War of the 2-Person Ultralight Tent/Shelters (Tarptent wins?)

I'll be purchasing a tent soon for an AT thru-hike. I want enough space for 2 people, a bathtub floor, and protection from bugs.

I'm considering these tents:
Tarptent Cloudburst 2: 36oz $250
Tarptent Squall 2: 34oz $225

Any other suggestions?

Check out Six Moon Designs:

- Gatwood Cape
- Wild Oasis
- Lunar Solo

All great shelters with unique features.

Disregard the previous post. I just saw you need room for 2. In that case, how about the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo?

http://warmlite.com/tentinfo.htm

You didn't mention price. Depends upon what you think 37 oz is worth (the 2X) with LOTS of room for two. Only compromise is the cost...and well, the foot print.

You can also build your own tarptent and save a few $$.

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent/index.html#anchor2885712

Thanks for the info! Price is important to me, I'd like to keep it under $300. Also, making a tent is out of the question due to time constraints.

I did the trail in 04 with a tarp. When the bugs came out I used a bug nest from golite under the tarp or all by itself. I spent many nights in my bug net. If I did the trail again I would use the tarp to save weight untill Harpers Ferry then switch to a tarptent Squal because it is so roomy and it would keep out the bugs. I was squished in my little bug-net but it did have it's advantages--- You can pitch it all by itself on clear nights to get a bug-free view of the stars. When you know your going to get a nasty storm you can use it in a shelter if it's not to crowded.

This is cross-posted to Back-crapper. I apologise for any redundancy, although I believe it is minimal. It really summarizes my train of thought here:

I will be buying a shelter for thu-hiking the AT soon. I need to have room for 2, bug protection, a bathtub floor, and a small price tag ($300).

I am thinking about getting a Cloudburst 2 or a Double Rainbow from Henry Shires. I also have an interest in the Six Moons Designs Lunar Duo (tip of the hat to Sponge).

Can anyone with Tarptent/Six Moon Designs experience please comment on the durability of these tents?

If these tents are not durable, my mindframe becomes: is saving a pound or two really worth it?

Does anyone have other suggestions for a tent that might weigh a pound or two more yet is more durable (and still meets my criteria). I was thinking Sierra Designs Lightning (let the flaming begin) which is on sale for $170 compared to the tarptents at $250.

All of the tents above have similar floor space. The Lunar Duo puts the others to shame with it's 24ft^2 of vestibule space. The Double Rainbow can be pitched in a free standing configuration. The Lightning weighs ~1.5 lb more than the other tents but it's also at least $70 cheaper and is freestanding.

Someone help me think this through because I'm at a loss here!

A tarptent will last a thru-hike no problem. Saving a pound or two is definitly worth it!!! Also, remember that you'll be on the trail for 5 months, $250 is very cheep rent for 5 months.

When are you starting and what direction are you going?

I'll be heading North in the late spring 2008. I can't pin the date down exactly for several reasons. Hopefully not too late!

You cannot go wrong with either the TarpTent or the Lunar Duo. For side-to-side comparisons of some models goto Backpacking Light.(You might have to become a member) In bug season I use a homemade tarptent, but switch to just a tarp in August. (My favotite solo shelter is the Gatewood Cape from SMD appropriately named after Grandma Gatewood!) For tarp without netting goto thru hiker .com and look for the review of the A-16 Bug bivy. Remeber, too, you will also have the option of shelters. You might think you will never stay in a shelter, but eventually you will. They can be very welcoming. Although not a thru-hiker, I have section hiked more than 800 miles on the AT. Hiking mainly in August and the fall, I find bugs are not an issue. So. when you reach New England in August, ditch the netting.

Golite Hex- Mate- we get bugs in Oz too!. these things are so versitile i bought 5! Pick up the bug net at HF?

I've used the following shelters a fair amount: the defunct MtHardweare "Batwing," the MSR "Twin Peaks," the GoLight "Hex," a simple, rectangular tarp and also the Integral Designs "SilShelter."

My current preference is the Hex at 3 pounds. I've never used the similar Black Diamond Megamid, but it's lighter, and signicantly larger, and I suspect may be better in some respects than the Hex.

The SilShelter only weighs a pound, but is perhaps too small.

I'd want a zippered, full coverage door in any tarp shelter. The "Batwing has mosquito netting in lieu of door, and also hanging around the edges. In a heavy rain it's unpleasantly wet.

The Golite Hut and Trig models and Outdoor Research's Night Haven are probably very good and worth considering, and I think have insect netting.

Pitched to the ground with full door, a tarp shelter does provide adequate mosquito protection, or nearly adequate, even without netting.

Full-blown tents have certain obvious advantages and disadvantages over tarp shelters. I own a couple at present, but don't use them much. Not sure what I'd want to use for five straight months, but roomy and light are probably among top criteria.

In an unabashed moment of self promoting I do have a brand new CloudBurst up in the For Sale forum for $150...pretty good savings!

Go with the Double Rainbow, over the Cloudburst!
Although I liked my original Cloudburst(especially it's lengthy floorspace), it was it's length that was a pain, as it needed a lot of real estate to set up.
Also, there is a lot more usable headroom, plus another door/vesibule in the Double Rainbow, allowing you to cook in the leeward vestibule set-up, in nasty weather. Floor space is fine for someone 6'2"

Dusty

Personally, I don't understand fascination with Shirer tents. Given my experience with MtHardwear "batwing" I believe the original Shirer concept is faulty.

"Personally, I don't understand fascination with Shirer tents. Given my experience with MtHardwear "batwing" I believe the original Shirer concept is faulty."
Have you looked at the new designs?

Thanks to everyone for your input!

Right now the Lunar Duo is my first choice, with the Big Sky Evolution 2P and the Double Rainbow coming in closely behind.

The determining factors were usable interior space and vestibule space (esp for cooking in bad weather). The Lunar Duo clearly has the advatage in both of those categories.

In addition, I did a bit of reading on the storm-worthiness of these shelters. The reviews conflict a bit and it's obvious that the ridge of the LD would catch alot of wind but I think it'll work out.

I'll be waiting a couple more months to see what new tents we will have for 2008. According to HS, he will have some new products within a month or two. Black Diamond has their new UL tents on the way, MSR, and so on. If nothing blows my mind, it looks like it'll be the Cadillac of 3 season shelters: the SMD-LD.

Thanks again to Sponge for the original suggestion of the LD. And also, thanks to rambler for suggesting Backpacking Light, I'm hooked(bought an online membership).