From mellens@Engr.UVic.CA Thu Feb 9 14:02:43 EDT 1995 Article: 28911 of rec.climbing Xref: dmssyd.syd.dms.CSIRO.AU rec.climbing:28911 Newsgroups: rec.climbing Path: dmssyd.syd.dms.CSIRO.AU!metro!news.cs.su.oz.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!msunews!caen!math.ohio-state.edu!scipio.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!news.UVic.CA!navier!mellens From: mellens@Engr.UVic.CA (Mark Ellens) Subject: TENT SURVEY RESULTS Message-ID: <1995Feb7.034033.906@sol.UVic.CA> Originator: mellens@navier Sender: news@sol.UVic.CA Nntp-Posting-Host: navier.uvic.ca Reply-To: mellens@Engr.UVic.CA Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada Date: Tue, 7 Feb 95 03:40:33 GMT Lines: 1301 This is the fifth time I've posted this survey and I hope that you keep sending me responses. I have 54 responses so far with about 40 different tents ranging in price from $75 to $1000. Please keep them coming so that I can post some useful results. I am compiling them in a file sorted according to price. ************************************************************************* PERFORMANCE SURVEY OF GOOD QUALITY TENTS I want to buy a good tent and I am looking for some feedback on what people have liked and disliked about their tents. This survey will be posted in rec.bicycles.rides rec.backcountry rec.climbing. Below is a questionaire and I have filled out a copy for my current tent which is on its last legs. Please copy this questionaire, fill it out, and mail it to me. I will gladly compile the results and submit it to the net. It should be an excellent consumer tool for anyone wishing to purchase a good tent. Thank you for your responses. 2 - 3 persons capacity up to $1000 mail to mellens@sirius.UVic.CA MAKE - 1994 COST - WEIGHT - STYLE - PRIMARY USES - # OF NIGHTS - SIMILAR TENTS BY - CONS - PROS - -----------------------EXAMPLE---------------------------------------- MAKE - 1988 Eureka Autumn Wind - 3 Season - 2 person 1994 COST - $300.00 Canadian at Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vancouver, BC WEIGHT - 2.7 kg STYLE - wedge style, wider and taller at head, 3 pole, front wedge vestibule, 1 m^2 entrance, mesh side panels with roll-up flaps, full to-the-ground fly PRIMARY USES - bicycle touring, general camping # OF NIGHTS - more than 200 SIMILAR TENTS BY - Outbound, Northface CONS - Wedge vestibule provides limited storage which decreases when wet and fly sags. Sufficient sitting head clearance ONLY at front of tent (peak of the wedge), floor started to lose waterproofness after about 120 nights PROS - Plenty of sleeping room for 2 - 6'6" people. All panels are well tensioned, no sagging of tent roof or walls, fly is tight as well. Excellent is strong winds and heavy rain, minimum 3" clearance between fly and tent. Excellent ventilation, over 3 m^2 of no-see-um mesh all with roll-up covers for cold weather (newer models do not have mesh on sides - major disadvantage) ***************************************************************************** - TENT RESPONSES - From: mensa@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Mensa Computers) MAKE - Canadian Tire 3 man Lugger 1994 COST - Approx $75 WEIGHT - 2.5 Kg. STYLE - Dome tent PRIMARY USES - Bike Touring # OF NIGHTS - 40 SIMILAR TENTS BY - K-Mart, Sears CONS - This was the first tent I bought for bike touring. It has been turned over to the kids for a backyard play tent after failing on a windy and rainy weeklong trip in Gros Morne National park. The fiberglass poles split easily, it only survived one wind storm and it is more difficult to set up than my Clip 3. I will not be buying another department store tent. PROS - Cheap. >From jcounce@odie.win.net >MAKE -Frostline >1994 COST -Don't know 1974 $125 >WEIGHT -about 10 lbs >STYLE -lots of it >PRIMARY USES -backpacking ># OF NIGHTS -20 years >SIMILAR TENTS BY - no one >CONS -has to be sewn. >PROS -20 years is a long time for a light tent, don't you agree? From: ldnishik@wheel.ucdavis.edu (Lisa Nishikawa) : MAKE - REI Mountain Hut : 1994 COST - paid $150 in 87 : WEIGHT - <6 lbs : STYLE - dome : PRIMARY USES - backpacking, cycling : # OF NIGHTS - lots : SIMILAR TENTS BY - : CONS - too big for onely one person to justify hauling around : PROS - plenty of room for 3, easy to put up Also love my Sierra Designs flashlight. Only problem was the elastic in one of the tube sections broke. Paid $99 for this one on sale about 8 yrs ago. Great for one person, not bad for two (friendly). Nice fly, very light (3 lb?), very sturdy. From: seaborn@mickey.jsc.nasa.gov (Jodi Seaborn |> MAKE - Eureka Dome |> 1994 COST - $150 (I think) |> WEIGHT - ~6 lbs |> STYLE - dome |> PRIMARY USES - backpacking, canoeing, car camping |> # OF NIGHTS - 50 |> SIMILAR TENTS BY - everyone |> CONS - It's a three person tent only if all three are small. Not a good tent for some one tall (say over 5''10'). I paid extra for aluminum poles and have seen the fiberglass ones snap. Zipper pulls needed replacing after 3 years of careless use (lots of sandy campsites)--I guess this is common for Eureka tents. |> PROS - Very easy to set up. This is the tent i loan out to first time campers. Held up quite well in high winds and hailstorms. From: jhoglund@csc.com (Jackie Hoglund) : MAKE -Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 : 1994 COST - approx. 160.00 :r WEIGHT - 3 lbs. 14 oz. : STYLE - two hoop, larger at head, 2 poles, rain fly adds small vestibule : PRIMARY USES - backpacking, bicycle touring, : # OF NIGHTS - more than 100 : SIMILAR TENTS BY - : CONS - too small for 2 people to sit up at the same time, condensation on walls will get on sleeping bags : PROS - very light weight and packs small, well made, very roomy when used as a one person tent, sets up FAST NOTE: Clip Flashlight 3 is the same as above except: $230.00, 4 lbs. 15 oz., 1 night, no CONS, PRO - very roomy for two people: both can sit up and have some gear inside From: Jeffrey Olson > MAKE - Sierra Design's Clip Flashlight > 1994 COST - 180? > WEIGHT - 3 lbs, 13 oz. > STYLE - square floor, 32 ft. sq, 2 hoops > PRIMARY USES - backpacking on PCT > # OF NIGHTS - 45 > SIMILAR TENTS BY - > CONS - small for two people. rainfly sags when wet. can sit up only at one end. No room for any gear. Pros. great one person and their gear tent. From: JALOGA1@UKCC.uky.edu >MAKE - NF Tadpole >1994 COST - 160.00 >WEIGHT - 4.5 lbs. w/everything >STYLE - >PRIMARY USES - backpacking, wet weather, hot weather ># OF NIGHTS - 135 >SIMILAR TENTS BY - >CONS - Heavy. Actually