1 person tents for tall people

[ollster]

Hi all,

Been thinking about getting a 1 person tent (or a 1.5 or small 2 person).

Prerequisites would be:
-Roomy enough for a large-ish person of the 188cm persuation, with enough space to cook sitting up, change clothes without needing yoga lessons etc.
-A vestubile for seperating said person from his foul, wet equipment
-Smallish footprint, I need it to fit into tight spaces
-Ease of pitching and uncomplicated, preferably free standing
-Strong enough to withstand the majority of tassie abuse, decent ventilation.
-Preferably not costing several limbs, it'd be nice to get away with <$500
-Fireproof

Weight is not a deciding factor.

So far I've shortlisted: Macpac Microlight, MD Neutrino 1 or 2, One Planet Gunya 1V, MSR Hubba, WE Dart, Mont Moondance 1

I haven't looked that much into things yet, or tried any of these on for size, so would appreciate some guidance/advice from you lovely people.

Just kidding about "fireproof", BTW.

Oll.

[photohiker]

See if you can get hold of a Tardis.

Worth looking at the Scarp 1 & 2 from Tarptent. Seem to fit your requirements. The Scarp1 is about to become available with a new to-the-ground flysheet and is freestanding if you want it. It's an import from the US though, so probably not much chance of testing one unless you visit Franco or I to have a play.

The Hilleberg Nallo2 would be on the list, if a bit heavier.

[Son of a Beach]

As much as I like One Planet gear, the Gunyah does not look suitable for very cold conditions, being an all-mesh inner tent. It would be fine for a lot of the mainland, and for coastal Tasmania, or for much of Summer Tasmania, but to me it would be too cold and breezy for most Tasmanian bushwalks in Winter, and for most Alphine Tasmanian camp sites at most times of year.

[ollster]

Good point Nik, I hadn't looked that far into it. Cheers! I will strike it from my list!

@photohiker - I would definately prefer to be able to check one out "in the plastic" as the case may be, same with the Hilleberg. Seems the Tarptents might also suffer from being too cold due to the inner mesh design.

[photohiker]

@photohiker - I would definately prefer to be able to check one out "in the plastic" as the case may be, same with the Hilleberg. Seems the Tarptents might also suffer from being too cold due to the inner mesh design.

Not sure what the mesh you are referring to here. The Scarp1 has a small amount of mesh at the top of the doors, I think I posted some pictures here in the Scarp1 thread a while back. The Scarp2 has an option of a full mesh inner or a solid inner like the Scarp1. like this

I guess you could add closures to the mesh in the doors, but condensation would probably raise it's head. No free lunch in a small tent.

[ollster]

Ah, ok. I might have just happened upon picutres of the mesh version. I'll have a closer look.

Since I tend to fog up cars at the drop of a hat, consdensation has always been a little bit of an issue. It must be my heavy breathing.

[Ent]

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[ollster]

Buy the Akto, buy the Akto

Aarrgh! But it's only available from overseasia!

[whynotwalk]

Hi Ollster - I haven't used it "in anger" yet, but the Aarn Pacer 1 tent appears quite roomy for one person. Fly: 360cm long x 147cm wide x 116cm high at centre; Inner: 212cm long x 90cm wide x 100cm high at centre. Weight is 1.38kg.

I got mine on special at Backpacking Light in Melbourne, and they appear to be still available for $225. The trick is they use two trekking poles as part of their frame - quite ingenious as well as robust & weight-saving. Worth considering at that price! Details @ http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/prod24.htm

cheers

Peter

[ollster]

Hmmn. Had a look at a few today... Microlight is far too small, same with the WE Dart 1 (bugger all headroom), the One Planet tents, the Mont Moondance and the MD Neutrinos. All either not long enough or too little headroom or both.

MSR Hubba is ok although quite narrow. I reckon it'd stand up to high winds OK.

I did get a chance to check out the Vaude Hogan Ultralight at MDs too (after noticing the thread!). I quite liked it, and if pitched correctly (toe section into the wind...) I reckon it'd be pretty good in exposed camping. The best bit was no stupid mesh inner and it has plenty of space for me to live in if I'm stuck in the tent. Very "sittable". It's a bit of a joke calling it a 2 person tent though. I'd probably trust the Hubba more if it snowed, but I don't expect to take this out when there's a big snow dump likely.

