Bushwalk Australia

Hello Everyone, This is my first post on here so be gentle.

I'm in the market for a new hiking tent, for doing walks up to 10 days (maybe even more if i get my way). 2 person preferably around the 2.5 kilo or below mark, it would be great if it we're four season (i may be taking it to the UK at some point). Around the $500 mark ish. From my research I've landed on either the Vango Tempest 200+, Hubba Hubba, Mac Pak Minaret or the North Face Roadrunner.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Vango. A little heavier but with heaps of room. Ive also used other Vangos quite a few times in the past and they seem very robust. Does anyone out there have any other suggestions or can help stear me towards any of these tents. Any one have the Tempest or had any experience with them?

Many thanks

Minaret would be a good choice, imo. Doesn't quite fit your price requirement but otherwise fits the bill. Fabric inner makes it basically 4 season worthy and tunnel design offers good windstability.

I would avoid the Hubba Hubba because of mesh inner and pole design.

Don't really know the other two tents. Quick search of the Vango says it looks good for the price.

I have a Vango and a Minaret! Minaret kicks its butt!! No question!

Mineret certainly looks very good and all the Macpac stuff I've owned has been incredibly good quality. But from the pictures it seemed a bit pokey (with a weird diagonal porch thing). How does it go with 2 people + large packs? Have you ever had to cook inside? Also does it pitch as one?

Vango seems much roomier massive porch for cooking, but not sure if it would be as stable also heavier.

Minaret is second to none as far as quality goes! And very spacious for 1 person, maybe the olympus would be better for 2? I can fit my pack and spread all my gear out and be very comfy in mine, plus it has plenty of room for cooking or storage in crappy weather in the wierd porch thing you referred to.

I believe you can unclip the corner of the inner tent and pull in back to make a larger vestibule and rectangular space inside the inner.

What about the 2nd Arrow.
Ok for 2 spacious for 1.
Lots of ways to use the vestibule.

Roger

Someone mentioned a disc for October on the new Macpac range (?) . The Minaret is now listed at 2.1 kg .
Yes you can unclip the corner...
Providing one of the two is 180cm or less, it looks good to me . (PP used to stock them, I used to play there...)
Reviews here : http://www.trailspace.com/gear/macpac/minaret/ (older version)

Franco

Franco wrote:Someone mentioned a disc for October on the new Macpac range (?) . The Minaret is now listed at 2.1 kg .
Yes you can unclip the corner...

Yes, see the add at the top of the page!

OK, so... I got the Vango name wrong its actually the TBS Spirit 200+ i was looking at. Its HUGE
http://www.wildearth.com.au/vango-spiri ... p-208.html

I just taped out both tents dimensions on the floor in my flat. I'm really concerned about the space in the Minaret. I put our 2 Exped mats (DownMat 7Pump Short
Size: 120x52) inside the lines and its borderline wether we'll both fit.

My concern with the Vango is that its now too big. It comes in at 4metres long!!! Is that too big for sleeping platforms? and that the Minaret is too small!

Is it always this hard finding the right tent or am i just fussy? Any other ideas anyone?

Yes your fussy.
Is the Olympus too expensive for your liking?? cause they are really just a bigger minaret.
I'd be careful buying off Wild Earth. Not yet heard from anyone whos been really happy with what they have got. the Vango is ok, but theres much much much better out there, and although its rated 4 seasons I REALLY have my doubts, also im a bit concerned with how it will hold up in really strong winds.

30% disc on Macpac...

"Yes, see the add at the top of the page!"

Kind of obvious when you look...
I spend time on the net to get away from the ads on TV , now I find out that I am unconsciously "filtering" the ads on the net
Franco

I'm going in to Mac Pac store with my mats and trying to get a Minaret setup. If my mats fit then ill get it. Olympus is just that bit too expensive (even with the discount).

Have you considered Mountain Designs Sub Atomic range of tents:

http://www.mountaindesigns.com/index.cf ... goryID=124

Kaon (sleeps 3, 2 in absolute luxury): 3.7sqm floor area; 2.7 max. weight, 2.45, min. weight).
Positron (sleeps 2, 1 in absolute luxury): 2.7sqm. floor area; 1.98 max. weight, 1.74 min. weight).

These tents are 4 season, free standing (effectively, require 2 pegs for sides) & extremely light.
They can be set-up with fly & inner integrated (fast-pitch).
They are also very, very roomy being about 1.2m+ high inside, enough to get changed without having to lie in the foetal position like a lot of tents;
think about being tent-bound for a day or two in a tent that you can't sit up in without your head touching the top of the tent or having to crane your head, very uncomfortable.

I am very fussy about my gear & have researched nearly every brand of tent extensively & these tick all the boxes (yes, Hilleberg look great tho very expensive).

if you ask for Amanda @ the Hobart store she might even give you a good deal? (being a good friend of mine I'm sure she won't mind me saying this ).

Hope this helps, i'm sure Amanda @ MD's would be more than happy to set them up in-store for you (I think a Positron is currently set up?).

(p.s. I currently have a Macpac Minaret which I have been very happy with; a little cramped for 2 people; you won't fit much else in them than 2 of you + sleeping gear, vestibule also a little small; it has been very comfortable as a solo tent, just too heavy for extended trips unfortunately + not free standing which I am wanting).

