Bike Touring Tent

[Jaco Greeff]

Hi All

I've looked at a lot of tents this last week.
How many of you has a tent that weighs 2.0kg ?
I'm only gonna buy once. Lighter than 2.0kg is either very expensive very small.

For 2.0kg I can get something like this:

https://www.campcraft.co.za/product/oztrail-tasman-2-person-dome-tent/?utm_source=Google Shopping&utm_campaign=Google shopping product feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=9460&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu7OIBhCsARIsALxCUaN2gaIXERHhbsKFcW7QB4LwDl81Nu1XbFkVD-2vwI45vfWKUwmbfZQaAn04EALw_wcB

What your guys opinion ?

[Mountain Bru]

2 hours ago, Jaco Greeff said:

Hi All

I've looked at a lot of tents this last week.
How many of you has a tent that weighs 2.0kg ?
I'm only gonna buy once. Lighter than 2.0kg is either very expensive very small.

For 2.0kg I can get something like this:

https://www.campcraft.co.za/product/oztrail-tasman-2-person-dome-tent/?utm_source=Google Shopping&utm_campaign=Google shopping product feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=9460&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu7OIBhCsARIsALxCUaN2gaIXERHhbsKFcW7QB4LwDl81Nu1XbFkVD-2vwI45vfWKUwmbfZQaAn04EALw_wcB

What your guys opinion ?

If it rains, and you open the door, it'll rain straight into you tent.

Personally, I wouldn't consider a tent without some kind of vestibule system that prevents that happening. 

If you've ever camped in the rain, or tried to cook in a tent in the rain, you'll know how important this is. 

But this tent is a win for no-wind, no-rain camping where you basically just want some warmth and privacy.

[Sepia]

Tried this tent and regretted it on occasions

Went for a single Naturehike I think it is called.  Never looked back.

[Kixx]

You found a good 'un. Also look at Decathlon. Just bought this https://www.decathlon.co.za/touring-camp-tents-tarps/142654-18102-camping-tent-arpenaz-freshblack-2-person.html#/demodelcolor-8357354/demodelsize-2062_persons?queryID=4039dbef36bcfe07a4fc451c2bec5c1b&objectID=2030819 slightly narrower than yours 0.5kg heavier but man, the blackout clinched the deal for me.

 

[NC_lurker]

Not sure how tall you are, but warning that most of these tents are built for midgets...at 1.85m I found myself with my head against the one wall while my feet pressed against the other. The lengths quoted are floor length, but with such low head heights the angle of the walls mean actual length is a lot less.

Another thing to consider is the length of the poles. Depending on how you're intending on carrying the tent you might have limitations on pole length (when packed).

After returning my first purchase which was an Oztrail I eventually decided to go with the more expensive Naturehike Cloud Up 2:

https://www.naturehike.co.za/products/cloud-up-2-ultralight-2-person-tent-upgrade

[Thug]

If you are looking for a 1 person sub 1.5kg tent, I still have my Alpkit Soloist available. 

[tubed]

On 8/6/2021 at 11:47 PM, NC_lurker said:

Not sure how tall you are, but warning that most of these tents are built for midgets...at 1.85m I found myself with my head against the one wall while my feet pressed against the other. The lengths quoted are floor length, but with such low head heights the angle of the walls mean actual length is a lot less.

Another thing to consider is the length of the poles. Depending on how you're intending on carrying the tent you might have limitations on pole length (when packed).

After returning my first purchase which was an Oztrail I eventually decided to go with the more expensive Naturehike Cloud Up 2:

https://www.naturehike.co.za/products/cloud-up-2-ultralight-2-person-tent-upgrade

Agree with this, I am about the same height - I have a Vango Soul 100, reckon most times I have slept with my head out of the tent under the flysheet, unless the mozzies are about then you need to keep it closed.

I'd go for a two person rating or something at least a bit longer than 2m to be safe.

Edited August 8, 2021 by tubed
unnecessary stereotype

[Jaco Greeff]

16 hours ago, Kixx said:

You found a good 'un. Also look at Decathlon. Just bought this https://www.decathlon.co.za/touring-camp-tents-tarps/142654-18102-camping-tent-arpenaz-freshblack-2-person.html#/demodelcolor-8357354/demodelsize-2062_persons?queryID=4039dbef36bcfe07a4fc451c2bec5c1b&objectID=2030819 slightly narrower than yours 0.5kg heavier but man, the blackout clinched the deal for me.

