High Sierra Topix

fishhunter wrote:Well you might be leery of another Big Agnes but just had a new B/A Copper Creek UL2 out on first trip, and it survived a 5 hour hail/rainstorm with no problems. I really light the weight and size of it, expected to be less than impressed with durability (e.g. snagging zippers, etc.) but was as good as my previous Kelty Gunnison 2 at half the weight.

I've used a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 for 4 full Muir Trails (two of them aborted yo-yo's), about 80 nights in the Sierra, experienced everything from no wind and calm to 7 inches of slush and hail, 60mph winds, etc. Love the tent. Never missed a beat, nothing has failed, not even a single stitch in the material has failed. Poles snap together like new.



Good ventilation, easy setup, light (5 pounds for a roomy 3 person tent, comes in 1 and 2 person sizes too). The poles almost assemble themselves, plenty of guy-out lines, functional zippers, room for gear on both sides, storage space in small hanging pocket. The tent material is too thin to get much shade should you need it in the bright son, so we throw our tyvek over the top of it.

drawbacks: even on ebay, this was almost $300, while REI wants a ridiculous $500 for it. Made in China.

My other single person BA tent is poorly designed. I never use it. Going on ebay. So it's probably a hit and miss with their stuff.

I prefer using the lightest possible options that are still functional, safe and comfortable. If using trekking poles I like the SMD Skyscape X (14.5 ozs) for a solo tent or a Zpacks Hexamid (8 ozs/no beak) solo tent. Each has it's advantages. I've been through storms at high altitude in both and the Skyscape is much more stable due to the inverted V trekking pole 'frame'. It also includes a bathtub floor where the Hexamid requires a groundsheet.

The SMD Haven with inner net tent is 26 ozs and it is among the lightest two person tents available. It is the lightest two person tent with two doors, two vestibules and modular design. With the tarp and inner net tent it is functions as a double wall tent. I use the tarp by itself in the snow and just the net tent in the summer (when there is no weather). My wife and I made it through a heavy thunderstorm, totally exposed by Wanda Lake, and were fine. I've never heard hail come down so hard. Plenty of room for two plus gear.

For a 'freestanding' tent I like the Big Sky Evolution 2P/2D/2V. At just under three lbs it is the lightest freestanding two person tent with two doors and two vestibules. The two door design is good for late night breaks, without waking the other person. There is plenty of room for two full size Neo Air pads with room to spare for gear, and extra room under the vestibules. The window at the foot end is a nice touch. The quality is top notch and it has received the highest reviews at BPL.

Have fun shopping.

Bluewater wrote:
If using trekking poles I like the SMD Skyscape X (14.5 ozs) for a solo tent or a Zpacks
Hexamid (8 ozs/no beak) solo tent.

Was looking at these two tent, read some good reviews on both, especially the SMD, but
$550 is just a little to steep, though am still considering it, especially now that they have
added another door.

The expense factor is the biggest drawback. Looked at ZPacks and Cuben Fibre is a stunner $ wise. Most likely will have to bite the bullet as going lighter is where it is at the older I get.

The cuben fiber bling can get expensive. SMD has three versions of the Skyscape. The Skyscape Trekker is more reasonable at $225, but it weighs about a 1/2 lb more than the cuben fiber version. A good value considering they essentially charge $340 to save 8 ozs.

I like the addition of the second door on the latest Skyscape X, but it's hard to justify the price increase to $565. I got one of the less expensive ones last year. One less door, but 2 ozs lighter.

SMD has a few other one man shelters available for around $200.

Another less expensive option is the MLD Solomid. I use just the tarp in the winter and it's a very stable shelter due to the inverted 'V' trekking pole frame. The silnylon version is $195 and weighs 15.5 ozs (8 ozs in cuben). The inner net is $145 and adds 9 ozs (only 6 ozs with a cuben floor). I've slept through 16 hour storms at high altitude in a Solomid. $330 for the silnylon Solomid and inner net tent.

Using cuben this option weighs less than the Skyscape X and has a modular design (use the tarp, tarp and inner net or just inner net) but it's more expensive ($590 for cuben Solomid and inner net with cuben floor. Ouch)

Ouch is exactly right. It has made me a little gun shy about pulling the trigger so far.

Finally found this review, might be helpful to you in making a decision: http://hikelighter.com/2011/12/29/sulxu ... mparisons/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Mav, checking it out. Whatever tent it turns out to be it will hopefully be the last one I'll need.

Let us know which one you decide on, and write up a review on it please.

So much depends on what you want in a shelter. It's impossible to give informed recommendations without knowing that.

I have a 5 lb tent and an 8 oz tent, both perfect in different situations.