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Thread: One man tent - Mil-Tec Recon

  1. #21
    Moderator & Poshcrafter™ Martin's Avatar
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    I think that, as far as tents go, what you decide to buy should very much depend on what you want to use the tent for. If it's the odd night out, not too far from the car or even in the back garden then I can't see any problem with spending in the region of £50 or less and getting something that is fairly heavy (2Kg or over) and fairly waterproof. On the other hand, if you want something that will be lightweight (under 1.5kg), three - four season and will last you for years then you really have to spend serious money or you will probably regret it down the line.

    The Hillegberg Akto, is considered to be one of the best one man tents out there and is absolutely bomb proof. It's very expensive but is a lifetime's investment and over the years would be a good investment in my opinion.

    I was lucky enough to get a Terra Nova Laser a couple of years ago when they were for sale on the Sports Direct website and, although it's not got the reputation of the Hilleberg, it is lighter (just about 1.1kg) and a very well designed tent which has withstood some pretty stormy nights on Dartmoor. It packs down small, pitches inner and outer at the same time and slots into the side of my rucksack.

    Ultimately, I guess this is about value for money but I'd be suspicious about a tent that offers to do everything a specialist mountain tent can do but for a fraction of the price. Corners must have been cut somewhere and not just on the profit margin.

    Martin
    Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

  2. #22
    Tribal Elder Kernowek Scouser's Avatar
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    Out of curiosity Martin, what rucksack are you slotting your Laser into?

    While some of these 'What Tent?' threads can get a bit polarised, between proponents of expensive versus economy tents, and side tracked when the Tarpologists and swingers chip in; ultimately, I have to agree. If you are planning on enjoying frequent adventures in the wild outdoors, then if you have the money, you should look at investing in a quality tent, as the investment will pay off in the long run.

    I love my Solo, it has served me well in my hiking/backpacking adventures. It is as weather proof as the Banshee 200 that preceded it (although the specs suggest it shouldn't be) and it has proven to be more weather proof than the Coleman Bedrock that preceded the Banshee. It isn't Über Lightweight by any means, but at around the 1.5 kg mark, it is far from being classed a heavyweight tent either. It is designed to be pitched inner first, which can be a pain in the rain, but with a little ingenuity and practice, you part pitch the outer, then the inner underneath it and its claustrophobic dimensions give it a minimal wind profile. The flip side of these dimensions, and the only negative for me, is there is very little else you can do in this tent, other than sleep.

    For any one looking to walk, camp and kip who is backpacking/bushcrafting on a budget, I would (and often do) recommend this little tent.

    But having said that, my adventures thus far have mainly consisted of enjoying the journey whilst hiking between campsites or sneaking off into sheltered local woodland. I have not, yet, pitched the Solo fully exposed to the elements on wet and windy moorland and while my past experiences with it would suggest I could probably get away with dry night, I believe if I camped in such conditions on a regular basis, the low hydrostatic head and minimal tech would soon make themselves apparent.

    So, like Martin says, key factors to consider before buying any tent are: the expected frequency of use, in what environment(s) and mode of carriage.

    If like I have in the past, you intend to hike with tent in you pack and just camp in reasonably sheltered locations, then the cheap as chips Solo is definitely worth consideration. But if you are intending to regularly camp in exposed locations, prone to heavy weather, then investing in a more expensive, technical tent would be the sensible and long term value for money way forward.

    There are probably people who would shout 'Nonsense!' at all of the above and advise you, you need nothing more than an army surplus poncho, some cordage and a big dollop of testicular fortitude, to happily endure a thunderstorm on Dartmoor, but as I am not such a hardy soul, I'm happy to vote TENT
    Ansum La

  3. #23
    Moderator & Poshcrafter™ Martin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kernowek Scouser View Post
    Out of curiosity Martin, what rucksack are you slotting your Laser into?......
    I use an Osprey Exos58, which is also a pretty lightweight rucksack. On a par with the GoLight Jam, although mine has a top pocket.

    If you try to pack much over 12kg including food and water it's getting to the limit of where you want to be for comfort. It's a very comfortable pack with less than 10kg in it which, if you are prepared to forego some creature comforts, is possible for a night out or two if you don't take any wet food.

    (Sits here, waiting to be shot down by the guys who can go for a week on 5kg of kit and carry in in their pockets in a Tesco bag )

    Martin
    Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    I use an Osprey Exos58, which is also a pretty lightweight rucksack. On a par with the GoLight Jam, although mine has a top pocket.

    If you try to pack much over 12kg including food and water it's getting to the limit of where you want to be for comfort. It's a very comfortable pack with less than 10kg in it which, if you are prepared to forego some creature comforts, is possible for a night out or two if you don't take any wet food.

    (Sits here, waiting to be shot down by the guys who can go for a week on 5kg of kit and carry in in their pockets in a Tesco bag )

    Martin
    Creature comforts oft count for nothing when the soles of your feet are screaming at you

  5. #25
    Moderator & Poshcrafter™ Martin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by comanighttrain View Post
    Creature comforts oft count for nothing when the soles of your feet are screaming at you
    That's why I never go anywhere without my Babyliss Foot Spa. Worth its weight in gold.

    Martin
    Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

  6. #26
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    haha, its easy to carry...in your caravan.

  7. #27
    Moderator & Poshcrafter™ Martin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by comanighttrain View Post
    haha, its easy to carry...in your caravan.
    I'll have you know, I don't have a caravan any more. I had to sell it to afford my bleedin' tent.

    Martin
    Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

  8. #28
    Tribal Elder Kernowek Scouser's Avatar
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    Well at least you still have the foot spa and can avoid bleeding feet

    That Osprey is a very tasty looking pack
    Ansum La

  9. #29
    Moderator & Poshcrafter™ Martin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kernowek Scouser View Post
    Well at least you still have the foot spa and can avoid bleeding feet

    That Osprey is a very tasty looking pack
    As we drift massively off topic, I must profess to being a huge fan of Osprey packs. I'm 99% certain that my next pack will be another Osprey.

    Martin
    Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

  10. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    As we drift massively off topic, I must profess to being a huge fan of Osprey packs. I'm 99% certain that my next pack will be another Osprey.

    Martin
    get back on topic guys,

    but me too. Looking to lighten from a 2kg pack to a 1kg pack

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