it's not too heavy, just heavier than my partner's tent. (Clip Flashlight) >PROS - Works well in wet weather or hot weather...actually it just works well. I don't need to worry about anything in that tent. It has enough room for me and my stuff. From: Thomas Unger MAKE - Walrus Arch Rival 1994 COST - ~160 WEIGHT - 4lb STYLE - Tunnel, with large hoop over head and small hoop over feet. PRIMARY USES - 3 season, two person. # OF NIGHTS - SIMILAR TENTS BY - Sierra Design, others. CONS - Needs to be held down by at least 5 steaks. Opening the entrance in the fly will allow rain to fall on and enter the tent. PROS - Light, but still has plenty of space for two people and a fair amount of gear, or three people in a pinch. Small vestibule for boots. The roof and walls of the inner tent is made entirely of bug netting (at least 3 years ago). I like this tremendously. On clear nights you can leave the fly off, have shelter from the bug but not be shut off from the natural beauty you came to the backcountry for. Plus, good ventilation From: Elowe@galaxy.gov.bc.ca (Eric Lowe) > MAKE - Eureka Hobbit > 1994 COST - > > WEIGHT - > (See MEC catalog) > STYLE - > > PRIMARY USES - 2-3 season > # OF NIGHTS - 7 nights > SIMILAR TENTS BY - Moss Starlet CONS -Just wide enough for two prople. Tall height means colder in the winter. Prone to condensation, despite being well vented. Awful colours. > PROS - Tall height makes gettin' ready for bed easier. Plenty of ventilation. Full fly and vestibule. Vented ceiling allows for slepping under the stars (without the fly of course). Small pole sections. Lightweight. E-Z- setup. Self supporting, two pole system. > From: "Good ol' Brian" MAKE - 1991 Eureka Cirrus 3 1994 COST - ~$190 WEIGHT - 6 lbs STYLE - Wedged PRIMARY USES - Backpacking, canoeing # OF NIGHTS - 90 SIMILAR TENTS BY - copy of Sierra Designs Clip 3 CONS - If you want a large two man tent, this is NOT it. This is a three man tent. I have put 2 people, 2 packs, and junk in the tent at night. No vestibule. Very heavy for the weight. Consider the Cirrus 2 first. Water seems to collect at the rear of the tent if not set up properly. This tent is not free - standing but I set it up using 4 stakes. Condensation has been a problem, but just leave the back window open to solve that. The tent packs down a little bulky. PROS - Lots of room, seems to take storms well. Very tall - enough to get up on my knees in front. Long enough to store a pack at feet. Plastic clips to hold poles seem to hold up well. The mesh pockets inside are great for stashing stuff, and the ring that hangs from the apex of the tent is good for hanging things - then again these items are standard on most tents. Fly sheds water well - in the rear it tends to drop onto the base of the tent that extends out a few inches to far. Best thing about the Cirrus 3 - clips attach the fly to the same stakes used to stake out the corners of the tent. From: "Joe Benet" MAKE - 19?? Kelty Domolite 1994 COST - $300 (REI) $190 (Campmor) guess where I got mine =8-) WEIGHT - ~10lbs STYLE - dome with rectangular floor PRIMARY USES - general camping/backpacking # OF NIGHTS - (that I've used it I assume) 8 SIMILAR TENTS BY - ??? CONS - larger tent, not for 1 person, my wife likes bags in the tent with her for car camping trips and there is plenty of room for that PROS - I love this tent and think it is the greatest tent in the world, bathtub floors, no-see-up mesh roof (pop the fly on nice nights and see the stars!), very easy set-up, plenty of ventalation, 2-doors, optional vestibule, fly tension is adjustable, 3 inches of clearance between fly and tent, free-standing, gear loft, storage pockets, plenty of room for 4, can sit up against walls --- I love this tent!! From: dmyers@cris.com (Dale C. Myers) > MAKE - Eureka Backcountry > 1994 COST - under $200 > WEIGHT - about six pounds > STYLE - free-standing dome > PRIMARY USES - cycle touring > # OF NIGHTS - four months steady use starting in Osaka Japan, March 15, 1994 to Deposit, New York, July 16, 1994 in all kinds of weather. > SIMILAR TENTS BY - ? > CONS - none, except that it is definitely not for three people. It has been just wonderful for me and my gear. I shared the space with a hobo one night in Nevada. Worked fine, but the gear had to stay out in the snow. > PROS - easy to set up. free standing. easy to carry. POLES HAVE SHORT ENOUGH SECTIONS TO FIT INTO A PANNIER. Can kneel upright everywhere inside. I bought it tall enough to take the bicycle inside at night if I felt the need, but haven't yet. From: jlk@sni.co.uk (Jim Kissel) MAKE - Blacks 'Good Companion' Major 1994 COST - ?? 1973 price was about $200.00 US WEIGHT - 15# + (it's heavy) STYLE - External A-frame, low sides with 5 sided pyramid roof PRIMARY USES - Car camping # OF NIGHTS - 20 to 25 per year by 15 years SIMILAR TENTS BY - Blacks CONS - Heavy PROS - Can set up external fly in rain then add the tent or the reverse. Bathtup ruberized ground sheet. Screen door. Rear vent. Doors can be peged open for a cooking area in the rain. The tent is 21 years old and still going strong. From: "T. Phelps" >MAKE - Sierra Half Moon. >1994 COST -$under 200 US By catalog (Campmor) >WEIGHT -Under 5 lb with fly, celing net and ground cloth added. >STYLE - Rectangular with entrance to one end of one of the long sides and a window opposite. Window does not close. Window and door can be completely covered by the fly. The fly can be stacked out away from the door to form a vestibule. >PRIMARY USES - Bycycle camping. ># OF NIGHTS -Only two so far. >SIMILAR TENTS BY - >CONS -With the fly down it was too warm for two people on a summer night. Can't stand up inside. >PROS - Very light weight. Poles are in short sections to make a very compact bundle. Vestibule to leave shoes, outdoor clothing and bike packs that don't contain food. Easy to put up, etc. Adequate room for two people. Stayed dry in heavy downpour. Sturdy in the wind. Plan to give it a lot more use. Tina. From: "robert (r.m.) perkins" MAKE - 1994 Eureka Geoalum dome tent - 3 Season - 2-3 person 1994 COST - $220 US through Campmor mail order, Paramus, NJ WEIGHT - 8 lb (3.6kg?) STYLE - Dome free-standing, 42 sq ft, 4 alum. pole, noseeum netting, vestibule available but not bought. Two doors with mesh windows. PRIMARY USES - general camping, bike touring # OF NIGHTS - 30 SIMILAR TENTS BY - REI CONS - Not factory seam sealed- had to seal repeatedly. Rain fly sagged and touched tent at points 90 degrees from doors by "optional" rings for staking