Thread: Designing the best back country tent in the market - Need you help

Hi Team

We’re out to build the best backcountry tent on the market. Specifically built for the New Zealand market.

1-2 Person tent (1 person + Bag) or a tight two person
3+ season tent (withstand Fiordland rain, withstand west coast wind)
1 Vestibule
Light weight Under 1.5kg all up

No limit on materials we can source and we want to make this cost effective so its accessible to most kiwi hunters.

Keen to hear what shape, style or what’s in the market is close but the changes you would make.

My Personal favorite at the moment is the Terra Nova Laser, Hilleberg Helags 2 and Orson Tracker 2.

Will it be manufactured in nz?


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Agreed a high quality NZ made Tent would be nice , like the original Macpac stuff it was top notch stuff 35yrs ago

Be careful not to re invent the wheel
Apart from the Made in NZ this probably already exists

There is a lot to like about the Kuiu Mountain Star
Genuine 2 P tent with two vestibules and doors
Plenty of head room

Things to consider in this project
Ok you guys might be young and nimble, but how will it go for someone older and less flexible
How would it be if you were forced to bunker down in it for multiple days ( my record tent bound is 4 days ! )
Be careful not to be seduced by the numbers. I went right down the ultralight rabbit hole and then got rid of all the ultralight tents and brought the Mountain Star despite being heavier.
It has more head and shoulder room.
Can sit up and cook in it
Has great sandfly screens
Good door and high level vents
Is bomb proof

Frankly I'm happy to carry the extra weight for the sheer comfort and reassurance this bomb proof tent gives

But happy to see where this post goes @onamission and if you need a field tester in the South Island who's maybe in an older but very active target demographic, get in touch

Still rock these as primary shelter solutions

Cuben fiber tarp tent
Kuiu Mountain Star
MSR 3P
Kifaru 6P hot tent tipi and titanium stove

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Be careful not to re invent the wheel
Apart from the Made in NZ this probably already exists

There is a lot to like about the Kuiu Mountain Star
Genuine 2 P tent with two vestibules and doors
Plenty of head room

Things to consider in this project
Ok you guys might be young and nimble, but how will it go for someone older and less flexible
How would it be if you were forced to bunker down in it for multiple days ( my record tent bound is 4 days ! )
Be careful not to be seduced by the numbers. I went right down the ultralight rabbit hole and then got rid of all the ultralight tents and brought the Mountain Star despite being heavier.
It has more head and shoulder room.
Can sit up and cook in it
Has great sandfly screens
Good door and high level vents
Is bomb proof

Frankly I'm happy to carry the extra weight for the sheer comfort and reassurance this bomb proof tent gives

But happy to see where this post goes @onamission and if you need a field tester in the South Island who's maybe in an older but very active target demographic, get in touch

Still rock these as primary shelter solutions

Cuben fiber tarp tent
Kuiu Mountain Star
MSR 3P
Kifaru 6P hot tent tipi and titanium stove

Should have mentioned a lot of my use is above the Bush Line in the South Island alps so very different needs to what a NI hunter considers to be important

My preference is for a 2person tent with vestibules also, its great to have the extra room and if you do have two in it its nice not to have to clime over the other person to get in and out.
I also went with the mountain star.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

My preference is for a 2person tent with vestibules also, its great to have the extra room and if you do have two in it its nice not to have to clime over the other person to get in and out.

Same, add a good bathtub floor, some sleeve pockets at the inside ends to put bits in at night, maybe a wee loop to hang a small light, reflective cord on the outside

This
Genuine 2 P tent with two vestibules and doors
Plenty of head room

Be careful of not being sucked down the rabbit hole of:

lightweight
roomy
affordable

Pick any two.

As @akaroa1 has said, it most probably already exists, apart from made in NZ made. Making in NZ will make it unaffordable for the majority of the market...or will ruin your business model

A few options here. I got a Haven. It's huge under the fly and pitches with walking poles (or just rope if you are in the bush). Can be used with or without the tent.
https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/colle...light-shelters

Originally Posted by Shearer

A few options here. I got a Haven. It's huge under the fly and pitches with walking poles (or just rope if you are in the bush). Can be used with or without the tent.
https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/colle...light-shelters

I've been leaning towards this style of tent now for a while, and thinking I would just carry a folding saw instead of poles... Unless above the treeline of course.

Good to have the opportunity to proffer suggestions....

I'm another in favour of a genuine 2 person tent .. as an older hunter I remain surprised at the relatively recent trend of each party member taking their own shelter/tent? We have always shared stuff like the tent, primus/fuel and food among the couple/party, and aren't aware of any compelling reason to change?

I continue to use a 30 year old Macpac Exodus ( has had a number of repairs/ bits replaced) and prefer the internal sleeves in the fly for the poles as opposed to the ''exo" poled tents that seem popular now. The tent inner is attached to the fly on velcro tabs, so the whole thing can be erected as one without the inner being exposed to the weather. For fly-only trips the inner can be removed, and it still works.

A bathtub floor that you can trust not to let dampness seep through and substantial enough to withstand the odd dog claw.

A descent sized 2 man tent that 2 of you can spend a week or ten days in comfortably. I personally like the the one opening at the front as I like to sling a tarp up over the front entrance. But I can definitely see the benefits of 2 vestibules.

Seam sealed from the factory too