Tropic & Jungle – What Tent?

[FT]

I live in SE Asia in a tropical climate that is hot and humid year round with torrential rainfall at times. I’m looking for a tent with great ventilation to get as cool as possible night’s sleep. Insects are a SERIOUS problem.

Temps

• Daytime 85 to 95 with heat index of 100 to 120
• Nighttime is 80 to 89 with a heat index of 100

Humidity Day or Night is 85 to 99%

 

Any recommendations? I want a 2 or 3 person tent. Don’t mind a little extra weight for the room of a 3 person. Additionally, the tent will be used for emergency shelter after a natural disaster – earthquake or typhoon (unfortunately the possible for either is high).

[Ben H.]

I would think a hammock would be best…

[Franco Darioli]

A very biased suggestion, but one that I used in hot weather and under heavy rain ;

the Tarptent SS2

You can seal it up or open one of the four door panels at a time to adjust  for rain direction if needed.

Packs pretty small if you use trekking poles but you can also get the Vertical Support poles for a sturdy set up.

The second photo should give a good idea of the generous vestibule size. I have cooked inside there with the doors fully closed. (there still is air flow , in from the bottom and out of the vents)

The SS2 is a two person tent but can take 3 standard size mats, so larger than some.

franco@tarptent

[FT]

Think no trees, but heavy vegetation.  Nothing big enough to hang a hammock

[FT]

I really like Tarp Tent!  I researched Tarp Tent and was set to purchase their free standing model, but they quit producing it.  I was really disappointed!!

Great looking tents, but not free standing.  I should have added that in my original post.  Free standing is necessary for the planned secondary use as emergency shelter after a natural disaster.

[Franco Darioli]

We now have a 2 person freestanding tent coming out, the Bowfin 2 but, like most, it still needs some stakes to work, in this case 2 (the ones at the bottom of the door panels.

when you look at freestanding tents, make sure you know how many stakes you need to use to make the fly work (that is not to lean against the inner) Some need 6 or even 10 or more making the “freestanding” bonus a bit of a non event.

 

[FT]

Looks very nice.  I cannot tell from the picture, but it does not appear to protect the interior from rain with the vestibule open.  When will it be available?  Where are more detailed images or graphics?

Thanks!

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

From my experience, camping in the tropics is one of the hardest things to do as the humidity is difficult to deal with.  With respect to a tent/tarp, finding the “right” location where you can have some wind exposure is going to be the key to managing humidity.  That being said, having a tent/tarp that you can adjust or move locations would be a plus.

Keep in mind that with silnylon while good, larger drops can generate micro spray inside your shelter.  This might be an issue during monsoon season.  Of course during monsoon season, everything in your tent/tarp will probably be moist.  Good luck

[Tipi Walter]

The Montagnards of Vietnam lived in huts on stilts, much like the chickee hut of the Seminole Indians of Florida.  Getting off the ground is therefore important.

When I was stationed in Panama with the USAF (U-LAFF?) we did some backpacking in the jungle—vicious place—and we all wanted to get our hands on jungle hammocks—best place to be—Off the ground.

In your case, I’d invest in a larger type tent with at least 35 sq feet—with two doors to offer full ventilation when needed.  Essentially two large doors on both ends turns a closed up insect proof tent into an open tarp when needed.

But you’re right—You want something to keep out both the bugs and the snakes.

[Brad Rogers]

It’s not freestanding, but the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo looks like it would have great ventilation with both the doors open.  It also looks like rain wouldn’t fall into the shelter when you open the door like many shelters and it has lots of elbow room.  I have no first hand experience with the Lunar Duo, so this is just my observations from seeing some.

If you really must have freestanding, you are probably looking at a traditional dome tent with X crossing poles.  I am not even sure what is in the market like that nowadays, but I know there are some. Most of the “leading” tent companies, even the big boys, have gone to semi-freestanding designs (even when they like to call them free-standing).  Even a freestanding tent is going to have to be staked though, so I never have seen all that much advantage to freestanding designs.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Sleeping off the ground is a good point.  It may be worthwhile to splurge and get one of those UL cot.  Another thing to note is sleeping pads.  I remember being hot using a NeoAir, an insulated pad is not a great thing when it is hot and humid.

[Ethan A.]

Hot humid rainy jungle is a really tough one. I think it would be worth your while to search for and contact pro nature documentary crews and scientists at universities, conservation zoos, museums and research institutions who have done jungle expeditions requiring them to move from place to place (as opposed to basecamping) and ask them what they use. Their photography/research gear would require them to travel light.

A backpacker who would occasionally go hunting solo in Hawaiin jungle areas mentioned he used a hammock. This probably wouldn’t work well for you as a natural disaster shelter. You might have an easier time if you keep a separate natural disaster shelter in addition to your jungle backpacking shelter.

I’m very interested to hear what you wind up with.

[Franco Darioli]

“Looks very nice. I cannot tell from the picture, but it does not appear to protect the interior from rain with the vestibule open.

You can pull the apex of the floor triangle in the center in but yes you still can get some rain on the floor.

When will it be available?

Soon.

Where are more detailed images or graphics?”

https://www.tarptent.com/whatsnew.html

[Tom V]

I a friend that lives in Thailand. They use an MSR hubba hubba NX or a big tarp, and a bug bivy. They like both.

[Author]

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