the fly, so we had to stake the fly every time it rained. Heavy for backpacking. PROS - Great for buggy areas (e.g. Alaska in summer)- no need to crawl out into a vestibule for gear. Large enough for two people, packs, cold weather gear inside. Lots of room, good construction for the $$. Good in strong winds, great ventilation. Bathtub bottom with mesh tent walls. Clip attachments to pole. Don't need a vestibule for 2 people. Nice blue color with subdued grey fly. From: Matthew Reid Elkin > > MAKE -Quest Class V River Runner 3-4 season (they claim) 2 person > 1994 COST - $240?? SIZE- 40 sq ft, 60"x96" 44"high > WEIGHT -6lbs 8oz > STYLE - 4 pole dome, 2 doors, 2 vestibules (1 8sq ft, 1 2 sq ft) doors with screen and flaps, mesh in ceiling, full fly (nearly to the ground), 4 guy points > PRIMARY USES - canoe, backpacking > # OF NIGHTS - 15 > SIMILAR TENTS BY - Eureka Backpacker (same size, lighter, no backdoor, not full fly > CONS - quest quality is probably less than seirra designs, northface, same or better than eureka, could be smaller/lighter for backpacking, freestanding, but uses a fair number of stakes for fly/vestibules > PROS - two vestibules (1 very big and handy), front and back door, hanging net From: JALOGA1@UKCC.uky.edu >MAKE - Clip Magic (Sierra Designs) >1994 COST - 250.00 >WEIGHT - 3.5 lbs. >STYLE - >PRIMARY USES - backpacking on long trips, whenever I need a really lightweight tent. # OF NIGHTS - 8 so far. >SIMILAR TENTS BY - >CONS - Almost not vestibule space. Hot because it's not breatheable and their's limited ventalation. Not comfortable to kepe both my pack and me in the tent all night, at least not as comfortable as with my NF Tadpole. B >PROS - Light. Light. Light. Light. Light. Pretty colors (don't flame me, I LIKE colors). OH, yeah, it's LIGHT. From: andresj@iterg04.ipp-garching.mpg.de (Joachim Andres) MAKE - 1989 Salewa "Sierra Madre" - 3 season - 2 person 1994 COST - 400 DM ~ $250 ;now called "Himal" WEIGHT - 3.0kg STYLE - free-standing dome, 2 vestibules PRIMARY USES - backpacking: Alps, Scandinavia # OF NIGHTS - more than 150 SIMILAR TENTS BY - VauDe, Jansport CONS - seal tapes came loose after a few months, was fixed by Salewa does not withstand strong wind gusts, was flattened two times PROS - easy to set up in two minutes; good insulation in cold weather due to aluminum coated fly; roomy vestibules for storage and cooking; fly is still waterproof. From: walters@cs.Buffalo.EDU (Deborah Walters) MAKE - 198? Eureka Denali - 4 season - 2-3 person 1994 COST - ~$250. about 11 years ago WEIGHT - 9 # STYLE - Modified geodesic dome, 4 pole (+2 for winter fly/vestibule or +1 for summer fly); full to ground winter fly; mesh door, roof and rear windows with zip up storm flaps, PRIMARY USES - canoe tripping in deserts, boreal forests, mountains and tundra; winter camping in Canada and NY # OF NIGHTS - over 350 SIMILAR TENTS BY - TNF (VE24, VE25) CONS - Floor waterproofing started to peel after just 10 years Heavy One tent pole's sleeve slipped inside the pole once necessitating a repair using duct tape and the tail of a horseshoe crab Not made any more, but look for a used one PROS - VERY wind stable - it's withstood 80 mph winds on the tundra that shredded a couple of TNF VE 25's Rugged and well made - only replaced one zipper pull in 11 years Lots of room for 2 big people with all their gear - (has "slept" 4 of us in an emergency) Has both summer fly for those hot nights and a winter fly for the rain and cold Well ventilated with roof window Can set it up nice and tight - no flapping here Mitten loops, etc for setting up in winter without bareing your hands Both flys have adjustable loop straps for tensioning and which make it easy to use large boulders in place of pegs on rock or ice. From: mensa@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Mensa Computers) MAKE - Eureka Timberlite 2 1994 COST - Aprox $250 WEIGHT - 2.2 Kg STYLE - A-Frame similar to the Timberline tents PRIMARY USES - Bike Touring # OF NIGHTS - Never used. SIMILAR TENTS BY - CONS - I ordered this tent by mail order after reading about it in magazines. When I received it I set it up in my livingroom to check it out. It was complicated to setup and when I crawled into it there was just barely enough room for myself. I sent it back and bought the Clip 3 above. PROS - None From: pat.buckley@hillside.com (PAT BUCKLEY) M > MAKE - Eureka Mountain Shelter, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) M > 1994 COST - C$250. M > WEIGHT - 3.2 kg. M > STYLE - DOME M > PRIMARY USES - bicycle touring M > # OF NIGHTS - 150 M > SIMILAR TENTS BY - M > CONS - M > PROS - I like a "dome" tent. I used to have an A-frame tent (I think it was MECs "Eureka alpine Meadows"). I now have a tent like MECs "Eureka Mountain Shelter". I puchased the tent from MEC about 10 years ago. The tent has stood up well for many bike trips. I'd rather have a few extra kilograms of tent and have more room for my junk! I'd think I'd be fussier about weight if I were back-packing, but, since I bike tour when camping, weight is of secondary importance. Room is more important. I like to have a large 2-man tent since then I can have all my "junk" inside the tent with me. Well, err, all my junk except the bike! I like the DOME-tent better than the A-frame since the sides don't sag in as much as it gets older. The DOME stands up better in the wind and is truly self-supporting! FROM: ME > MAKE - 1988 Eureka Autumn Wind - 3 Season - 2 person > 1994 COST - $300.00 Canadian at Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vancouver, BC > WEIGHT - 2.7 kg > STYLE - wedge style, wider and taller at head, 3 pole, front wedge > vestibule, 1 m^2 entrance, mesh side panels with roll-up flaps, > full to-the-ground fly > PRIMARY USES - bicycle touring, general camping > # OF NIGHTS - more than 200 > SIMILAR TENTS BY - Outbound, Northface > CONS - Wedge vestibule provides limited storage which decreases when wet > and fly sags. Sufficient sitting head clearance ONLY at front > of tent (peak of the wedge), floor started to lose waterproofness > after about 120 nights > PROS - Plenty of sleeping room for 2 - 6'6" people. All panels are well > tensioned, no sagging of tent roof or walls, fly is tight as well. > Excellent is strong winds and heavy rain, minimum 3" clearance > between fly and tent. Excellent ventilation, over 3 m^2 of > no-see-um mesh all with roll-up covers for cold weather (newer > models do not have mesh on sides - major disadvantage) > From: rlindsay@nofc.forestry.ca