2010 Sublite Sil ???

Henry?…Franco?….Any news or photos you can share on this?

Soon…

The 2010 Sublite Sil is still in production and I don't have a release date yet. Photos will be posted when I get a final production model back.

Think Sublite with 3" bump to peak headroom, 8" bump to max base width, and protected side entry with vestibule.

-H

Thanks for posting Henry! I am excited about the new design! Sounds like a great tarptent

Is the tyvek version getting a re-design? the only reason i haven't bought a Sublite is the lack of any vestibule, just big enough to store a pack.

By the way, I love my 2010 Double Rainbow (and so do the scouts since I use a bivy when no rain is about and let them use the DR)

Here it is, the 2010 Sublite Sil

more pics here
http://www.tarptent.com/subliteSil2010.html
Franco
franco at tarptent dot com

Why cant you make these things 6-8 inches longer :P

MikeyLXT,

At 6,6", you would fit both lengthwise and sitting up without touching a wall.

-H

The pics look great! Once you get them in stock my order will be in

I look forward to reading the "Sublite, Moment, or Rainbow" threads!

Looks like its parents were Contrail and Moment… :)

What a beautiful baby Henry!

Looks nice plus a usable vestibule which my old Sublite does not have. Darn!

Size of the vestibule ?? Pictures of the Sub with the vestibule zippered up ??

Thanks !

>Size of the vestibule ?? Pictures of the Sub with the vestibule zippered up ??

Some updated photos now posted showing a pack in the vestibule.

I'd love a side entry, with a decent vestibule. But my Marmot bags are all left-zip, which would make it a chore to get in and out with this tent. Or will you also offer a mirror image version with the door on the left side?

>Will you also offer a mirror image version with the door on the left side?

No, sorry. Too scrambled just trying to do one version of anything.

Henry,

Wow, these are great improvements to the Sublite Sil! So nice to see the larger opening and a real awning. Also, the pole extenders look like they will make setup a bit faster. On your website, one of the photos shows two yellow guy lines inside the Tarptent at the head end. Are those for tightening the head-side guyouts from inside the shelter? If so, that's absolutely brilliant!

I am wondering if you could do one of your overlays showing an original Sublite Sil inside a 2010 model from both the top and the side. I've tried out an original Sublite Sil and would be curious to see just how much larger the new model is.

I'm curious to hear your design rationale for using the squared-off footbox instead of the hooped version like the old Virga. This question was probably asked when you introduced the Contrail, but I don't remember reading about it. I imagine the squared off version provides more foot room, is lighter, and is easier to setup since there is no pole to insert into a sleeve.

Still, the hooped footbox always struck me as being more weather resistant (it keeps the center of the fabric from sinking in and it provides an overhang awning). It also gives the canopy that nice catenary, wind-shedding design and looks much more sexy! Okay, perhaps sexy shouldn't be a criteria for lightweight gear. =) Still, I am wondering why it was not the best design idea to create a Sublite with a Virga footbox?

And finally, any reason why the footbox doesn't get the V-shaped struts like the Moment and Scarp?

> On your website, one of the photos shows two yellow guy lines inside the Tarptent at the head end. Are those for tightening the head-side guyouts from inside the shelter? If so, that's absolutely brilliant!

Yes, front corners pull up and down from inside using a pulley system set of cording. I'll get better photos posted eventually.

> am wondering if you could do one of your overlays showing an original Sublite Sil inside a 2010 model from both the top and the side. I've tried out an original Sublite Sil and would be curious to see just how much larger the new model is.

I'll try to do that. Peak height is 3" taller; width at trekking pole handles is 8" wider; length and ends are virtually the same. There is a lot more usable headroom. At the PCT kickoff last weekend, someone 6'9" got in and he could both sit up and lie down without touching a wall or pushing past the edge of the floor.

> squared-off footbox instead of the hooped version

I agree in principal that the arch pole had structural and aesthetic advantages but It's about reliability at much as anything. We had too many reports of pole snaps on the old Virga-the curvature was too much for an arch pole that short and people would use the ground for leverage. If the pole broke it crippled the shelter. In contrast, the strut design is virtually unbreakable–no breaks ever reported–and there's nothing to lose during setup or takedown.

> any reason why the footbox doesn't get the V-shaped struts like the Moment and Scarp?

That's a geometry thing. The trekking poles can't go wide enough (without the angle becoming too shallow) to give you comparable interior volume in a design like that. What you're asking for is a Moment with trekking poles instead of an arch pole. When you do that, the usable volume difference it pretty dramatic. I do have a computer model of a Moment and superimposed "light vital body part" shelter and there's a big difference in usable volume.

Looks great! Any plans for a Tyvek version Henry? Was out last weekend with my Tyvek version 1 with tremendous amounts of condensation each of the three nights. The Tyvek absorbed and passed through most of it with lots of ice near the top at the apex and at the foot. I am considering a Moment for the vestibule but would rather have a Tyvek tent.

No plans for the tyvek version. It is what is is: simple, inexpensive, and suited for a narrower range of use than the Sil version.

With the 2010 Sublite Sil's vestibule and extra headroom, what are the main functional differences between the Sublite Sil 2010 and the Moment, in terms of wind stability, size of vestibules, usable internal space, etc.?

[aside form the Moment's optional pole for free standing capability and extra support]

> what are the main functional differences between the Sublite Sil 2010 and the Moment, in terms of wind stability, size of vestibules, usable internal space, etc.?

wind stability: hard to quantify exactly. The SubSil A-frame is very stable and the Moment arch can flex. Using the Moment arch sleeve pullouts greatly limits flex. Running cords out from the Moment ridgeline pullouts to collapsed trekking poles braced at each inverted-V end adds even more stability.

size of vestibule: Moment

usable internal space: Moment although the SubSil has wider ends and better fits a 25/26" wide pad.

Weight and packed size: SubSil (by about 5 ounces and 6" packed length). I'm not a trekking pole user so for me it's an easy choice. If I were a trekking pole user, the SubSil would be a very attractive alternative.

Comparing the new Sublite with Moment, do you have any comments on the comparable ventilation. Just from the photos on the Tarptent site, it appears that the Sublite may offer a tad more pass-thru ventilation i.e. less condensation??

> Comparing the new Sublite with Moment, do you have any comments on the comparable ventilation.

I don't have any comparison data. Both shelters vent along the sides, ends, and apex. The SubSil can be lowered closer to ground so it can be made to "vent worse."

Hi all – I hope this post isn't dead yet! I have been looking for as light as possible tenting option and was interested in the new Sublit Sil. At 24 oz with full bug protection and easy setup, this seems reasonable at $210.

Anyhow, I am getting old and need to stay as light as possible – I came into this pleasure late in life and don't have the big powerful legs that others do. I am basically a petite woman with old knees!

Someone mentioned the Sublite needs poles at least 135cm long. I have woman-specific poles from Leki and don't think they are that long. If my poles are not long enough, am I out of luck or are there other options that don't add weight?

I also want a tent that will be fairly durable. I don't plan on being in extreme weather but possibly heavy rain and even wind, when I pick a bad weekend.

Is the Sublite a good option for me with the poles I have and situation or does anyone have any other ideas that would work for me at the same or less weight and fairly easy setup?

Thanks,
ljn