tarptent for uk/scandinavia?

Two ways of minimising condensation in a single wall shelter. Breathable fabric and or maximum air flow/ventilation.
The PTFE type "fabric" is relatively heavy, Epic is not that waterproof.
Soft Tyvek is light and breathable but not very water proof. IMHO not suitable for you.
With silnylon,( totally non-breathable), you need air flow.
I have just started to play with the Moment having used the Rainbow and the Contrail for a few years.
The Moment has a very good design promoting air flow.
Two large end vents, mesh all around the floor and two top vents.
The floor is about 30cm from the end of the vents and about 28cm at the pole, non door side.
We had rain on and off all night, only about 1 cm, the shelter was dry this morning but I was not in it.
Note the dry set up and relatively rain protected entry.
A bonus for you is that the floor can be quickly pulled back giving you more space to do what a lot of Brits do at dinner time in the rain…
Having said that, I always have a cloth next to me. If needed I wipe the top dry before I go to sleep and when I wake up to have a pee.
To some that is a big deal, to me is very manageable.
Franco
franco@tarptent.com
some trivia..
So far my set up time for the Moment is down to 1:21, Henry can do it in 55 sec. I need practice…..

I would not hesitate to get a Moment and use it in the UK. Comparing it to a silnylon MLD DuoMid and a bivy bag and the weight is the same more or less. But the Moment is going to perform in the other big issue you face with the wind. It would be very stable.

Condensation is an issue and the wind will bash the Moment about at some point. Condensation will shower you but this can be controlled as Franco says. Henry Shires is testing a Moment soon in Scotland and using clip in panels to stop condensation drips falling on his sleeping bag and kit. The Moment could be a very good shelter. I use a DuoMid sometimes in the UK and single skin is not unmanageable but is a challenge. With the clip in panels the Moment looks like it would be a good shelter for the UK.

Ben,
Guess you are assuming we know what the weather is like in UK and Scandinavia. Not. Except I know from Chris Townsend's articles and posts the Scottish highlands can be extremely windy with few windbreaks and a lot of precip.

Since you probably know about the weather (read relative humidity) where you are going, then if, and only if, condensation is a big issue, I would suggest you carry the extra weight, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 lb., to bring a Scarp or a Rainbow with the liner. Both have been remodeled after much customer input and testing, and will keep the drip-drip-drip off you, and you can sit up without getting your head soaked.

Note that the Scarp has a significantly stronger and less bendy pole than the Moment (the Easton thicker .340 tubing vs. the thinner .344 tubing). Of course, you could always put the heavier Scarp pole on the Moment – they are both the same length – about 10'. The heavier pole will serve a lot better in high winds, with or without guys. And the mostly DWR liner on the Scarp will catch and divert rain that penetrates or 'mists' through the fly.

The extra weight is no more than the water in a liter bottle that is less than half full. It could be a choice between having the water on you, or carrying its weight 'in the bottle.'

If you think the condensation will be not greatly above average, then I agree with Franco, et al., but recommend that you seam seal the single wall tent carefully with at least two applications of well diluted silicone.

That's my two cents, and ultralightheads should know I'm stickin' to it.

Sam in Chocorua NH (where we camp amongst the trees)

Thanks very much all for such detailed replies – very much appreciated.

Carrying a single skin tent is very appealing in its simplicity. Also part of me wants to do it just because you're not 'supposed' to in the UK. I think I can deal with wiping things down, as long as I'm not actually being rained on.

I wonder if Henry's 'panels' for the moment will go on sale at any point.

I still find the grey sublite a very appealing tent – I think I'll wait to look at the new version before making my mind up.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Hi Ben.
I've been using single skin tents in the Scottish Highlands for a few years now.
Condensation happens in all tents, but wether it is an issue seems to be down to personal feelings.
I've used a Tarptent Contrail, and my tent of choice now is the MLD Duomid. When using a single skin tent, the shelter needs to be big enough to avoid contact with the walls in my opinion. A wipe down with a cloth in the morning sorts out any dampness, and i don't really find it a problem..
I found the large panels on the Contrail were more likely to shed drips onto you in windy conditins. The mid-panel tie-outs on the Duomid helped keep the panels more stable in windy conditions, and there are less drips. I tend to look for a site with a bit of a breeze when using single skin tents, as the extra ventilation helps control the condensation.
I've no experience of the Moment, but the taught pitch looks good for Scottish conditions. I know a couple of folk who uses the Scarp 1 happily in Scotland.

If you are aware of the possible issues with a single skin tent, and are prepared to deal with them, then it is an excellent way to shed a lot of weight in your shelter. You definately need some form of bug protection during midge season though.

Scarp 1 is a tent with an inner – so not a good comparison vs a single skin unless you want to point out Tarp Tents products work well in the UK . Still the Scarp 1 is a very good tent, and with the new flysheet a good choice for the UK.

.

I do fancy the breathable tyvek – I just don't much like the shade of space shuttle white. And the windows on the sil might make it feel more open, I think.

Really can't decide – will have to wait for the new one.

Thank you all for the excellent advice.