User Review: Outdoor Research NightHaven

Outdoor Research NightHaven
Above: The current NightHaven, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 3, 2007 by kleinkinstein

Rating:
Design: 4-season/full-coverage tarp, tarp-tent
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy pitch with logical staking, yet all sorts of options exist
Weight: 34 ounces
Price Paid: $130

I was a tent guy, but no longer. I considered the NightHaven and the MSR TwinPeaks, then found a great deal at www.ccoutdoorstore.com for $130 and am so glad I pulled the trigger. I've used tarps in the past, but they are a nightmare when the bugs are out. The NightHaven provides full protection (360-degrees) with 5 inches of tarp flaps that lie inside the shelter to shield out all bugs and creepy crawlies.

Super easy to pitch with two hiking poles, included web tie outs with buckles to adjust tension and more tie-outs that you could ever need (inside tie-out loops too for Storm of the Century pitching). In fair weather, you can stake and pitch with the walls elevated off the ground for full ventilation and increased head-room. Paired with a cut-to-size piece of Tyvek and you have yourself a fully protected shelter for just a tick over 2-pounds and it provides 56.5 sq.ft of shelter! Yes, you read that right...56.5 sq.ft....plenty of room for two plus all your gear.

The only downside is the bright blaze orange color, it would be more aesthetic if they had a loden green color option. Also the included stakes need upgrading, I repacked with a set of MSR Needle Stakes.

All-in-all, if can't go 100% tarp due to bugs, weather or psyche or are considering a tarptent (from SixMoons or Henry Shires), look at the NightHaven...at 34'ish ounces it's one of the very lightest and most versatile shelters on the market.