tarptent vs tent

[Marco Polo]

I'm tring to decide if I should make the plunge into a new tarptent. It will save weight with added space but will it hold up against the weather. Maybe I should just stick with a new "ultralight" tent. What do you all think.

[hillman1]

I have never used a tarptent, but I think it's a great idea. If you end up with one, post how it works out. I've been relying on lean-to's for quite awhile now.

[Kevin]

I considered the idea but opted for a regular 2 man Dana Designs tent for my overnighters. I plan to do some base hiking from colden/avalanche in all 4 seasons, so I figured for the added cost I'd get something definitive against all conditions... in the extreme cold and wind I want something impenetrable.

Now, it's a 4 pound difference (6.5 lbs for the dana versus 2.5 for a good tarp setup with stakes). If I had to do a long trail I'd go during the 3 warmer seasons and bring a tarp, as those 4 pounds add up over distance, but for base camping I figured I only have to worry about 5-10 miles in and out with the weight...

[redhawk]

I think the major consideration in the Adirondacks for choosing shelter is Bugs, not weather. Any good tarp will keep you dry if pitched properly. But in spring and other months the biggest threat to being comfortable will be the insects. Whatever choice you make, you shoud ensure tht you either have a bug screen in the tarp or else have some bug protection clothing.

In spring, the best choice might be a bivy with a cotton or microfleece or silk sleeping bag liner. Light weight, waterproof and bug protection.

Another possibility is versatility in a tent. With my Sierra designs, I can take just the fly and the footprint and leave the tent home. Plenty of protection from the weather but none from the bugs!

If all you are doing is backpacking and not setting up a base camp to work out of for a few days then a bivy is the best all around solution.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

You can make a good tarp tent from a piece of tyvek house wrap. I will be making one soon. I have the tyvek and the grommets, just need to figure if I want to double over the edges for strength and if so do I want to use adhesive, tape or sew it and seal the seams. I'll let you know how I made out when I get it done.

[Kevin]

Good point about the bugs!

(hence why I have always used tents when outdoors in the warmer weather)

[Wildernessphoto]

Mosquito netting

I've given up on tents years ago for hiking the trail.

When sleeping while backpacking, I carry a Hammock that has a 7' x 8' bed that I can lay flat in (I lay across it, I hate to have my head and feet elevated)
I pitch a 9' x12' tarp over me, and I hang a mosquito bar over me.

Mosquito Bar

The hammock keeps me off the wet ground, and doubles as a chair, The tarp keeps the rain off me, and the mosquito bar keeps the bugs away.

I find that if I get a lean-to, I hang the mosquito bar over my bag, and sleep comfortably. It's not a tent, so it can go in a lean-to (for those who know the no tent in lean-to's regulation...)

The Hammock is nylon rope 1.5 lbs. Bought on ebay for $17.99
Mosquito bar 8 oz. $9.99 campmor
9x12 tarp 2.5lbs Walmart.

another big advantage to this is you can sleep level in any terrain, even on a steep side hill, as long as you can find 2 trees 10'-14' apart.

The disadvantage is if you don't have trees, you have to pitch the tarp on the ground like a tent, but the mosquito bar just ties to the grommets, and you have instant bed!

-Gary-

The Photography of Gary F. Dean

[Kevin]

Gary, I remember you telling me about your idea.

In the low-lands / valleys this is an excellent solution, but in much of the higher terrain I've already had to camp in, there's not always a good supply of strong, tall trees to drape a hammock across (just a FYI in case someone needs this for peak bagging purposes).

[Ordin Aryguy]

Mine won't be the voice of Adirondack experience here, but I've spent hundreds of nights in a hammock. None many more than a few feet above sea level, though. In the days B.C. (before children), and when we lived back in Florida, I would do solo hiking trips South Florida and the Everglades. In Florida, hammocks are the only way to go. Dry ground is often at a premium, and frequent violent rains can quickly convert even dry ground into a shallow pond.

My old hammock system was a combination mesh hammock, a very light synthetic sleeping bag, no-see-um netting, a cheapie tarp, and para cord. It worked fine for the time and place.

Now that we're not living in Florida anymore and my son is now showing an interest in going backpacking, I began a looking again at backpack camping gear. Immediately, I began reminicing on how wonderful my old 'Glades hammock rig worked and subsequently stumbled onto info about Hennessy Hammocks.... "Uh, hello... please send me two of those things.. here's my credit card info.. thanks!"

