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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Viewing 16 posts - 51 through 66 (of 66 total)

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Mar 26, 2009 at 12:11 pm #1489004

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

This video was just added. Enjoy the tour!
Warmly,
Addie

Mar 26, 2009 at 1:53 pm #1489034

Jim Sweeney
BPL Member

@swimjay
Locale: Northern California

Addie, did you mean to post a link? Where would we find the video tour?

Mar 26, 2009 at 2:25 pm #1489041

Denis Hazlewood
BPL Member

@redleader
Locale: Northern California

James,
Click on the link to the Sublite Review and pan down.

Apr 1, 2009 at 1:53 am #1490296

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

Forgot about this thread.
I have the Sublite Tivek with mesh door. The door looks exactly like in the sil version.
I forgot to take any pics of the door itself but you can see the zip in this shot.
As mentioned in another thread it handles condensation very well, in fact as the Scarp fly was wet outside and under the top inside, the Sublite remained dry apart from a small area at the apex where it felt damp but not wet. It also protects very well from the hot sun giving (fully zipped up, both doors) the same temperature inside as in the shade outside at 39 c (102 f). It took a decent amount of rain over two days still remained dry inside. Having both the bottom vent and the Tyvek door open it feels pretty airy and not claustrophobic at all as I sort of expected.
Pretty easy to set up, not as fast as the Contrail (for me) but should be easier for most. And yes, I can see how the Sil version can be a 3.5 type shelter.
Franco

Jan 10, 2010 at 8:20 pm #1561521

Michael Martin
BPL Member

@mikemartin
Locale: North Idaho

To anyone who has experience with the SubLite, I have a question:

How does it work with baskets on the trekking poles? Do the baskets get in the way of the apex attachment? Do they need to be removed to "thread" the poles during set up?

Thanks!

-Mike

Jan 10, 2010 at 9:42 pm #1561546

Denis Hazlewood
BPL Member

@redleader
Locale: Northern California

IMHO it would probably require removal of the baskets. If the baskets were in place they might push into the Tyvek and possibly cause abrasion.

Jan 11, 2010 at 1:48 am #1561573

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

From the Sublite page on the TT site :

From memory I had the snow baskets on my BD when I first tried that (wider than the one in this pic) , but cannot find pictures of it at the moment.

The fly is connected to the poles via hook and loop,you just need to insert the tips into the two apex "pockets"

Franco

Jan 11, 2010 at 10:54 am #1561649

Michael Martin
BPL Member

@mikemartin
Locale: North Idaho

Cool! Thanks.

The snow baskets on my poles are very hard to remove, but it looks like it should work just fine. :)

-Mike

Jan 11, 2010 at 5:43 pm #1561769

James Lantz
BPL Member

@jameslantz
Locale: North Georgia

Mike,

I have set my Sublite up with both GG Lightrek 4's & REI Peak UL's (Komperdell)with the baskets attached & have had no problems with them even in strong winds. The baskets do not touch the Tyvek.

Dec 3, 2010 at 11:55 am #1670502

kevperro .
BPL Member

@kevperro
Locale: Washington State

This was my thought too. If you want those features and expect to wander into continuous heavy rain just carry an extra small square tarp. Set it up in a flying triangle and enjoy a very large vestibule and extra rain protection over the lower body of the tent also.

An extra tarp adds a lot of versatility and if you have a long known relatively dry trip you just leave it at home. A silnylon 6'x6' tarp would probably work. That with guy lines and a few extra stakes is around 8-9oz. That still keeps your overall weight to around 28oz. which is excellent considering the versatility.

I think I just talked myself into it.

Dec 3, 2010 at 11:58 am #1670504

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

Or buy a Moment for the same weight as a Sublite and small tarp.

Dec 3, 2010 at 12:05 pm #1670507

kevperro .
BPL Member

@kevperro
Locale: Washington State

Plenty of ways to skin a cat. I guess I fret over condensation more than I do rain. I've yet to have either actually cause me serious grief so I'm not sure why I worry about it.

Dec 8, 2010 at 4:41 pm #1672355

kevperro .
BPL Member

@kevperro
Locale: Washington State

Ok… I've moved on this idea. Henry sent me the Sublite in Tyvek pronto so I already have that and after getting some measurements and cutting a prototype tarp from plastic I ordered a custom 6'x6' square flat Cuben tarp from Joe at ZPacks. Weight on my Sublite with stuff-sack & tent pegs is 20.4 oz. I don't have the tarp yet but based upon Joe's weights for his larger tarps, it should be 3oz or less. Stakes and guy lines add another 2 oz at most. Total weight of the system should fall in the 25-26oz. range.

Total Cost… $179 for the Sublite & $95 for the 6×6 tarp from Joe which puts it in the range of most premium solo tents.

Benefits:

*Basically a hybrid double wall tent design that is really flexible due to the use of a simple flat tarp for optional outer.
*Should provide excellent rain protection with the extra tarp covering the body of the Tyvek tent. The mostly vertical portion is exposed by the head so water should sheet off easily and even if there is penetration it is at the head of the tent not on your down bag.
*Huge vestibule area with adjustable height for cooking in good or bad weather.
*Very breathable condensation resistant inner that is usable on it's own in good conditions. Leave the tarp behind if you have known good weather.
*Full-rain coverage for door.
*Neither material will stretch like silnylon.
*Quick easy pitch without the need for trees.
*Pitch in the rain without getting inside of tent wet.
*Tarp on it's own is an emergency shelter or can be used for other treks with different tents.

Jan 10, 2011 at 9:02 pm #1682567

kevperro .
BPL Member

@kevperro
Locale: Washington State

I'll update this as time goes on for the sake of others looking to purchase the tent.

I have the tent and at this point have only set it up for seam sealing. First impression is that the size is perfect. The area inside the tent is perfectly sized, not too large, not too small. The area at the foot is more than sufficient to keep my bag from brushing against a wall. The front is perfectly proportioned for easy sitting up and changing clothing without resorting to contortions. I'd say that dimensionally Henry nailed this one for solo use.

I played around with various ways to tighten the pitch thinking of possibly adding a tie-down on the sides but with experimentation came to the conclusion that Henry has already done a good job. There are two spots on the side that allow you to stake out the sides which may give a more taught pitch and I think that is more than sufficient for the design envelope of the product. I'm adding some glue to the main support… top and bottom because the entire tent is supported from this one location. Glue on both inside and outside seams in this area.

I'm replacing the Easton stakes with my own Titanium ones and/or MSR ground hogs. I'll carry some of each because in some locations the ground hogs are tough to beat.

I have yet to receive the tarp. Once I have that and we get some good weather I'll update with some photos and weights. Then once again I'll update this over the year as I use the system.

Feb 23, 2011 at 1:39 pm #1700597

William Moon
BPL Member

@moon
Locale: Central Utah

This will probably sound like a dumb question but where would be the best place to put a pack inside the Sublite to keep it dry without it touching the sides of the tent?

Feb 23, 2011 at 4:57 pm #1700712

James Lantz
BPL Member

@jameslantz
Locale: North Georgia

William,
I put my empty pack under my sleeping pad at about the level of my knees.
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