Henrys new Tarptent

It takes a long time for the pictures to load… but it looks like a slightly narrower & less tall Contrail with external poles, side enterance, taller footbox, and fold-up foot-vent-blocking flap – at 17.5 oz in Tyvek & 18.5 in Silnylon.

I'd hope the taller footbox, side enterance and vent flap make it onto the next version of the Contrail. I like it's height & width better and it's 24.5 oz is worth it too me.

Does not seen to have a netting door. Not good for bugville.

By the looks of the pictures, it seems that it does have netting around the floor, and then the vent at the foot has netting…i think.
But I agree, a netted door would be nice.

nm

This would have to be a first. To the best of my knowledge, Henry doesn't build tarp tents without netted doors. Why bother with netting around the edges if the door is left bare?

I'm betting the net door is also rolled up but is concealed behind the solid door.

Are these two person tents? Or one person??
S.

Based upon the stated 20 sf of floor area I would think these new shelters are for solo use.

Guess I did not see that … makes sense. Not sure what the advantages over the GG "One" would be … yup – $100!
S.

Looking at the doorway, there is mesh across the bottom. Perhaps there is no separate mesh door — but rather two zippers that zip the silnylon/tyvek door closed, all around and across the bottom???

Of course there is a solid door and net all around.
I'll post a picture of that a bit later on.
The guy inside the Sublite (silnylon version) is 6'2" tall.
Franco

Rear of silnylon version,the flap folds down to the same level as the sides

Ben is right

Franco, do you own a prototype or actual tent of this model or did you see it on demonstration? Anyway, when you state Ben is right, can you please elaborate. Does it mean if the sleeper wants the flap open, there is no bug protection?

Thanks.

No separate mesh door is a deal killer for me.

It looks to be sturdier than 'The One' and is more along an idea I have been trying out lately.

No I don't have a prototype….
I came to that conclusion looking at several pictures, but I have been wrong before. I'll ask.
Franco

nm

The One is a ROCK. Absolutely solid in pitch.

I'll back David on this. The One is very sturdy. I'd have no qualms about pitching it above treeline. The only thing I miss on the One is a vestibule that pitches to the ground for when the rain gets horizontal. I'll think I'll be modifying that with some silnylon flaps. Even then, without the added flaps, with proper site selection I can take the One anywhere. Except for full on winter conditions (when I will use my Akto… double poled and using my hiking pole to shore up the pole from inside the tent… or my old Hex 2 for two people) the One does everything I want it to do. I'm very happy with my purchase.

The Sublite looks like a great alpine tent, but I've run out of temptations. For once I'm happy with what I have.

Wow. That looks pretty cool. The big things going in it's favor are…

1. $100 cheaper than "The One"!
2. A little lighter than "The One" (the 17.5 oz includes the stuff sack and stakes)

The things I don't like about it are

1. The entry looks awkward. Looks like a side entry disguised as a front entry.
2. No vestibule
3. No bug net door

So I still prefer "The One"… but this option is so much cheaper. Tyvek is interesting too!!!! This must be the first manufactured Tyvek tent no??? Very interesting. I didn't know it could be so light. I figured it would be heavier than Sylnylon.

An ultralighter needing a vestibule? Come on now… ; )

Another issue is if it's raining even a little, it seems you have to close the door. With an angled door like that with no overhang……

I see a small peak vent in the picture, maybe about the same size as the one on the Contrail.

Question:
When the beak on the Contrail is closed, does the peak vent plus edge netting provide enough ventilation to prevent condenstation in non-windy humid weather ?

Question:
When the beak on the Contrail is closed, does the peak vent plus edge netting provide enough ventilation to prevent condensation in non-windy humid weather ?
No single layer tent can do that (and double layer are not much better either), however….

This is the way I see it
To create air movement (chimney effect) a larger entry point (360 degree in the Tarptents) is more important than the size of the exit point, in fact you create pressure by having a smaller exit. As it is with a chimney the further the exit point, the better it works. Note that the vent in the Contrail (and the Sublite) is further away from the entry point than in most tunnel/dome tents.
Also note that Tyvek offers better sun protection than silnylon and also "breathes" whilst silnylon doesn't at all.
(BTW , that is only my understanding….)
Franco

I am not doubting 'The One's' pitch strength but I have found that the 'V' created by hiking poles to be a bit stronger than the two poles being propped up by many guy lines. Especially here in the Midwest where the wind will change frequently in both strength and direction with an hour.

Just got home from the PCT kickoff and, ok, everybody calm down…

Here's the straight story. The Sublite will be released in two versions. The Tyvek version–soft structure, 1.25 oz/yard– is/will be pretty much as shown. It's minimal, that's the idea. You have plenty of other heavier and more expensive shelter choices if you want vestibules and mesh doors and built-in hot tubs. You don't need extra mesh in this model because the whole structure breathes so well. There's plenty of perimeter mesh and a high vent and the fabric is quite breathable. It reflects a lot of heat and light and stays cool and dry in hot sun. At 17.5 oz total including 4 stakes, you get a lot of space for sleeping plus room for gear–floor is 20 square feet and measures 86" long and 26"/42"/24" wide so there's room for gear at side or head. Love it leave it, that's what it is and will be out in June. Price will be $179.

The silnylon version is not finished yet. The final model will have more venting than the current prototype. I made up an initial prototype in a couple of nights last week as a proof of concept with patterns developed for the tyvek version. The final silnylon version will likely be an ounce heavier than the one shown–final weight of under 20 ounces including 4 stakes–and tweaked not only for more venting but also for drip-free entry/exit. It will not have a separate vestibule (see above about other shelter choices) but it will have interior room for gear and will keep you dry and bug free and resist decent storms. As above, pick a different shelter if you want more.

The Sublite requires 135cm trekking poles. We will likely offer substitute poles and the shelter will work fine without any poles if suspended from an overhead branch.

Finally, re: soft structure Tyvek, a few thoughts. Heat and light reflection is superb, the fabric is non-stretch, and it breathes really well. It is not as tear resistant as silnylon but properly reinforced it holds up and the material is, I believe, appropriate for low profile shelters like the Sublite. I'm not ready to recommend the tyvek version for thruhikes but shorter trips should be fine. Condensation potential is much lower than with a comparable silnylon/waterproof fabric. With regard to water resistance, I have been favourably impressed with the fabric for use within certain parameters. In my testing, the material is most certainly water resistant for light to moderate rains to even shorter duration heavier rains. It will absorb some water in the rain and it will get damp (much as silnylon gets damp from condensation during rain) but it has not dripped on me in my testing during light to moderate rain conditions. It does take longer to dry than silnylon not it's not a good choice for continously wet places. I'm comfortable recommending the shelter for areas with matching weather such as the west coast in summer, desert southwest most anytime (except possibly monsoon season) or anywhere else where rain is moderate and of shorter duration. In combination with a water resistant shelled sleeping bag, it will do the job perhaps beyond that but I just don't have enough data yet to say for sure. Lastly, soft structure tyvek is washable, very easily patched with scrap and glue, and seam-sealing is really easy–wipe on with your finger using non-toxic glue that will ship with the shelter.

I'll post official photos on tarptent.com within a week of the tyvek version. The silnylon version is not final and I don't have a release date for it yet but I will try to finalize it over the next couple of weeks.

-H

"An ultralighter needing a vestibule? Come on now… ; )"

Well now… my "go to" shelter for the past two years has been the SpinnShelter… and one could almost think of that as just one big vestibule… LOL.

Seriously tho'… with a floored shelter… it's nice to have a place outdoors (but protected) where you can put your muddy shoes. Guess you could tuck them under the floor maybe.