TT Arcdome advice and other 2P Tent recommendations

Better late than never. I have the Arcdome 1 solid and am very happy with that choice for my use (backpack + cross country skiing). I don’t know if this helps, but I’ll offer my thought process in choosing between the AD1 and the AD2.

I needed a tent for 4 season snowy conditions for me alone. I like 1p tents in the three seasons as they are mostly sufficent for me and my use and does not weigh much. In the winter however, I like more space inside the tent for a bit more stuff. However I want to use the tent in combination with skiis and a backpack – not a pulk (at least not mainly). The Arcdome 1 was about 1200grams minimum, and the Arcdome 2 about 1600 grams minimum. The 1p curved solid inner provides the extra space I need for winter, and the 400 grams weight difference would only provide “even more” but not strictly necessary space (for me). So therefore I’d rather not carry the extra 400 grams of the Arcdome 2. I also think the heat retention in smaller tents are better, which for me is important when I’m not using a white gas stove for heating inside. I would personally not go for the 2p inner, though it’s possible to unclip a few clips and create a temporary vestibule for cooking. I personally don’t see the point of the 2p inner unless you bring another person or prefer bringing the backpack inside.

It looks like your choice will only be down to your own preference of space wanted/needed and willingness to carry some extra weight. In my view 400g only provided “nice-to-have”-space, and not extra necessary space. If you are a very tall person (over 184cm) or prefer a lot of space inside, then the 400 grams might be worth it. The Arcdome 2 is certainly not “too big” for one person. But that’s just my way of thinking in relation to the two Arcdomes.

When it comes to comparing to other tents then I did not find any other winter tent with double walls that was rated as a 1p + 4 season tent within a reasonable price and weight.

You can buy the fly separately as well as the poles. $300 + $50 locally. You have the inner. You can always buy the two person inner. The sum of the parts is pretty close to the price of the tent.

I set up the AC2 yesterday. Not ready for a full review. Using carbon fiber poles, I have the aluminum ones on order. I have doubts about leaving the fly open in the rain with the 2 person floor stretched out. I plan to use it with the groundsheet alone. A 1 person inner is great idea. Let me ask Tarptent.

Thanks! @terran, what is your impression of the carbon poles? Are you finding them to be too flexible or sturdy enough for high winds? Also, it looks like the Arcdome 2 is completely out of stock and an updated version will be coming out in october. I’ll probably hold off on a decision until we know what the updates are.

Fast answer from Henry as always.

No. the flys are different geometries — 144in poles for ArcDome 1 compared to 162in poles for ArcDome 2 — the interiors are design to match to the fly connection points.

I like the carbon poles. I think they’ll be fine for most uses. Pushing straight down, they feel like they’ll handle a snow load. Sideways sway from the wind is minimal. However yesterday was pretty mild. I did decide to order a set of the heavier al poles. While I think the carbon poles would hold up, I think the al poles would be more comfortable in high winds.

@terran That’s great insight, thanks! I’m really curious what the updates to the arcdome will be. Hoping for interchangeable flys between the 1P and 2P, only full zip inner options, and one can always hope a tent loses a few ounces lol!

The indent on the floor of the 1 person tent may have the purpose of getting it underneath the fly. The floor on the 2:person is at a slight angle serving the same purpose.

It appears TT is switching to full zip. The short zip partial inner is on sale. That’s the main reason I started with a solid inner for the full zip.

I’d like to see Henry make a 1 person that fits the 2. Or a 1+.  More vestibule space for the dog, or wet gear, away from my bedding.

@terran I think he already makes a 2P fly that fits underneath the 1P fly. That’s something I considered since it would make the footprint of the tent much smaller, lighter, and still space for gear inside the tent.

I wonder if he’ll change the material of the sleeves, I’ve heard some say that the ultra tnt material is a bit stiff to feed poles through. Have you experienced that? Also, I wonder how long until we see an arcdome li or the ultra return

Sorry meant “2P inner that fits under a 1P fly”

Henry said if there was an Ultra or DCF version it would be later in 2027. I don’t know if the flys would be interchangable.

I purposely inserted the poles without fully connecting them as instructed. I think the instructions are cautionary. The last few feet of insertion, especially with the second pole, trying to keep the sleeve straight was a little tricky. Otherwise they slid right in. I think it will be easier with practice. The sleeves are sewn at one end with thimble size boots on an adjustable strap on the other. I struggled slightly with getting the first pole in the boot. Getting the second pole in its boot was worse, until I looked over at the included “v” stakes. Or should I say the included shoehorns. Worked like a charm. Pole slide right in.

That’s great feedback. That’s been one of my concerns and one of the reasons I considered the durston x dome but I imagine it loosens up and gets easier like you said. I just don’t know if the x dome can handle consistent high winds

I’ll have the aluminum poles in a few days. I’ll see how they go through.

I think it’s less a matter of the sleeves loosening up than it is of me getting the hang of it. Getting the poles around the curvature of the tent is what slowed me down. I didn’t feel the sleeves were too stiff.

The size of the groundsheet is good. While unnecessary, it covers the vestibules.  There is a bit of sliding between it and the inner. It does help with splay when the tent is wide open. Sort of. I still used a line between poles. The groundsheet should be nice by itself.

