Tarptent Sublite Tent Review

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The Sublite is quick and easy to set up, and requires two 53-inch (135 cm) trekking poles (or optional aluminum poles) to create its A-frame support and a taut pitch. Most hikers don't use 135 cm fixed length poles, so adjustable trekking poles are necessary for the Sublite. The trekking poles in the top photos are 51 inches, my longest fixed length poles, and they are not quite long enough, so I resorted to elevating them with rocks get the needed length. In doing so, I had to futz with the tent to get a decent pitch and it is not as taut as it should be. Setting up the Sublite with adjustable length trekking poles also requires a fair amount of fiddling to attach them. The fastest, easiest, and best support system for the Sublite is Tarptent's optional aluminum poles (4.75 ounces, US$10). They attach quickly and provide a taut pitch with no fiddling with Velcro attachments. ARTICLE OUTLINE

Performance
- Assessment
Specifications: Manufacturer/ Year/ Model, Style, Fabrics, Poles and Stakes, Floor Dimensions, Packed Size, Total Weight, Trail Weight, Protected Area, Protected Area/Trail Weight Ratio, MSRP, Options

# WORDS: 1940 # PHOTOS: 10 # TABLES: 1

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Jan 6, 2009 at 6:55 pm #1233062

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Tarptent Sublite Tent Review

Jan 7, 2009 at 7:36 am #1468467

Joe Clement
BPL Member

@skinewmexico
Locale: Southwest

Am I the only person who would like to see a hybrid version of this? I'd like to see the horizontal panels on top made from something impermeable (spinnaker, etc.), and the side panels out of tyvek. With a screen door, of course……

Jan 7, 2009 at 7:56 am #1468473

Anonymous
Inactive

Wow! This just never occurred as a possibility. Great idea!

Jan 7, 2009 at 8:19 am #1468476

Scott Smith
BPL Member

@mrmuddy
Locale: Idaho Panhandle

Again, throw in a Vesitbule and I'll buy one …. yesterday !

Jan 7, 2009 at 8:38 am #1468479

Robert Blean
BPL Member

@blean
Locale: San Jose -- too far from Sierras

Looks as if room could be improved at minimal weight by putting a short carbon fiber rod horizontally between the hiking pole tips. Perhaps that could change the geometry in a way that would allow Will's fixed-length poles. Useful idea? Creeping featurism?

Jan 7, 2009 at 9:32 am #1468485

John Haley
Member

@quoddy
Locale: New York/Vermont Border

I received my modified silnylon SubLite back from Henry this morning. The change from a .75" apex attachment point to a 1.5" should make a major strength improvement when used in heavy snow or very, very high wind. I'd estimate that the weight difference is only 1 or, at the very most, 2 grams. It's my understanding that is to be the standard size for future production.

Love this TT.

Jan 7, 2009 at 9:38 am #1468486

Joe Clement
BPL Member

@skinewmexico
Locale: Southwest

Creeping featurism. Great term.

Jan 7, 2009 at 1:13 pm #1468524

Tony Beasley
BPL Member

@tbeasley
Locale: Pigeon House Mt from the Castle

Wills review was very good but it did not mention what the Sublite is like in windy conditions.

As I am looking at the Sublite as a possible 4 season tent, I would like how it handles strong winds strong winds.

Tony

Jan 7, 2009 at 1:41 pm #1468531

Anonymous
Inactive

An examination of design and actual use reveals that an extra pole horizontally between the two support poles would be completely superflous. The tent pitches tight and the tyvek model, at least, experiences no sag or droop with damp cool air. There is ample room for a single ample sized adult hiker without slightest feeling of being cramped. There would be no experiential enhancement resulting from an extra pole. There is a bird's eye photo looking straight down on the tent showing the design outline in the review which might illustrate this.

Jan 7, 2009 at 2:29 pm #1468539

Casey Bowden
BPL Member

@clbowden
Locale: Berkeley Hills

John,

I agree that the existing Sublite doesn't need a strut similar to the Rainbow to increase headroom. However, do you think a strut could be used to increase the Sublite to a 2-person shelter? I think so, and bet it would be well under 2 pounds.

Jan 7, 2009 at 3:15 pm #1468555

Anonymous
Inactive

Casey,

There sure would room enough for that little darling on your shoulders but the peak design of the of the Sublite would require some major design alteration to accomodate two adults, in my opinion anyway.

Jan 7, 2009 at 3:19 pm #1468559

t.darrah
BPL Member

@thomdarrah
Locale: Southern Oregon

Go with duel doors and a single interior center pole, design done. Peak height would likely need to be raised for additional width when sitting upright.

Jan 7, 2009 at 3:37 pm #1468565

Joe Clement
BPL Member

@skinewmexico
Locale: Southwest

Every time people add dual doors and a vestibule to the Sublite, I get a picture in my mind of a…………Double Rainbow.

Jan 7, 2009 at 3:41 pm #1468567

t.darrah
BPL Member

@thomdarrah
Locale: Southern Oregon

I would leave the TT lineup as is. I feel that the options desired by most are well covered by the shelters now offered.

