New Mont Bell Single Wall Tents

To ask for no condensation in a single wall tent of any kind is asking too much IMO. I have learned to expect it and deal with it in all my single wall tentages.

Brett:

We are two whores in the same pod!

Do you know if there is a awning/window on the other side of the tent? Also, is there a mesh panel behind the door? Thanks.

John:

I actually don't mind a reasonable amount of condensation — which I define as condensation droplets that cling to the underside of the ceiling and walls — but not so much that they actually rain down onto me or my bag.

The SD Solomente's condensation was actually quite reasonable — even in 3-season, which was the time I used the tent. The problem with the Solomente was that even using just a standard-length sleeping bag, the foot end would touch the walls and soak the bag — due to the combination of fairly short length and steeply sloping walls toward the foot end. If I could keep my bag well away from the walls, I would have kept the tent. I bet this design/configuration flaw is what caused SD to discontinue the Solomente, after just two years on the market…

Ben, heard that…lol. I have not experienced the raining effect..yet.

John:

Curious, which single wall tent do you use?

Dang! why didn't the profanity filter catch YOUR recent post, I think they've relaxed the rules a bit..ha ha.

But to answer your questions, yes, there is a full size mesh window, and at the back of the tent there is a circular tube sticking out with a mesh panel. Sort of like a horizontal stove pipe. It acts as a vent if the main door is completely sealed. Ill get a pic next time I see one set up.
Now please go back and edit out that post before Dr. J sees it! ;)

Curse you again, Brett, but this tent is getting better and better… You said you were at the MB Outlet. Is the price for the Mighty Dome 1 the same or cheaper than website? Also, is there a way you can skip the VAT, being a "tourist" and all?

Separately, does the 2-person tent feature two doors — or the same one door / one vent opposite configuration?

Um, is your offer to hand carry this tent to LA serious? If so, then beer and sake are on me. :)

I cut the floor (left 8" for snow flaps) and door out of a eureka zeus 1 exo and used it snow camping last weekend at Taos, at 11,000 feet. It probably cannot be called a tent any more huh? Got lots of frost inside but it melted and dried up in the sun. Final weight was about 2.6 pounds, tent plus poles.

Very imaginative!!!

>>I actually don't mind a reasonable amount of condensation — which I define as condensation droplets that cling to the underside of the ceiling and walls — but not so much that they actually rain down onto me or my bag.

So far I've had condensation "rain" in two situations.

Case A: 1) wake up to water splashing in my face.
2) imagine that rain is passing through the canopy.
3) realize that heavy rain drops are shaking
condensation from the inside of the tent.

Case B: 1) wake up to unexpected snow decreasing the space
in my tent.
2) without thinking, shake the tent from inside to
dislodge the snow.
3) experience the refreshing sensation of cold
condensation "rain" on my face.

In both scenarios, my shelters were tarp/tent hybrids with silnylon walls. I've never tried a single wall tent with a breathable canopy but am very curious about them. Brett and Ben, please keep us posted as to your experiences with them.

Ben, just to make your answers public for anyone else researching these tents..

"Is the price for the Mighty Dome 1 the same or cheaper than website?
Same price; comparable to a black diamond lighthouse.

"Also, is there a way you can skip the VAT, being a "tourist" and all?
Nope, Im here on a work visa, not a tourist visa.

"Separately, does the 2-person tent feature two doors — or the same one door / one vent opposite configuration?
One door, back vent tube, in all models.

"Um, is your offer to hand carry this tent to LA serious? If so, then beer and sake are on me. :)
Yes, I'll hand carry to the US, then mail it; not hand carry to LA! ha ha… Ill mail it domestic for anyone here at BPL. And what I really want is what I can not afford here in Japan, a rib-eye STEAK!!

Looking at all the Mont Bell tents pictured here I see none that would keep the tent floor dry when the fly was opened in a rain. NOT GOOD.

For a single wall tent I'll stick with my TarpTent Contrail.

Eric

Eric, what's your impression of the Contrail's performance in cold windy condition? Can you "batten down the hatches" enough to allow the temp inside of the Contrail to exceed the OAT? One is in transit to me and I'd like to reduce my learning curve as to the reasonable limits of use.

