DCF Tent for a tall guy

[Roland]

Good morning,

I am about 6’4 and 240 lbs, 65 years old, and looking for a tent I would fit in comfortably. I am using a Rapide SL 25×78 slepping mat, and sometimes a long quilt. I would prefer a a single pole shelter, since I want to use it also on bicycle trips. Does anybody have some recommendation I should look into? Tarptent Rainbow maybe? Does Zpacks has something that would fit?
Thanks for your help

 

[Terran Terran]

Consider Ultra for a slightly wider tent. A new one I saw yesterday from TarpTent. Not DCF but looks roomy.

MesoSpire

[Roland]

Thanks, what do you mean by “Ultra”?

[Terran Terran]

Ultra is a similar fabric to DCF. A little heavier. A little cheaper. The fabric is wider allowing for slightly wider tents. Not longer, but if you sleep at a diagonal, it may help.</p>

[JG H]

I can’t think of a single-pole shelter that would work unless you want to bear the weight of a pyramid and inner.

If you’re willing to consider a two-pole DCF tent…

The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 or 2+ should work for you if you’re willing to sleep diagonally. The Zpacks Offset Solo or Offset Duo should also work (the Duo would just be a little roomier) and, based on the dimensions, you shouldn’t have to sleep on a diagonal. You could fit in a Zpacks Altaplex, but if you are claustrophobic at all, or prefer wiggle room, that choice may not make you a happy camper.

My brother is 6’4″ tall, too, and I just went through this exercise trying to find a tent for him for his birthday. I bought him the X Mid Pro 2, but he hasn’t pitched it yet so I can’t say how well he fits. I was going to go with the Offset Solo b/c Zpacks had a few on sale but they’re gone now.

Also, the carbon poles for those tents are inexpensive and light. Having to carry a second would mean you’re only adding about 3oz and the extra room to carry it, too, would be nominal at best.

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

There are 3D spinning models for the Rainbow Li and all other models in the Tarptent product pages. Scroll down the page and click the “Usable Volume” tab. The model for the Rainbow Li is 6′ but you can visually add 2in to the sitting up (and 4in to the lying down) views to get a good sense of how it would (and does) fit you.  The Dipole Li is another good option for your size although it is a dual trekking (or alternate) pole tent. We show that one with a 6’6″ person inside.

[baja bob]

I have a Locus Gear Hapi in the Grande size (1 ft longer than regular size). 120″ x 70″ x 55″ tall. I am 6’4″ Plenty of room. You can use a full inner net, get a half inner net, no net or us a bivy.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

“The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 or 2+ should work for you if you’re willing to sleep diagonally…My brother is 6’4″ tall….I bought him the X Mid Pro 2…I can’t say how well he fits.”

He should have lots of room on the ‘long diagonal’ because the unique floor shape creates an extra long diagonal. We have lots of people up to 7’0″ that are happy like that. Even sleeping straight should work pretty well but is near the upper limit. The X-Mid Pro 2 and Pro 2+ are our longest tents when sleeping on the diagonal, but the X-Mid Pro 1 is our longest tent sleeping straight because it has steeper end walls. The Pro 1 is 90″ long (7.5 feet) even at 12″ off the ground (longer than almost all other 1P tents).

If you want a single pole tent, that will have more inward slope on the walls by virtue of only having one pole. but there are some that should work (e.g. Zpacks Altaplex).

[Todd T]

I’m 6’5″, 205lb, a month away from 65 years old.  The Tarptent Dipole 1 Li is the most tall-friendly one-man tent I’ve ever tried.  Takes two poles though, plus the tiny “built in” ones at the ends.  I’ve used it both with 20″ and 25″ mattresses; both work but of course it’s a little more crowded with the 25″.  I’m a happy camper.

I also have an older TT Rainbow (circa 2009), which works but not quite as well.

[jscott]

Todd, that IS a sweet looking tent by Tarptent. I’m sold on the Notch Li, because I’m only 5′ 8′ and not at all claustrophobic. But this dipole might change my mind….

[Roland]

Thank you for all your Input. I’ll do some reading and watching and see which one I’ll get.

 

[Terran Terran]

I think Ryan did a review on the Dipole. If I didn’t already have a TT SS Li, I may have gotten one. I think ZPacks carbon poles were about $34 on GGG. Pretty light and they fold down to less than a foot.

[bradmacmt]

I also have an older TT Rainbow (circa 2009), which works but not quite as well.

I love my TT Rainbow Li. I’ve often thought it would work well for a relatively tall person. For a single pole bike tent for @Roland I can’t think of better.

[George W]

I’m 6’3″ and now 69 years old.

I have an XMid Pro 2 and an Altaplex, I have plenty of room in both.  I gave the XMid to my son because he got married and needed a bigger tent.  The Altaplex has all the room I need, and the XMid 1 wasn’t in existence yet. I gave my son my Kakwa 40L too, but kept my 55L.

[Roland]

George,

interesting that you would fit in an Altaplex. What kind of mattress are you using?

[George W]

The Altaplex was designed for tall people, all pads I’ve used fit, along with all my gear inside.

[Author]

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