Tarptents?

**Miu** · 02-02-2007, 15:44

Are they effective in wind and rain? Do you have to buy the kind with a sewn in floor to protect against bugs and the elements?

**eric_plano** · 02-02-2007, 15:48

I've had my TarpTent Squall2 for about 2 years now and love it. I do have the sewn in floor so I can't comment on how the floorless versions handle.

With wind and rain it does help to pitch the backend of the tent into the wind.
Having said that I have never gotten wet, except for a little condensation

**rafe** · 02-02-2007, 15:52

I have a Tarptent Rainbow with just a bit of mileage under the hood. It handled itself beautifully on a rather windy night in early January on the MA mid-state trail. I've got the sewn-in floor. It seems well worth the extra 4 oz. (I expect the inside of my tent to be bug-free.)

**ric2hunt** · 02-02-2007, 16:08

I have the Rainbow and have used it in 10 degree weather and had no problems and plenty of room. I am 5'11" and it is great. Hard down pour and no leaks. No condensation problem. I have the sewn in bottom and the extra weight is well worth it.
My Marine nephew uses it on FTXs and has no problems. Set up is easy and all is good.

**Boat Drinks** · 02-02-2007, 16:48

I have the Double Rainbow. Big, light, easy, nice, no worries.

**Buckles** · 02-02-2007, 16:50

I have a Double Rainbow and a Squall 2. Both have sewn-in floors with bug mesh. I've never had flooding or bugs. I've been through some very extended t-storms with buckets of water raining down and high winds. Never an issue. The DR's clip-in liner feature is a great 2nd ceiling. Both are easy to set up and light. I'm very happy that I bought the DR. Now I've got extra headroom, as well as space inside for me and gear. Also, Henry's great at customer service.

**hawkeye** · 02-02-2007, 17:44

How small does the center pole brake down on the Rainbow?

**Marta** · 02-02-2007, 19:55

I definitely prefer the sewn-in floor. I got a Virga without it, then had the floor retrofitted--after I found a dried-up salamander in the foot pocket of my sleeping quilt. The other problems I had with the separate floor were sliding out of the tent when it was pitched on a slope, and having small things slip out under the netting and get lost in the leaves.

**rafe** · 02-02-2007, 20:01

Originally Posted by hawkeye

How small does the center pole brake down on the Rainbow?

I think it's about six or seven or eight segments of about 20" each. About the same as my old Eureka Gossamer... The tent has to go outside the pack, but on the GG packs that's simple and clean.

**stag3** · 02-02-2007, 23:05

Originally Posted by terrapin_too

I think it's about six or seven or eight segments of about 20" each. About the same as my old Eureka Gossamer... The tent has to go outside the pack, but on the GG packs that's simple and clean.

Why does the tent need to be onrhe outside of the pack?

Stag3

**rafe** · 02-02-2007, 23:07

Originally Posted by stag3

Why does the tent need to be onrhe outside of the pack?

It's kind of a long package, with the poles. That's all.

**Marta** · 02-03-2007, 07:23

I repackage my Tarptents (Virga if I'm out solo; Cloudburst if I'm with my husband or one of the kids) in normal stuff sacks so they can fit inside my pack. The pole(s) I store separately in the outside pocket, rubber banded to the stakes.

**littlelaurel59** · 02-03-2007, 09:09

Originally Posted by stag3

Why does the tent need to be onrhe outside of the pack?

Stag3

An advantage to carrying the tent outside the pack: On those nasty (frequent) rainy days, one can arrive at camp and set up shelter without opening up the pack to the elements.

**Lilred** · 02-03-2007, 09:41

Originally Posted by littlelaurel59

An advantage to carrying the tent outside the pack: On those nasty (frequent) rainy days, one can arrive at camp and set up shelter without opening up the pack to the elements.

Exactly. I have a ULA P-2 with two deep mesh pockets on both sides of it. I put my squall in one and my sleeping pad in the other. Works great. If it's raining, I just slip the tent out, without having to take off the pack cover.

**hopefulhiker** · 02-03-2007, 21:06

yes the Henry Shires Tarptent is effective in wind and rain.. I had the one with the floor on my thru hike and it protected me the night of the thousand bugs....

**trlhiker** · 02-05-2007, 20:52

I just recently found out that my trusted eureka solo tent weighs in at a heavy 4lbs 6 oz. I thougth that it weighed much less so if I get a decent amount of money back from my taxes, I will be going with a tarptent because of all the good reviews on Whiteblaze.

**gekko** · 02-09-2007, 15:45

Look into six moon designs, they've got some good ones as well

**jesse** · 02-09-2007, 16:22

If you want to save some $$$, make your own. I sewed a ray-way tarp this fall, and am happy with it. I have been out in some cold, rainy, and windy nights. No Problem. weight 15 oz. Soon I will sew a net tent that will keep the bugs off, that will add about 9 more oz. http://www.ray-way.com

**Bloodroot** · 02-10-2007, 02:27

I also got tarptent with sewn in floors.....real important to seam seal stiching though. Best tent I ever bought!

**Buckles** · 02-10-2007, 02:47

Seam-sealing your Tarptent is essential and easy. As for packing it, I take the apex pole out of my DR and store it inside my pack (unless it's wet).

Thread: Tarptents?

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Tarptents?

Posting Permissions