 

Hi. According to the website it is 2.6kg. Is it not too heavy ?

[Jaco Greeff]

1 hour ago, Thug said:

If you are looking for a 1 person sub 1.5kg tent, I still have my Alpkit Soloist available. 

How much do you want for it ?

[Kixx]

Jaco it's always a trade off between price, convenience and intended purpose. It works for me. But then I'm not planning on racing and am ok with a bit of extra weight traded for a good night's sleep. Agree with others commenting on the length of most of these tents. At 1.86 my head and feet also brush either end of the tent but after a long day in the saddle it's never bothered me.

I'd say don't over analyze if this is something new you embarking on. Just plan a trip and go. You're aways going to be learning something new on every trip.

[Mountain Bru]

For you taller guys.... 

Good to keep in mind that most tents aren't waterproof if you're touching the sides, so making sure the tent is long enough is pretty important. (specifically talking about pushing the inner mesh onto the flysheet)

[eddy]

27 minutes ago, Mountain Bru said:

For you taller guys.... 

Good to keep in mind that most tents aren't waterproof if you're touching the sides, so making sure the tent is long enough is pretty important. (specifically talking about pushing the inner mesh onto the flysheet)

I usually touch the sides but not because I am tall ......

[justinafrika]

I’ve long followed and admired your adventures Mr Copperhead.  Much respect, I thoroughly enjoyed your updates bruh.  I’ve spent just a few nights bikepacking in secluded areas and my fave was camping in the snow on a clear and calm full moon night on the Swartberg Pass peak.  I’ll forever treasure that spectacular night and felt safe simply ‘cos I didn’t expect anyone else up there in that weather.

My question is about keeping one’s bike safe on a weeks or months long adventure that I’m planning.  I’d want my bike inside the tent for both condensation and theft considerations. How did you negotiate bike and personal safety?

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by justinafrika

[tubed]

11 hours ago, Kixx said:

Jaco it's always a trade off between price, convenience and intended purpose. It works for me. But then I'm not planning on racing and am ok with a bit of extra weight traded for a good night's sleep. Agree with others commenting on the length of most of these tents. At 1.86 my head and feet also brush either end of the tent but after a long day in the saddle it's never bothered me.

I'd say don't over analyze if this is something new you embarking on. Just plan a trip and go. You're aways going to be learning something new on every trip.

this is great advice - just go - part of the adventure is figuring it out as you explore

[Patensie]

I bought an 3F UL Gear Lanshan Pro 2 person trekking pole tent on Aliexpress(https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000355015854.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.66b24c4dFWeF8g). Without footprint and trekking poles, it weighs 915g for a 2 person, very spacious tent. Down side is you would have to buy tent poles extra. My set-up with carbon trekking poles and footprint weigh about 1.5kg. You can simply buy 1.25m tent poles and use those instead of trekking poles. NB: The tent needs to be seam sealed to be waterproof. Not difficult, but a bit of a hassle.

The Naturehike VIK 1 (https://www.naturehike.co.za/collections/hiking-tents/products/vik-series-ultralight-1-person-tent) also got very good reviews. I just went for the Lanshan as I use trekking poles for hiking in any case. If money wasn't a limiting factor, I'd get a Zpacks Duplex (https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent), but at US$ 650, excl. shipping, VAT and duties (+an additional 50% give or take), it is a bit steep. BUT it weighs a mere 550g.

My dream bike-touring tent is the Nemo Dragonfly bikepack tent (https://www.nemoequipment.com/product/dragonfly-bikepack/). Its poles features shorter sections, which makes it extremely packable. It also has some other nice bike-packing friendly features. But expensive @ US$450.

The Lanshan on its first outing. Solo wild camp on Stellenbosch mountain:

[Baracuda]

I have one of these: https://www.naturehike.co.za/collections/hiking-tents/products/mongar-ultralight-2-person-tent?variant=2047357681696

And it is really great. Have used it in adverse conditions New Zealand and here and it seems to be waterproof. Packs really small. It is twice the width of my shoulders and one can sit up properly in it.

I have had smaller tents before, which are a real pain, especially if you stuck inside for hours in the rain. This one you can actually move in, lay out all your stuff, get changed in it, keep all your gear with you, cook under the flysheet etc.