New Tent on Kickstarter

How is this one any different from the Rug Rat Tent that we discussed here the other day?

–B.G.–

By "this one" do you mean the tent, or the discussion of it? By "here" do you mean this site, or this forum?

This discussion is at least in the proper forum; it does seem to be referring to the same tent discussed in Gear (non)Deals.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=93503&skip_to_post=795711

Well it looks like a good amount of consideration went into the design of these tents. I think that all the points make sense, but ultimately, this tent appears to be a family tent for shorter treks or car-based trips. Lots of room, lots of features… seems to be a great place to play if you're a kid. I doubt that the tents will have much appeal to the UL world, since we normally would sacrifice things like the convenience of "set it and forget it" or extra space for the lighter weight. I think these tents would make incredible tents for music festivals and car camping in good weather with larger groups. Truly enough room for each person, amazing star-gazing abilities, and it appears that there will be good durability as well. Right now I wouldn't have the need for a tent like this, but congrats on a unique design and best of luck with your product. Thanks for sharing and seeking feedback.

Hi Adam,
Super thanks for checking out the project. You understand it well. Putting this tent out for comments on BPL, I'm also trying to gauge interest in some of the little features as well as the big ones: stake loops that adjust in length are pretty cheap and light, and they really help anchoring the tent down. So are the extra zipper sliders to take care of the sand/zipper wear problem. And so on. I figured that most ultralight packing is done solo or with one other person but perhaps some folks here might do other types of trip with more people. Thank you for your comments!
Best,
Mike

It seems to a be bit of a 'tweener tent. It is too heavy for most backpackers. It is too expensive for a campground tent. I have a family of four. The advantages over a REI half-dome seem pretty incremental to me and it costs more than twice as much. It seems like a nice tent but I just don't see the cost trade-off benefit.

Hi Ben,

Thanks for checking out the project. You are right that the RugRats are 'tweener' in many ways. I totally understand what you say about them being heavier than what one might expect for backpacking (in 2014 anyway) and more expensive than high value offerings like the HalfDome4. Yes, it's true
The RugRats exist to offer a choice that hasn't existed before because the market has become homogenized around fairly weak tents that have been stripped of features (even ones that weigh and cost almost nothing). I'm not claiming that everyone should decide on a RugRat, I'm offering the choice and the reasoning behind everything. At the very least I hope to make people aware of these things so they can, maybe, ask for it. That's the only way major brands will be able to add non-weak, non-stripped tents – customers must ask for them.
The RugRats' expense is caused by their priorities: greater size, strength and the absolute requirement to be able to set-it-and-forget-it. No night time interruptions are allowed – no need to readjust the fly, no tent laying down on your head. It sounds odd but this is the first tent in my career that is actually designed explicitly to help the occupants sleep. In turn, this has led to using two expensive materials: the 20D polyester Teijin fabrics and the DAC 13.55mm PL poles. Both are new-to-the-world this year.

So RugRats are a premium offering that requires valuing what a really well designed and executed tent can do to be a contributing part of a trip – over and above just providing shelter.

Thanks a ton for the comments. Much appreciated!
-Mike