Tarptent Thread

Never had to fiddle with the Notch. Might be that you have to ensure you are setting up on a flat spot given the dual apex design lest your pole height be messed up. Practice makes perfect.

Here is a couple of Notch amongst a couple of others in Zions National Park.

Sam: "I think the Notch is a great looking shelter. Really great price as well. Looks big enough for two when used without the net tent."

I've seen a video review where a Notch was used like that, but expect it would have to be two very small people on exceptionally good terms with one another!
That you might make room in the middle does not change the fact that it is very narrow on the ends. Many times while going without the inner, I've had my 20×72" pad up against the fly, or even end up sticking out from under it if I thrash around a lot.
The Notch is a lot of things, but roomy isn't one of them.

I should have clarified what I meant by two! Ha
I meant to say it looked like you could squeeze two in there in an emergency. Bad storm rolls in and someone's shelter gets killed, so you drop your inner and let them scooch in under the tarp with you.

Heads and feet would definitely be intertwined with one another. A couple whom are of smaller stature could maybe share a quilt?

The woman who posted that video made it on the trail during a thruhike. She'd hooked up with guy, and there must have been a lot of snuggling going on. Not sure how much I'd want that on a thruhike with showers weeks apart!
Regardless, they spread the poles enough to get a pair of ZLites(if I remember right) side by side under there.

Hee, hee

Yes, it IS amazing how tents can be made to accommodate more people than they were designed for, especially if they are "enthusiastic" about it.

Does this look correct?
Is the black clip in the correct place?
If I shorten the black ribbon on the bottom of the pole, it will pull the net down and open it up to better air flow. Love the size, interior space, overall design and the REALLY QUICK setup time, but this rigging on the back end is a bit of a head-scratcher. Thanks!

Steofan,
I had a look at my own photos of the first version of the Contrail and yes it looks like that..
Sorry about the confusion I just forgot how that first version was designed.

I think Steofan is asking about the Contrail

Hi Mark,
Yes thanks, I see now (reading the heading of his post)

Pro rail vs Notch

I can't decide. I don't care for front entry but the Protrail has a roomier interior. The Notch has a nice side entry and huge vestibules but small interior space. The Protrail packs better.

Thoughts?

The Protrail is also cheaper. Its about 3/4 the price of the Notch.

It also seens more wind worthy and is easier to pitch . It can be set uo with only one trekking pole .

When you have a trekking pole in the way, a side entry is overated IMHO.

I vote Protrail.

My vote goes to the protrail,I like everything about it better except views and ventilation… Ok maybe I like the notch better.

I own both. I suspect the Notch is better in severe wind as it has smaller fabric panels to deal with blowing conditions. It is also not subseptible to how you pitch it in the wind as much as the Pro Trail. The Notch will also take some snow and is better to use if you are trying to blow the snow and / or wind with the fabric inner. The Notch also deals with condensation better by keeping you away from it with the double walled construction.

However, the Protrail is lighter, has more functional room inside for the bigger or taller folk, packs smaller and is less expensive.

On a side note, the trekking poles used to set up the Notch do not in any way impede ingress and egress as Jimmer suggests.

How tall are you? End entry tents are a pain for everyone I suspect, but literally painful for taller guys. Whoever said side entry is overrated must not be very tall. I'll never get another end-entry tent.

>>I'll never get another end-entry tent.

I'm with Todd. At 6'1" in height end-entry shelters suck for me…never again.

Also, having once owned a Notch, I will second the statement that the poles do not impede ingress/egress. And even if you find that they do, like all shelters of this design pattern, angling the pole by moving the bottom up to 12" in any direction can help alleviate that and does not appreciably affect the pitch or rigidity.

I'm 5' 6" but I agree that end entrances suck.

I want the Protrail (small packed size, stuff able) but the Notch seems like a better tent.

A long time ago I owned a Contrail, now I own a Notch and would not even consider an end entry shelter such as the Protrail. YCMV (Your choice may vary)

I should add that how you prefer to sleep may help you make a decision. With the Notch, the height is in the middle so when you sleep, the canopy fabric from the inner tent is closer to your face than what you would 'face' in the ProTrail, where the height is maximized at the front. I will also add that when you angle the pole slightly to the side on the ProTrail, you will not have any issue getting into it because the height is relatively tall (in comparison to other solo shelters on the market). Once you are in the ProTrail there is definitely more room in side for spreading out. Strangely, at 6'1" I actually find it easier to get into the ProTrail. YMMV.

Roger, the ProTrail is substantially better than the Contrail in my opinion (having owned that one too). It does much better in inclement weather; any issues with the rear of the Contrail have been exorsized with the ProTrail.

I don't recall seeing a Rainshadow in this thread yet. Forgive me if I missed yours. This is on the long ridgeline of Stone Mountain in the Mt Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia in August probably close to ten years ago.

I've not owned another tent with a front entrance. :)

Thanks for the answer, guys.
I'm happy with a front entry tenttarp as long as it goes along with:
a) low weight,
b) quick and easy setup, and
c) good ventilation.
I've had a Contrail on my wish-list for a long time and just now have one, and now I find out that mine is an early model. Cool.

Beautiful pitch , Ken.

The RS had some really nice lines but the 2nd version (RS2) offers more headroom and an easier entry point , so not a good example of difficult front entry, as can be seen here :

http://walkingsouth.com/post/86972222045/rainshadow-2-by-tarptent-while-we-would-still

I like the look of the new Tarptent website, if you have not seen the site recently it is worth a look.

Hi Roger,
That was quick, the new web site went live just yesterday .
Should work much better with smart phones and tablets.
franco@tarptent

I own a Sublite Sil that I bought used from another  backpacker.  Its been amazing.  There is a feature that I am confused about and Im wondering if anyone can enlighten me.  If I am in my tent… I zip the door closed, then the netting closed.  Then, there is another flap of silnylon that doesn’t seem to correspond to any other shape in the door area.   I can’t figure out what the purpose of it is.  Anyone that has one know what this is?