Ultralight Shelters Not Just About the Light Weight

This thread is for comments on the article "Ultralight Shelters Not Just About the Light Weight"

Shelter systems are pushing boundaries not just for weight, but for innovative and interesting designs. Many shelter systems weigh less than a bivy sack, but offer far more space and features. Here are a few highlights, fresh off the OR show floor, from Eagles Nest Outfitters, Easton, Sea to Summit, and Hyperlite Mountain ...

Full article at http://www.trailspace.com/blog/2011/08/05/ultra-light-shelters.html

The Easton Kilo looks like a nice shelter. Question for ya Seth, is it a 3 season or suitable for 4 season use? I will look into this a bit further. 

Wow shelters are getting light. 

I camped with a fellow last weekend that was using the Sea-To-Summit Solo from this article. He bought it heavily discounted under the condition that he must right a full review for a local outfitter. It was pretty cool looking; he had a wide (large) NeoAir pad and the pad pushed the sides of the tent out. I was very curious to see what his condensation would be (being that we were in the Smokies) with this single-wall tent. He left his side door open all night and still had some condensation on the top of the tent interior in the morning (although it wasn’t much). I maintain my opinion that single wall tents don’t belong in the Southern Appalachians.

Price check- above it list the Echo 2 as $220, but the Echo 1 as $495. Surely there's a typo in there somewhere. If not, I've got dibs on the Echo 2!

Single wall tents scare me as far as condensation goes. I have not had positive experiences with them in the past. I am still juggling the ID bivy(between the Wedge and Uni.) 

Being they are event models I am not as apprehensive towards them. I have time to sort it all out. Winter is still a few weeks away. ;)

Thanks for the article Seth.

I wonder just how far these design & material boundaries will be pushed? Time will tell I guess, very interesting products though. The Echo tents made by Hyperlite Mountain Gear are basically tarp tents aren't they? The weight is certainly appealing!

Patman Said:

"I maintain my opinion that single wall tents don’t belong in the Southern Appalachians."

My experience has been that double wall tents are easier to manage (condensation wise) in the SA's than the single wall tents I have used or stayed in. So I would agree to a great extent with the exception that some single wall designs do seem to have pretty good air flow and that there is an art to managing that. I am still hesitant to buy a nice single wall even though I would love to have one.

Trout,

Same here...they make so much sense for lightweight backpacking but I just can't bring myself to drop the money on another one after my first experience with a poor one....

The correct price on the Echo 2 is $595. I've updated the article accordingly. Sorry, Gonzan!

What is up with the hideous shades of green and yellow-green that tentmakes find so appealing? Is it just me? I see some really nice designs, but wouldn't think of buying one because the color is so awful.

My tent is tan and a maroon color, which I find rather soothing. The gold color that TNF uses is quite nice along with white and blue (my old Flashlight) but I have no interest in waking up inside something that looks like the glow in the dark windbreaker I wear when riding my bike so idiots in cars will actually realize I am in front of them.

Rick, I asked Easton's PR company about the suitability of the tent for 4 season use.  Thier answer is "The Kilo line is considered 3 season use with the ability to handle some snow loads. Because of its higher fabric thickness and waterproof coatings the Kilo line is better suited than other ultra-lights for the harsher weather."  

Hmmmm, we have a tendency to get dumped on here in SW Pa. My next purchase would be primarily utilized for winter. The nastier the conditions the more I want to be out in it.

I am also planning on doing some out of state trips as well. The more I search the more the ID bivies are becoming appealing to me.  :)

I've had mixed results with single walled tents and condensation issues. My first single walled tent was a Bibler Impotent, one of the first ones he made with aluminum poles. Todd was still using Goretex then. In winter, there was always some frost that would form, but relatively little. I also have a 5 X 7 Baker tent in coated nylon. Because of the shape and the openess of the design, I have not had any condensation issues. Having good airflow in any single walled tent is a must, IMHO. This is especially important in a coated material, but can also be important in breathable fabrics. Even in my Exped Venus double walled tent, condensation can be an issue, as it forms on the underside of the fly and can then drip down on the tent material and come through.

Love the lightweight,  Just need to rob a bank first.

Tom Dsaid:

"What is up with the hideous shades of green and yellow-green that tentmakes find so appealing? Is it just me? I see some really nice designs, but wouldn't think of buying one because the color is so awful.

My tent is tan and a maroon color, which I find rather soothing. The gold color that TNF uses is quite nice along with white and blue (my old Flashlight) but I have no interest in waking up inside something that looks like the glow in the dark windbreaker I wear when riding my bike so idiots in cars will actually realize I am in front of them."

I would guess it has to due with the absorbation of light.  I've had tents that would turn into a sauna just after the sun came up.   The yellow's that are used in the old line of Garuda's, and Bibler uses now does not heat up till much later in the day and allowes one to languish in the morning if one wishes as well as not heating up during the day as darker tents will.  My very first tent the TNF Oval intention had a deep dark blue rainfly.  I was once stuck in Lake Tahoe for 5 or 6 days due to heavy rains on a Motorcycle trip.  Being that I was poor at the time I spent all the time in the tent.  By the end of the  of my extended tent stay I was depressed, ready to be done with the trip.   When the sun came out I realized that it was the color of the tent that made me depressed.  I find waking up in the morning in my yellow tents refreshing.  Personal preferance.   In fact I'm leaving in a few min for a trip and will be taking one of my yellow two man shelters with me.  This does not take into account the even tent designers can, quite often, have really bad taste.

apeman said:

I would guess it has to due with the absorbation of light.  I've had tents that would turn into a sauna just after the sun came up.   

 I think that is one of the reasons I am so fond of my BA in warm weather. It doesn't suck up the sun like a sponge.

Ever notice that about 90% of hiking pants are black ?

I stumbled upon some Scholler Dry-Skin pants in tan and lt. gray.   Bought three pairs.

A(n) "Eureka Moment".

"Oh, Happy Day" -- by the Edwin Hawkins Singers

                                                    ~r2~

Robert Rowe said:

Ever notice that about 90% of hiking pants are black ?

I stumbled upon some Scholler Dry-Skin pants in tan and lt. gray.   Bought three pairs.

A(n) "Eureka Moment".

"Oh, Happy Day" -- by the Edwin Hawkins Singers

                                                    ~r2~

 90% are black? I must be an oddball. All of mine are green or khaki.

I guess (?) it's a regionally specific thing.

Just about every outdoor store I visit is overwhelmingly stocked with black hiking pants.

It's like I'm in a Harley-Davidson apparel shop.

In my usual calm and polite manner, I have mentioned the issue to the management / sales teams.   THEY are the ones that control stocking-orders.

                                                  ~r2~

Please sign in to reply