MSR Hoop????

Hi Ben,

The Hoop is what I would call a 3 and 1/2 season tent. I have tested one in light snow and it did fine. It seems better suited for general 3 season use with the occasional chance of snow. The inner ceiling is mesh and I did have some condensation drip down occasionally.

The Hoop got put to the test last year on a sight seeing/backpacking/kayaking trip in Alaska. We had days of drizzly rain in Katmai NP and some mixed weather in Lake Clark NP. The Hoop stood up pretty well to those soggy conditions. We only had one or two nights with significant wind justifying extra guy lines which were fabricated with Kelty Triptease. To cut down on weight, Tyvek stuff sacks were sewn up to split each tent between two people (approx. 3lbs per person). We found them sufficiently comfortable and roomy for two people.

Would I use them again? Maybe if I was in a group. Otherwise I would be more interested in trying large pyramid shelters with a greater weight to space ratio.

The group's MSR Hoops at Lower Twin Lake, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Both are pop-ups, but the MSR Hoop is pitched inner first, while the Unna is pitched outer first. That doesn't matter in fine weather, but if it is raining the inside of the Hoop will fill with water while you are pitching the tent; the Unna inside will stay dry.

Also, if there is a strong wind while you are making camp, pitching the Unna may be a little easier to handle than the Hoop. On the Hoop the poles will go everywhere until the fly is on and guys set. This can be an adventure. On the Unna the poles are threaded into the fly first, which is much stronger and safer.

Cheers

I would for sure agree with Roger that the Hoop can be a challenge to setup in icky weather. I had the advantage of setting up the tents many times before the trip. Others had to learn the quirky setup in the field. We had to pack them up in the rain on many occasions, working fast together with your partner helped to keep the inner dry. The Hoops we used were on loan from another group and were obtained brand new at a good price from what I understand.

If price was not a limiting factor and I wanted a durable "freestanding" style tent, it would for sure be a Hilleberg that sets up outer first.

Have you considered tunnel designs? They are superior in nasty conditions and can also be setup outer first. Maybe a Nallo 2 or one of the Caffin Tents when they come out?

Hi Ben,

I doubt, that the Unna with its sloped walls would be suitable for two persons. The MSR HOOP is way roomier but probably fidgety in wind.
I once used the similar designed MSR Hubba Hubba on a trip to Hawaii where I camped in state parks exposed to winds. The tent was flexing noticibly in even moderate winds (<20mph), producing hearable friction between fly and poles). I have no doubt that the tent would survive strong winds when properly staked (although good guy out points are missing). But it is very vulnerable in the set-up and striking process. The poles of my tent got finally irreversible bent when a gust came in right when the fly was already off and the inner still on.
But this was my Hawaii experiencene, on all other trips in the lower 48 (incl. Colorado Trail) I was able to choose better protected sites and was very happy with the roomy Hubba Hubba.
So, if uncompromized wind resistance is important to you I would recommed to consider a Hilleberg Nallo or similar. Otherwise the HOOP seems to be a good choice. The solid inner walls will make a geat difference in dust and wind.

If the two of you are of average size you could fit two in there easily.

Look here.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews.html?forum_thread_id=63999

The inner tent will take 2 20" pads side by side with an inch or so left over.

I have a bit of experience with the Hoop.

http://tinyurl.com/a9yeb7p

But I did not use it in winter as right after I wrote that review I got a 4-season tent to start testing.

I do agree that it should be considered a 3+ season or shoulder-season tent.

It does have a lot of room, the roomiest I have been in for quite a while.