@whynotwalk - Not a bad option if one uses poles, but I don't (yet!).

[ILUVSWTAS]

MSR Hubba is ok although quite narrow. I reckon it'd stand up to high winds OK.

Ask Martin about his adventures in his while we were on the King Williams.....

[ollster]

Ask Martin about his adventures in his while we were on the King Williams.....

I did recall that he had one after I wrote that, and sent him a PM... it was exceptionally windy up there! A pretty good test I'd say.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh, he was up once fixing it,
I think he spent some of the morning holding the fly inplace with his hand but then it wasnt exactly normal wind we were facing. As far as free standing tents go I havent seen a better one. J+A were having much much more fun in their POSITRON.
The entire HWC crew on our recent walk had microlights.... I felt a bit left out with my minaret

[MJD]

The MSR Hubba worked extremely well thank you except for a little problem with one of the pegs (back, middle of the tent). As you trouble makers know, I had it pitched on a cushion plant, and when the wind picked up and swung aound this peg came out. I got up and put it back in but it only lasted a couple of minutes before coming out again. The peg needed to be about twice as long to get a good grip. Please note that I didn't have any storm guys out like some of others.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hehehehe golden reply there MJ.......

Im only jealous, like I said as far as free standing tents go they are the best i've reviewed so far....

and by the wya I only had 1 rope out

[ollster]

MJD - is yours a mesh or solid inner? If mesh, how do you find it for warmth/draughtiness?

[MJD]

Mesh inner. It is a little cold at times but I do use it year round. Even used it on top of Ossa in June. It doesn't seem too draughty to me. The mesh inner makes it a great summer tent and although usable in winter it isn't the warmest. There's enough room to cook and store gear under the front fly/vestibule (mind you my pack was somewhat smaller than yours on the KWs).

Seems to handle high winds. Had it in worse conditions in the Labyrinth than KWs.

I do get a bit of condensation on the fly at times.

[ollster]

Thanks for that MJD, much appreciated. How do you rate it for ease of pitching? Is the tent floor durable enough? Do you use a footprint, and if so, how necessary do you think it is?

And what's the deal with so many companies making floors that are so thin, only to then try and sell you a stupid footprint. What a crock!

It's a shame the Hubba HP (solid inner) is ridiculously overpriced... I'm not paying $200+ extra for a solid inner unless it's made of gold.

I think I'm still leaning toward the Vaude, simply for the fact that it has a non-mesh inner, and is a little roomier than the Hubba, both of which lead me to think it would be more liveable if I had to stay inside it for a day.

[MJD]

Very easy to pitch. Being freestanding you can easily move it around to get the best spot. I've made my own footprint from a bit of black plastic (120g). I would really like an inner that was half mesh (front) and half solid (back).

[ollster]

Well folks,

After all that I've gone and ordered a MSR Hubba HP from the US for slightly less than the price that the Vaude would have cost me on sale here. Thanks to the the AUD for blowing favourably.

I excite! So much so that I'm probably going to pitch a tent as soon as it arrives.

Oll.

[Joe]

Don't rule out the Vaude (pronounced Vow-Day I was informed today) Hogun Ultralight...I recently got one as a tester and really liked it. It will be what I purchase after silly season is over I rekon.

Review of it here:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2805

1.8kg and big enough to sleep two.

[Franco]

Vaude
The founder was Albrecht von Dewitz, hence Vaude (find the nearest German speaker for the exact pronunciation of VD, but it is more like "fau de")
Franco
BTW, Antje , his daughter is now the big honcho...

[Ent]

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[ollster]

Yeah, Vaude was pretty close call, but it just missed out on the MSR once I found it for a good price. I do prefer side entry to "back entry" for want of a better term.

I've taken receipt of the MSR now. I'll provide a brief review once I get it out in the field, probably mid Dec at this rate (unless I camp out in the backyard).