MAKE - moss outland 1 person - 4 season 1994 COST - $326 canadian at MEC WEIGHT - 2.6 kg STYLE - 'insect' shape. one main pole running length with two other poles on each side. free standing with full to-the-ground fly. PRIMARY USES - use only for backpacking but could be used for anything. # OF NIGHTS - just bought this past spring; so < 16 nights so far. SIMILAR TENTS BY - moss makes a bigger version but can't remember the name. quest also makes something similar. NOTES : have only used it a little this past summer and fall but did give my equipment the 'acid test' on a 3+ night backpack in sept. it was on a high ( > 2000 meters ) mountain area for most of the trip and, for two days, experienced temps just above freezing and virtually straight rain and fog. the next night after the rain ended it went down below freezing. ( will invest in a synthetic bag because of this experience; already invested in gortex raingear and a 300 wt polartec sweater! ) i suppose that any tent would have some problems under those conditions and i did. water condensed all over the place. under the fly, slightly on the walls, and a little on my down sleeping bag. but NONE leaked in; except for a few drops that came in when i didn't close the vestible door enough. in retrospect, i guess i could have avoided some of the condensation problems by completely closing the fly ... i'm not sure how much better off i would have been, though; if any better. PROS - a very high quality tent and a very attractive 'curvy' one at that. it is well made, well designed, strong and stable under any conditions a backpacker is likely to ever encounter. sides are quite steep and should shed snow easily ( haven't been snowed on in it yet ). easton aluminum poles are unconditionally guaranteed, strong, and break down into small sections for ease of packing. the floor material could probably have a creek running under it and not leak. room for some gear in tent on the sides. ventilation is very good. in good weather TWO of us squashed in there (not reccommended) and there was no condensation on the inner walls in the morning. fly just clips on very easily and can be adjusted easily. poles have a choice of two spots to plug into the tent. one spot for regular weather and the other to tighten the tent in wet conditions. CONS - a full-length thermarest will JUST fit lengthwise. i'm 6'2" and the tent accomodates me fine but my sleeping bag touches the tent walls down by my feet only. an extra inch or two would help my bag from picking up moisture down there. if you're a little shorter, however, this should not be a problem. also, the door zips down and it is easy to step on the door when getting in or out - especially when the vestible zipper is also down there right about a foot away ( which gets stepped on a little too ) a minor inconvenience, however. all in all i'm most satisfied with how it has performed so far; but more backpacking with it is in order for a completely informed opinion. From: "Richard L. Snow" MAKE - 1993 REI Geodome 4 man tent >1993 COST ~ $350.00 US at REI North Reading, MA, USA >WEIGHT - ? kg >STYLE - Dome tent with a seperate fly, self supporting. Doors at both ends. >PRIMARY USES - car camping, backpacking, winter camping ># OF NIGHTS - 50 >SIMILAR TENTS BY - LL Bean, ? >CONS - Support system puts pressure on the seams where the pole flaps are sewn onto the tent. The fabric seperates after repeated use if the tent is set up very taught, or is repeatedly subjected to high winds. Somewhat heavier than traditional tent. Tends to flatten out in very high winds (better than many other dome tents). >PROS - Plenty of sleeping room for 2 large people. None of the surfaces sag. The top is mesh for ventilation, condensation is not a problem. Doors have convenient tie-ups. Dome doesn't flatten out in moderate winds, comfortable in the rain. Ventilation is good. Full floor. A 6' person can stand up in the center (bent but standing). Very comfortable for a long term stay. Easy to set up. From: mensa@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Mensa Computers) MAKE - Sierra Designs Clip 3 1994 COST - Apporx. $300 Can WEIGHT - 2.1 Kg STYLE - 3 man, backpacking PRIMARY USES - Bike Touring # OF NIGHTS - 40 SIMILAR TENTS BY - Eureka CONS - Not free standing, miniscule vestibule. It is not a 3 man tent. I've been camping with my two kids 10 & 13 and it was a very tight fit. The kids are getting their own tent this year. PROS - Well constructed, the fly goes almost to the ground. I love the clip system it is very fast to set up. The fact it is not a free standing tent has not been a drawback so far. I have only been in one major rainstorm so far and it kept me absolutely dry. It is slightly large for one person but I expect it would be ideal for two. It packs nicely for bike touring. From: Evan Cantor MAKE: North Face, NHP Starlite 1994 COST: $300 ($350 w/detachable groundcloth) WEIGHT: @2.5 lbs. STYLE: wedge (teardrop); wider and taller at head; 3 poles; vestibule; tall enough for 6" (me) to sit up inside at vestibule end; mesh side panels, no roll-up flaps. PRIMARY USES: 3-season backpacking # OF NIGHTS: about 20 SIMILAR TENTS BY: looks lot like old North Face Bullfrog CONS: Must practice in backyard to learn how to set up efficiently PROS: Easiest dang tent I've ever set up! NHP stands for "No Hitch Pitch"; I b bought it because I almost threw my back out setting up previous tent. Never again! No need to disengage poles from tent when packing. Comfortable space for two persons with sleeping bags and/or crazy chairs. Thanks for your interst in my opinion. Here's the story why I bought this tent: One day early last Spring 1994, I returned to my tent north of Canyonlands National to find it in full course of blowing away! I tied it up to some nearby junipers. A couple of nights later, I was setting it up in the dark at Maroon Bells campground near Aspen and it was a real bitch! It had always been hard to set up before, but this time maybe the poles had been bent or something, but I swore and swore and swore and then swore I was going to buy a tent that was EASY to set up. My priority was ease of set-up... I asked them at the North Face store down the street from me (that's convenient, isn't it?) if they would demonstrate how the No Hitch Pitch tents worked; they said no problem. This sixty year old guy (age approximated) proceeded to fold it up andset it back up like a squirrel running up and down a tree-limb; effortlessly! I handed him my credit