Which tent would you start with?

Do you hike with trekking poles?

I like my SMD Deschutes + Innernet because it’s a modular system so I can the inner at home or use a bivy. Their Lunar Solo is almost the same thing.

I prefer the detailing and materials on my MLD Duomid. Also it’s much faster to pitch because of the rectangular footprint.

TarpTent makes great products.

Lots of very good options out there but my vote is for modular systems.

Yes, I use trekking poles.

Imo

Notch or Moment if you dont wanna use your poles.

Other brands are good too… i just love some TT!

I didnt say why:  When I lived in the South I wanted max ventilation…  for those nights.  (But bug protection)

@ William

You do not say what your budget is. If ventilation is high on your list, I would say look at the solo tents with two doors from Henry Shires Tarptent and SMD. I like my TT Rainbow.

Budget is not an issue, but unlikely to spend over $450 on something I’ll use once a year.

Tarptent Stratospire 1 ?

Tarptent Notch.  In my opinion it’s the best balance of price, weight, liveability, ease of pitch.  My only gripe is that the pitch lock ends limit stuffing and pitching options somewhat, but it’s a great tent, especially considering price.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. They’re sold out on the SMD and backcountrygear websites, but antigravitygear still has some available. The next batch of Lunar Solos will probably be lighter 20d silnylon like the new Gatewood Capes.

One big question of importance: Do you use trekking poles?

I personally love my Solomid for the expeptional ease of setup, the fact that you can sit up in the middle (this is the reason why I don’t like A-frame tents/tarps), the stuffability, wind-worthiness, modularity (can be used with inner, bivy or stand-alone) etc..

That being said, I could also see myself going the Tarptent Bowfin route. I recently got the 2-person version and my first impressions (no field testing yet) are very positive. I guess a double-wall and dual-door tent might be good for the humid conditions that you mention, as the former reduces condensation being a problem and the latter allows for tons of ventilation. If you use trekking poles, the Notch seems to be the sensible equivalent to the Bowfin.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone.

I was tempted by Matthew’s suggestion for the SMD Deschutes + Innernet because, I like the weight and versatility regarding options (Tarp only or Tarp plus innernet). And, I’m sure that I could have added a diy noseeum mesh skirt around the bottom to improve the tarp only option.

But, probably going to go with the TT Notch just due to the weight and ventliation for the heat and humidity in South Carolina. Sounds like I have my next anniversary gift suggestion.

Forgot about my birthday, until my wife asked me what I wanted. I ended up switching to Matthew’s suggestion and had her order the SMD Deschutes and Serenity Nettent. Decided that the versatility was key and my concern for ventilation would be best met with just the nettent, when percipatation/high humidity weren’t an issue.

Thanks again, for all of the suggestions.

I’ve owned 4 Tarptents.

Namely -> Contrail, original Moment single wall, Scarp 2 and Moment DW.

I liked them all but still have the last two. For solo I love my Moment DW. With the ripstop interior and optional Crossing Pole it is a 4 season tent.

To se my Moment DW with X-ing pole see “The Tarptent Thread, first post photos. My X-in  pole goes under the fly. Easy to do with two mods.