Montbell UL Dome Shelter

Perrin:

One big caution when you check out the tent. As you know, condensation can form on the tent walls of any single wall tent — no matter how breathable — so it is critical that the tent be big enough all around to prevent your sleeping bag from touching the walls.

The MontBell Mighty Dome is a different dome tent but has the same 200cm length. That short length plus the dome curvature mean that even using MontBell's own "standard length" bags (which is the shortest length they make) — there is NO WAY to keep the bag from touching the walls — unless you sleep in fetal position! Very stupid design.

So, when checking out the tent above, be sure to lay a sleeping bag inside AND CRAWL INSIDE. In the case of the Mighty Dome, the walls touch the hood as well as the top of the foot section because of the curvature.

If the UL Dome is like the Mighty Dome in terms of curvature, then it is only good for folks who use women size bags or short bags.

Perrin, be careful. The tent you are referring to is the same as the UL tent (the Uno) put out by OD Box last July (OD Box and MontBell worked on it together). It doesn’t use Breeze DryTech, but Ballistic and is not breathable. It is also very short and the entrance is very small. Here is the thread I started about it.

Just how do you open the door in pouring rain?
Looks like a water bucket to me.

Thanks for the redirect Miguel, and thanks everyone, for pointing out the issues. I thought it was new because it wasn't in the catalogue at MB and was listed as new in the webstore.

So, scrap that idea. Been feeling a bit frustrated about tent decisions. I need to find a tent that somehow balances weight with comfort because I'll be living in it for potentially 4 months but dragging it around for a year across the planet.

I don't even want to get into the fear of buying a really nice expensive tent and having it swiped along with a pack full of handpicked gear.

Garr.

Perrin:

Not that you asked, but given the frequency of lost luggage this day and age and how it can kill your trip right then and there — you should consider fitting everything into a carry-on size backpack if you can — and check only the few “hazardous” items — like knives and hiking poles — separately in a cardboard tube.

Perrin, have you looked at the British Terra Nova Laser Competition? A lot of people really like this tent. Or what about GoLite’s new selection of tents soon to come out? A lot of what they have might fit the bill. And they look to be quite affordable.

One of the things I found by doing the Tour du Mont Blanc is that I let way too much of my imagination get in the way of preparing simply for the trip. I realize now that my SpinnShelter would have been just fine and that I was worrying about nothing. I really would trust myself now with the mantra, “Keep it simple!” Anything that you have to deal with along the way you’ll find a way to do it. Don’t let the fear and gear dictate the trip.

That being said you really can’t go wrong with the Hilleberg Akto.

Actually that webpage does indeed say it is Breezedrytech. Maybe they made an error because I think it is single-layer silnylon from handling it in the store. Like Ben and Miguel cautioned, this is a short small and non-breathable tent.

Sorry to butt in here Brett. When I first looked at the Japanese “バリスティック®エアライト” I, too, thought it said Breeze Drytech. The katakana is easy to misread. It says “Ba ri su tei kku ea rai to” or Ballistic Airlight, which is MontBell’s 100% waterproof fabric for lightest shelter and waterproof clothing. It is not silnylon, but a urethane coated (on one face) nylon. It is strong stuff as this photo (scroll down to the rain water filled tarp photo… that is a Ballistic Airlight MontBell Multi Tube Shelter after a rain storm) attests to.

Thanks for the input. Those british tents are both ridiculously light and expensive. I'm a bit surprised they haven't been featured on BPL yet.