card and now own the most expensive tent I ever bought, but also the easiest to set up EVER! Thanks, Evan -------- From: jdu@intgp1.att.com >MAKE - Moss Starlet II >1994 COST - $350 guess. I'm not going to go to a store and look >WEIGHT - around 5 lbs >STYLE - A frame >PRIMARY USES - Backpacking, car camping ># OF NIGHTS - Lots >SIMILAR TENTS BY - most manufacturers >CONS - 3 season only. Not suitable for winter. Small interior volume >PROS - pretty light. Comfortable. Packs into small space. Well ventilated. On nice nights, you can leave the fly off and have a feeling of spaciousness with the mest vent on top. You can also see some start. Easy to put up and take down. Pretty dry. Holds up well. > From: "jon" MAKE- Quest Headwall 1994 Cost- $360.00 WEIGHT- 8 lbs. STYLE- GEODESIC DOME, 9.5 MM ALUMINUM POLES PRIMARY USES- I mainly use my headwall for winter backpacking and snoe-shoeing, or any other time I need extra stability (high winds). I used it for three mon ths this past summer doing field work on the Alaska peninsula, and it performed very well.(I was in some 60 mph winds) # OF NIGHTS- Roughly 25 per year SIMILAR TENTS BY- The North Face, Sierra Designs CONS- The biggest negative to this tent is the weight. It is around average fo r a large, four season tent, but everyone would rather carry a five or six poun der! There is also very limited ventilation (one zippered screen/door). PROS- This tent has two vestibules, one that is 10 sq. ft., and another that is 4 sq. ft.. The large one easily accomodates three packs, and has four differe nt ways to open the vestibule. This is useful for cooking under the vestibule w hen it is windy or raining. There is ample room for two people inside (43 sq. ft.), and for those of you who are tall, don't worry, you will fit. I am 6'5" and my girlfriend is 6'0"..... we fit comfortably. I could ramble on and on, b ut to sum it up, this tent is well worth the money. From: 2731792GE490@sscl.uwo.ca >MAKE - 1993? MEC Snowfield -2 person, 4 season >1994 COST -$365 at Can. MEC stores >WEIGHT -around 7 pounds >STYLE - tunnel dome, two vestibules, two entrances, 3 poles, full to the ground fly, cool black and blue colours, >PRIMARY USES -general camping plus mountaineering and winter camping ># OF NIGHTS -used so far?? around 4 months straight >SIMILAR TENTS BY -Wild country >CONS -colours have faded fr. high alt. uv, not much clearance if your huge, kind of cosy if there are two of you, door zips down so that you step on it every time you leave the tent. Might be hot in warmer climes. >PROS - warm and dry. I have slept through so many hellbound thunderstorms while others in Eurekas around me pick up the pieces of thier tents. Great in strong wind and hail storms. Very stable and cosy. Plent of room for storage in the vestabules and the stupid pack rats didn't like the taste of it either! From: Whitney Elfner : MAKE - Quest Fifth Season : 1994 COST - $300? : WEIGHT -7lbs 4 onces : STYLE - rectangular Dome, 4 pole, snow entance window, 2 square foot mesh in roof, wash tub floor, : PRIMARY USES - 3-4 seasons backpacking, bike, general : # OF NIGHTS -12 : SIMILAR TENTS BY - several companys : CONS - Hub pole system a pain sometimes, vent in roof works in winteras well as summer I use a peice of nylon to cover in winter. : PROS - Hub pole system a joy sometimes, loads of usable space! side walls that go almost straight up! large vestibule they make a similar design w/o extra pole type vetibul saves more than 1/2 pound. Great tent even after retiring my 20 year old Gerry to the scouts From: Simon.Arthur@def.bae.co.uk (Simon Arthur) MAKE Phoenix Phreak 1994 COST 207 pounds Sterling WEIGHT 2.76kg STYLE Two person A pole ridge tent. Small pole at rear, with very small gear porch. Larger pole at front which extends porch. Two double entry zips. Inner has two double zips, door and no-see-um mesh door; neoprene sewn in ground sheet. PRIMARY USES General camping, backpacking. # OF NIGHTS About 100, I've had it for 5 years. SIMILAR TENTS BY Field & Trek, Saunders and Vango make 3 pole A pole ridge tents but the Phreak is the only 4 pole one I know of. CONS Tapered shape, only one person can comfortably sit up in the inner at once. Not a lot of room for gear, you have to be organised. I've never yet pegged out the fly so it looks tidy; though that hasn't affected performance. PRO Pitches fly first. A must somewhere wet like Wales, Lake District or Scotland. The inner can be kept dry. Can be pitched single handed, even in a wind. Very stable in wind because of its low, flat profile. The fly bangs and rattles like mad but the inner hardly moves. The extended bell is great for cooking in (see the reason for fly first pitching :-) ) but we use gas not liquid fuel. From: Eric Schultz MAKE - Quest Excel - Fifth Season 1994 COST - 450-500$CDN WEIGHT - 5.x lbs STYLE - rectangular dome (freestanding) + vestibule on fly PRIMARY USES - general camping year round. bought for moutaineering aswell # OF NIGHTS - no idea, under 100 sofar. SIMILAR TENTS BY - sierra designs, wild country, moss CONS - doors open downward (changed on newer models i think). rear vestibule only staked out on one side. no chimney vents PROS - low profile. roomey (for a twoman winter tent). cavernous front vestibule. good front vestibule design. From: salmon@cs.utah.edu (William Salmon) MAKE - The North Face Westwind 1994 COST - $375US WEIGHT - 6 lbs. 2 oz. STYLE - 3 hoops, highest in center (also called "Conestoga" or "caterpillar" shape) PRIMARY USES - backpacking, general camping # OF NIGHTS - over 100 SIMILAR TENTS BY - Stephenson (2RE), Kelty (Windfoil), Sierra Designs (Clip Flashlight) CONS - Only 32 sq. ft. floor space, on small side for two people during a long storm. Roomy for one person, but heavy for so little space. Not freestanding, but pitches well with as few as 5 stakes. (9 stakes for full pitch in violent storms.) Golden yellow color is unpleasant inside in full sunlight. Cloth stretches when cold and wet, allowing fly to sag. This can be countered to some extent by adding shock cord loops to the stake pullouts. PROS - The high middle hoop adds greatly to effective space inside. The 3 poles pass thru cloth sleeves, which distribute stress better than clips or rings. Tent pitches very taut and aerodynamic; withstands incredible storms with ease. Withstands much hard use and abuse. Warm and cozy in winter; handles heavy snow well. Vestibule is long and holds much gear. Ventilation easily improved by adding velcro cross-tie 1/3 