Bushwalk Australia

After hearing rumours of One Planet's new tent for quite some time, I was pleased to see it's release mentioned in another topic here recently. The new One Planet Goondie is now detailed on their website.

It comes in 2x2 (4) variations. The first variation is the common 1 person or 2 person variation. The second variation is much more interesting - 15 denier nylon or 30 denier polyester fly (both silicone/PU coated). Both fly variations are available in both tent sizes (hence the 2x2 variations mentioned earlier).

The 15D variants are of course lighter, but only recommended for 3 season, whereas the 30D variants are marginally heavier and rated at 4 seasons.

Total weights for these tents range from 1.6 kg (1 person, 15D) to 2.1 kg (2 person, 30D).

The specs look pretty good to me, although it appears as though they lack the ability to do integral pitch (ie, pitch tent and fly simultaneously). My old tent could not do integral pitch, and I never considered it a problem until I eventually got a tent that could, so I'm sure I could get used to it again.

The ability to roll the vestibule half way up for extra ventilation looks interesting. Seems like a good idea for when it's raining/humid but not windy.

It may be still too early to ask, but does anybody have any experience with these tents?

Any other thoughts on the information that is available?

Anybody know what the prices are?

Design is very similar to the Black Diamond Vista and the MSR Hubba Hubba Series, so I guess in that way you could say its a 'proven' design. (i.e. people are generally happy with them as three season tents).

No dimensions available, which is a bit annoying - need to check they are actually long enough.

There may be an option for a groundsheet for outer only/outer first pitch, but with just the fly and poles, here would be nothing to secure the ends of the poles (probably).

Wouldn't go there for 4 season use - too prone to spin drift into the vestibules and poles not attached securely enough to the fly.

The dimensions are available on the web page, but you have to click the link to download the PDF, instead of displaying the image the usual way of embedding it in the page itself.

I thought i was looking at a msr tent at first glance. The dimensions may work out better...pity its made in china, hubba may be a lot cheaper?

Nuts wrote:I thought i was looking at a msr tent at first glance. The dimensions may work out better...pity its made in china, hubba may be a lot cheaper?

MSR would only be cheaper if bought online ...

One Planet looks like it has a heavier floor.

Maelgwn wrote:One Planet looks like it has a heavier floor.

This is a big plus for me. I don't like tents that skimp on flooring, and require an extra 'footprint' underneath for peace of mind. I've never used a footprint, and don't intend to start, so it's a relief to see that some tent manufacturers still use decent floors. In my opinion, if a footprint is needed to protect the floor, then the floor is deficient. (Of course there are also other reasons that people use a footprint - eg, as a floor in the vestibule.)

I like the look of the Goondie 1 over a Hubba HP, but it is 300g or so heavier. The Goondie 2 looks too small to take on the Hubba Hubba HP, and heavier as well. Both have heavier weight floors and a few other good things over the Hubba's. If in deed you can't pitch fly first like the Hubbas that's a big negative too me. They seem pretty good, but depending on individual preferences not necessarily better than other tents already on the market. big improvement on the Gunyah line though!

I have also been looking at 4 season tents, I like Roger Caffin's Tunnel Tents and I am surprised none of the major tent designers have not designed a similar lightweight tent for one person use.

A tent that I have been considering is this tent, a Warmlite Climbers Two Person Tent, while it is expensive it is the closest I can find to a lightweight 4 season tunnel tent.

Tony

Tony wrote:I have also been looking at 4 season tents, I like Roger Caffin's Tunnel Tents and I am surprised none of the major tent designers have not designed a similar lightweight tent for one person use.

A tent that I have been considering is this tent, a Warmlite Climbers Two Person Tent, while it is expensive it is the closest I can find to a lightweight 4 season tunnel tent.

Tony

No vestibule would definately be a deal breaker for me?

Great looking tent. Very similiar to MSR Hubba the single person tent has a slightly larger footprint than the Hubba. Although the 2 man version looks pretty cramped.

