TT Notch vs. Moment DW

Hi Stuart, not sure if you have seen this post of mine Notch versus Moment

I have used both in windy conditions, the crossing pole on the Moment DW provides a secure and stable shelter, IMHO better than the Notch. That is if I am going to a windy, above treeline location I would take the Moment DW with the crossing pole and with the side tie outs on the hoop it will be stable. I would also strongly recommend the solid/part solid inner for either in windy conditions.

BTW if you are keen on a pole supported shelter for windy conditions take a look at the Stratospire 1, see my thoughts here  Stratospire versus Notch

Happy to answer more questions if needed.

Hi Roger, thanks for the links.

The Moment DW is updated from the original Moment, it now has a complete separate inner.

Agreed on the need for a semi-solid inner (available for both tents), it will not only block cold wind but wind blown glacial dust as well. I have discounted the Stratospire I due to the large footprint – finding even a small area of level ground can be difficult. My current tent has a hoop like the Moment and I know that this can flex alarmingly in gusty winds, whereas treking poles are rigid even if the flysheet gets blown about. But the Notch has a very narrow inner… round and round I go.

I understand your reasons for not including the Stratospire 1, I have both the Notch and the Moment DW and do not intend to part with either. The criteria on my choice of shelter is determined by where am I going, likely temperatures, wind and like camping area.

If it is going to be exposed, windy and cold I take the Moment DW.

If its is exposed, and less windy with temps above 0C then the Notch is a better option from a weight perspective.

However, the other part of my conundrum is a camera tripod. I use and prefer the TrailPix, but once the Notch is set up I can’t easily then use the TrailPix for astrophotography. So it becomes a trade off on the focus of my trip, which increasingly these days is about photos.

For a long distance trip I would preferably carry the Notch as it will keep me dry, warm and comfortable, also the outer is easily set up as a lunch time shelter. YMMV.

Adding external apex guylines with Linloc 3s and 6′ of chord each to the Notch helps stabilize the tent in breezy conditions and also makes it’s easier for a tight pitch. Some people have added another pair of guylines to the foot and head panels of the Notch for extra wind support (mine does not have this). Had it not been for the weight difference and dual use for trekking poles, I would have opted for the Moment DW for the reasons mentioned above.

For TrailPix photography with a Notch, once the tent is erected, it’s easy to remove both poles for a day climb or for photography while also keeping the tent safe from wind while you’re gone. This is made much easier with the external apex guylines option. Once the poles are removed, you can reverse the direction of both apex guylines, crossing them over the middle of the tent and then staking them out to the opposite side. Unused gear gets lumped into the middle of the inner to form a mound for drainage (a loosely rolled foam pad stuffed with gear works well). Both vestibules are unzipped a third of the way (where they are lowest to the ground). The crossed-over apex guylines hold the tent taught and very low to the ground. Rain tends to drain away from the center mound to both sides and escapes to the ground through the unzipped portion of each vestibule.

Thanks Lester, agree with your comments and yes I have the apex guy lines attached (pre TT adding them) I have also added extra guy outs at each end as per Alex Roddie, as for the TrailPix, I have considered your options, but in cold conditions with time-lapse photography I would prefer a shelter/sleeping bag to sit in. However, the Trailpix is a work in progress, and for my purposes it is the best and lightest option.

Lester, Nice tip about using the apex guylines when collapsing the tent during a dayhike. I have wondered how I would do that but haven’t experimented yet.

To make it clear, the Notch now does come with apex pullouts, no need to add them.

I suggest to use a separate stake from the one at the bottom of the door panel to get a better angle and to allow opening up both of those door panels if desired.

(can’t do that with the Moment DW)

Regarding how narrow or not the Notch is, in a standard set up those poles are 34″ apart and that is about your shoulder room (the walls of the inner are vertical)

This is me (5’8″ , 155lbs) on top of an Exped mat.

depending on the space required that could look spacious or claustrophobic, you decide.

Of course you can also un-clip the inner (if bugs are not about) and use all of the space under a fly as a shaped tarp, and maybe clip back the inner when ready to go to sleep.

BTW, to get the 34″ you would need to push the net out but you would be far away from the fly.

To be clear, I don’t think that the Notch is better than the Moment, just different .

Because I always use trekking poles it works for me but I did like using the original Moment too.

+1 of the separate stakes for the external apex pullouts. For 3 season backpacking in a tent, you can’t beat the Notch IMHO for the feeling of oneness with natural.