Jus’ Sayin’

hildeberg has a lot of youtube videos.  For some reason, there’s a lot of cult following of some brands.  Durston mentioned that on rsbtr podcast

when I searched in youtube for tarptent I saw a few videos.  One problem is that the words tarp and tent are common to many products, they’re generic words.

when I used gemini to search “links of youtube vidos of tarptent” it returned many and didn’t just return videos with “tarp” or “tent” in the name

Things go in and out of style, often for little reason. The influencers just copy each other, hence the phenomenon of virality.

I have to agree – Tarptent is a great Co., and Henry Shires is a thoughtful, clever innovator who just quietly stays at it, putting out really useful tents. He and his team epitomize great customer service too. I love my Rainbow Li, and there’s really nothing comparable to it in a non-trekking pole, single wall tent. In general, I think the Rainbow series, both single wall and double wall, are some of the best, all-around backpacking tents made.

I think TT gets a lot of love in the UK where some of the designs are geared more to tougher wind and rain conditions that what is generally found in the US. The Scarp is especially well loved there.

May TT continue to prosper!

And now finally offering a collapsible pole set for the SS.

I  have a bunch of tents. My favorite is my Tarptent Notch Li, by far. By very very far. Lightweight, sturdy, it has lasted through many trips, hailstorms, rain, insane wind, and I love how easy it is to pitch (after a steep learning curve though), easy to dry out. Seriously awesome tent. It’s only “flaw” is that it takes up a large space, with all the guylines. I can’t fit it into NPS designated campsites, if I’m sharing that site with others. It just doesn’t work well, even with some creative pitching. So I got a freestanding Marmot Tungsten UL1. That meets that one need I still have.

I agree – why aren’t Tarptents more popular? The learning curve? idk

Durston has a larger presence in social media and is more accessable than Henry Spires. I imagine Spires is ready to retire.

Too much stuff in the pack and things are forgotten and ignored. Durston only has a couple well promoted tents. It keeps it simple. Uncomplicated. You buy a Durston when you don’t know what you want. A Tarptent when you have a better understanding. Unlike us, normal folks only own one tent. They want it simple. Like a VW bug.

I have two Tarptents. No Durstons .

Durston only has a couple well promoted tents. It keeps it simple. Uncomplicated.

That’s true from the perspective of counting named tents, but less so overall.  Henry listens to feedback and improves his Tarptents occasionally–so you can basically know what year it was bought and know what tweaks have been applied.  Dan also listens to feedback, but does the tweaks almost in real time.  So though he only has a few named tents, there can be many versions of each one.  Both approaches have their pros and cons, but Dan’s way probably better garners a following among the social media generations.

I have three Tarptents, one Durston.

I have always received fast personalized responses from Henry Spires. It’s only on social media where I think he has slowed down.

I have always received fast personalized responses from Henry Spires. It’s only on social media where I think he has slowed down.

Absolutely.  I wasn’t talking about service, I was talking about putting out the next generation of a tent model (or hiking pole model, whatever).  It seems to me that Dan iterates a few existing designs very quickly, while Henry creates completely new designs more often but iterates those designs less often.

In fairness, Henry was the unquestioned star of the ultralight shelter world for a decade or more. Tarptent is still innovating and making quality products, but there are additional options now–and some of them are more adroit at using social media and influencer marketing than others.

Kudos to Henry, Dan, GVP, Peter, Ron and all of the other innovators in the cottage gear industry.

I don’t have any insight into the YouTube influencer business.  But it used to be that the only products that were reviewed by backpacking magazines were ones that advertised in the magazine.  Could there be some equivalent? Does Tarptent not kick back free products to influencers?  It makes you wonder when every gosh darn YouTuber is suddenly reviewing the newest flextail pump…

Scott

I bought a Scarp 1 sixteen years ago. It is still going strong. It is mostly my winter tent; I have a couple other shelters I use for most 3-season trips. I cannot say enough good things about Henry and TarpTent.

We have a Stratospire 2 and a Dipole 2 DW. Love them both. Solid shelters!

If you guys remember, Dan first started talking about tent designs on this forum 2016-17 IIRC. After using a Tarptent Stratospire for a few seasons, he thought of a different design. As I recall, it seems he posted some ideas or posted a link for the community. He did share his thoughts on BPL.

I’ve been a Tarptent owner since 2004. I love the innovation Henry brought to tent design. Tarptent still makes great tents for many applications, but has a different marketing approach.

Dan grew up on social media. He and his wife reply to comments in several popular backpacking forums. Dan has been on a number of Youtube podcasts. Dan is responsive and innovative. He designed a quality tent for a very reasonable price at rhe right time. X-Mid came out not too long before Covid started. More people learned about Durston while stuck at home dreaming of adventure. The timing was perfect for Durston.