The two crossover pole design looks studier and perhaps would take snow loading better than a hubba also. Would love to see one first hand.

Nice to see a sturdy floor on it, always worth the bit of extra weight I feel. Bit like some of the older Macpacs, the floors were bombproof.

Maelgwn wrote:
No vestibule would definately be a deal breaker for me?

Although I like to have a vestibule, most of my early bushwalking was without a vestibule and I didn't miss it at the time, even in pouring rain. I was OK to open the door just enough to stick my arm out and stir the pot while cooking, and to leave my pack out in the rain (with most of it's contents having been unpacked onto the tent already.

Of course I've gotten used to a vestibule now and I do enjoy it, and prefer it, but still don't consider it to be absolutely necessary.

(Having said that, the Goondies appear to have a substantial vestibules.)

Ive had a good look at these tents and I think they are very good. Great freestanding tents . There is no hub pole system like the popular MSR tents Which is great.

I love the modular aspects to it. I think that is a very clever thing to do now-a-days. Even the poles from the two man are the same as in the one man.

I also like that the vestibule has a couple of options to allow for more air movement while still acting as a vestibule.

Materials look good and strong. The 30d poly for with PU and Sil should be able to take a pretty good flogging. I love the 15d for moving quickly. May melt in the Aussie sun

Maelgwn wrote:No vestibule would definately be a deal breaker for me?

The Warmlite 2R ticks a lot of boxes that I am looking for in a 4 season tent.

They do have Vestibules, from site: “Vestibules” for gear and cooking are standard, not an expensive extra weight option), and are floored to keep gear clean and DRY, for a stable, easily cleaned cooking space.

Has been around for a while.
Good reviews
Light 2 person, double skin tent, 1.25kg.
Integral pitch.
Easy to setup in strong winds.
Can handle very strong winds, with internal stablizers up to 160mph claimed.
Has good adjustable vent system.
Minimal stakes needed.
Taunt pitch, so minimal noise from flapping.

Tony

HitchHiking wrote: There is no hub pole system like the popular MSR tents Which is great.

I like the fact that it doesnt have a hub pole system too.

Googled videos for it and came up with : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u48WhtdSJvs

Just noticed that in the one man version there is actually a small zip door on the non entrance side to pop a few items out of the way on the other vestibule side, ie boots etc. Great idea.

Tony wrote:

Maelgwn wrote:No vestibule would definately be a deal breaker for me?

The Warmlite 2R ticks a lot of boxes that I am looking for in a 4 season tent.

They do have Vestibules, from site: “Vestibules” for gear and cooking are standard, not an expensive extra weight option), and are floored to keep gear clean and DRY, for a stable, easily cleaned cooking space.

Agreed that they are good tents but I wouldn't want to throw my wet boots/jacket/pack there as there no seperation between the floor of the "vestibule" and the rest of the tent. And you would get a healthy amount of snow/rain in the door, straight onto the floor whenever the door was open.

I am fairly sure Passion 8 in Hobart has one of these set up in the front of the store. Might be worth a look for those of you interested

I guess I should point any readers of this topic to my ongoing review of the Goondie 1-15D tent I ended up getting.

I recently bought a One Planet Goondie 2 person mesh tent with the 30DD (orange) fly. I have used it once and my first impression is that the floor is flimsy. The floor may be waterproof but I would be very careful of pitching over sticks or stones. I was very happy with the way the tent pitched and particularly happy with how well the fly is held away from the tent (particularly important with the mesh option I would think). With regards to the floor, I do not have any prior experience with lightweight bushwalking tents, but it seemed flimsy to me.

On advice from the sales assistant I went with the 30DD fly (their reason being that the 30DD fly would be required for the mesh option). However upon reading the One Planet brochure, it seems that the 30DD fly is intended to provide extra durability with regards to UV exposure and degradation of the fly material, rather than extra waterproofing. Maybe I could have gone the 15DD fly (green).