polycryo (window film) ground sheet. It'd be much easier with a tyvek groundsheet or thick cuben fiber bathtub floor. Actually, rain didn't blow in. I was just having issues getting me groundsheet to stop blowing around...an acceptable tradeoff for the weight savings of a window film ground sheet. I've already covered sleeping room, but I'll expand. I find that there's enough room for me to kneel and fill my piss bottle, although I'll get my head and back wet sometimes, usually because I have to kneel straight up to avoid cramps. So there's room, but I need to remember to wipe the ceiling first. The room around the edges of the pad is what I really find impressive. I sleep with the pad next to the pole. Next to the door I put my drinking and piss bottles. Removed clothing usually goes next to my feet so I don't have to smell it all night. Next to me goes my pack. I've even put a Dana Designs Astralplane there and slept comfortably, and that's among the biggest commercial packs ever made. So yeah, there's plenty of room inside.

I'd only opt for the Solo Plus if I wanted extra head room. It appears to have a peak height 4 inches taller. The extra space in the other dimensions would be wasted on me.

I don't have the beak, but would love to have it. I'll either get my Hexamid modified at some point, or replace it with the beaked version. Some people prefer the beaked version for privacy and wind protection, but I just want a vestibule to keep my shoes dry. Joe used to sell an optional door cover that was basically a triangle that would go inside the tent between the door and pole, so that gave me privacy, but I don't find it worth carrying for that.

[neonshaw]

I had a Lunar Solo but there was too much condensation on the inside, particularly in a rain storm.

I have since went with a REI Quarterdome, great tent, a bit heavier but has the fly which is what i was looking for

[Don H]

Yea 34oz would be way to heavy for me but I'll def look into the SMD tent since there's alreay been 2 recommendations for it. How much is the Lunar Solo? Did you get it seam sealed?

Packrat09, sorry for the delay in answering but I was on the AT using mu Lunar Solo.

I seam seal all my tents. Tarptent has a video on their site on how to do it. One thing I use to make it super easy is one of those small plastic bottles with a brush tip on the nozzle that are used to seal tile grout with, they sell them at Home Depot. Put some of the thinned seam sealer (I use Coleman fuel to thin 100% silicon caulk, clear) in it and just paint over the threads.

In the past SMD has had a sale in Feb. for seconds/returned tents. They are repaired and sold at a discount. I got mine for $185 and can't tell what was wrong with it, if anything was.

[Don H]

Can you use with a fixed trekking pole length? How sturdy is it in wind and stuff? I've heard a lot of ppl recommend this tent so seems legit

I've had mine in some pretty high winds with no problem. You should try to pitch the back side (opposite the door) in to the wind.
I use adjustable poles but SMD sells a 49" pole if you need it. My guess is a fixed pole should be 47" to 50" long to work well.

[ParkRat09]

Packrat09, sorry for the delay in answering but I was on the AT using mu Lunar Solo.

I seam seal all my tents. Tarptent has a video on their site on how to do it. One thing I use to make it super easy is one of those small plastic bottles with a brush tip on the nozzle that are used to seal tile grout with, they sell them at Home Depot. Put some of the thinned seam sealer (I use Coleman fuel to thin 100% silicon caulk, clear) in it and just paint over the threads.

In the past SMD has had a sale in Feb. for seconds/returned tents. They are repaired and sold at a discount. I got mine for $185 and can't tell what was wrong with it, if anything was.

Ok good to know thanks...can you still use trekking poles for set up if they are a fixed length? I will be using Black Diamond carbon Z-Poles on my thru

[leaftye]

Ok good to know thanks...can you still use trekking poles for set up if they are a fixed length? I will be using Black Diamond carbon Z-Poles on my thru

The Luner Solo appears to call for a 49" pole. It can be fixed length. SMD even sells fixed length poles for their tents. Since your trekking poles will not be exactly 49", you might have a slightly shorter pitch, or need to prop your pole up with a rock or bark, or use an extension, or angle it out if your pole is longer than 49".

[Different Socks]

Nobody suggested a tarptent? I thought those were good tents.

[elkie-girl]

I swear by Sixmoon Gatewood Cape and used it in winter weather in mountains, but I also came to a conclusion that a dedicated shelter such as Lunar Duo might be a better (or maybe equal) option. I wish my Cape coverd a little a foot more as I am tall :)

[Drybones]

Nobody suggested a tarptent? I thought those were good tents.

