Tarptent ProTrek

Like for above post

I was ready to pull the trigger on a ProTrek but then I found out TT will be offering a lighter woven fabric version sometime in the future. Of course it’s common knowledge a DCF ProTrek is in the works, however the exorbitant price and shorter lifespan makes it something I’ll pass on.

It’s a weird tent, though not in a bad way. A lot of different angles all coming together. Easy enough to pitch once I realized that the back corners are square. It’s directional depending on the lay of the land. I have it pitched backwards so it faces my house leaving the head end on the downside.  There is enough room in the foot end to sleep in the opposite direction. A left hand sleeping bag might be awkward. I use a quilt and sleep on my right side. The included “v” stakes are solid and should hold well. I feel safer using tubular stakes that I can usually push in by foot. It could use a line coming off both ends, though not necessary. Without extra stakes, it’s very dependent on the four main stakes.  Unlike my SS, if one stake comes out, the whole tent collapses. Plenty of tieouts though. In the field (reinforced on both sides) and along the bottom edge. More headroom and footroom than my SS. There’s always a tradeoff.  Overall, I’m impressed.

I’ve had good luck with DCF. Seven years and one patch from.heavy wind blowing inside the vestibule. Carelessness on my part. I try not to overstretch it.

Is there a way to partially raise the fly on that corner or would you need to rig something up to do that, like a thin piece of shockcord and lock or small bit of guyline and another lineloc?

How is the entry and exit? It does seem, based on the backpacker review posted above, that it would be a tight squeeze if raining and the fly was wet. And I would hate to enter the spot right where my head would be if it was raining.  You mention enough head room at the other end, but that sloping long side wall wouldn’t leave a lot of shoulder room if sleeping there.

Looks like a cool tent with a unique design, but for now I think I’ll carry 8oz more and stick with my Dipole. It has more room and stability, a very small footprint (especially lengthwise), and it can vent at both ends. I think I would only consider this ProTrek if there was fly only tarp option that I would use with a groundsheet when light rain or wind would be the only concerns, and I wouldn’t want to carry the extra weight and struts of the Dipole. It would have to be weight savings of about 4-5oz to be worth it though.

I have Dipole 2 Li and DRW Li, ans this lookslike it could be my solo tent, at least in fair weather. Probably in the lighter woven (as long as not nylon).

The back corner does untoggle and raise up. There’s a ring on both the top and bottom. I’ll have to explore more. I don’t think it can be done from the inside.

Easy to get in and out. I don’t know if I’d use it if heavy rain was expected. I can’t say much about that. There is less shoulder room at the foot end. I’m only saying that you could if conditions were right. Condensation may be an issue.

I like the Dipole. It’s been on my list. I already have a Stratosphere 2 li that’s close in weight that I like and it’s hard to justify the expense.

For reference.

1.    6′  200lbs. Human. Long torso. My head touches when sitting unless scooted back.
2. Nemo Extreme LW pad. 25 x 76 x 3.5″
3. ZenBivy 10*  UL quilt. XL

Picture of the foot end with the right side wall touching the bag is telling.

It’s pretty close. There is a tie out for that section.  Actually two on that side along with two on the bottom. I just have it set with four stakes, plus the wind was blowing it in.  The ZenBivy footbox is a little bulky. It’s an XL so it’s a big foot box. It’s 7′ (213 cm) long. 10*F. It’s a big quilt. It’ll work. I’ll get better pictures . I think that it has just enough room when it’s barely pitched with plenty of tie outs to make it comfortable. Good for fair weather and the occasional rough night

I am intrigued for sure. Curious how much width those tie outs give.

I’m using a ZPacks pole in the picture. If you use trekking poles and order the short pole with the tent, then you’d have a pole for the pullouts. Some of the stakes are barely in. I need to adjust them. The ground is frozen. You can see how much it pulls out. That section was indented when I took the inside picture. Another bad picture. I don’t have the backside pulled out.

That might be enough, especially with a smaller quilt.

I think so. Once I get the pitch down.

20*F EE quilt Long/wide

what is the fabric over the top of it?

Aluminized DCF. From way back when.

I have a piece of fabric that looks like that, but it doesn’t have low emissivity, it only looks like it.

It would be nice if there was a fabric stronger than aluminized mylar that actually reflected IR.

Alien free since 2015.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/101154/

That’s drastically different. Hmmm…

It takes three poles, sticks, or whatever plus two trekking poles, and eleven stakes to reach full potential. It will work with two poles or trekking poles and four stakes. There is a hook for holding up the back corner.

Terran, thanks for sharing the pics and your experience so far. I encourage you to keep working on your pitch as I’m not sure you have it staked optimally with guy lines going in so many random directions. Yes, it creates more interior space, but the panels don’t seem to be properly tensioned for adverse weather — stakes should be evenly supporting the seams that run to the poles and the perimeter of the shelter. Try to go for taut verses flappy.