Okay I'm still trying work this out. I can't get the text in between the pics.
So I'm going to put all the text bits in here at the start and if I work it out edit it later
Will try and do it in order of pics. Please note: all tent weights are everything tent includes EXCEPT pegs and hiking poles if set up requires it. (i.e suffsacks etc except for SMD for which I have no stuffsack).
Weights were done on my scale immediately after striking tents on the day.
Tent peg numbers are what I consider the minimum you need and recommended tent peg number if included is the minimum I would recommend.
Please note: It was windy and all tents were pitched loosely and quickly with minimum pegs for these photos.
I would do a better job before sleeping in any of them.
Tent peg pic. Left to right.
7gm titanium peg (came with Sidewinder stove) Light but minimal grip, bendable.
8gm Titanium peg - as above.
10gm Big Agnes peg. 10gms includes string. My favourite peg.
12gm Aluminium peg. Good holding performance. Bend resistant.
11gm Hard anodised peg. As above.
10gm solid aluminium peg. I got a lot of these with the cheap tent. Only a small "hook" but a solid somewhat thin peg. I like them as spares.
15gm round aluminium peg. Okay but I find round pegs turn too easily.
42gm aluminum sand peg. Don't laugh. Good to carry one for windward side on sandy pitches. Leave trowel home and carry with tp to justify weight.
45gm steel peg. Useful around the house.
Two pics of all the tents setup out the front.
Three pics of Henry Shires Rainshadow 2 Tarptent.
Weight: 1.156kg Minimum pegs 6.
Requires 1 hiking pole. Recommend 2 hiking poles.
One vestibule but some room at foot end.
Not at all freestanding.
This was one of two tarptents IM and I started AT with in 2013.
Huge tent. Room for at least 3. Two of us and packs etc easy fit.
I feel it is a 2 and a half season tent. Too airy for the cold weather (I was forced to almost spoon with IM - not something I care to remember). Didn't cope well with strong winds in the Smokeys and tore a side strap. I replaced with the Copper Spur 2 shortly after.
Two pics of Henry Shires Double Rainbow Tarptent.
Weight 1.105kg. Minimum pegs 6 but can be "freestanding" with two hiking poles, although vestibules hang loose. Useful for mosquito protection in a shelter etc.
Two side vestibules.
The other tent we started AT with. IM used it all the way. Great tent. Good value and roomy (we both fitted alright but packs filled vestibules). IM kept pack inside with him when alone. If not one of the best available tarptent of it's size, definitely a yardstick to judge others by.
Two pics of Six Moons Design Tarptent (Lunar Solo? someone?)
Weight: 771gms (no stuffsack) Minimum 6 pegs but 8 or 9 recommended.
1 hiking pole required.
One vestibule. Definitely not freestanding.
This was gifted to me by another hiker recently and I haven't tried it (but have some plans) so limits what I can say.
Bit small for my needs but shorter people would suit. The wind affected my pic with my poor pitch but I see the need for 8 or 9 pegs to hold tent out to maximise interior space. I see that as some erosion of it's low weight but I must say that it appears that it would be very robust for wind from 3 directions if properly pegged.
Three pics of Big Agnes Copper Spur 2.
Weight 1.445kg. Minimum pegs 4.
Two side vestibules. Freestanding inner. Fly can be freestanding with vestibules draped.
MY tent! Love it. Absolute luxury for one. Comfortable for two but vestibules a bit small for full packs. On Annie and my Cape to Cape I wrapped our packs in my tarp/poncho to keep them dry instead.
This tent is essentially identical to MSR Hubba Hubba. It's pricey but worth it. I have the footprint but don't carry it anymore. Use a bit of tyvek instead.
Two pics of Big Agnes Fly Creek 3 (followed by a shot of both BA tents)
Weight: 1.392kg Minimum pegs 5, 7 recommended.
Freestanding inner and outer but vestibule (One) drapes when freestanding.
New addition to our range. From seeing them on AT and my experience with Copper Spur I would recommend smaller Fly Creek 2 as the best solo full featured tent for a thruhike. This one is a great tent with considerably more room than the CS 2. Many complain about the end vestibule instead of two side ones but I see no problem with it. I prefer it in fact. Next hike with Annie, I can leave the tarp/poncho home.
Three pics of a Denali Zephyr One tent.
Weight 1.552kg. Minimum Pegs 6.
One vestibule. Not freestanding.
Despite it's new look, the oldest tent here. It gets used little. May sell it.
It is a typical cheap(ish) hiking tent as sold by local commercial outfitters geared more for car camping.
Very small and cramped for weight (and hence more prone to condensation).
But it's a tough little tent and I did my first solo tenting on the Bib in it. Could probably save over 100gms by ditching the stuffsacks (3).
Love the little pegs that came with it.
Any queries or comments feel free to make.
Happy to get intoargume discussion on any of it.
