Freestanding Tent Decision

A lot of tents say they are freestanding but require stakes to fully deploy the fly. Like the Double Rainbow in freestanding mode. Always a good idea to stake down to prevent kite flying. Do you really need a double wall? Are bugs, crawlies that much of an issue? I love my mid and it pitches so fast I can’t see going back to threading poles. I am taking hiking poles anyway so might as well have them do dual use and not take the weight hit of dedicated poles that only are there to pitch my shelter. Take an inner for those few trips during the height of mosquito season and go floorless the rest of the time.

I understand the fly will need to be staked out to fully deploy. But I could also pick the tent up and shake it out, move it or set it up on a rock where I will not be able to get my stakes in. I do want a double wall tent for a few reasons, bugs are one, snakes would be another, the occasional yeti or over amorous hiker as well;  but also I can open the fly if it is a clear night. One thing I don’t like about my Double Rainbow is having to thread the pole through the sleeve. Both of these tents use the clip system.

You actually mean I think ‘self-supporting’. ;-)

Yes, that too :)

A TT Moment DW is freestanding IF you add the X-ing pole.   It’s also OK for most winter camping.

My Moment DW has a modified X-ing pole run inside the flyer more support but either way it works.

With “Freestanding” tents, as mentioned by KT you still need to stake out the fly to prevent the tent getting blown away and to keep the fly from flappng in heavier winds. Flapping flys are annoying as he!! when you’re trying to sleep and it’s hard on the fly.

” One thing I don’t like about my Double Rainbow is having to thread the pole through the sleeve.”
You are not the first to comment about poles and sleeves…
Like many things, there is (maybe…) an easier way of doing it :

support our poor maple syrup economy with yr yankee dollahz …

basically u get a “pro deal” discount with the exchange rate … even after shipping … buy some T2s as well

http://www.mec.ca/product/5036-964/mec-spark-ul-2-tent/

339 canuckistan dollahz and 1.58 kg so they claim

;)

I understand that Self Supporting tents do require staking and that the fly will have to be staked as well. I was hoping to get thoughts on those two tents and some suggestions on similar class tents.  I will check ooout the Canadian one. Exchange rate rate is good. Perhaps they will include a few Molson too :)

The best truly freestanding tent I’ve used is the MSR Hubba Hubba. It works as a freestanding tent and the pitch is tight. Really fine tuned and maybe worth the extra ounces.

“Flapping flys are annoying as he!!”

Birds of a feather Eric.

ooops

I’m looking for a new 2 person tent as well and have also been considering the MSR HHNX2, BA CSUL2, and TT DR. Other’s I’m considering that would also seem to meet your requirements are the new MSR FreeLite 2 and the Big Sky Mirage 2P ?

Anyone have any feedback on these 2 tents?

nm

I absolutely love my BA CS UL2. I don’t understand the gripe with the rainbow doors. they roll down and clip up tight so they’re not in the way and there’s really no way I’m going to risk tearing them. I had originally intended to get the REI Quarter Dome 2 which to me, seems almost identical to the CS. However, I snagged a really good deal on the CS on Black Friday so I went with it. If price is a factor and you can’t find a good deal on the CS, I would highly encourage you to check out the Quarter Dome as another option. It only weighs a few more ounces than the CS.

From a price point the BA CS doesn’t make me balk. I will try to find a sale obviously but it that is the tent then it costs what it costs. I see Back Country Edge has it on sale at 319 which is a decent price compared to REI.  I suppose that is last year’s model but I don’t think they changed anything. Good to know the door is not an issue.  That was one thing that I had worried about from just looking at pictures.

I did look at Big Sky and the Mirage looks to be single wall similar to the Tarptent.  But the Evolution might be an option.  Curious to know opinions on that. Seems like a lot of options for customization on those tents.

Looked at the freelite too. Few reviews I could find had concerns on durability due to the fabric. A few even stated that the Hubba Hubba was a good option for a little more weight but added durability.

I love the Hubba design language and as a larger guy I opt for ‘2 person’ tents for solo use. Were I in the marked to replace my Hubba Hubba (now used only for car and kayak camping…not backpacking) I’d be looking very carefully at the FreeLite 2. With the ‘Y’ pole It’s not really freestanding, but it is self supporting and with Cascade’s lifetime warrantee it’d be hard to choose another tent with similarly wispy materials.

@David Karon:

For years, I kept experimenting with tents — switching practically every year… until I found my beloved Big Sky Mirage 2P (which I use as a ‘palace’ for one).  Quick and easy as heck to set up.  Excellent condensation management.  And no need for any manual seam sealing.

Everyone has different needs.  But at the end of a long day, if all you want is to throw up your shelter with maximum ease and minimum fuss — the BS tent is a joy to use.

If you want a versatile (can be set up freestanding or non-freestanding) and lightweight (32 oz freestanding, 21 oz non-freestanding) tent, and don’t mind spending a lot of money, check out the ZPacks Duplex Flex: http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/duplex-flex.shtml

How about the Nemo Dagger 2P ?

I was looking at specs for the Freelite and I am thinking I may want a little heavier fabric for the floor. I am not sure what the weight of the Double Rainbow was. I checked the site but didn’t find it. I have had decent luck with that tent with not using a footprint or polycryo sheet under it.  I also think I may want the stability of the 4 contact points with the poles.

I saw the Duplex flex on their site.  Thing looks giant. Very cool looking but wow the price.  Think that may be a lotto dream.

I will check out the Nemo Dagger 2p and see what I can find out. Thanks

re: FreeLite floor fabric.  I too would be concerned with that.  My comment was intended to mean, *IF* I were looking at other tents with similar fabrics, I would choose the MSR for the design language.

I own and love a Duplex.  Use a ~3 oz double-thick polycro footprint that I made from a sliding glass door sealing kit I found at WalM**t.  “Duck” brand.  After dozens of night’s use on many different surfaces I am convinced that the CF floor of the Duplex is more than adequately protected.  I will bet that a similar footprint would work well with the FreeLite.

The 3-point pole of the FreeLite also gives me pause for contemplation, however many of the light(er/est) BA tents use the same type of configuration so…again…I’m partial to the MSR.

Considering the design similarities, seems it boils down to the door, material choice and warranty. :^)

“I am not sure what the weight of the Double Rainbow was. I checked the site but didn’t find it.”

Thanks Franco.I guess weight was the wrong term I meant the denier of the fabric.  But I found that under the FAQ on the site. 30d for room and floor. it is a tough decision. I think it will come down to the Copper Spur 2UL and The Hubba Hubba NX.  CS is lighter, HH has a tougher floor. decisions decisions.