Hey Stu, You got your positron yet?? What will you be taking into the King Willys??

No, still on lay-by at the mo, new camera is my current priority...
Jez will be bringing his Positron so keen to see it in the field.
I'll be luxuriating in the space of my Minaret; you taking yours or your new Vango for a test run?

Nice! It will be good to see Jez's in action!! Is the Neutrino 1 free standing??
Have you decided on a camera yet??
Going to take my minaret. Not keen to try the Vango out over a 4 day high altitude walk. Too afraid it will get shredded on night one and i'll end up sharing with someone else.....

Thinking I'll take the Vango over to maria for a test run.. whenever I get around to doing that....

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microphenia wrote:I'm going in to Mac Pac store with my mats and trying to get a Minaret setup. If my mats fit then ill get it. Olympus is just that bit too expensive (even with the discount).

You could buy an Olympus (2006 version) from the US (on clearance sale at Moontrail) and the cost including shipping would be about $480 AUD at current exchange rate.

http://www.moontrail.com/home.php?cat=443

They also have the Stellar on sale at $289 US.

Brett:

Hmmm, sounds like I need to do more research!

So it looked like the outer could be attached to the inner, still enabling the poles to be inserted (ie. fly velcros to the pole sleeves);
is it unable to be setup integrally or is it too difficult to thread the sleeves when the fly is attached?

Integral pitch is a huge selling point for me as I don't like the idea of setting up the inner first then draping the fly over;
too much possibility of the inner getting saturated in full on SW storms (this is why I love my Minaret, thread the poles, peg it out & your done).

Sounds like it's maybe not quite the tent I thought it was

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I designed that range for MD's.
They do somethings well, but they are certainly not designed for use in cold weather...there is far too much ventilation to make them a tent to consider for chilly nights.

microphenia,

I have a minaret - very slightly used - that I would sell. Perfect condition, about 5 years old, used about 5 times maximum (but carried about double that-used huts).
Dark blue, made in NZ.

pm me if interested

Jon

I have owned a minaret for the last eight years or so which is bomb proof and been everywhere with me but it is too heavy for one person. That's why I use the vaude hogan ultralight now.

I will probably buy a neutrino one, 1.5kg is pretty good and they are reasonably priced, quite a similair design to a minaret in many respects. So they are not free standing. Shall report back on how the positron goes in the KWs. Nick D owns a kaon and is pretty happy with it, they are huge for the weight.

The mesh doors in the MDs sub-atomic range mean they are not the warmest of tents but it's a lot better than a full mesh inner.

Stu we better have a look and see if the inner and outer can be pitched together in the positron, I thought they could, maybe I am wrong? Else you'll have to start the perfect tent hunt again

As Stu said if anyone wants to check out the sub-atomic range you're welcome to call in and see me

Thanks for all the great advice.

I am going to the Mac Pac store in my lunch break to check out the Minaret, I'll check out the other tents while I'm in there (also might nip into mountain designs and mountain equipment)
2.1kg does seem on the heavier end for long term solo use but not impossible especially for a 4 season tent. I'm more worried about the room when using it for 2.

What about the Exped Aries Mesh - it claims to be 4 season anyone got one?

Hi,

If you're going to consider the Minaret (I do like Macpac tents and have an Olympus), then also consider the MSR Hubba Hubba HP (not to be mistaken with the Hubba Hubba - it's lighter, stronger, has less mesh and more vestibule space than the Hubba Hubba). I've just bought one and am very happy with it - freestanding; light for a 2 man (1.93kg packaged weight), ok size for 2 people and palatial - and not too heavy - for one; bomb proof floor; well ventilated; 2 doors/vestibules - enough room for a pack and boots).

Full specs, some photos at:
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/fas ... hp/product

Fly photos:
http://www.moontrail.com/msr/hubba-hubb ... d-fly.html

Tent body, including interior photos:
http://www.moontrail.com/msr/hubba-hubb ... -tent.html

Expensive here but available for very reasonable prices in the US (I got mine for $225US but they're not stocking MSR any more - obviously an end of range fire sale) but you could get them for $398USD at e-omc last time I looked (RRP in US = $449). With the Aussie dollar at 0.90c at the mo that's a bargain for the quality of the tent.

'Will provide a full report when I get the chance.

Cheers,

JB

JB $225US is a very good price. If you hear of an XP going for that again let me know.

K.

Minaret it is! Guys in the Mac Pac store we're great, had a look at all the options. Got the Minaret setup and got in. Cozy - yes (thankfully i'm no giant and my girlfriend is teeny) but light and bombproof. Can't wait to get out and use it. Also came in at $520 with the discount.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Good choice!
Was my suggestion from the start

Hi JB, how are you doing with the Hubba Hubba HP tent? I'm curious to know as I'm going to get one soon. You got yours at such a steal price! The best I could find is $378 from sunnysports.

Most online shops won't send MSR gear outside of USA though

I'm mainly wondering whether the Hubba Hubba HP will be suitable to use in the scorching mid summer nights?
It seems that it will be fine for use in near or below zero degree (celsius). Hoping to take it to the Overland Track one day but I want to use it for summer camping too.

Thanks for sharing your experiences