DCF Single Pole Double Wall Dream

[Adam Salinger]

I used a NorthFace Canyonlands single pole shelter on my AT thru-hike in 2000.  I loved it’s size and simplicity.  I also loved the fact that the fly had a double zipper and the flap could be held up to make a full porch cover (Unlike so many of the partial covers that exist in today’s market)

After using tarps for years afterwards…I moved to a Nemo Hornet Elite in 2017 as it mimicked a lot of the things I loved in the NF but at a significant weight reduction.  My Hornet is about dead after hundreds of nights on the trail and I’m ready for a new tent.  My dream would be to have something like my olf Canyonlands tent but updated and ultralight.  I’ve looked at the TarpTent Rainbow LI as it’s the closest thing I see to a DCF version of what I’m looking for.  But…it’s single wall and I love having the option of leaving the fly off or pulling it back.

I’m looking for my dream shelter and would love to find someone who could build me a Ultralight shelter using DCF, for all but the floor, a carbon fiber single pole and super light mesh in the fashion of my old Canyonlands with a split fly for the vestibule but with the specs of closer to a Nemo Hornet Elite.

My backup plan is a new Hornet Osmo Elite…but I will never stop dreaming of this tent in DCF…

Anyone have anywhere (anyone) they could point me to that has the skills and wisdom to create and build?

[Brad W]

That’s a tall order. The Hornet Elite is tough to beat for DW tent at 23oz without sacks and stakes. Notch Li is good but needs 2 poles-for me not an issue as I never hike without them.

[HkNewman]

Former TNF Canyonlands user myself and that “porch” was pretty nice.  Sold the tent pretty quickly though.

Looking through the TT Rainbow [Li] current picture and it has a porch mode, if partial.

Wondering if a cut DIY project consisting of a somewhat overlapping triangular piece of 0.5 DCF for the open part (with eyelets on one side, maybe a tensioning system on the apex) would work?  Heavier winds wouldn’t be fun in any sort of exposed campsite, but if I remember the old Canyonlands, they weren’t fun anyways even when a “porch” is stock

[Greg Pehrson]

What about a Tarptent Double Rainbow DW Ultra?  One pole, similar shape to Canyonlands, double wall (fully removable fly), porch-able vestibule. High tech fabric like you’re looking for and a carbon pole.  Granted, bigger footprint, but at 2.5 pounds (including pole, sacks, guy line and stakes), it’s significantly lighter than the Canyonlands.

[Adam Salinger]

Rainbow Double Ultra fits the bill in just about every category…except weight….Can’t see (and don’t want to) go over what the Nemo comes in at ….23oz… But…I believe that a ultralight DCF version of the Canyonlands might be able to come in under 20 oz if built by someone who has the experience.

[bradmacmt]

We like the same things apparently. I have both the Nemo Hornet Elite 1P and the TT Rainbow Li. I’ve been thinking about getting the TT Moment Li in order to have a simpler double wall tent where both the inner and outer can be set up simultaneously (which the Hornet cannot do).

I started using the Hornet 1P’s back in 2016, and my current is the latest Osmo version. I love the design, and have found it surprisingly bomber, but it is a slightly fiddly tent to set up. I like the idea of the Moment’s simpler setup, which can also be done in rain without wetting the interior. A friend was part of a group that had a Moment Li with a cross pole. They got 4′ of snow, and the Moment was the only tent that didn’t collapse (they had a very fine assortment of quality tents that didn’t survive).

Anyway, it’s not quite the tent you’re seeking, but it might fit be one of the closest you can find.

[Brad W]

Moment Li looks like pole-less Notch Li-I like it.

[JG H]

Not sure if these guys would do a build from the ground up, but maybe if you start with your old Canyonlands floor they could repair, aka rebuild, the same tent from there up using lighter mesh and a DCF fly since they’d have the pattern from your beloved tent? I chatted with Rugged Thread about a year ago and they agreed to replace the mesh on my Duplex and add inverted T doors, but I never followed through with it. Still intend to, though.

https://www.ruggedthread.com/services/tent-repair/

https://rainypass.com

[JG H]

And you can buy all the supplies you need from Quest to make your own carbon pole set.

https://www.questoutfitters.com/Tent_Poles_CF_3.9.htm#3.9_Carbon_Fiber_Poles_&_Parts

[jscott]

Why not the Tarptent Aeon Li? single pole, etc.

by the way, that Moment tent looks really nice. I think it’s, what, 7 ounces heavier than the Notch Li, which is my tent of perfection. But I like to use my poles on day hikes when I’m out in the backcountry. The Moment solves that issue, at a weight penalty. Hmmm…

 

[jscott]

ooops, sorry I thought the Aeon Li was double wall…carry on.

[William Chilton]

I think the Trekkertent DCD Phreeranger is what you’re looking for.

The lead time could be longer than stated though. Search for posts on trek-lite.

[bradmacmt]

I think the Trekkertent DCD Phreeranger is what you’re looking for.

The lead time could be longer than stated though. Search for posts on trek-lite.

I agree with you William – I nearly recommended the Phreeranger DCF, but I don’t have any experience with it. I have corresponded with Marc at Trekkertent about the Phreeranger. It’s essentially a smaller, DW Rainbow Li. When looking at its weights, be aware it does not include stakes (or pegs as the Brit’s say). In all-DCF with stakes it’s basically 28 – 29 oz’s. Add a Tyvek groundsheet and it’s 32 – 33 oz’s. That’s the same as the TT Moment Li. However, the Moment can be had with a solid inner which I prefer.

 

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