Tarptent Contrail Not BPL Recommended?

Gabriel – The Contrail is one of the most popular 1 person tents on the light market. It's possible that because the Contrail has been produced for many years that BPL is recommending newer styles. However, just because BPL does or does not recommend a piece of gear does not by any means make it unworthy of use.

I love my Contrail, I love my MYOG gear tarps, I like my Rainshadow 2. In the end gear should be about what is comfortable for YOU and not what a reviewer thinks of the gear.

As an example, a review last year on the Neo Air said it was too noisy, the majority of the users on the forum disagree with BPL's review.

So take these reviews and recommendations with a grain salt and do your own research, then make your purchases on what you feel is best for your particular circumstances, style of backpacking, style of camping, etc.

Good Luck!

Yeah, you'll find no shortage of contrail fanatics here.

Thanks Joe… I'm still likely to get the Contrail. I'm just wondering if there's a reason why BPL didn't recommend the Contrail. From reading BPL's review of the Contrail, it seemed like the reviewer was very pleased with its performance in a variety of conditions — so it seemed odd that it wasn't recommended. It's good to hear that you enjoy your contrail, especially since your from western Montana. Montana's my home and where I would use the Contrail — if I get it — the most.

Oh, just upgrade to the Moment.

I think you'll find it an exceptional tent. Good luck on your decision!

Where did you find a list of BPL's "recommended" gear? The reviews I've read are rather positive. In any event, almost everyone will tell that the Contrail is a very good tent. I think some folks like features found from the other tents, but personally, I think it is an outstanding tent. Unlike a lot of tents, you have a lot of headroom above your head. If you like to sit up on your elbows, or just lie on your back, then this is a really nice feature. The adjustable rear canopy is a also very nice feature; it sets it apart from older models. I wish it was a bit lighter, but unfortunately, Henry isn't interested in making a Cuben/Nanoseeum version (despite our begging).

Oh, and I wouldn't consider the Moment an "upgrade". To me, an upgrade is simply a product that is better in every way, with the possible exception of cost. This is not true of the difference between the Contrail and Moment (or the Contrail and any other tent, for that matter). The tents are just different (with different trade-offs). I don't think there is a tent out there, which I would consider an upgrade to the Contrail. This is why I think it is an outstanding tent. Whether it makes sense for you or not, is an entirely different matter.

BPL hasn't been doing the 'average', 'recommended', 'highly recommended' etc. rating system for that long. I imagine if the contrail was reviewed by BPL then it was likely before this system was in place. Most older reviews don't have this.

I thought Will’s review was quite positive:

BPL’s Contrail Review

One of the main reasons I bought a Contrail last year was that review. In the discussion forum that follows the review Will even says, “Overall, some people may see the Contrail as an ugly duckling, but I see it as functional and versatile. Its my favorite one-person tent.”

G

@Ross – I would argue that the Moment is better in every way than the Contrail, especially if you don't use trekking poles. More stable and weatherproof, can take some snow load, sets up quicker, more functional headroom, side entry, more usable vestibule….what am I missing?

I don't have a Moment and haven't used a Contrail yet even though I own one, but even though the Moment seems like a great design, it is:

A.) Heavier than the Contrail

B.) Not as roomy as the Contrail

All these years, I remain unimpressed with Henry's long-ish tarptents where users need to orient the foot end toward the wind for stability (yeah, like winds never change directions in the night).

Henry's more recent designs — like the Rainbow, Scarp and Moment — are much improved and capable of deflecting winds from most all directions.

Brad – the Moment has more usable space that the Contrail, especially where you sit up and at the foot end. Although it weighs less than 4oz more, it has a dedicated pole. If you were to use a dedicated (and stiff enough) front pole for the Contrail, you would easily have a matched weight.

Once again, the Moment is superior is every way.

;)

BPL has designated around 80 items either "recommended" or "highly recommended."

To see the list, follow the link below.
https://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/rating.html

The best tent is the one that works for you…
I like the design of the Moment very much but it isn't "better" than the Contrail in every aspect.
The Contrail is longer and wider. In a pinch it can take two mats side by side.
When you lay down the apex is straight above your head, minimising the condensation you get from your breath hitting the fabric a few inches away as you do in many other shelters.
It can be set up high (for extra ventilation or just viewing) or low, in fact if you have it can be as low as a hooped bivy.
As far as side winds , not an ideal shape but with the extra rear strut and the front apex guyout in place does a lot better than some think.
Again this is the difference between what some think it is capable and what it can do..
Same place , same wind…
The top shot is the standard 4 peg set up. The guylines are pulled as taut as I could get them.
The modified version has an extra rear strut and 8 pegs in place as well as the tail dropped low.

.

Franco
BTW, there have been two upgrades to that 06 design reviewed by Will

I too have noticed that the BPL rating scheme isn't used on older reviews. I'm certain that is why the Contrail wasn't rated- it was an older review. Simple as that. As you can tell, there are MANY Contrail fanatics out there…

P.S. GO MOMENT !!!

I owned a Contrail for 3 summers and really liked it.

But I sold it for the (very slightly) heavier Moment and would agree, aside form the few extra ounces, the Moment is better than the Contrail in virtually every way. But that does not detract from the Contrail's great design.

I switched from Contrail to Rainbow after two years with Contrail and haven't looked back. Contrail (in my experience) is a lot more sensitive to site selection, takes longer to setup and gets more condensation.

"takes longer to setup "
at times yes….but
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1430969/4921727
Franco

Great video,

I got a few pointers from watching it after I got the contrail initially. However hardly representative of the trail conditions :)
I can dig-up a few pictures of what happened after a couple of hours of rain at a less than perfect site and I didn't use extra guy-lines…

"When you lay down the apex is straight above your head, minimising the condensation you get from your breath hitting the fabric a few inches away as you do in many other shelters."

Very well said, Franco. I own a TarpTent Squall 2 and a Refuge X. I don't use the (Cuben) Refuge X very much because I can't convince my wife to use it. It is a very good tent, but she doesn't like the fabric so close to her head when she lies down. I agree, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice to save some weight. So, I use the Refuge X as a solo tent.

Will Rietveld was the staff member who did the 2006 Contrail Review. Every year the Backpacking Light staff issue their personal recommendations. In 2006, Will recommended the Contrail as one of his three "Favorite Pieces of Gear." You'll find this if you search "2006 Staff Picks." Like Franco pointed out, the Contrail has gone through 2 revisions since then and continues to be a great shelter especially for guys who use trekking poles.

I have used a Contrail for several years now. It is a great solo tent and adding the extra rear pole and following some of Franco's outstanding recommendations have enhanced its solidity immensely. I am a very happy user. Having said that….I am likely to buy a Moment before this coming summer. Primarily for the side entry and easier setup. Factoring in fewer stakes and the weight of the added rear pole with the Contrail the weight difference between the two is insignificant to me.

As a Contrail enthusiast I really appreciate the variety of pitching options the Franco has made us aware of. Usually when you buy a tent there is only one configuration, but Henry's creation has multiple personalities.

-Mark