Dissect Tent please, Alpinizmo by High Peak–Swift Light 2p tent

Justin
both the Scout and the Contrail are solo shelters therefore yes they are on the small size as a double.
Both brands have doubles that fit 2 persons in comfort and still much lighter than the Alpinizmo, but I suppose you are just comparing the cost.
You need to keep in mind the weight , about twice that of the other two (Scout and Contrail) , for a start.
Anyway, an A frame tent 85" long, 54" wide and 43" high is not exactly a large double either, maybe if you just built yourself a frame of that size with strings it will become a bit more obvious.
As a comparison the similar (in shape) Golite SL 2 is about 108" long, 68"wide and 48" high.

added..
I took the measurements for the SL2 fly from a BPL thread.
but I did a quick mock up of the OP tent and that is why i suggested for him to also do that.

I don’t think Golite SL2 width is 68″ wide, it has a variable width and the rectangular part is certainly less than 60″. In any case, the SL2 is certainly roomier than the Swiftlite tent and a frequent complaint about the SL2 is that it’s cramped for two people. It’s the nature of the beast with a narrow A-frame. Ventilation does look like an issue with the Swiftlite, as mentioned.

Moving up to $250 – $300 gives you much better selection of roomier two-person tents. If cost is the overriding issue, though, then maybe you should consider the SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter, which uses a heavier polyurethane material than the regular Lunar Duo Explorer. It’s otherwise the same design, though, and it costs just $160. Seems to me like for the extra ounces it adds a lot over the Swiftlite, in particular (1) it’s roomier, (2) dual side entries are much preferable to single front entry, and (3) ventilation should be much better:
SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter

See here for youtube video of Lunar Duo Explorer, the lighter silnylon model:
Youtube Lunar Duo

That tent looks just like a $35 Wentzle Starlite. Even if assuming it has better fabric and construction, I question the ventilation.

I can see the appeal. It is light, simple and inexpensive. But I would put my money on a tried and true shelter. The Golite Shangrila 2 certainly comes to mind and Tarptent has several models that will cover the same parameters.

> Found this at Overstock
I wonder why it is for sale at a company called 'overstock'? Does that suggest anything?

Actually, that sort of A-frame tent was all the go in the 50s and 60s. I still have a japara (fine proofed cotton) one from then. But the design has been superceded.

My main concern would be the price. A tent like this might be suitable for Boy Scouts in fine weather, but it would be competing with $50 pop-ups from Walmart – which probably have more floor space.

Ventilation – not good!

Cheers

Hi Franco,

Yeah, the size is definitely not ideal, and didn't ever think it would actually be "roomy", but i get your point. Thank you for the feedback. I'm more concerned about the ventilation issue though. Yes, price is a big factor. I would like to keep it at least below 250. U.S. But i agree with you all, not a good shelter for the price.

Hi Herbert,

Yes, i think i will need to go to at least 250 or so, to get a pretty good shelter. The SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter has a nice price, roominness, and ventitation, but at 57 oz (what, 3.5 lbs), it's just too heavy. Honestly, i would rather go with a convenient, fast, "pop up" tent over that because with two people i could share the weight–they take the poles and stakes and fly, and i carry the tent.

Not that i actually necessarily want to go with a pop up tent. The lighter version of the Lunar Duo looks nice, but out of my price range–wife would have a conniption i would think.

I agree Dale, both on the ventilation and might as well go with a better shelter for a bit more.

Here are some of the shelters i'm looking at: Tarptent Squall 2, GoLite Imogene UL2, Bear Pawd Designs "Bear Den", and there were a couple others but i can't remember the names right now.

Point well taken Roger.. but i was directed there after reading a recent thread wherein someone mentioned picking up a mountainsmith tarp shelter for 99 dollars, but when i went there, it was sold out. Looked nice if a bit bare bones (no netting, etc).

While i more or less agree with your Walmart comments, i don't think i've ever seen anything tent like there that weighed as little as this one (not to say it's that it's "ultralight").

Thank you for the feedback. Do you have any alternative suggestions for a good, all around shelter for 2 people 250 or less?

Or maybe i should just man up, and make that Tyvek tarp i'v been thinking of making?

Cheers to you as well.

I would consider the Golite Shangrila 2 before the Mountainsmith tarp wither the idea the you could find a nest for the Golite, if not just buy the whole works used. The Mountainsmith is 7 ounces heavier as well.

I'm waiting hear the reviews on the new Golite Imogene 2. It looks good on paper. You can get Tarptent Squall 2 for the same cost. My point being, if you can afford $250, you have all kinds of options. A good shelter is a blessing in so many ways.

My Golite SL2 with its inner bugtent weighs almost 50 ounces, 49 I think. Crazy heavy inner nettent at 26oz or so. So even if you could find a used inner (Golite no longer sells them) somewhere not sure that's best route. It's not a real comfortable tent for two people.

I still think SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter is good option. 60oz sounds like a lot, but it's relative. I consider my single person Tarptent Notch to be quite light, and it's 27oz after seam sealing. Spreading 60oz or so over two people is not much more at all. Lunar Duo is a single piece, but I don't thing it would be hard to shift weight, just let one person carry the tent and one person carry more of the food and/or cook kit. That should even things out right there.

I also suspect Lunar Duo Outfitter would have better resale value than a no-name bargain tent.

Of course there are more options once you get above $250, but $160 for the LDO seems to me like a good deal.

Hi guys, thank you for the further suggestions and feedback. I've decided to go ultra cheap and MMOG. Decided i'm going to make a pyramid type Tyvek tent, with bottom perimeter and door bug netting. Thinking a 9 ft x 11 or 12 ft piece of tyvek should work. (either way, ordered a 9×15 piece for extra stuff–got it for 26.75 + 9. shipping).

One top, near peak vent, a storm beak on the front door, and hopefully i should be good to go.

I do realize it will be bulky… as i already made a modified "tube tent" out of a 9 x 8 foot piece of tyvek, but not too heavy, and certainly should be spacious enough for two.

Question, should i keep the support pole in the middle, or bring it forward a bit?