lightweight tents

[trilathon]

sadly my 15yr old Saunders jestpacker is getting a bit worn out after many cyclo camping trips, fell races and the like and I 'm looking to replace it.

These modern lightweight tents such as the Terra Nova Laser seem very attractive, but what is the longevity of the materials like and how rugged are they please ?

The website advise ;
Note: Due to the super light nature of the material used in the tents construction we are unable to factory seal the seams, in a conventional method. However they are positioned and sewn in a way that minimises water penetration and it’s possible to add further protection yourself, with seam sealer, to fully waterproof the tent. A free black pole cover (tied on) is also supplied with the Laser tents to fully waterproof the main seam, add stability, protect the zip and add extra protection to the most exposed part of the tent to UV damage.

I'm musing on whether to stick with the super quality that I've experienced from Saunders and go for their Spacepacker or be tempted to carry a kilo less weight and gamble on a lightweight Laser

Thanks for any replies

[tinyman]

I have had a couple of conversations with people who have backed up my experience with Terra Nova lightweight tents. They are pretty good and reliable (within the limitations of their lightweight construction which are always going to create compromises) but need a lot of careful attention afterwards. This means making sure that they are totally dry before storage - and I mean totally dry, and storing them in a place that is cool, dry and out of the sun.
I recognise that this is the recommended way to store all tents - but it seems that lightweight Terra Nova's need you to be particularly careful if you want them to work and you want them to last - I was less than scrupulous and it's an expensive lesson!

[Graeme]

Depends how light you want, I have just bought a Macpac minaret, and although not the lightest it is robust and comfortble andf compact to carry

[zephr]

If you're looking for lightweight and 1 person ish, it might be worth looking at the Vaude Power Tokee. or if £££ arent an option, maybe the Hilleberg Akto?

[trilathon]

thanks for those ideas...all very good tents....but no quite perfect for me....criteria i desire

need 95cm headroom to sit nr reasonable porch to cook

green colour (unobtrusive for wild camping )

under 2kg ( hopefully 1.7kg ish )

long life expectancy, good workmanship, weatherproof

not a mesh only inner

My it's difficult to satisfy these hardly demanding criteria....any ideas please ?

may end up just buying the same old tent design nearly 20 yrs on !

[zephr]

95cm headroom? 1kgm just over. Vaude Power Lizard UL. might be a mesh only inner though

http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de...ucts/102654000

or slightly larger, only 1.7kg, with 105 headroom
http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de...ucts/107674000

[andygib1982]

sadly my 15yr old Saunders jestpacker is getting a bit worn out after many cyclo camping trips, fell races and the like and I 'm looking to replace it.

These modern lightweight tents such as the Terra Nova Laser seem very attractive, but what is the longevity of the materials like and how rugged are they please ?

The website advise ;
Note: Due to the super light nature of the material used in the tents construction we are unable to factory seal the seams, in a conventional method. However they are positioned and sewn in a way that minimises water penetration and it’s possible to add further protection yourself, with seam sealer, to fully waterproof the tent. A free black pole cover (tied on) is also supplied with the Laser tents to fully waterproof the main seam, add stability, protect the zip and add extra protection to the most exposed part of the tent to UV damage.

I'm musing on whether to stick with the super quality that I've experienced from Saunders and go for their Spacepacker or be tempted to carry a kilo less weight and gamble on a lightweight Laser

Thanks for any replies

Try this link its to the adventure show (only shwon in Scotland) they test a load of light weight tents in Highlands

http://www.tripleecho.co.uk/Triple_E...and_tents.html

[matthew]

Blacks have some really good deals on Vaude tents at the minute. Picked up a Campo Arc 2 (spacious 2person tunnel wighing in at 2.2kg) for 115 reduced from 200.

[trilathon]

thanks alot for those...the Vaude power lizard looks just the ticket....great stuff

[jhb0510]

I really like what the Cottage industry supplying ultrlight hikers in the States have to offer. I have a Tarptent Squall http://www.tarptent.com/ which is great. It is worth also checking out the offerings from http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/, and http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/. http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx offer cheaper, heavier more readily available offerings. If you are feeling really flush and don't want to notice you are actually carrying a tent, the Zpacks Hexamid and Hexamid Duo http://www.zpacks.com/ might be for you!