Actual Tent Area

BA lists the copper spur ul3 floor at 90×70 or 43.75 sq ft.

If your measurements differ, my guess is they measure it when full staked out to stretch the tent to max dimensions. They could also be measuring the material for the floor before sewing it I suppose.

Hey, Chris and all-
I measured it fully stretched out. Fabric couldn't possibly be stretched more or be more taut unless measuring up the side walls for floor dimensions. BAs "90×70" is part of what got me; 6" longer and 9" wider? How????

Brad:

Most (if not all) mainstream gear manufacturers 'fudge' their gear specs. They'll tell you that they take an "average" with some higher or lower. Sure, I can understand a reasonable fluctuation in manufacturing… but the so-called "averages" are much more often unfavorable (actual weights heavier, actual volume smaller, warmth rating overstated, etc.) — than favorable. There are exceptions, of course, but I find the general trend to be something less than honest.

In contrast, I find the cottage gear makers are almost always honest with their gear specs.

Big Agnes used to be fairly blatant with fudging their specs. For some reason, they cleaned up their tent specs as relate to the Seedhouse SL Series — but not their bags or pads — and I guess not their other tents either.

Good point. I have had a good look at the Stiletto, several times in the last few months, and there is no way that the floor area is as big as the Contrail's or the Rainbow's, not even close ….
That is one of the reasons why I encourage people to lay down and sit up inside a tent on top of their chosen mat before they decide. To avoid surprises with the "usable area" (another problem) Henry has now a "cutaway dimensions" page for all of his shelters.
Franco

"That is one of the reasons why I encourage people to lay down and sit up inside a tent on top of their chosen mat before they decide."

I got my contrail this afternoon and it's raining cats and dogs!!!

What? Didn't get the freestanding Rainbow?

You cannot talk about tents here without someone mentioning Tarptents.

Congratulations Roman. Heavy rain is good for practicing , don't forget there is no inner to get wet….
BTW, I still need someone to better my 58 sec set up.
Franco