Tents

[ciaran]

Hi all,

there was a fair amount of tent comparison going on, down in Gola. With so many tents on view, it was interesting to see that there weren\'t a lot of duplicates.

(There is an intro to Tents at http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... &Itemid=45 by the way)

For those who are considering getting into kayak camping, or upgrading their tents, would tent-owners take a minute to introduce their tents and why they bought them? Here\'s an example of what I had in mind...

Regards

Ciaran

Brand + Model: Bibler Pueblo
Size: 4-man, but used mainly for 2 people
Packed size : about 45cm x 15 cm x 30 cm (fits in round hatch, just)
Poles: 4, aluminium
Doors: 2
Free-standing: yes.
Pegs: 4, plus 2 for vestibule.
Pitching (fly first, inner first, other) : Other - single skin tent, poles inside the skin.
Storage porches: None, but zip-on vestibule available extra -worthwhile!
Cost: about $800 dollars in the US. No European distributor that I know of.
Comments: very spacious and airy - great space-to-packed-volume ratio. Very strong. Good waterproofing, but floor can get a little damp - I use a groundsheet too. Two sides open entirely as doors, which is nice in hot weather.

[tee]

Brand + Model: Vango TBS Micro 100
Size: 1 man (once used for 2 - don\'t ask, I wasn\'t there)
Season: 3/4
Packed size : 40 x 14 cm
Weight: 1.9kg
Max. headroom: 90cm
Poles: 1, aluminium
Doors: 1
Free-standing: no
Pegs: 14, minimum 8
Pitching : Fly first or as one - comes with an additional pole sleeve so can also use inner (600g) on it\'s own in warm weather.
Storage porches: Minimal - enough for food, a stove and a pair of boots.
Cost: EUR180 about 8 years ago. No longer manufactured, maybe available 2nd hand.

Comments:
Very small for anything other than sleeping however the addition of a tarp makes a huge difference. Even better, pitch a tarp between 2 similarly sized tents. I have 2 other 2-man tents but invariably use this with a tarp.
The fly on it\'s own makes a spacious shelter and the inner is easy to unclip so in the absence of a tarp, take down the inner for cooking/eating/socialising and clip back into place at bedtime.
Very good performance in high winds - even when completely flattened by severe gusts, it pops back up again
Very good waterproofing - never any problems with dampness through the tent floor
No longer manufactured but similar tents are made by Macpac and MSR
One-man ultralights are not for everyone, but all things considered, this is a a top piece of kit. It came at a top price but has proved to be excellent value and is still in PWO after years of use.

Pros: Small, light-weight, very quick to pitch with a little practice.
Cons: Small, miniscule storage, not free-standing, no longer available

[derek]

Vaude Hogan. Light, dry, idiot-proof

[EWAN]

North face tadpole. Very sturdy and very dry 2 man tent. A bit small for 2 MEN. Too much ventilation in windy Ireland, if there is only one occupant but that might balance out with two in it. Not much of a porch. Easy to put up but inside goes up first, so risk of getting wet in the rain.

[annhopkins]

like ewan, robin and i used a north face tadpole and i can tell you it\'s tight for two women also. but it seems sturdy and folds up very neatly. by the way ewan, apologies for calling you eoin (eoghan/owen) up to now. got a bum steer from robin! ))

[Maurice]

Hopefully Pic will follow. Maurice.
Nope! How bout you google Vango, Tents, Mountain Tents then Typhoon. That\'ll give you an idea. M.

Post edited by: maurice, at: 2009/09/18 21:00Post edited by: maurice, at: 2009/09/18 21:02

[ciaran]

Was certainly a sight to see, and to hear, the two of ye working on the baste in Gola. Good idea with the lubricant, Mo! I take it that it doesn\'t make the poles too slippy?

Note my careful avoidance of any intense double entendre.

C.