Thread: Four Season Tents

Hey fellas looking at some tents and would like to hear what others experiences are with brands what works and what doesn't.
Been looking at some macpac tents the Olympus and minaret anyone used them?

I use both depending on type of trip and weather conditions, on my second Olympus in 30 years and had it in some mean storms and snow dumps, having the extra pole makes all difference in strength and the two doors add to extracting the condensation the next day. The Minaret gets used most of the time for just me and the dog on multiple day trip.

The olympus is a mean tent. Pretty large and hefty to carry solo though. Go the minaret

Shot boys.

Macpac plateau. If you can get one. They are pretty sturdy. Had mine in some big winds, cosy as.. they are a bit heavy though.

I recommend Hilleberg. I have the Nallo 2 GT. Just under 3KG.

Has anyone tried the Microlight from macpac
https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/t...nt/114084.html
It's light enough but I wonder what its like for room-length i'm 6'-1"so not huge but not small either.
Also its rated as a four season so in theory should be fine. I do like the macpac system of being able to get the fly up first then pitching the rest of it under
Cheers
Dan

Hi had the Microlight and really liked it but was too small for me and the dog .You will fit but if bad weather think you will wish for bigger tent especialy when you trying to change and cook.Couldnt falt it nice and warm wise . It did condesate but found if i left open it was better.Easy pitch i never took the fly off always kept as one .Im only light weight 5ft7 and 30kg dog.Macpac will set one up for you ,im at present looking for two man to replace it but weight vs durabilty? $$ proving hard to find

Thanks whirehair
Some good points
Slightly bigger might be better
I’ll head back into the store and see if I can’t set it up

I have used this for several years with no issue with the optional footprint groundsheet.

You can erect it in one go in the rain in minutes as the inner is already fitted inside the outer it doesn't get wet usually.

Never had a Kea attack on my dark green Akto but my mates dayglow (not an Akto) was shredded which just may have been a strange coincidence.

For some reason i like how the green blends into the surroundings I was also was advised the green was more uv resistant which may be bs.

https://us.hilleberg.com/EN/tent/red-label-tents/akto/

Originally Posted by i41do2

Has anyone tried the Microlight from macpac
https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/t...nt/114084.html
It's light enough but I wonder what its like for room-length i'm 6'-1"so not huge but not small either.
Also its rated as a four season so in theory should be fine. I do like the macpac system of being able to get the fly up first then pitching the rest of it under
Cheers
Dan

I have looked at the Macpac Microlight for bike touring. It is light because the inner is 90% mesh so don't expect it to be too warm. However, if 90% of your use will be in positive temps (above freezing) then it looks good.



I've been using a Kathmandu NorthStar XT for winter trips - always 2 persons - so we divide up the weight. Had a couple of nights at -8C but the NorthStar is warm. I don't even consider using it during the Spring / Summer.

https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/catalog/...2-person-tent/

I have a Macpac Microlight and I really like it Buuuttttttt.......
It is small , I’m 6ft2in and there isn’t much room inside.
Another problem is the inner mesh tent doesn’t pull up very taught, so it kind of sags inward and decreases the room inside even more .
I still use it and it is very well made and definitely waterproof etc .
I don’t do winter tenting so I mainly utilise it as a fly tent and its great for that , I just unclip the inner and leave it at home if the weather looks settled and just take the outer fly with a light ground sheet ( which makes it even lighter than it already is ) . It is the most sealed up fly you can get and the bottom edges sit really low to the ground.
Ive been in really high winds with just the fly and it has never even hinted at failing, try that with an open ended Huntech type fly or even worse the traditional rectangular fly in gale force winds .
With the inner removed it’s amazing how much more room you get inside .
The Microlight is very functional and as the name suggests very light , but it isn’t a spacious palace.

I have a minaret. Fits me and my 12yo son and gear inside. Haven't both used it in wet weather yet. I have been overnight in moderate rain all night and it was great. Very roomy for one person although a bit low for head room when sitting up. We both used it last winter overnight in -7'C frost with me only on a 12mm foam mat and we survived ok. Son was warm all night I put down jacket on at 5am. Tent was -5 inside. Lots of condensation that night as there was not any hint of a breeze. About 2.4 kg so although heavy for one person it's not uncarriable. Haven't used it in high wind yet but lots of guys say they are pretty tough.