So I'm going to put all the text bits in here at the start and if I work it out edit it later
Will try and do it in order of pics. Please note: all tent weights are everything tent includes EXCEPT pegs and hiking poles if set up requires it. (i.e suffsacks etc except for SMD for which I have no stuffsack).
Weights were done on my scale immediately after striking tents on the day.
Tent peg numbers are what I consider the minimum you need and recommended tent peg number if included is the minimum I would recommend.
Please note: It was windy and all tents were pitched loosely and quickly with minimum pegs for these photos.
I would do a better job before sleeping in any of them.
Tent peg pic. Left to right.
7gm titanium peg (came with Sidewinder stove) Light but minimal grip, bendable.
8gm Titanium peg - as above.
10gm Big Agnes peg. 10gms includes string. My favourite peg.
12gm Aluminium peg. Good holding performance. Bend resistant.
11gm Hard anodised peg. As above.
10gm solid aluminium peg. I got a lot of these with the cheap tent. Only a small "hook" but a solid somewhat thin peg. I like them as spares.
15gm round aluminium peg. Okay but I find round pegs turn too easily.
42gm aluminum sand peg. Don't laugh. Good to carry one for windward side on sandy pitches. Leave trowel home and carry with tp to justify weight.
45gm steel peg. Useful around the house.
Two pics of all the tents setup out the front.
Three pics of Henry Shires Rainshadow 2 Tarptent.
Weight: 1.156kg Minimum pegs 6.
Requires 1 hiking pole. Recommend 2 hiking poles.
One vestibule but some room at foot end.
Not at all freestanding.
This was one of two tarptents IM and I started AT with in 2013.
Huge tent. Room for at least 3. Two of us and packs etc easy fit.
I feel it is a 2 and a half season tent. Too airy for the cold weather (I was forced to almost spoon with IM - not something I care to remember). Didn't cope well with strong winds in the Smokeys and tore a side strap. I replaced with the Copper Spur 2 shortly after.
Two pics of Henry Shires Double Rainbow Tarptent.
Weight 1.105kg. Minimum pegs 6 but can be "freestanding" with two hiking poles, although vestibules hang loose. Useful for mosquito protection in a shelter etc.
Two side vestibules.
The other tent we started AT with. IM used it all the way. Great tent. Good value and roomy (we both fitted alright but packs filled vestibules). IM kept pack inside with him when alone. If not one of the best available tarptent of it's size, definitely a yardstick to judge others by.
Two pics of Six Moons Design Tarptent (Lunar Solo? someone?)
Weight: 771gms (no stuffsack) Minimum 6 pegs but 8 or 9 recommended.
1 hiking pole required.
One vestibule. Definitely not freestanding.
This was gifted to me by another hiker recently and I haven't tried it (but have some plans) so limits what I can say.
Bit small for my needs but shorter people would suit. The wind affected my pic with my poor pitch but I see the need for 8 or 9 pegs to hold tent out to maximise interior space. I see that as some erosion of it's low weight but I must say that it appears that it would be very robust for wind from 3 directions if properly pegged.
Three pics of Big Agnes Copper Spur 2.
Weight 1.445kg. Minimum pegs 4.
Two side vestibules. Freestanding inner. Fly can be freestanding with vestibules draped.
MY tent! Love it. Absolute luxury for one. Comfortable for two but vestibules a bit small for full packs. On Annie and my Cape to Cape I wrapped our packs in my tarp/poncho to keep them dry instead.
This tent is essentially identical to MSR Hubba Hubba. It's pricey but worth it. I have the footprint but don't carry it anymore. Use a bit of tyvek instead.
Two pics of Big Agnes Fly Creek 3 (followed by a shot of both BA tents)
Weight: 1.392kg Minimum pegs 5, 7 recommended.
Freestanding inner and outer but vestibule (One) drapes when freestanding.
New addition to our range. From seeing them on AT and my experience with Copper Spur I would recommend smaller Fly Creek 2 as the best solo full featured tent for a thruhike. This one is a great tent with considerably more room than the CS 2. Many complain about the end vestibule instead of two side ones but I see no problem with it. I prefer it in fact. Next hike with Annie, I can leave the tarp/poncho home.
Three pics of a Denali Zephyr One tent.
Weight 1.552kg. Minimum Pegs 6.
One vestibule. Not freestanding.
Despite it's new look, the oldest tent here. It gets used little. May sell it.
It is a typical cheap(ish) hiking tent as sold by local commercial outfitters geared more for car camping.
Very small and cramped for weight (and hence more prone to condensation).
But it's a tough little tent and I did my first solo tenting on the Bib in it. Could probably save over 100gms by ditching the stuffsacks (3).
Love the little pegs that came with it.
Any queries or comments feel free to make.
Happy to get into
Resident Australian, proving being a grumpy old man is not just an American trait.
The post was edited 3 times, last by OzJacko ().