Open field with very little windbreak..   AKA my backyard.

The 15mph winds weren’t bad. It could have been tied out better. With 23 mph gusts, i dropped the tent.

Actually I think the wind speed here is a bit higher than the reports.

The carbon poles had a lot of flex. They’re thin carbon poles. While they held up, it was past their limit perhaps around 15mph.

Well this was interesting;

ArcDome 2 Updates Include:

Green 20D 100% silicone coated polyester fly option (factory seam sealed)
New 2+ interior style with one extra large vestibule instead of two small vestibules, similar to the ArcDome 1 interior style (still dual door)
New 2+ full solid interiors will have mesh windows with solid fabric storm flaps. Top triangles will now be solid fabric not mesh.
New 2+ interiors will have two additional low mesh pockets (six total)
All interiors will be factory seam sealed
Lower fly edge
Larger top vents
Flys will zip fully closed under vents
Updated and wider arch sleeves
Longer straps for arch tensioning
More included guy lines

@henrik wow those are big updates, all seem to be things that address previous minor concerns of mine. I think that green fly will be great for me, should be lighterweight (which is great because I also want to use this for some 3 season use), easier to see in a snowstorm, and not too bright in the morning. Those updates seem incredible and that’s exactly why I love TT and Henry in general, he listens to feedback and exceeds expectations every time.

Yep. But I do believe the Arcdome is his colleagues invention – Robert Dunne. These alterations seems to be huge improvements. Will be interesting to see what it looks like, but the version with one large vestibule instead of two could mean that a pulk can fit inside. If so – then I’m sold. Again.

Henrik, can you direct me to where you found the list of updates please? I’m not able to find it on TT’s website.

Thanks

You press on Arcdome 2 and then «Overview». First that comes up is the list.

You press on Arcdome 2 and then «Overview». First that comes up is the list.

Sheesh – it was right in front of me lol. I was looking at the “Version History” Section.

No regrets over getting the present model. I probably would have still gotten the heavier fabric for winter. A fly for each season?  I found the setup much easier the second time. Using a stake for a shoehorn makes setting the pole pretty easy. A longer strap would eliminate that step. The zippered vent should be a nice touch.

Having 2 doors, it shouldn’t be hard to vent the solid inner when it’s cold and the bug pressure is low. The windows are a nice bonus though. What I have will serve my purposes.

I’m glad  the partial inner wasn’t available. Having a larger vestibule will be nice when rains come. Everything would be tucked back a little more and better protected.

17 mph reported wind speed with carbon fiber poles. Two extra tie outs on each corner .

@terran thanks for the video. The tent looks like its handling the wind well but I agree, I bet the aluminum poles really make it solid.

I’m excited for these updates, I’m curious to see the specs when it releases. I will realistically be in 3 season conditions 65% of the time and high winds/winter conditions 35% of the time so with carbon poles (and aluminum poles in the winter), the 20D fly, and a partial solid inner, it should be lightweight enough for my ultralight backpacking trips and still be strong enough for snow loads and high winds.

I’m curious your thoughts on this thought I keep having. Because most of my nights will be in 3 season conditions and I try to pack as light as possible, I could pick up an x-dome instead and save 1 pound in weight and probably still take it in high winds and snow loads with guy lines, trekking pole support, and aluminum poles.

Here are my thoughts: I value lightweightness and a quick & easy set up.

I’m not sure about the x-dome’s system that connects the poles to the corners of the tent (seems annoying), the materials are a bit thin, and I’m not sold on the pole clips but they’re probably just as quick as sleeves. The main draw is the fact that it weighs just under 3 pounds and it has a slightly smaller footprint.

I like that the arcdome would be more comfortable in inclement weather, still lightweight, and it seems to have a very simple set up. But I wonder if it is overkill for my use case and if I could save the weight by getting the x-dome and modify it to handle 4 season conditions.

I’m definitely still erring on the arcdome but just a thought I keep having. I’m curious to here your thoughts

Good questions I’m not qualified to answer. My last freestanding tent was from Target. A Tommy Bahama or something silly like that. Better than what KMart had.

While my choice is obvious, I don’t want to put shade on Durston. I’m sure it’s a quality tent with some nice features. Very comparable to the Arcdome. Both good companies.

I have 3+;season tents and wanted something substantially stronger. While Durston fits that category, the Arcdome is a bit simpler and more aerodynamic IMO. Everything is a trade off. There is no holy grail.

Durston being the lightest in the category followed by the Arcdome. The new lighter fly is probably somewhere in between. Next on my list was the Slingfin followed by the Kuiu Storm Star which were overkill for me.  Whichever one fits into your present arsenal is the best .

They’re both excellent in their own right. They’re tools. Don’t overthink it. Get either one and make it work. You’ll swear it’s the best tent when it’s really all you and what you do with it.

Great advice. I’m pretty sold and excited about the arcdome so I think I will be doing that. Since I sold both my 3 season tent and my 4 season tent to find one tent to use for both situations, I think the arcdome is the best option on the market. I’m excited to see this green color of the fly, too. Thanks for all the advice @terran