Tarptent StratoSpire 1 vs Lightheart Solo Wedge

"32 oz :)"

NW Hiker – is that with pegs and guylines?

it is 34 oz total with pegs, sacks and guylines attached.

Pretty impressive for a very roomy, high bathtub, 2 door/vestibule tent.

Thanks,

The solo is out, the solong is nice!! Thanks for taking the time to post pics. Would you think if you had the fly rolled up for (open view) rain would pour directly inside because of the mid design? (lets say no wind just direct rain downward), notch seems to be alright in that department, lightheart solo doesnt but maybe this solong does because of the longer inside bar.

Hard to tell from the pics, but the rolled up awning and fly are still pretty much over the floor, so yes, I think it will work well for this.

You can roll both up to different levels as well, so if you just want the flies opened partially this is possible which is great for a most conditions.

I have to say though, biggest draw for me is the very nice, roomy porch with the removable awning option I have, excellent for camping when it rains for 3 days and you want to hang outside of the tent…

It can also work as a 2 person tent, if you dont mind me asking how much did it run you with the extra door?

How long does it take for you to order a burger?

1 minute, im saving up and this is no burger. Its a 250-400 dollar tent. Only buying one so I dont mind, and the way i see it itll answer anyone elses question about the two.

Get the SMD Skyscrape X

"It can also work as a 2 person tent, if you dont mind me asking how much did it run you with the extra door?"

As I recall, an extra zipper adds $15 to the cost of the tent. So if you want a regular fly on each side of the tent (both with a zipper) and two doors, you'd be adding $30 to the cost of the tent.

And I don't think you can count on a rolled-up rainfly to keep the interior of the SoLong 6 dry; you'd want the awning option of you want to be able to look outside during a rain. It's just a design limitation of this style of tent: the apex is narrower than the base. Look at the SoLong 6 with the awning option, or the Notch, if you really desire that feature.

gonna end up getting the TT Notch! And ill still get the cheapo 2 person tent for the car camping. :D

The Skyscape X is a nice tent, but I wouldn't call it spacious inside (adequate, yes, but not spacious). And if the OP wants a tent with a fly design that can be kept open in the rain without water getting inside the tent, the Skyscape's X is not for him. There's no porch option for that model (unlike the other two Skyscape models).

It does seem to be a nice tent, though, and I'm surprised there's not more talk online about it.

Thanks again everyone, hope the info helps others as well :D

Thanks Diana, I looked at the skyscape but did want that option to keep things open in the rain. I put the order in very excited! TT Notch FTW

"I put the order in very excited! TT Notch FTW"

Yay!! :)

Kidding aside, Gerard, I think you'll be very happy with your new tarptent.

First of all I just want to say that I appreciate this discussion as its just the sort of info I'm looking for. I'm new to backpacking and am considering getting an ultralight tent. After doing some research the Notch is at the top of my list along with the LH Solo and SMD Skyscape.

I'm planning on using it on the Faroe Islands where its quite windy and almost no trees.

Gerard, have you had a chance to use the Notch? If so, what are your thoughts in terms of floor space? Is is adequate or does it feel claustrophobic? I'm about the same build as you, 5'11 170lbs.

Bogi

Bogi, I am 6'1", 215lbs and wide shouldered. More than enough room for me. You can even bring some small gear in with you apart from your sleeping gear. Otherwise there are two vestibules for your gear.

I asked quite a lot of Notch floor space questions in another thread, Franco kindly took quite a lot of photos to show. My impression is its generally long and narrow so kit you want inside the inner tends to go to the ends, but with a bit of thought it can be widened. See lots of info here.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=56180&startat=140

Claustrophobia aside, a concern can be inner touching outer and bringing condensation inwards, an issue that is making me look away from my current tent, and that seems to be low probability of a problem with the Notch design.

The SS1 is shorter but wider inner is another choice, also with a solid inner option soon for windy Faroe Islands. The Notch compared to SS1 in another Franco video

Bogi, I agree with David's assessment. I am 5'9 and around 155 lbs and find that I fit quite comfortably in the Notch with my synmat. The dual vestibules are quite nice for storing extra gear, and the semi-solid inner seems to be a good option if you're expecting blowing wind or dust.

I just got mine and was hoping to take it out this weekend, but looks like we have a spring storm coming through. Maybe next week sometime…

"My impression is its generally long and narrow so kit you want inside the inner tends to go to the ends"

Little room at the ends for me for gear. Instead at the sides. The footprint is not a rectangle but more like a modified diamond so it is wider in the middle (you tie the sides out to the trekking poles).

As far as claustrophobia, that is not possible because the inner I have is mesh and without the inner, the outer canopy could hold two with gear. It is about the same size as an MLD Duomid in overall width.

I first had a TT Contrail. Nice except in med. to high winds. I think the StratoSpire may be better in winds but not nearly s good as the Moment.

Then I got a Moment and love it, ESPECIALLY in windy weather. Plus the Moment got its name from its very fast setup time. At the end of a hard trail day it's nice to have that feaure.

I've modded it a bit. You can read about those mods in the current Tunnel Tent review comments.

Thanks for the replies. Very hard to decide when so many great tents are on the market.

I also have to get it shipped to the UK which means I have to pay a fortune in shipping + import duties. So maybe I should just try and make my own tent hehe…

Tarptents can be purchased in Europe at

http://www.backpackinglight.dk/index.php?cPath=38_54

and

http://www.trekking-lite-store.com/trekkingshop/Zelt:::1.html?XTCsid=d55377200dec0bc5beb8594b8b00b440

in my experience both companies will provide excellent deals.

I see. Good to know. Cheers.