way up zipper, plus a tie-back so lower part of vestibule door can be tied open during storms without stressing the vestibule zipper. From: Marc Tremblay MAKE - 1993 North Face Aerohead - 4 season 1994 COST - $395 US WEIGHT - 7 lbs STYLE - 4 poles, free-standing, 2 person PRIMARY USES - Mountaineering, Winter Camping, General Camping # OF NIGHTS - 50+ SIMILAR TENTS BY - Sierra Designs CONS - * HOT in the summer with fly on * A bit heavy for a summer tent * Needs more guy lines for 50mph+ winds * No back door (for mountaineering) PROS - * Great versatility, it's been in the Guatemalan jungle in 100F and at 14000' during a hailstorm/mini-blizzard. * Nice vestibule. You can cook in it while sitting in the tent. You can store 2 large packs there. * Fairly light for a winter tent * You can set it up by yourself quite easily * Quite spacious for a 2 person tent, plenty of head room for both occupants. Great if holed in during a storm. * Good water resistance From: aarond@bigb.stortek.com (Aaron Dailey x4989) MAKE - Northface aerohead 1994 COST - USD 400 WEIGHT - 6 lbs STYLE - two man, four season, free standing PRIMARY USES - three season backpacking # OF NIGHTS - up to four so far SIMILAR TENTS BY - Moss, others CONS - Heavier than necessary for my use PROS - Durable, looks good, very good construction, sheds snow well, warm From: George Thomas > MAKE - Moss Olympic > 1994 COST - ?? Paid about $400 in 1987 > WEIGHT - 9 lbs > STYLE - Dome > PRIMARY USES - Backpacking (4-seasons), car camping, visiting in-laws > # OF NIGHTS - About 100 > SIMILAR TENTS BY - > CONS - Weight, bulk, no storm guys, easy to blow down in high winds, cost, poles go through sleeves instead of clips--not the fastest tent to set up, vestibule requires staking out--when fly is added it is no longer a free standing tent. > PROS - Very spacious, incredibly waterproof, excellent snow shedder, large vestibule, two doors, easy to clean. From: seaborn@mickey.jsc.nasa.gov (Jodi Seaborn |> MAKE - Moss Delta |> 1994 COST - $350 (I think) |> WEIGHT - 3 -4 lbs |> STYLE - triangle |> PRIMARY USES - bicycling, backpacking, car camping |> # OF NIGHTS - 40 |> SIMILAR TENTS BY - none that i know of |> CONS - The triangle shape could have been six inches longer on all sides--with two sleep pads it is hard not to touch the sides at the back of the tent. It's hard to set up the first time, until you learn how. |> PROS - Unbelievable stable in high wind. With the fly on, the ventilation is still good and the tent is very warm. We woke up to snow in New Mexico and i was warm in my light-weight sleeping bag. The poles have three possible positions (holes to fit in to) so you can set up even a wet tent tightly. Top is no-seeum netting so on clear warm nights you can watch the stars from inside. From: CATRI@UWYO.EDU MAKE -sierra designs stretch dome 1994 COST -$400 WEIGHT - STYLE -geodesic dome PRIMARY USES -mountaineering # OF NIGHTS -2 SIMILAR TENTS BY -north face CONS - PROS -real sturdy, lightweight From: mty016 >MAKE - The North Face Tadpole >1994 COST - 230 pounds approx >WEIGHT -2 kg >STYLE - Three pole geo-hybrid (really-thats what the catalogue said. Its a kind of cross between a geodesic dome and a tunnel with a high point at the front for its single entrance. Interior mostly netting) >PRIMARY USES - Backpacking, cycle touring etc ># OF NIGHTS - only about 20 (I've only just got it) >SIMILAR TENTS BY - Mountain Equipment voyager and TNFs bullfrog (bigger version) >CONS - Limited head hight and storage space. Shape means that it won't shed snow easily, so although it can be used above the snowline, if it was snowing you would have to get out every now and then to clear it of the `back'. Tall people (over 6' foot) may find it to short. (In which case buy the bullfrog). >PROS - Light, small pack size, quick to put up, free standing and strong, with a drum tight fly, which leads to very little flapping in the wind and good water shedding properties. No-see-um interior door. In hot climates the inner only can be pitched to give protection from insects, whilst remaining cool (or so the blurb says; living over here I'm not likely to find out..) I love it!!! Its the best tent I've owned so far. From: ad034@freenet.unbc.edu (Mark Earle) MAKE - 1992 Wild Country Quasar - 2 person - 4 season 1994 COST - Probably $450 -500 (check with Taiga) WEIGHT - 8 -8.5 lbs STYLE - modified dome - four poles in continuous mesh pockets, doors (fyscreened at both ends) and vestibules at either end PRIMARY USES - backpacking, general camping # OF NIGHTS - about 100 SIMILAR TENTS BY - MEC (snowfield) CONS - * poles are unequal length and the longer ones are quite long * poles are somewhat brittle (may have been rectified - Taiga supplied no-cost replacement for one we broke which was a very nice Easton) * ventilation a bit of a problem - vents above vestibule doors tend to sag when wet, closing off vents * fly must be guyed at sides to work best - 10 pegs are required for a really good pitch (fly does attach to tent at four corners, however) * after about 60 nights, the coating on the floor began to produce an unpleasant odour * Wild Country provided poles with "field serviceability." That means the tips pull out of the ends of the poles far too readily and are a pain to put back in place. So far, this idea has been a hassle and I am not sure there is a benefit to be had. PROS - * very strong, very water/weatherproof, very stable * vestibules offer gear storage without taking space from interior of tent * roomy for two (inside dims. 50" x 80", I think) * fly and floor are fully factory taped From: cfeld@gelac.lasc.lockheed.com (Christine Feld) MAKE - Wild Country Quasar - 4 season - 2-3 person 1994 COST - $450 (???) WEIGHT - 8 lbs. STYLE rectangular;4-pole; 2 vestibule and entrances; 4 mesh side panels snow tie downs. PRIMARY USES - Mountaineering; general camping (for anything!) # OF NIGHTS - 100 + CONS - The poles. I've heard that the poles have a tendency of bending. Our tent was a 1993 model, and one of our poles has a slight bend in it. Since then I've heard that Wild Country has improved the the poles. Also, it's a little on the heavy side for mountaineering. PROS - Great design. We use our Quasar for everything. The two vestibules makes it easy to get in and out on one side and store the packs or cook on the other. The ventilation is great!!. In the Wild Country advertisements the Quasar should with stand 100 mph winds. However, I have yet to experience this condition in the Quasar. It's