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DS66
Mountain climber
Dislocated
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 30, 2011 - 09:55am PT
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Goofball question, Stephensons Warmlite? Checking it out now.
Thanks
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Dec 30, 2011 - 11:28am PT
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Yes . They make them in various sizes and features. Pretty much a custom tent. Nothing comes close to the lightness and small pack size per volume. Very easy to pitch and rock solid of course. There are bivy sacks that weigh as much as their climber setups.
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DS66
Mountain climber
Dislocated
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 30, 2011 - 11:34am PT
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I havn't spent a tremendouse amount of time on the site yet. How are the vestibules? Do you know if I can get two? Made in N.H.?
Thanks,
Dan
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Dec 30, 2011 - 11:39am PT
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I had a Stephenson - decades back now - and felt totally ripped off. First the tents don't work in wet climates, despite there advertising. The condensation in the Oregon rain made the tent unusable. Then the first time in significant wind the pole snapped and tore massive whole through the tent canopy. I sent it back for repairs and the repair would have cost near the cost of a new tent. Total ripoff in my opinion. Would much rather have a BD first light, if you really want a light tent. But then, light is not always what you want.
Does the guy still put his naked daughters in his catalog? I think that was what peaked my interest. ha ha
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Dec 30, 2011 - 11:51am PT
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My tent isn't setup with a vestibule so just can't say. Call the company they will spend the time on the phone with you at least they used to. Last time I called years ago got the old man himself, spent quite a bit of time listening to him.
is 2lbs lighter and has more room than a BD Itent.. Crazy. I have had no issues with durability. the poles actually are something i love about the tent.. stout awesome. Have had some mild condensation (same as any single wall tent I have used) but have not tested it in really extended days wet weather.
surprised by the above poster on the poles issue for sure. My tent is only a decade old though so maybe improved by then.
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Freecloud
climber
San Francisco
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May 15, 2012 - 01:19pm PT
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On December 27, 2011, "Mark" wrote about a 4-season Slingfin tent. Does anyone know more about these tents? Or used one?
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sierrakid
Ice climber
Berkeley, CA
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May 16, 2012 - 12:54am PT
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Hilleberg is great. Pricey as all get out, but the best tents I have ever laid eyes upon.
Northface VE25 is an expedition classic. A little heavy, and a tad expensive, but a time-honored design.
Third on my list would be Mountain Hardwear's EV2 or EV3.
In winter, my Firstlight comes along over 90% of the time, but it's probably the worst base camp tent ever.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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May 16, 2012 - 01:43am PT
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the Firstlight is way-legit. For one- or two-nighters, it's more than good enough. As mentioned above, not a Base Camp tent, but that goes without saying.
I've taken this to 17,000 feet on Denali; I've taken it car-camping in Minnesota in the middle of July; I've pitched it in Camp 4 in a deluge without seam-sealing, and have slept warm and dry.
I'm looking at Integral Designs now for a burlier version of the I-tent.
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Dec 11, 2018 - 10:44pm PT
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PSA bump - Slingfin, http://www.slingfin.com , has 25% off 2 person tents, use code "SendIt2018", as advertised on their homepage.
This is apparently the 1st time they've had sale prices. I'm looking forward to buying and using the Crossbow 2, w/StormPack, 4 Season and Mesh Drop-In options.
I have no commercial interest - just hoping for a strong versatile tent, with good useable space!
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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johnkelley
climber
Anchorage Alaska
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Dec 12, 2018 - 06:18am PT
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Currently I’m using a
VE 25
MSR Access 3
Mountain Hardware Direkt (unfortunately no longer made)
BD First light
The VE 25 is pretty heavy but dependable. Waited out some truly nasty weather in them. On my 4th one. The Access 3 is nice, because of it’s weight, but isn’t really up to 4 season use. Snow piles up on the fly pretty quick. Gotta get out and dig pretty often. The Direkt is the best bivi tent I’ve used. Unfortunately out of production. If anyone has one in good condition I’d be interested? First light is ok for a bivi tent. Breathes good, light.
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johnkelley
climber
Anchorage Alaska
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Dec 12, 2018 - 09:38am PT
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A little too much for me.
The Access 3 is a pretty good tent. It’s just not up to 4 season use is all. Not good with the snow. Other than that pretty good
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johnkelley
climber
Anchorage Alaska
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Dec 12, 2018 - 11:52am PT
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I no longer use the Access 3 if there’s a chance of snow at all. It doesn’t take much to collapse it. I bought it to use in the Himalayas because of the weight but it’s just not up to it. It does ok for non-winter use in Alaska. Pretty good in the rain. Even Southeast Alaska rain but like I said it will fail you if it snows more than a few inches unless you are there to remove the snow from the fly...
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Dec 12, 2018 - 04:49pm PT
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Philo had it right with an early post on this thread. You need different tents for different trips. Weight, waterproofness, breathability, comfort, durability, resistance to heavy winds etc. all are important features that often work against each other. Additional waterproofness means less breathability and increased durability comes with added weight.
I have several tents that I choose from when planning a trip.
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Dec 12, 2018 - 05:47pm PT
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I just bought my first VE-24. Less than $300 on form. After years in the Bibler I tent, i decided to invest in the Family Fun Time Base Camp Party Tent. I'll still need an I tent but, man-o, I sure do feel rich. Like buying a house.
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cavemonkey
Ice climber
ak
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Dec 12, 2018 - 06:24pm PT
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johnkelley
climber
Anchorage Alaska
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Dec 12, 2018 - 06:28pm PT
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Oven? Nice! One of the ultimate base camp set ups
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Dec 13, 2018 - 07:01am PT
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The tents I own which each serve a very different purpose are the Fitzroy and Firstlight from BD and a Himalayan Hotel from the NF.
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Bargainhunter
climber
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Dec 15, 2018 - 02:12am PT
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Gottasay Kunlun_shan, those if those Slingfins come from a guy with that pedigree (Berkeley tent designs from North Face, Sierra Designs, and Mountain Hardware since the late '80s), those are going to be some bomber tents. That era/location to me was the apex of tentology.
And Flip-Flop, consider checking out Mountain Hardware's Ueli Steck designed Direckt 2, as modern version of the Bibler I-tent. Sadly, since MH was acquired by Columbia, that tent disappeared from their line up. Glad I got one while I could.
I've also heard that the modern NF VE-25 doesn't hold up to the same standards as the original (VE-24)?
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