Eric, my experience with the Monoframe Diamond in heavy rain indicates that while a protected door is nice to have, it's by no means necessary. The drill is: zip open the fly door, sit down, zip it closed. It probably took me more time to type this than it takes to do it. The most I've gotten is a few drops on the floor which easily wipe up with a bandana.

That said, the Contrail sure looks like a sweet tent for warmer weather. I may have to sell off my Virga 2 and another tent to get one.

I don't think one can compare MB tents and HS tarptents directly. MB tents discussed here are for winter use. MS tarptents are for use in milder temps.

The single wall MB tents rely primarily on fabric breathability and only secondarily on venting to help control condensation. Breathability is most effective in cooler/drier areas but near useless when humidity is high. When used in cold and dry Alpine climes, I bet these tents will be a joy to use — minimal condensation plus the ability to shut out the winds!

The HS tarptents rely solely on venting to control condensation — and every tarptent is designed with 360-degree vents. So long as there is a breeze around and the air isn't too humid, these tarptents are wonderful to use. However, because of their sole reliance on venting — none of these tents can really be "battened down" when cold night winds are swirling. In the same dry and cold Alpine climes mentioned above, there is no effective way to block out the winds, thus making the tarptents suboptimal for winter alpine use.

As is often the case, it all boils down to picking the right tool for the job at hand.

PJ, I realize your message is addressed to Eric, but I just wanted to chime in regarding the usage limits of the Contrail. My experience is limited to one night last fall in the Sierras when it was breezy but not what you would consider high winds. I just don’t see how this tent will retain body heat to maintain a temp significantly above the OAT with even a light breeze, nor did I expect it to based on my use of floorless shelters. However it snowed and the tent shed the snow without any problem. I may have had a problem if I had opted to stay another night. Overall I like the tent and expect it to perform up to my expectations.

Last month my son and I used our floorless Hex in temps significantly below freezing and I wished I had taken my warmer bag. If I had been in a fully enclosed tent my regular 15° bag would have been sufficient. For me it is always a trade off in borderline temps as to which tent to take. If I take a fully enclosed Hubba or I-Tent I can sleep comfortably with a lighter bag in colder weather. If I choose the light weight tarp tent or my Hex, on the other hand, there is no weight saving since I take my heavier bag. I bought this Contrail for summer hiking in the Sierras. One thing I have considered, and you may be able to help me out here, is take some down pants for colder weather and supplement my lighter sleeping bag with my down jacket and pants since they would be a nice addition to provide for comfort while in camp but before I climb in the tent for the night?

My sentiments exactly. Hence my question. I'm not planning to use it even in "storm pitch" mode below +38F to +40F.

Dual use on the hi-loft insulated clothing is the right path to be taking to extend your sleeping gear lower range. The caveat is if your sleeping bag is cut too tight, then insulation compression will result and you won't achieve your goals completely. Solution to this is a) get a MB SuperStretch bag, or b) lay your down jacket on tope of your sleeping bag instead of wearing it.

Dondo. Do you think that the MB Diamond is ok in hot humid weather as only the door is mesh.I am thinking of getting one because of its light weight and size.Thanks.

Nicholas, unfortunately, no. The Monoframe Diamond is the tent I use in cool to cold windy conditions. I've never used it in hot humid weather but I imagine it would be a nightmare. For that kind of weather I prefer a tarptent.

Eric, That TarpTent looks like a good solution for 3 season use, especially hot humid environments. 360' Protection from swarming bugs, shade, lots of ventilation; and very light.

That is a different requirement set than for an alpine/winter tent, where generally there are no bugs, sunshine is beneficial warmth, and too much ventilation alters the micro-climate of warmth I want inside my zipped up tent. Also, an alpine tent might be pitched in high winds on bedrock, frozen ground, or a tiny ledge; staking a tent to the ground to form its shape and stabilize its profile would be a hinderance, if not impossible.

One thing we certainly agree on is that low weight is critical; my Firstlight is the lightest free-standing tent in its price range. But certainly, I would not want to sit zipped up in it on a sunny, humid day. For those days I have my Quarterdome… but uh, that Contrail looks very inviting; how much are they again? : )