which UL tent?

Both the Contrail and the Moment are excellent tents. Henry makes great tents, so you can't go wrong with his stuff. The same goes for most of the cottage gear makers. As to the differences between the two, a lot of it depends on personal preference. Personally, I prefer the design of the Contrail. I really like the fact that you can use your trekking poles; but more than that, I like the fact that it is high where you put your head. I am probably in the minority (many like the side entry design) but I really like having lots of space over my head when I sleep.

As for the climate conditions you mention, these tents have been used in all sorts of weather. A double walled tent, with a removable cover is probably ideal for those varied conditions, but you pay a pretty big weight penalty for that. It is generally better to just match your clothing and sleeping bag for the conditions (while making sure you get plenty of ventilation when needed).

As to the particulars of buying tents in South Australia, I have no idea. I have noticed, though, that there are lots of people from Australia who have made a big contribution to this site, so you are not alone. You might hunt around and then ask specific questions (there may be someone or someplace that has a few tents for you to view). In general though, most ultralighters buy mail order, as most good ultralight tents are only sold through the mail.

Given those two choices, I would probably go with the Moment for very windy and wet conditions. The shape encourages more performance in windy conditions. Alternatively, I would look at one of the MLD offerings given that you use trekking poles.

Many backpackers select a tent with the overall weight as one primary rating. A bicyclist often selects a tent with overall compactness (lack of wind drag when transported) as a primary rating. Those two tents may or may not be the same.
–B.G.–

Hi Nick,
I have been using tarptents in SA for years, I did have a contrail, they are great if I was buying at the moment I would go for The Moment. I currently have the Gossamer Gear The One. The only problem with using it in SA is the floor is Spinnaker which is thin, but I have protected it with a Polycro groundcloth & careful site selection and have no punctures to date.Tarptents are made for our conditions and I would never go back to a double wall tent now. Tassie is a different ball game, I would be relatively confident with a moment or double rainbow , the main problem would be wind driven rain, (Franco has taken some photos of a low pitched rainbow) Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

thanks everyone for your feedback – i really feel in my searc that i am going to need two different shelters

for my local hikes in South Australia the momement would do great in all seasons

for a recent trip to tasi on the sth coast track i took an MSR hubba – it didnt perform well in the wet (horzontal rain) and very boggy conditions (regularly awoke in a muddy pool – such is the experience of many on this walk) – so i have thught about taking a four season tent

i am also thinking of taking a technical mountaineering course in new zealand next year

would the scarp 1 do well? any other suggestions?

cheers

bob

cycling trips i take a bob trailer – tried panniers but felt much better handling with a bob particularly on techy descents and ascents – also take a dual suspension bike now (sofa on wheels) and pannier racks dont work but the bob does just great

thnx nick

hi brett

i havent figured out the personal message thingy but will try as i would really like to see your tarptent in the flesh. i think i have decided on the moment for SA trips (off for 8 days t the gammons in april and may cycle sthrn flinders in march for 4 days).

i may consider something else as a 4 season shelter – still thinking about this but have until next winter

any ideas

nick