Bug proof, rain proof small 1 man tent - Recommends ??
 

As said above really. Iv trawled the Hub but not found anything specific.

I'm looking for a hardy, alu poles , lightweight and small 1-2 man tent which is totally bug/mosquito proof and can withstand a good downpour.

Recommendations appreciated.

Ted

Northface Tadpole 23

Its a two man tent but is fine for one. Very light, fits in my panniers (Jesse) too so is very small and is also semi-geodesic (?). I think that means it will stay upright in strong winds or something. It can also be pitched without the flysheet. You can pick up secondhand ones on ebay quite easily.

The footprint/ground sheet thing doesn't extend out into the front canopy though, but in my experience that just gets sticky when you spill southern comfort on it.

Easy to put up too (if you ignore my piss-poor attempt last weekend in wales, but nobody saw that I hope)

Wild Country Ilanos
 

Hi Ted,
I've had a Wild Country Ilanos for a few years now and it's great. A 'snug' two man it's really light by virtue of it's lack of frills. However, it's got everything you need at a good price. It's a basic dome tent, with alloy poles, well made by a reputable company and costs about £100.

Hi

I have used a Vaude Hogan tent for the past five years, they pitch in no time due to the external pole arrangement (which also looks cool!) they are double skinned affairs and are a good three / four season tent. I use a bit of tarpaulin underneath as the groundsheet is a little flimsy, it has never let me down. New they are about 190 pounds. If you pack poles separate you can get the pack size down a bit as well. It is a large one man tent however so if you intend to share you better be good friends!! :w00t: – Cheers - Greg

A few tents to consider
 

I presently have The North Face Canyonlands. It has now been replaced with the Particle 13. The Canyonlands is a one person tent, weighs about 4 pounds, packs to about 18"x6". It can be used without the rain fly in warm weather as the tent body is full mesh, with a bathtub style floor. It uses a single aluminium pole. I have used it in all four seasons. In winter I use just use the ground cloth and the rain fly, when the weather is not to bitter and when I don't want to carry the weight of my mountaineering tent.

Another good tent is the MSR Hubba also a one person tent. MSR also has the Hubba Hubba, a two man tent. Sierra Designs has a few lightweight one and two person tents.

I also advise that you get a bottle of seam sealant and hit all the seams on the floor as well as the rain fly. They do come sealed from the factory but, a little more will assure a leak free tent. Some websites for good prices on good gear are below. They need to be checked often as the gear goes pretty quick.

www.sierratradingpost.com
www.mgear.com
www.killerdeals.com
www.backcountrygear.com
www.campmor.com

The best tent for motorcycle travel or any extreme expeditioning hands down
The Bibler I-Tent
I used this tent through North America, Europe, and Africa.
Single wall gortex and aluminum poles means light and compact.
It is a bit pricey but worth every penny.

I just did a check on Bibler because I'm having crappy luck with my Eureka Zeus that leaked the first time it rained. And a pole cracked. I don't know if I got a lemon or if Eureka tents come out subpar.

So what I read about Bibler is their customer service is lacking. Have you had any problems with it? A lot of sites that came up with google are the same exact text with different site names & URLs. That always makes me suspicious but maybe Bibler makes good stuff.

Even though it's just a tent for me, I want 2 person so I can put my gear inside and have a little room.

Black Diamond Equipment
 

The above company manufactures and distributes Bibler tents. They produce rock and ice climbing gear, telemark skis and boots and accessories.

www.blackdiamondequipment.com

I had a colman "2 man" tent that I got for a trip around europe with my girlfriend. It was a good job I was sharing with her and not with one of my mates! Very light and genrally not too bad. Got it on offer for £100.
It wasn't what I wanted, but it was last minute and all i could afford.
I was really after one of the Big Agnes range of tents. On paper they look excellent.
Has not wishing to hijak the thread, but has anyone had any experience with these tents?

used a tadpole 23 without the outer or with. it was really good, and pitched peg-less. just enough room for me and my lid, jacket, boots and a rucksack.

but 'totally bug-proof' probably means that you'd never unzip the door? you can actually see the midges up here queuing up at the zipper, just waiting for you to open the tent up so they can all pile in for a party... I found the mozzies in w africa much slower, maybe they're not used to tents, so didn't have a problem with them getting in.

Just for a FYI on anybody else looking at the Eureka Zeus: The Zeus comes with its seams unsealed, and with a bottle of seam sealer. You must seal the seams with the provided seam sealer prior to first use or it *will* leak.

My Zeus is now 3 years old and it is still water tight and the poles are intact, despite the fact that it has spent significant amount of time in my paniers. However, for humid climes it probably isn't the right tent -- it does condense on the inside if the temperature outside goes below the dew point. The new Zeus has two doors and two vestibules rather than one door and vestibule like mine, and thus basically is a 1 1/2 wall tent (the side walls being double wall with fly, the end walls being single wall) and thus should fare slightly better there.

Eureka tents aren't the best quality, but they suffice to keep the rain and bugs off, appear durable enough, and the price is right. I really cannot complain, especially for 1/3rd the price of the Bibler iTent or similar. But then, I'm one of those cheap KLR owners so take that as you may :cool4: .

_E

Try Tarp Tents. If I had not just bought a VauDe, I would have gone for one of these.

http://www.tarptent.com/about.html

John

For my rtw trip last year I took a Eureka Backcountry 1 (a three season free standing dome design) and it served me well. Compact packed size was very important for my purposes and this tent is about as compact as they come, even with the rain fly. It was also rainproof (although I was never in a torrential downpour), well ventilated, and kept the bugs out well. It's very easily and quickly setup. It is quite small - some extra space beyond a sleeping bag but not a lot.

As already stated, Eureka tents don't don't have the reputation for being as high in quality as some, but this one was certainly adequate - no tears, no broken poles, etc. For barely over 100 USD, you can buy three or four of these for the price of some brands. I thought it was a bargain.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

Cheap and cheerful
 

[QUOTE=denis brown]Hi Ted

I suggest you dont spend much money and just pick up a cheapie tent at Millets as youre in the UK. Ive found they do the job well.

Or the Khyam range (the Eiger one is good) for fast erect tents. These also do the job for about £75. I find these so quick and easy to use, especially if the rain is hammering down.

These tents are designed for temperate climate such as Western Europe - if you're going to hot country then look for something which allows you maximum ventilation.

Don't overspend on a mountain tent ,for example - you'll be paying for qualities you dont need........................Dave Smiths point is good - get one with a bit of room....

Check out the Bibler Ahwanhee.

http://www.bdel.com/gear/ahwahnee.php

It is a mistake to put the Bibler tents in the same class as other tents because they are better in every way you can imagine. The Todd Tex fabric is unique, And it is tough.
These tents really are waterproof and breathable. Warm when closed , cool and well vented when open.
Wind is not a problem.

Black Diamond is employee owned and service is good. Warranty is strict, be prepared. Keep you zippers clean and lubed or it will cost you.

At the price, I plan to be buried in mine.
Bill