For backpacking they sure seem to be ideal, as long as you intend in sleeping where suitable trees can be found. Very light weight (around 3 pounds), comfortable, and no rocks, roots, or mud to contend with.

The only field testing our hammocks have had so far is in the basement, and we're both anxious to get them out soon. Our in-house testing has proven to be a complete success. Snoring in 15 minutes or less. Ridicule from wife goes on for quite a while, though. ;-)

Ordin

[ken999]

http://www.kifaru.net/paratipi.htm

I have the 8 man tipi found elsewhere this website. There is nothing like having a heated tent to come back to at the end of a day when you are cold tired and wet. These also come with Mosquito netting, which as Redhawk says, should be a prime consideration here in the Adirondacks.

[sacco]

i've tried a hammock. i think it's got some great advantages, but i just couldn't sleep well in one.

i'm making my a 1 man tarptent right now with $1/yd. silnylon i found at walmart for the top, and some $1/yd fine meshy 100% polyester stuff for the sides, front and back. no zippers or anything fancy - just velcro for the front door.

i'm hoping to end up with a relatively bug-proof setup weighing around 12 oz.

that's the plan, anyways.

[redhawk]

Having had three back surgeries and degerative disc disease, I have to sleep on somthing solid, like the ground. I don't think a hammock will work for me.

[Wildernessphoto]

Having had three back surgeries and degerative disc disease, I have to sleep on somthing solid, like the ground. I don't think a hammock will work for me.

I agree with you Hawk,
a hammock isn't for everybody... I had back problems too. the trick is finding one that you can lay flat in. I found one 8' wide. I can lay a crossed it, flat. It works well for me.

Another advantage of a tarp/hammock is when it's raining, you can put the tarp up high enough you can standup under it. and you can sit in the hammock and cook dinner on your stove under the tarp. a small tent usually means you need to lay down to get out of the weather.

I've got another issue many don't have...I'm claustrophobic!
I've been known to leave a small tent in the middle of the night without taking the time to unzip the door.

It's not a pleasant experience for anyone bunking in the same tent with me!

And I definitely can't do bevy's! A hammock/tarp/mosquito net combo gives me space, keeps me dry, and bug free.

I've got 6 tents of different size and type, and use all of them for different situations. But I like my hammock combo for backpacking.

-Gary-

The Photography of Gary F. Dean

[Rick]

To the original question Tarptent vs. tent.

I used a tarp for a number of years in late summer and fall camping, including a Quest model of the Chouinard (now Black Diamond) Megamid as well as my Kelty Noah's 9' tarp, my 12 year old 8x10 nylon tarp, my bivy for winter lean-tos and my newest piece - The ultralight Syl-nylon Black Diamond Beta Light. I have also owned the Eureka Gossamer & Jack Wolfskin Soloist - Both extremely light tents. There are trade-offs to each - And if it is just rain and winde you are concerned about a tarp is fine. specially if you can fall asleep and stay alseep under the stars on the clear nights (many cannot)

In the Adirondacks, a Tarp or tarptent is fine once the black flies and mosquitoes are gone - However, is there a need to be ultralight there - most of your trips into the high peaks and such result in low mileage forays where base camp is set up.

Otherwise, where I live now, by the AT in PA, the ticks are so bad (Not too mention the 17 year Brood X cicada hatch coming next week.) that it is not uncommon for them to get on you whilst hanging around in your tarp tent. I definitely appreciate the full enclosure of a small tent - Especially if I am pounding out 10-12 miles a day on the AT with a full pack. So something very light is appreciated and full enclosure is highly esireable.

I think as I buy and sell my gear I will ultimately end up with something similiar to the Hnery shires Tarptent (not free standing) or the Sierra Designs Hyperlight (Free Standing)

[ADKMan]

You may want to look at the new MSR "Missing Link". It's the best that both a tarp and a tent have to offer. It's light (3 pounds), completely enclosed, well ventilated and has plenty of room for 2 large adults and their gear.

[redhawk]

Just made my lightweight tarp out of a piece of house wrap. I cut it to 6' x 8' and put five grommets on each side. There are several ways it can be pitched usng two trekking poles or a tree limb. Whole thing weighs about 5 oz. Add 2 oz for a ground cloth/vapor barrier from the same material and i'm ultra light. Have to figure on adding netting and maybe door flaps for one configuration.