Thread: Ultralight tents

Originally Posted by MattyP

You get cell reception!?

Does anyone use Exped down mats with the Double Rainbow? Specifically the Long Wide ones? I'd really like the Tarptent Double Rainbow but it's only 120cm wide and we have two of these mats which are 65cm wide, so it looks like I miss out by 10cm!

Looked around yesterday for lightweight tents at Macpac, Bivouac, Hunting & Fishing - wasn't impressed. Couldn't find anything really light that was wide enough, or that packed down to a size that I was happy with. Not to mention the prices, even at sale price they're much more expensive than the Tarptents.

I have the standard Exped Downmat 7 and it fits perfect in the CR1. Kinda wishing I got the UL.
Ultralight tents are all about compromise so I would not expect a king size mattresses would fit. Kinda defeats the purpose don't you think?

Well i'd hardly call it king size, but it is a bit wider. I needed the length though, the standard was too short for me. I get your point though.

Sorta wishing we got the UL's now also, but they are nice and comfy and still pack down nice and small. I like the 5 year warranty instead of 2 on the UL's. Great mats though, really impressed.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

See how the MSR goes tonight. Looks like rain

Looks like a tent to me? :what:

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Blew like 40 bastards throughout the night. Figured either the tent was going to be pulled to pieces or Id become a parachute in it and find myself down the gorge. Fortunately for me everything held together and the rain did not come to much. Unfortunately though, Sika are not big fans of wind so all I came home with was a bit of sunburn and some chapped lips. The tent is a good little unit and has ample room considering, I am liking my decision to buy it and find out for myself over internet reviews. Took my dog (small horse) for his first real hunt too. He slept in the vestibule and was not a pain in the arse, it is actually quite roomy.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

Blew like 40 bastards throughout the night. Figured either the tent was going to be pulled to pieces or Id become a parachute in it and find myself down the gorge. Fortunately for me everything held together and the rain did not come to much. Unfortunately though, Sika are not big fans of wind so all I came home with was a bit of sunburn and some chapped lips. The tent is a good little unit and has ample room considering, I am liking my decision to buy it and find out for myself over internet reviews. Took my dog (small horse) for his first real hunt too. He slept in the vestibule and was not a pain in the arse, it is actually quite roomy.

Dog is just biding his time. Wont be long and you will be out sleeping under the vestibule...........He's a GSP remember

Originally Posted by MattyP

You get cell reception!?

Does anyone use Exped down mats with the Double Rainbow? Specifically the Long Wide ones? I'd really like the Tarptent Double Rainbow but it's only 120cm wide and we have two of these mats which are 65cm wide, so it looks like I miss out by 10cm!

Looked around yesterday for lightweight tents at Macpac, Bivouac, Hunting & Fishing - wasn't impressed. Couldn't find anything really light that was wide enough, or that packed down to a size that I was happy with. Not to mention the prices, even at sale price they're much more expensive than the Tarptents.

I have a double rainbow but my wife and I use the exped ul. Because the floor in the tent rolls up the side you may be ok with the extra width of the down mats. It might just push the sides out a bit further.

Originally Posted by Shearer

I have a double rainbow but my wife and I use the exped ul. Because the floor in the tent rolls up the side you may be ok with the extra width of the down mats. It might just push the sides out a bit further.

Standard width UL's? How much width do you have to spare in the Double Rainbow?

And how do you rate the vestibules for say keeping a large pack dry?

Cheers,

Originally Posted by MattyP

Standard width UL's? How much width do you have to spare in the Double Rainbow?

And how do you rate the vestibules for say keeping a large pack dry?

Cheers,

I also have a Double Rainbow with an Exped UL. mine weighs 1.1kgs all up, once I did away with storage bag etc. Great lightweight tent! Had it in all kinds of weather. I did a lot of research before buying and have not been disappointed. for me its the best compromise between, weight, space, and strength. Double vestibules work well. If your willing to use one vestibule completely as storage you can easily store a couple of packs and keep them dry. have done it many times.

Just measured the width of it and it is approx 120cm but the sides are another 110cm each. so like shearer said I would have thought you'd be able to fit two side by side. The biggest problem is the slippery floor. You have to be careful that you pitch it on flat ground else the modern mats slide around on the silnylon.

Originally Posted by B_man

The biggest problem is the slippery floor. You have to be careful that you pitch it on flat ground else the modern mats slide around on the silnylon.

Have you painted some silicon strips on the floor like Henry shows in the seam sealing video? If not, it might solve the problem...

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Originally Posted by B_man

I also have a Double Rainbow with an Exped UL. mine weighs 1.1kgs all up, once I did away with storage bag etc. Great lightweight tent! Had it in all kinds of weather. I did a lot of research before buying and have not been disappointed. for me its the best compromise between, weight, space, and strength. Double vestibules work well. If your willing to use one vestibule completely as storage you can easily store a couple of packs and keep them dry. have done it many times.

Just measured the width of it and it is approx 120cm but the sides are another 110cm each. so like shearer said I would have thought you'd be able to fit two side by side. The biggest problem is the slippery floor. You have to be careful that you pitch it on flat ground else the modern mats slide around on the silnylon.

Thanks for measurements, never know if you can quite trust the manufacturer ones. In saying that, our Exped mats are 65cm wide each according to Exped. So we need 130cm's. I should have measured them to make sure but I've just left for Aus again.

You're saying that the bath-tub floor can fold out flat?

Seems we'd be pushing it with the Double Rainbow and may go for one of the other wider models.

Originally Posted by The Claw

Have you painted some silicon strips on the floor like Henry shows in the seam sealing video? If not, it might solve the problem...

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Yeah I've done that. Did make it better, but still pretty slippery.

Last time out, a couple of weeks ago, shared a MSR Hubba Hubba with a mate. I'm 6'1", he's 6'5", both fitted okay.A storm blew in during the night but the tent was fine, really recommend them, 1.3kg if I remember.

Had a few night in mine now, going good. Can confirm you can get two men and a dog in there.


image by AckleyImproved, on Flickr

@Tahr bound, just looking at your pics .. what do you think of those absolute wilderness freeze dried meals ??

A lot more like real food than backcountry. Smaller servings. $12 a pop. Taste really good.
If you were more motivated than me you could make them yourself easily, they really aren't anything hugely special.