also waterproof even under a waterfall! On a scale 1 to 10. I'd rate it a 9.5. From: tnic@intac.com (tnic) MAKE - Moss Star Dome 1994 COST - $475 WEIGHT - 7lbs STYLE - Dome-ish PRIMARY USES - Backpack Mountaineering 4 seasons # OF NIGHTS - Many Many SIMILAR TENTS BY - CONS - The more you drink the harder it is to set up. Not an excess of room PROS - Very weather resistant. Holds up good in heavy wind. 2 doors. Large roof skylight for ventalation. Vestibule you can cook in. Great tan color is easy on the eyes in all weather. From: Scott=Fawcett%HW=Dev%Sys=Hou@bangate.compaq.com >MAKE - Moss Stardome II >1994 COST - cost me $325, I believe they're normally around $425 >WEIGHT - 7lbs >STYLE - wide A-frame 2-person, 4-season, self-standing, 3-pole >PRIMARY USES - backpacking, canoeing ># OF NIGHTS - 7 (I just got it) >SIMILAR TENTS BY - nobody makes 'em like Moss >CONS - Difficult, if not impossible, to set-up alone, doors zip down vs. up and are not earsily tied out of the way, a little cozy for two people and a dog >PROS - extremely stable, two doors, no-see-um window on the ceiling for warmer weather that can be zipped shut for cooler weather, tan in color, large HOOPED vestibule comes standard as part of the fly, full-cover fly that comes right to the ground on all sides, plenty of tie downs for high winds, excellent ventilation with two doors and ceiling window, fly is able to be zipped down around the doors for direct airflow, quick and easy set-up for two people From: ad034@freenet.unbc.edu (Mark Earle) MAKE - 1992 Wild Country Quasar - 2 person - 4 season 1994 COST - Probably $450 -500 (check with Taiga) WEIGHT - 8 -8.5 lbs STYLE - modified dome - four poles in continuous mesh pockets, doors (fyscreened at both ends) and vestibules at either end PRIMARY USES - backpacking, general camping # OF NIGHTS - about 100 SIMILAR TENTS BY - MEC (snowfield) CONS - * poles are unequal length and the longer ones are quite long * poles are somewhat brittle (may have been rectified - Taiga supplied no-cost replacement for one we broke which was a very nice Easton) * ventilation a bit of a problem - vents above vestibule doors tend to sag when wet, closing off vents * fly must be guyed at sides to work best - 10 pegs are required for a really good pitch (fly does attach to tent at four corners, however) * after about 60 nights, the coating on the floor began to produce an unpleasant odour * Wild Country provided poles with "field serviceability." That means the tips pull out of the ends of the poles far too readily and are a pain to put back in place. So far, this idea has been a hassle and I am not sure there is a benefit to be had. PROS - * very strong, very water/weatherproof, very stable * vestibules offer gear storage without taking space from interior of tent * roomy for two (inside dims. 50" x 80", I think) * fly and floor are fully factory taped From: jogi@irf.se (Joakim Gimholt) >MAKE - 1991 Hilleberg NALLO 3 - 3 Season - 3 person >1994 COST - 4000Skr (=500USD) >WEIGHT - 2.7 kg >STYLE - Tunnel, taller at head, 2 tunnel poles, one opening >PRIMARY USES - mountaineering (spring, summer, autumn) ># OF NIGHTS - more than 100 >SIMILAR TENTS BY - Fjaellraeven, Hagloef... >CONS - Only one opening and not much room for your backpacks if you are more than 2 people. It works if you are 3 but it's not good if you all have large packs... >PROS - Great quality, hand made with names of the persons who sewed it, inner and outer tent is raised simultaniuosly, easy to separate inner and outer tent, extremely waterproof (6000mm water), light, room for 4 persons or 3 persons + one dog, innertent may be losened to make cooking possible, awailable in red expedition colour (std is green) and as winter version (3.0kg), great manufacturer support, easy to put up on your own There are other tents in the serie, Nallo 2 (2.2kg?) and Kieron 4 GT with room for up to 5 persons and 3-4 dogs fully winter equipt and weights 5.2kg (superior quality all other tents i ever seen, the cost is about 900USD). The Hilleberg tents have been used on successfull Mt Everest expeditions and are the tent that everyone in sweden dream of owning. From: mll@lysator.liu.se MAKE - 1993 Hilleberg Nallo 3, 4 season, 2-3 person (Hilleberg, Box 144, S-840 43 Hackas, Sweden Phone: +46-63-704 00, Fax: +46-63-705 16) 1994 COST - 2944 SEK ($535 Canadian) + tax if you can't get it duty free WEIGHT -2.4 kg (tent and poles only); 2.7 kg (complete) STYLE - Tunnel with two Easton 7075 T9 alupoles (3.25 meters each), one alcove and covered entrance (1.25x1.6 meters), outside supported by poles-inner attached to outside. Head clearance is 1 meter between the two poles. Legs are in the other alcove. PRIMARY USES - Winter activities in the mountains, bicycle touring # OF NIGHTS - 30 SIMILAR TENTS BY - vauDe Ferret II CONS - Alcove is too small for 3. Not very easy to only use inner. But it's usually to cold and rainy on the hikes I do anyway... No zipper at bottom of inner door (similar to North Face Westwind), the door fabric sometimes (always...) gets in the way. PROS - Easy to erect. Just insert the poles and peg to ground with 5 pegs. No flysheet - inner is attached to outside. Plenty of sleeping room for 2 (2.2x1.6 meters). Available in red or forest. I have a red one as it makes it easier to find my way back to the tent in a Swedish snow-storm. Ventilation is excellent and it handles strong winds and rain. I have tried it out in 20 m/s combined with heavy snowfalls. Very easy to detach inner - enough room for 4-5 persons to cook if only outer is used. From: Greg Hamilton MAKE: Sierra Designs Tiros Pro 1994 COST: hmmm retail is $550U.S. I got mine for $425 U.S. WEIGHT: Just under 7lbs I think -- might be just under 8 STYLE: 2-person 4 season elongated dome. 4 pole set up X style with 2 cross piece giving lateral support. Full fly, small vestable. 1.2 M inside height. 1door/1 window set up. Fly has 20 tie downs and can clip directly to poles with an additional 20 clips. PRIMARY USE: EXTREME MOUNTAINEERING # of nights: Hmmm just bought the thing in October -- 5 nights Similar tents by: North Face Cons: Fails to pass Canadian Fire Retardency requirements - Not for Sale in Canada. Extremely hazardous to be cooking in it. Small vestible. Fly fabric will not allow for seam sealing (seam sealer will not stick to it). Sierra Designs Grip-clip system can damage fly fabric. Pros: .455inch Easton poles (the largest diameter available). Stability in very high winds. small footprint. rip-stop reinforced fabric. UV resistant fly fabric (supposed to increase life of tent 10 times). # of tye downs allows for ease of set up--in worse weather you can "fully engage" anchoring system. Snow doesn't stick to fly.