The TT Notch would be my choice, used one this spring and dont see how I could improve on it. It came to me weighing 26 oz, after converting to 8" stakes and seam sealing the total weight including sack and a few extras is 28 oz. My best nights sleeping were in heavy thunderstorms, kept me dry. I also have the TT Double Rainbow which works good for two. I saw more Tarptent shelters on the AT this spring than any other shelter, didn't hear anyone complaining.

[Drybones]

I had a Lunar Solo but there was too much condensation on the inside, particularly in a rain storm.

I have since went with a REI Quarterdome, great tent, a bit heavier but has the fly which is what i was looking for

A word of caution on the REI Quarterdome, I bought one at an REI scratch and dent sale, it was like new except it had a broken pole and a hole in the rain fly where the pole had ripped it. I repaired the rip and replaced the pole. Some time later I was setting the tent up in the back yard and broke another pole. The poles are very thin to reduce weight, and fragile. At 6'1" the tent is too small for me, head and foot touch and both shoulders are into the sides. It does sleep very warm, due to being small, which means it also has a lot of condensate, the worst of any of my tents. An okay tent for smaller people and short trips.

[Don H]

I made a pole for my SMD Lunar Solo from an old fiberglass tent pole for when I don't take hiking poles. It is 49" long.
In addition to using my Solo on a thru-hike and several section hikes I use it every month while camping with my Scout troop so it's had lots of use.

[Zipper]

I adore adore adore my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. Did I mention adore? It has a ton of room, sets up fast and is ultra wind-resistant, in my opinion. I bought the one with the sturdier floor and never used a ground sheet. I've slept in it in downpours with the front fly open and stayed dry - and if it's raining sideways I close everything up and turn over and go to sleep. I felt cozy and fabulous in that tent on my thru hike, and loved that I had a view in good weather and that I could sit up in it so comfortably. I'm 5'6"; it may be a bit of a tighter squeeze if you're very tall. I managed to set the tent up once on a platform too in the Whites - a little challenging but doable. My tent is four years old and aside from a little hole in the bottom where some fire ants cut their way in (not on the AT!) which I repaired with duct tape, it's pretty much still in fabulous condition.

Good luck with your decision!

[Rasty]

I love my Tarptent Double Rainbow but would get a Notch if I was going solo for more than a couple of weeks.

[Deacon]

I'm looking at the hexamid solo plus to get extra room. Do you find the solo is adequate? I especially concerned about wind-driven rain around the perimeter. Thought the solo plus would give a bit more protection. Also, how much do you use/need the beak?

I'll follow up on Leaftye's comments. I just bought a Solo Plus. I set it up in the backyard last Saturday, and the forecast called for rain that night. Indeed it did, all night. I also bought the full twin cuben bathtub groundsheet.

I experimented with different pole heights, between 48" and the recommended 52". At the full 52", the cuben material was about 6" off the ground. You have to make sure the netting isn't pushed out beyond the edge where the cuben stops. If that happens then the groundsheet can also get pushed from under the tent and you can get some runoff on top of the groundsheet. I had this happen in one corner. Properly positioned the tub stays bone dry.

In a hard driving rain, the pole can be shortened to bring the edge of the tent closer to the ground.

I could stand up inside the tent, hunched over to put on/take off my pants. I use a large 26" x 77" Exped air mat. It fits fine inside but to blow it up, your head is against the side of the tent. Of course usually it won't be raining and you can blow it up mat running out the door.

Laying on the 2.8" pad, a good 10" to the tent surface above my head and feet. Lots of room there.

Suprisingly, with a heavy rain, there was some slight misting through the cuben. Even so, by morning I was completely dry.

I have the beak. Kept it down all night and my shoes stayed dry outside the door.

The Zpacks groundsheet is nice as it can stay permanently attached, even when you shake out the tent the next morning.


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[ParkRat09]

Well looks like that SMD Lunar Solo might be my tent...looks awesome on the website along with about 20 recommendations on here. I'll still take more tho!

[Jim Adams]

10' x x10' silnylon tarp=16oz. Can be set up to stay dry in ANY storm.

Hubba is bomb proof EVERY night if tenting.

