Choosing a Tarptent

edited to add link.

I bought a TT Rainbow used a month ago. I haven’t had a chance to use it in the field yet, (that’ll be in two weekend in Yosemite. I’m actually hoping for some rain/snow at night to test it out) but it looks the most like a conventional tent and is cavernously roomy inside. With the included pole, plus the added grommets and tie-outs, it’d be pretty storm worthy. It also has the advantage of being free-standing with your poles, if you might be camping somewhere where staking out a tarp might be difficult. Also has side entry. The included pole and tent-like shape also eliminate some pitch concerns. But I wouldn’t be too worried about pitching. I just got a regular tarp, and I took it out last weekend for my first attempt at pitching it , and I was surprising at how easy it was to get a respectable pitch on my first couple tries. It’s really not too hard, and practice makes perfect.

All that said, the Rainbow was an impulse purchase before I’d done all my research, and if I had it to do over, I think I would’ve gone with the Contrail, if for no other reason than to save the half-pound. I was drawn to the Rainbow largely because it looked like a conventional tent. There’s a Contrail vs Rainbow thread here and another herethat I found instructive, and wish I’d read before making my purchase.

Condensation with tarp tents is largely controlled by how high/low you pitch it to the ground, allowing more/less air to circulate through the attached mesh. Privacy wouldn’t be a big issue even with a high pitch unless someone was actually lying on the ground trying to peer into your tent.

Aaron… I found that the Sublite Sil is as roomy as the Contrail, but in a slightly different way. I went into the differences in detail the week that the Sil came out. I would certainly consider it to be a better option in snow or strong winds. The only downside was that the Contrail set up faster and almost had a vestibule. I've included a couple of links with some of my thoughts and experiences below. Make note that I have had a long term love affair with the Contrail.

Sublite First Impressions:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=16728&skip_to_post=127583#127583

Sublite Sil in the Snow:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=17449&skip_to_post=132952#132952

Hi Aaron,

I live in your neck of the woods so hopefully what I have to say will help you.

Because, as you know, it can snow in the summer on the treks you mention I would avoid the Contrail. Most of the body is unsupported and will not take wet, heavy snow without collapsing. If you like the general shape, I would look at the Sublite if only because it has less unsupported fabric and is set up with 2 trekking poles. As John has experienced, it will hold up to the wet stuff. However, it does not have a vestibule.

The Rainbow will do fine, expecially if you order the 9mm pole with it and I would consider this a 3+ season shelter.

However, for an all around mountain shelter, the Scarp would be my choice. It appears to be supremely flexible and double wall shelters are much more suitable to effective condensation management. Personally, in the Canadian Rockies I would not skimp on either the shelter or sleeping bag and an additional few ounces can pay dividends should Mother Nature be nasty.

GG Squall Classic looks good to me. So much more spacious than a Contrail for hardly any more weight. I guess you will have to decide about the possibility of snow loading.

The JDF is fantastic after Labour Day…let me know and I might join you if you like company.

Thanks for all the advice.

So now I'm mulling among the Sublite Sil, Rainbow, and Scarp.

John – thank for the link to your review. I love the fact that this shelter is so light. There should be plenty of room for me as I'm only 5'6" but a little wide in the shoulders.

David – I'm in Edmonton, whereabouts are you? High recommendations for the Scarp – it looks nice. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even ready for a tarptent so the Scarp looks even better. I'm trying to stay UL – ULA Conduit, arc alpinist quilt so far (I'll stay comfy with a neoair). Does a 2.75lb tent fit into that? If I do go with that tent, any concerns about using a frameless pack (I hope I can stay below 20 lbs for a 2-3 day weekend hike). And I guess I'd need to carry the crossing poles as well.

Richard – thanks for the JDF info. I hope to get out there in September (probably on my own) so I'll give you a holler in advance. Thanks.

Aaron

Aaron – I have a Conduit and when I use it, I make sure my total weight will not exceed approximately 20 lbs. It won't fall apart at that weight, but it isn't the most comfortable for ME. At 15 – 17lbs, however, I forget the pack is there. For heavier loads to the high 20's or into the 30's should the trip be a week or longer, I prefer a framed pack (GG Meridian). Having said all that, if the 2.75 lbs shelter still keeps you in the weight range for 2-3 days with the Conduit (which it should based on your mentioned big three / four gear) then good stuff in my opinion. Both the Contrail and Rainbow will fit in the front pocket of the Contrail, by the way. I think a TT is a good choice before one takes a plunge to the tarp, if that happens at all.

I am in….Edmonton. Go figure. Feel free to PM me and perhaps I can join you for a trek this summer. I am off on the West Coast Trail in 2 days….

Hey David – thanks for the input. I'm still waiting for the conduit to arrive and will see how it feels at 20 lbs but I've got a backup Osprey Exos 46 in case I need a light frame.

One more question: Based on your experience – would I need to carry the crossover poles for the Scarp or would it be mostly safe to leave them at home?

Aaron

I don't have a Scarp but I do have a Hilleberg Akto, which are similar in design. The Scarp appears to have the benefit of more structure at the ends of the shelter than the Akto. In my mind, even without the cross poles it would stand up very well to shoulder season snow. I think the cross poles would only be needed for full winter use. Because the shelter is modular (i.e. the poles are removable), I think they are a nice option to have – leave at home or take. Having said that, Henry would be the better one to ask.

He indicated that I'd survive without the crossover poles for 3-season use. At the very worst, I may have to knock off any snow that accumulates but I should have some pretty good warning of that.

I think for this season, I'll go with the Scarp.

Thanks everyone.

I just went through the same thought process for a 2 person shelter for my wife and I and we decided on the Scarp 2 for the same reasons.

Now I'm deciding on a solo shelter and leaning toward the Rainbow and Scarp 1. I like the idea of being able to use the Scarp 1 as a winter solo shelter as well, especially when traveling with a pack and not a pulk.

BTW, you might consider using the Scarp 1 with just your trekking poles in the corners (without the hooped pole and crossed poles) to save more weight but still maintain a lot of stability (see photos of Franco's pitching mods to the Scarp 1).