(sloughs off). 3 layer floors prevents leaking - 2 layer of nylon sandwichs neopreone. From: Kemasa MAKE - Stephenson 3RSE - 3 person, 4 season 1994 COST - $520 + $40 + $55 (The S & E are options) WEIGHT - 3lb 15oz + 5oz + 7.5oz STYLE - Half cylinder with doors at each end which taper down. Integral fly. Pre-bent poles to increase strength (bigger than most). Two poles with a tentioning system which can be adjusted from the inside. I have the silicon fabric which costs more, but is lighter, I don't recall the extra cost. The windows allow use in warm weather. Vents top and bottom at each end. PRIMARY USES - backpacking or any time weight is important or 4 season # OF NIGHTS - Unknown, over 20 (recently got the tent). SIMILAR TENTS BY - No one. CONS - Light weight material which can not take the same amount of abuse as heavier material, which is not a problem if you take care of the tent. Not a free standing tent (no big deal). Long tent. PROS - All season use due to larger optional windows. Light weight, warm, stable, strong poles, VERY roomy 60" x 150" (64" of full width), 40" high. It is the largest/lightest tent out there as far as I know. It is very warm. Easy to setup. Pack size is 6.5" x 16". Alum. coated nylon provides extra insulation on main section. Rated for winds up to 150 mph. Many optional avaiable. From: Scooter@ccmail.uoregon.edu (Scooter) >MAKE - Wild Country, Hyperspace >1994 COST -$550 Retail (U.S.) >WEIGHT -about 10 pounds >STYLE - free standing dome >PRIMARY USES - Year round camping. ># OF NIGHTS - >SIMILAR TENTS BY - >CONS -Heavy >PROS - Very strong, Extremely well made( I bought a used W.C. tent about 6 years ago. I've since spent about 50 nights/year in it. It hs been through storms on Rainier and Adams where many other tents were shredded. One of the zipper tabs has started acting weird this year, other than that, it works as well as when it was new. I just bought a new W.C. Mountain to go to Denali with.) Easy to set up. From: "Didier A. Depireux" MAKE - Kelty Windfoil 2 (4 seasons, officially 2 persons, but we've had 3 without problems) 1994 COST - 550$ (if they still make it this year) at EMS, WEIGHT - About 6 pounds, (I think) STYLE - Tunnel, with kitchen area at one end and zipper in bottom for cooking, almost free-standing with flexible poles PRIMARY USES - Bicycling and hiking trips (Iceland, Kenya, ...) # OF NIGHTS - Months, probably SIMILAR TENTS BY -? CONS - None that I can think of. Could use a little more space between inner tent and fly at entrance end, so we could leave our shoes outside weather permitting. A tad heavy, I would think. PROS - This tent was well worth the price. It never leaked, it was still standing under a foot of snow, it has a lot of nifty things inside, like the kitchen-sleep area divider, zipper on bottom of tent for cooking and net against roof for drying clothes. It's the quality of a North Face without the price. From: Markus Bjorksten MAKE - 1993 Hilleberg Nammatj - 4 season - 2 person. (Sweden) 1994 COST - min over/around $600 (?), depends on equipment level WEIGHT - 2.3kg min, 2.6kg normal, around 3kg max, depending on equipment level STYLE - Tube layout, double walls. Two U-poles. Not free standing (min 4..5 stakes, max 16 stakes). Two large ventiles. 1 vestibule. 1 entrance. Options: 8.6mm or 11.0mm Easton tubing, extension part for vestibule (huge, +1kg for removable, +0.4kg(?) for permanent), storm carpets, connection part for attaching two tents at vestibules, extra bottoms for both inner tent and vestibule, etc. PRIMARY USES - Scandinavian fjalls (mountains in the north) # OF NIGHTS - 20 SIMILAR TENTS BY - Fjallraven Akka, Halti Delta (both are inferior plagiates of Hilleberg tents). CONS - Metal cords for keeping ventiles up are a bit suspicious. Standard vestibule is barely sufficient for two large packs, but still large by some standards. Inner tent colour. PROS - Weather protection, ease of set-up in high winds, ventilation(?), durability (required by military usage of a closely related 4 person model), weigth, roomy (in all directions), options. From: hull@eos.ncsu.edu >MAKE -Bibler Ahwahnee >1994 COST -650 or so >WEIGHT -4.5 lbs approx >STYLE - dome, free standing >PRIMARY USES - climbing, bike touring ># OF NIGHTS -hundreds. Bought in 1980, still going strong. >SIMILAR TENTS BY -nobody is close >CONS -price seams are seled at factory but need some sealer in addition. A lousy job but very worth it. >PROS - Absolutely the best damn tent I ever owned. Never failed me, in high winds, floods, etc. tons of room inside, nice and tall for sitting up and other vigorous activities, The way the sides zip open is excellent. The tent is one piece, no fly, made of Todd Biblers breathable waterproof material Todd-Tex. Seems very similar to Gore-Tex. Factory sealed seams. No tent with this much room is this light. 3 poles, a breeze to set up. Absolutely bomber, I would never buy any other tent.( I bought a Bibler Pueblo for the family trips, very similar design 4 people.) From: jdeifik@ISI.EDU >MAKE - Stephenson >1994 COST - 2R around $600us, 3R around $700us (this is with optional endliners and side windows)(new silicone coating recommeneded) cost from factory >WEIGHT - 2R 3lbs 9 oz, 3R 4lbs 15oz >STYLE - roughly 1/2 cylinder with conical ends. 2 poles, prebent 7001 aluminum. >PRIMARY USES - mountaineering, backpacking ># OF NIGHTS - more than 30 >SIMILAR TENTS BY - none >CONS - requires a brain, big $$$ >PROS - lightest, warmest, strongest, biggest, 3R has 2 entrances and lotsa floor space. 2R has 42 square feet, 3R has 52 square feet. Made with coated nylon so fabric doesn't get soaked. Very warm integral double wall, side windows are huge and have great ventilation. > From: mrtn MAKE - Hilleberg Staika 1994 COST - about $1000 (1650 Dutch guilders) WEIGHT - 3.6 kg STYLE - dome, 2 entrances PRIMARY USES - hikes, 2-3 weeks in European mountains. # OF NIGHTS - 40 SIMILAR TENTS BY - lots of them CONS - Expensive. A bit heavier than others. You have to be a tidy camper, otherwise your stuff gets wet on very rainy days. PROS - Can be pitched on a slab of concrete; no pins necessary. Good in strong winds. Green; not easily detected in places where camping isn't allowed. Good ventilation. Well-made. Two doors; you can choose according to wind-direction etc.