Ferrino Lightent 1 Review

[Greenie]

I have been given the Ferrino Lightent 1, a one man tent. I was given it for free of charge by Rico of Adventure Friends (http://www.adventurefriends.com.au) for the purpose of test and a review for bushwalk.com forum members, I am under no obligation nor do I have any affiliation to or with this Company or Rico. http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=8236

It weights 1596 grams, which was just one gram lighter than my Exped Vela 1 mesh tent (with no pegs). The weight minus the repair kit, pegs, plus extra titanium pegs that Rico added as a nice little bonus!, is 1461 grams. The weight is advertised is 1370 grams at its maximum weight.



I quite like the stuff sack that it comes with it. There is a pouch on the outside for poles and pegs.



I have only put the tent up once in my backyard. It didn't take too long to put up following the instructions that are on the inside of the stuff stack. The only part that caused slight confusion was working out was the front and back poles, as they are different lengths. The poles are different colours. They slide through a sleeve with one end going into a ring.





There are plenty of tie down points. You would have add a few more pegs to use all of them.
Inside there are two pockets for nick nacks. Compared to my Vela 1, I did find it smaller inside, but at no time did I feel claustrophobic.
There are ventilaton points at both ends of the tent. My Vela 1 only has one, and I have never had any issues with condensation. I need to take the tent out in the field to really test this.







The vestibule is quite small. My 80 litre WE breakout pack was touching the sides when under the fly. You would struggle if you were so inclined to cook under it.





The tub floor felt very thin, I am not sure what it rated to, this is another thing I need to test.

From what I seen of it so far I would say it a very good value tent for it price, which is $155. In conclusion , a good 3 season tent for someone that is just starting bushwalking or has a limited budget.



More soon..

[John Sheridan]

I have been looking for a light tent to start off my camping, I was thinking zpacks, but i wanted to buy one from Australia and something light but decent and cheapish for a first tent, this one seems nice, not sure if it's the lightest single person tent you can get in Australia, but I have been looking and yet to find any decent ones that come close, let me know if I am missing any


Cheers for the review.

/PS Would their be any way to reduce the weight of the tent, the 1461 grams and advertised is 1370 grams is a little worrying, how did they get that so wrong ??

Also this is an out and out lie to call this an Ultralight tent, an Ultralight tent is 500 grams or less, also how do you get the 1.25kg minimum weight with this tent ???

Cheers.

[JohnM]

Who's called it an ultralight tent?

[John Sheridan]

Ferrino does, or http://adventurefriends.com.au, in their tent section you have to click on Ultralight to get to their tents section, not makeing it up.

http://adventurefriends.com.au/ferrino-lightent-1/

Cheers.

[JohnM]

Ah.
Well it doesn't matter really. Anyone who's buying ultralight gear is probably going to take the trouble to check the weights of prospective purchases. Most likely down to the last micro-gram.

As an aside, I find it a bit interesting that One Planet supports this site with paid advertising (and actually manufactures their gear in Australia) but hardly ever rates a mention on the forum. But an importer hands out a few freebies to members, and he's super-visible on here.

Clever strategy I guess.

[walkinTas]

an Ultralight tent is 500 grams or less

That depend entirely on your definition of tent. IMO, if you can't pitch it, and it doesn't have a floor, or the only thing it keeps out are bugs, then it hardly qualifies as a "tent". Still, comparing similar tents, there are lighter offerings available, so the next thing to consider is quality, durability and where & when you'll be camping (climate/season/weather), etc.

[John Sheridan]

The zpacks tent and many other ultralight tents has a floor,bug netting door and everything a tent should have all for 475 grams or so, and if the ferrrino is Ultralight at 1.4 kg what is the zpacks at 475 grams :O

Cheers.

[ILUVSWTAS]

what is the zpacks at 475 grams :O

Cheers.

Dangerous to your well being.

[JohnM]

The zpacks tent and many other ultralight tents has a floor,bug netting door and everything a tent should have all for 475 grams or so, and if the ferrrino is Ultralight at 1.4 kg what is the zpacks at 475 grams :O

Cheers.

I've got a Z-packs tent, but really... It's a completely different beast to a real tent. The floor is 100% mesh, and really it's a tarp with a mesh bug-bag inside.

Good in many conditions but dangerous and (I can attest) uncomfortable in others. In tough Oz scrub and alpine areas its not really in it's element. But that's ok... It's a good excuse to own several shelters.

Ultralight makes a lot of sense, but comfort is about more than shaving grams. Of course if you're only into getting the lightest possible pack for it's own sake, then weight is everything. But if you're going for the most comfortable overall hiking experience then other elements also come into play. And if you're on any kind of budget, durability should also be factored in.

[walkinTas]

In tough Oz scrub and alpine areas its not really in it's element. But that's ok... It's a good excuse to own several shelters.

That's the whole point. If you are crossing a desert, or camping on the equator, or a rock climber shelf camping, or camping above the snow line, or camping in summer in the Aussie bush, you choose a tent that is suitable for the intended use. No one buys a tent just because it is 475grms. So when you compare tents you probably should compare features that are suitable for your intended use. Weight is not always the most important.

[etrangere]

Ah.
Well it doesn't matter really. Anyone who's buying ultralight gear is probably going to take the trouble to check the weights of prospective purchases. Most likely down to the last micro-gram.

As an aside, I find it a bit interesting that One Planet supports this site with paid advertising (and actually manufactures their gear in Australia) but hardly ever rates a mention on the forum. But an importer hands out a few freebies to members, and he's super-visible on here.

Clever strategy I guess.

Giving away a tent with the stipulation of a review basically guarantees an online review and free publicity....although it could be either negative or positive. A risk they take.