Jan 7, 2009 at 4:43 pm #1468589

Scott Smith
BPL Member

@mrmuddy
Locale: Idaho Panhandle

Sure .. I'll take a Rainbow …. In Tyvek !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan 7, 2009 at 6:02 pm #1468609

Dondo .
BPL Member

@dondo
Locale: Colorado Rockies

Nicely balanced review, as usual, Will.

I was initially more attracted to the Tyvek version but this statement gives me pause:

>>During a high intensity thunderstorm, I saw water droplets forming on the inside walls of the canopy that dripped onto me and my gear. The problem was accentuated by "condensation splatter" caused by hail impacting the outside of the tent.

Based on your use, would you say that the silnylon version would be more appropriate for the kind of thunderstorms we get in the Colorado high country? Thanks.

Jan 7, 2009 at 6:09 pm #1468612

James Lantz
BPL Member

@jameslantz
Locale: North Georgia

I have used my Sublite Tyvek on one 2 day trip thus far and can report its wind worthiness is excellent. Haven't had it in rain yet but it seems to me that due to its horizontal orientation, the only panel that would leak when "wetted out" is the one spanning from the apex to the rear carbon fiber struts. The other panels are quite steep & it would seem that water would just wick down the sides & drip off the lower edges. Has anyone considered using something like Scotchguard just on the one horizontal panel? This would be an easier, less expensive variation of Joe's idea of "hybrid" panels & would presumably not alter the tent's breathability that much. Any thoughts or comments?

Jan 7, 2009 at 6:50 pm #1468626

Anonymous
Inactive

I would like to hear more from Will regarding water dripping through. As you might know, this is not consistent with my usage which includes both rain and hail. The last storm using the PROTOTYPE TySub was in November consisting of approximately 6 hours of moderately heavy rain. The tent walls not only did not drip but were dry to the touch during the rain and there was no condensation. Following this VERY FAVORABLE TEST RESULT I bought and paid for a production model of the tent. Apparently, from Will's experience and from reports from folks in the NW, certain conditions will not resist penetration of precipitation.

Jan 7, 2009 at 8:08 pm #1468645

Scott Smith
BPL Member

@mrmuddy
Locale: Idaho Panhandle

I'll echo John's experience..

I spent a full day in constant rain in my Sublit Tyvek .. with ZERO condensation issues..

Granted . it was August . in the Sierras .. at @ 9000 feet .. However, again ( sorry guys /… for my contsant whining on this subject ) the only thing I missed was a vestibule to store gear / cook my dinner in ..

Jan 7, 2009 at 9:42 pm #1468660

Pedro Arvy
BPL Member

@pedroarvy
Locale: Melbourne

If you have adjustable trekking poles and get the sil nylon version, it seems this would turn the Sublite into a highly recommended shelter. Is that right?

Some performance comparisons with the Contrail would be good – which one of these shelters should a hiker buy?

Jan 8, 2009 at 7:08 am #1468690

Will Rietveld
BPL Member

@williwabbit
Locale: Southwest Colorado

Hi all, my responses to Sublite questions:

Dondo: Regarding the Tyvek Sublite leaking in an intense thunderstorm, I submitted a video documenting that, but for some reason it did not get included in the published review. High impact rain/hail does seem to force water through the Tyvek, so it does leak under those conditions. The impact of large raindrops and hail splatters the condensation on the inside, and gear inside gets pretty damp. Note that this occurs only under high impact rain/hail and not necessarily in a gentle prolonged rain. Henry's statement regarding this is accurate.

Petras: I would give the silnylon Sublite a Recommended rating, not HR, because the rain flap as presently designed does not allow the zippered mesh door to completely close. Henry is working on a modification. The lack of a true entry vestibule is a drawback, but that becomes an individual decision based on individual needs. If an entry vestibule is an important factor, then I suggest getting the Contrail instead, and it readily sets up with fixed length trekking poles.

Best wishes, and happy new year!
Will

Jan 8, 2009 at 8:06 am #1468701

Dondo .
BPL Member

@dondo
Locale: Colorado Rockies

Thanks for your response, Will. I think I'll stick with silnylon.

Jan 8, 2009 at 11:23 am #1468729

Tim Heckel
Spectator

@thinair
Locale: 6237' - Manitou Springs

I've had damaged pole grips from critters chewing on them at ground level.
I pitch my Contrail with the grips up, tips in the ground.
Can the poles be reversed in the SubLite?
Tim

Jan 8, 2009 at 11:29 am #1468731

John Haley
Member

@quoddy
Locale: New York/Vermont Border

Tim… No they can't be reversed in the SubLite. The tips have to be used in the apex and the handles fit in the adjustable ground "pouch".

Jan 8, 2009 at 11:36 am #1468732

Henry Shires / Tarptent
BPL Member

@07100
Locale: Upper Sierra Foothills - Gold Rush Country

Actually, trekking poles can be reversed. The Sublite Sil ships with grommets inside the ground level pole handle adapters (to support the optional replacement pole set). The first iteration of the Sublite (tyvek) didn't ship with those grommets but we added them if the Sublite was ordered with the optional pole set. The new production run will ship with grommets. The issue for both the Sublite and Sublite Sil is the apex where both models ship with a sleeve adapter that is designed to accept trekking pole tips or the end of the (thin) optional poles. However, that adapter clips to the apex and is completely detachable. One can easily make a new one that accepts trekking pole handles (or ask us to do it at purchase time).

-H
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