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15 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf
Moral of the story: you always need stakes. The only thing freestanding tents are good for is moving them around campsites looking for the perfect spot after you've erected them. Aside from that, they're heavier and less functional. But of course there are many opposing points of view.
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Here comes an opposing point of view  what if you can't stake? Like in loose sand, on concrete, etc.
RE the MSR Fury tent, I've seen one in action - impressive but where is the ground sheet under the entrance? Not much use for storing stinky bike gear outside the main space and keeping it dry...
Oh and tarps. Decathlon do a very cheap one (£20 inc guys and pegs) that I'm bringing to Ripley... not a clue how to pitch it, could well be memorable!
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16 Jun 2009
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I have seen tents come and go in my life spending $10 to $400 and almost none have lived more than year or 3 with any use. Most have a zipper go out pole split shatter bend or the floor get so thin it rips or a pole rips a hole in the tent when I am setting it up at 1:00 am or have a friend pack it away wet. Price is a good bet on "quality" but its a tent and is made light and so you buy a new one every few years.
There are a few places that make them to last
Exped
black diamond
And others but be willing to pay for it. $600+ for 3 person
My advice go to a online shop and look there. Here is one I have gotten kit from Tents and Shelters at REI.com | 100% Satisfaction Guarantee | Customer Reviews
Most tents I have come with the worst set up gear the pegs are scrap AL. rod best given away the "rope" for the down lines are some polly junk that is land fill bound. Get some good line and pegs and you will spend less time setting up and tarring down the tent.
Have a tarp and rope with you at all times. I like the cheap blue tarps big so that you can cover the bike and you in it. I spent more than few nights under one. You can use one as a footprint for the tent to works better than most.
Stove? coleman all the way cheap and works and you have a tank of gas for it between your legs.
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16 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KTMmartin
Here comes an opposing point of view  what if you can't stake? Like in loose sand, on concrete, etc.
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Well for sand you tie bags on the corners and fill them with sand, and for concrete? Well you find somewhere without concrete. But actually I'm with you a free-standing tent is a great thing, I've used mine on a ferry to give me a bit of privacy from the drunken hen-parties, and it was great.
BUT, there's always a risk with free-standing tents as shown in the following story:
I spent a couple of nights camping a few weeks back, beautiful spot on a headland, only a few campers there. A car rolls up and out get a couple of mates, one clutching his nice new pop-up tent. He unzips the bag and pulls it out, then says to his mate,
"Watch this, no fiddling with anything."
aAnd throws it into the air like on the advert. Just at that point, big gust of wind and his now unfurled tent sails straight up into the air and out into the Channel.
Moral or the story, ALWAYS tie your tent to something.
Quote:
Oh and tarps. Decathlon do a very cheap one (£20 inc guys and pegs) that I'm bringing to Ripley... not a clue how to pitch it, could well be memorable!
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Just got one this morning, and it's great, you can always tie it to your handlebars, or your tent, or a tree, or something. Best to experiment at home though so people don't laugh.
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16 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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Hi all and thanks for all the great advice!
We're going to Ripley and that's one of our goals to see all types of tents to find out what might be working for us.
Believe it or not I was looking at the Exped range already  I think that this is what we're going to go for.
Something like Venus II or Orion with a footprint of course and a nice tarp maybe from Decathlon if you guys recommend it
Great! We're a lot closer to the decision then we were a week ago!
Looking forward to seeing you all in Ripley!
Stay safe!
Gosia and Andy
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2 Jul 2009
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North East Texas
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I just bought a Nemo Morpho two man tent. It is single wall with air bladders instead of poles. It sets up very easy but has to be staked down.
Here is a picture of it set up in my yard. I have not used it yet but thought I needed the practice. I also set up my lightweight tarp. I think I will be ready for my next rain camping event!
http://bigdon55.smugmug.com/photos/5...31_jGrjc-L.jpg
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11 Aug 2009
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macpac make the best tents I've used. Just wish I could afford one. Hemisphere seems to fit your bill
Needle Sports Macpac
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