I have owned 4 Macpac tents but have never posted a single review on any of them. The store that I bought them from makes a profit on those sales but dont get any coverage that may increase potential future sales. So really for the wholesale price of a tent adventurefriends.com.au guarantee themselves advertising/publicity for the tent for as long as this forum stays online. As you say yes it is a "clever strategy"

[ollster]

As an aside, I find it a bit interesting that One Planet supports this site with paid advertising

I plug their packs at every opportunity. They're great!

[ILUVSWTAS]

As an aside, I find it a bit interesting that One Planet supports this site with paid advertising

I plug their packs at every opportunity. They're great!

Have to agree there. I own 3. Would never buy a different brand. The OP gaiters are also amazing!!

[corvus]

I believe that every post on gear that I read from Ent also sing the praises of One Planet so they do get a good mention here
corvus

[etrangere]

Dont have any OP gear but I must say the Goondie tents look great and everyone raves about their packs!

[Son of a Beach]

I'll be sleeping in a Goondie for two weeks or so very soon. Looking forward to it. I'll update the existing review afterwards.

(I won't actually be sleeping for two weeks straight - I'd be lucky to get two hours straight. I'll be getting out each day in order to move the Goondie to another camp site.)

[Nuts]

I believe that every post on gear that I read from Ent also sing the praises of One Planet so they do get a good mention here
corvus

Ha, he should buy a carpet needle and some floss, nobody to pity more than a brand stooge
All the best Nik, leechproof?

[etrangere]

Besides Adventure Friends are there any other Australian retailer of Ferrino tents??

[icemancometh]

I have been looking for a light tent to start off my camping, I was thinking zpacks, but i wanted to buy one from Australia and something light but decent and cheapish for a first tent, this one seems nice, not sure if it's the lightest single person tent you can get in Australia, but I have been looking and yet to find any decent ones that come close, let me know if I am missing any

Cheers.

Check this out John

http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/prod10.htm

Know a few people who like this.

I don't. I also don't like OP I don't know why though I know plenty of people who like their gear.

[Wingnut]

Hi icemancometh,

Just curious to why you don't like OP?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Just curious to why you don't like OP?

Ditto> I know it all comes down to personal taste, but i've been thru just about every brand in the market several times and cannot fault OP.

[ollster]

Ditto> I know it all comes down to personal taste, but i've been thru just about every brand in the market several times and cannot fault OP.

I used to find the OP tents rather underwhelming, but the newer models (names escape me) look quite nice.

[Ent]

I believe that every post on gear that I read from Ent also sing the praises of One Planet so they do get a good mention here
corvus

Ha, he should buy a carpet needle and some floss, nobody to pity more than a brand stooge
All the best Nik, leechproof?

Brand stooge? The reason is simple. I like a quality manufacturer that makes stuff that fits me (a lot brands people mentioned simply do not fit hence my lack of enthusiasm for them ) and One Planet packs are great but not so sure on the tents. Have not seen the new range first hand but the old range was rather underwhelming. Supports my view that a brand can not always be great at everything but then again once the learning curve is made then maybe OP tents will be as good as their packs, gaiters and sleeping bags, but for me the jury is still out.

Interesting reading this thread on the intended subject *Ferrino tent" and so far we have summer reviews which are good but I look forward to winter (not ten feet of snow just cold, wet and windy conditions) reviews. There is an abundance of three season tents from the USA and other places that offer good size, space and weight plus cost tradeoffs. Personally I think for Tassie a largely solid inner is the go rather than mesh. MSR Hubba Hubba HP rather than the non HP model is the best example of what I like and dislike in the same brand. Terra Nova tents are a good example of getting light but still maintaining that feature. Trouble is they are expensive as is many of the tents that get a lot of airplay on this site so good to see more economical tents. Not sure what is the range Ferino have but maybe a largely solid inner series might be better for Tassie. Then again maybe I have it wrong re largely mesh inners.

Of course for me length is important and there is a huge gap in that market but that appears that is the way it will be as every manufacturer fights for the same ground. It took years before many sleeping bag manufacturers cotton on to the idea that a 5'2" person does not want to lug around a bag for a 6' person and 6'4'" just find a bag designed for a 6'2" plan annoying. Yes, you can make do but why when you do not have too

Cheers

[Nuts]

Iv'e sent a couple of Hillebergs back to the factory and while my One Planet pack is bombproof I rarely use it. Don't need to carry around that extra kilo of padding, don't need 'bombproof', its just not necessary. Yes, just me, but i suspect a body type and disposition more mainstream.

Remembering that most forum members aren't scrub bashing in Tassie then i'd save them the weight and expense. There are more suitable choices. Your hilleberg doesn't quiet fit does it and I notice you too looking for a lighter pack.

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[dannnnn]

I believe that every post on gear that I read from Ent also sing the praises of One Planet so they do get a good mention here
corvus

if my house was burning down and i could only grab two bits of walking gear it'd be my OP bag and WE pack... both have been around the world and are still soldiering on. great quality gear.

perhaps OP should spend their ad budget on 'social' media by handing out freebies??

[Greenie]

The other night I slept in the tent. It was quite a windy night, with some large gusts. I had it quite tightly pitched. It didn't really flapped at all during the night. There was also very light showers during the night. In the morning there was a very light layer of condensation under fly at the foot of the tent.

I was staying at a showground. The hard ground bent the supplied pegs straight away. The nice titanium Vango pegs that Rico supplied worked great.

It was a cooler night and even though I thought I pitched it quite well, I could still feel the breeze come in. The breeze came from the side that was away from the wind on the downhill side of the tent. Maybe I need more practice setting it up.