BTW, if 34oz. is too heavy for a shelter then just stay home...you won't be comfortable or have fun.

geek

[Tinker]

I'll follow up on Leaftye's comments. I just bought a Solo Plus. I set it up in the backyard last Saturday, and the forecast called for rain that night. Indeed it did, all night. I also bought the full twin cuben bathtub groundsheet.

I experimented with different pole heights, between 48" and the recommended 52". At the full 52", the cuben material was about 6" off the ground. You have to make sure the netting isn't pushed out beyond the edge where the cuben stops. If that happens then the groundsheet can also get pushed from under the tent and you can get some runoff on top of the groundsheet. I had this happen in one corner. Properly positioned the tub stays bone dry.

In a hard driving rain, the pole can be shortened to bring the edge of the tent closer to the ground.

I could stand up inside the tent, hunched over to put on/take off my pants. I use a large 26" x 77" Exped air mat. It fits fine inside but to blow it up, your head is against the side of the tent. Of course usually it won't be raining and you can blow it up mat running out the door.

Laying on the 2.8" pad, a good 10" to the tent surface above my head and feet. Lots of room there.

Suprisingly, with a heavy rain, there was some slight misting through the cuben. Even so, by morning I was completely dry.

I have the beak. Kept it down all night and my shoes stayed dry outside the door.

The Zpacks groundsheet is nice as it can stay permanently attached, even when you shake out the tent the next morning.


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*********
Suprisingly, with a heavy rain, there was some slight misting through the cuben. Even so, by morning I was completely dry.

Are you sure it was misting, or is it possible that condensation from your breathing/body moisture was getting knocked off the inside of the tarp by the rain? This is common to all shelters in humid, rainy conditions. I've even had it happen under a rectangular coated tarp on earlier hikes. Hammocking, with more space between the tarp and the ground, seems to minimize this to where I'm never aware of condensation when the temps are above freezing (unless there's fog, of course).

I was under the impression that cuben was 100% waterproof unless it was punctured.

[English Stu]

I have experience on the AT with a Go-lite Cave tarp, TarpTent Moment and a TarpTent Contrail. Of those the Moment is the better setup but the heaviest. The Moment has good headroom and less floor area than a tarp so it is easier to find a suitable tent/stealth space; it also has good cover against bugs and critters. I have modified my Moment so the whole front can be zipped open to get more of a tarp experience when weather permits. I used the Contrail as I had used it in the Sierras on the same trip to the US, it is also good but a bit more limiting with the front access. Tarping is good but there are bugs to consider and adding a bug net and floor nearly adds up to a tent and takes longer to set up than the Moment.

Having said all that the Tarp Tent Notch looks the business to me.

[Barbarosa]

I had been using SMD gatewood cape for a couple years but wanted something bigger and made from cuben. Switched this year to MLD's cuben duomid and use the Z packs cuben bathtub floor with it. It's huge inside, very well made, and is very simple and quick to pitch. Did great in foul weather on my last section. For me, the perfect shelter.

[Zipper]

I do want to point out that with a single wall tent you will sometimes get a lot of condensation. I had a down sleeping bag and it was no problem, but I usually put my rainjacket around the foot of the sleeping bag if it looked like it was going to be a wet night. I also wiped down the inside with my bandana and rang it out (wrang it out?) when needed. I was careful to avoid camping in open fields and other places where condensation would be high, usually. Sometimes sleeping on a beach in Maine was worth the condensation in the morning - so pretty!

[Zipper]

Wiped down the inside of my tent - not the sleeping bag, lol!

[Deacon]

*********
Suprisingly, with a heavy rain, there was some slight misting through the cuben. Even so, by morning I was completely dry.

Are you sure it was misting, or is it possible that condensation from your breathing/body moisture was getting knocked off the inside of the tarp by the rain? This is common to all shelters in humid, rainy conditions. I've even had it happen under a rectangular coated tarp on earlier hikes. Hammocking, with more space between the tarp and the ground, seems to minimize this to where I'm never aware of condensation when the temps are above freezing (unless there's fog, of course).

I was under the impression that cuben was 100% waterproof unless it was punctured.

No I am not sure it was misting. It may very well have been condensation getting knocked off by pelting rain. As I think about it, that makes more sense.


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