Tarptent Notch Li Review (First Looks)

[Brad P]

But at the price of a Notch Li, should you have to?

Nope. But if you have one and want to improve the performance, it’s a quick, cheap, light solution.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Why not a zipper? Maybe a few grams heavier but more secure.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

When will Henry initiate a “Go Fund Me” program for me so I can buy a Notch LI?

Actually I may sell off a firearm or two and get the Notch Li  – and some zippers for the doors!

[Philip Tschersich]

Not that my experience or opinion is worth much, but after having zippered doors on all my shelters to date and then trying a zipperless door Altaplex….

…I definitely prefer zippers. Enough to be a deal breaker for me.

[Franco Darioli]

Zippers are the first thing that tends to brake in a tent (or a jacket for that matter…)

So not having zippers had to do with that not weight saving.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

I think Henry would do well to at least offer zippers as an option.

Seems like most Li owners wish they had them. Jus’ sayin’

[Franco Darioli]

Sometime the vocal minority will be heard over the silent majority.

Seriously , Henry has constantly upgraded the shelters to accommodate customer’s requests when they made sense in the long run.

For example TT has just announced the new version of the Double Rainbow with more shoulder room and better bathtub floor as well as a removable apex strut for those that like to stuff their shelter.

So I would imagine that if enough find the non zippered doors a problem, that will change too.

(it wasn’t a problem during the TT tests)

[William Chilton]

I notice that TT have gone with zips for the Stratospire Li. I wonder what the thinking was there, given Franco’s comments on zips above.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Notch Li mods I would do:

1. fly door zippers
2. fly hem stake loops (4)
3. fly guy points midway up from the Pitch Loc ends
4. Maybe optional green or tan Dyneema fly??

All of these but #4 are for handling high winds. I’d feel much more secure in an all night windstorm with these mods. #4 is for more shade. Face it, sometimes we want to nap before dinner after a hard day on the trail. Shade at this time is nice.

Otherwise it’s a tent I could live in for 4 season backpacking/ski packing. I’ve done it in my similar Moment DW foe several years.

[Bill in Roswell]

The hiking poles that snapped, were they made of aluminum or carbon fiber? Standard 3 section links or 4-5 section folding poles?

Just adding data to my durability chart!

Cheers
Bill in Roswell

[Hanz B]

@ryan

after another couple seasons and some snow, would you mind giving us an update on this product? Will this tent get a bpl recommendation sticker?  How did the magnets hold up longer term? Thanks. Hanz.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

I must have read this review at least four times. And each time I come away more impressed with the Notch Li. I want one but with a brown or green fly. Likely never happen as I understand colored DCF is heavier.

I agree with Ryan on several things like stronger fly door strap magnets and the partial fabric optional inner tent.

 

[Rob Lee]

A post by Henry says the updated version is delayed until mid-late March. Anyone know what the changes are? Henry is mum. Is it worth the wait?

[Rob Lee]

While no update specs for the Notch Li have surfaced here is a pic Henry attached to the delay announcement. Teaser? Looks like a 2-way zippered door.

[Franco Darioli]

yes, it is. WP zippers.

[Rob Lee]

Thanks Franco. That’s a positive for me. Plus the ability to have big peak vents when not raining is something missing on some models including Notch & SS-Li. The peaks also look much more rounded. Is the default now handle up? Since the rollout is delayed how about throwing out some more bones to keep the buzz going?

[Franco Darioli]

nothing much to say except that we are waiting for a certain production problem to be overcome then there should be reasonable stock available.

[Erik G]

@franco You’re not the only one!

Any insight on said production problem?

[Franco Darioli]

Not enough tailors to do the job.

 

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

Wow, Ryan, you’re quick (re: the update a few minutes after we posted it).  Yes, the zip is definitely an overall performance improvement both with respect to wind and with respect to apex ventilation. The solid interior is now actually lighter then the mesh interior — we drank the Kool-Aid a bit and switched to 10D fabric for that given that it’s under low stress.

[Brad P]

Wow, Ryan, you’re quick (re: the update a few minutes after we posted it).  Yes, the zip is definitely an overall performance improvement both with respect to wind and with respect to apex ventilation. The solid interior is now actually lighter then the mesh interior — we drank the Kool-Aid a bit and switched to 10D fabric for that given that it’s under low stress.

I actually went to the Tarptent site since I got the email about the Notch Li release. I saw the site wasn’t updated and got in a chat with your customer service.  The site was updated while I was chatting.

Then I came here and posted about it.  :)

 

[Eric Blumensaadt]

I am pretty sure I’ll order the Notch Li V2 soon and replace my Moment DW as my 3 season tent. I talked to Henry Shires this week about reinforcing the stitching of the 4 fly hem stake loops I want to add and he said to order extra DCF patching tape and use that instead of Tenacious Tape for reinforcement. I want those stake loops to stop flapping in high winds.

My Moment DW would be mainly for winter now. With its shortened X-ing pole run under the fly and both side and end guy lines it has seen and easily survived high winds and snow load.

[Bill in Roswell]

Does the Notch Li v.2 update mean the Aeon Li is also getting a door zipper?

[Mark Ayers]

Thank you for the update. I looked long and hard at the Notch Li at PCT Days 2018. I liked what I saw but couldn’t pull the trigger then. I appreciate the thorough review. This us the first I have read since joining the crowd here. If they are all so good I have invested well in joining.

[Hanz B]

Wrong thread. Deleted.

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