Absolutely! Glad I could help. It's a little bit heavier, but I've LOVED the Nemo Tracker if you're looking for a great ultralight option. I have the 2P but my buddy has the 1P and I think it's only a few ounces heavier than the Spike. There's another video on my channel about that one, if it helps. Good luck out there!
I have a tarp tent contrail. Got it years ago. Same exact style with same issues you mentioned. My biggest issue was moderate to high wind resistance...just wouldn’t stand up. So many other options with just a little more weight added. Great video!
Thanks a ton! I think I'm in the same boat. I'd rather pack an extra pound and have my luxurious Nemo Tracker 2P with me...side entry and all the room in the world!
I love the size. I’m 5,11 170lbs. Condensation is a major issue though. Cold nights I got soaked. You end up turning on your side in the night and tap the roof and all the condensation just falls on you…not sure this is usable. I guess I could use it for a 1-2 night trip or a warm trip
Good review. I've been using A-frames for over half a century, and they can be great for solo hikers. But they've got some of the basics wrong here. I don't understand why designers make the foot end so small. The low volume means that condensation is almost inevitable, and the small size means that your bag is going to brush the sides and get wet. Adding a bit of space around the feet costs almost nothing weight-wise and significantly reduces condensation by increasing volume and the size of the vent. It also means that at a pinch you can sleep with your feet towards the door if you have to pitch the back end of the shelter uphill and into the wind. Second, while the pentagonal door is quite smart, the central pole really is a bit of a pain. And it does nothing to stabilise the big side-panels which are the weakness in an A-frame. The answer is to sleeve your two trekking poles up the sides in an inverted V, leaving the front open and the sides braced. You have to carry a 3rd pole for the foot end, but the weight is trivial. Third, a four panel front vestibule means that you can leave it open and venting in all but the most apocalyptic weather. It gives you 9 different setups compared to 3 with the more common 2 panel design. Sadly, I'm not aware of any commercially available A frame designed this way - I had to make my own.
@@LatetotheGameOutdoors Still in production, though a crude prototype was promising. I have a four panel front porch like the old Saunders Jetpacker: litehikersblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/new-tent.html This enables you to leave the porch open for venting in almost any weather at the cost of 1 extra peg. Two trekking poles in sleeves as an inverted V at the front. Adds huge stability. In good weather, the option to just used one vertical pole and save some faff at setup. Offset the pole a bit and entry isn't too bad. The body and back is modelled on the Kifaru Paratarp - a simple and very stormproof design. But I have a zip at the back to turn it into a porch, so I can have through-venting in all but the worst of winds. Making it as a tarp so I can have any insert or none as conditions dictate. Lightweight at around 480 grams. Quiet in the wind. Two minute, 5-peg pitch in good weather. Can handle 60mph when battened down in a storm with a dozen pegs. If you're doing a long hike in varied weather and exposed terrain, such as a traverse of Iceland, this is better than anything I can find on the market.
Thanks man! Appreciate the honest review! Was gonna pull the trigger, but not so sure now. Stay safe! Hike on!
Absolutely! Glad I could help. It's a little bit heavier, but I've LOVED the Nemo Tracker if you're looking for a great ultralight option. I have the 2P but my buddy has the 1P and I think it's only a few ounces heavier than the Spike. There's another video on my channel about that one, if it helps. Good luck out there!
I have a tarp tent contrail. Got it years ago. Same exact style with same issues you mentioned. My biggest issue was moderate to high wind resistance...just wouldn’t stand up. So many other options with just a little more weight added. Great video!
Thanks a ton! I think I'm in the same boat. I'd rather pack an extra pound and have my luxurious Nemo Tracker 2P with me...side entry and all the room in the world!
hey dude,
why dont you just get your second hiking pole and make it an A frame so theres more space to get in and out?
That's actually a really great idea...I'll have to play around with that next time I break out that shelter!
What t shirt is that?!
I love the size. I’m 5,11 170lbs. Condensation is a major issue though. Cold nights I got soaked. You end up turning on your side in the night and tap the roof and all the condensation just falls on you…not sure this is usable. I guess I could use it for a 1-2 night trip or a warm trip
Good review. I've been using A-frames for over half a century, and they can be great for solo hikers. But they've got some of the basics wrong here.
I don't understand why designers make the foot end so small. The low volume means that condensation is almost inevitable, and the small size means that your bag is going to brush the sides and get wet.
Adding a bit of space around the feet costs almost nothing weight-wise and significantly reduces condensation by increasing volume and the size of the vent. It also means that at a pinch you can sleep with your feet towards the door if you have to pitch the back end of the shelter uphill and into the wind.
Second, while the pentagonal door is quite smart, the central pole really is a bit of a pain. And it does nothing to stabilise the big side-panels which are the weakness in an A-frame. The answer is to sleeve your two trekking poles up the sides in an inverted V, leaving the front open and the sides braced. You have to carry a 3rd pole for the foot end, but the weight is trivial.
Third, a four panel front vestibule means that you can leave it open and venting in all but the most apocalyptic weather. It gives you 9 different setups compared to 3 with the more common 2 panel design.
Sadly, I'm not aware of any commercially available A frame designed this way - I had to make my own.
Wow! You have certainly done your homework! I'm super intrigued by how you made your own A-frame tent!!!
@@LatetotheGameOutdoors
Still in production, though a crude prototype was promising.
I have a four panel front porch like the old Saunders Jetpacker:
litehikersblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/new-tent.html
This enables you to leave the porch open for venting in almost any weather at the cost of 1 extra peg.
Two trekking poles in sleeves as an inverted V at the front. Adds huge stability. In good weather, the option to just used one vertical pole and save some faff at setup. Offset the pole a bit and entry isn't too bad.
The body and back is modelled on the Kifaru Paratarp - a simple and very stormproof design. But I have a zip at the back to turn it into a porch, so I can have through-venting in all but the worst of winds.
Making it as a tarp so I can have any insert or none as conditions dictate.
Lightweight at around 480 grams. Quiet in the wind. Two minute, 5-peg pitch in good weather. Can handle 60mph when battened down in a storm with a dozen pegs.
If you're doing a long hike in varied weather and exposed terrain, such as a traverse of Iceland, this is better than anything I can find on the market.
What are your dimensions? you mention being tall and big feet and I am curious how tall.
6' 1" - 205 lbs - size 14 feet
First!