Sierra Designs makes a good selection of very durable lightweight well designed tents. I have the Comet which sleeps 3 comfortably and sets up in minutes. Its 3 aluminum poles, that attach to the tent fly with a rain fly that stretches over the outside. This tent is a little big for motorcycle use in my opinion, but they have several others that would work well. I also have been looking at the Northface Tadpole 23 mentioned by someone else. There is an Eastern Mountain Sports single person tent with carbon fiber poles that is very light which might be good as well....I have to see the inside first though. Vaude makes good stuff and they have some cool unique designs.

Seth S

quechua 2 seconds (one of decathlon brands)
i just saw the ad on tv : you throw it in the air and it opens alone !!!
50 euros
http://www.quechua.com/

The Quechua 2 Second tent looks pretty good. Minimal hassle, a good size and some well engineered design. The only thing I am not sure of is the weight. This tent is 3,4kgs.
How much weight should I be looking at allowing for camping gear, considering I have to pack it in my pannier with the rest of my life!


*Checked out this tent this weekend and it's no good. It may be fast, but packed up it's massive!... and frisbee shaped (with a diameter of just under a meter http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif very disappointing, unless you have a trailer!
The Vaude Ultralight could be a much more preferrable option - and 50 pound cheaper at Blacks (in the UK) than at other camping stores!


[This message has been edited by Shells (edited 26 May 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Shells (edited 29 May 2005).]

Hey Marco,
Just give it up and buy a Bibler Ahwahnee. One wall, 3 poles, 4 stakes. Designed in America. OK it's pricey but you Swiss have the cash. Mine went perfect all thru Patagonia after we parted company at El Chaten. The Euro makes it a bargain. Cough up the cash. Bro Bill.

I used to have a tent like the "Quechua 2 Second tent"
Fast to put up, fast to take down, but it leaked and when the sun heated it up, it collapsed. (to much tension in the spring/pole)
I did not like it and changed it for a dome.

I guess things that are to good to be true, are to good to be true.

I like the dome-tent,s that have the outer tent attached (with velcro) to the inner tent. This set,s up in a few minute,s (less then 5) and when you take down the tent in the rain, the inner tent does not get as wet.
But it is important that you can seperate them. Nice when it,s really hot. (put up only the inner tent.

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.com -

i won the contest "fastest tent", i guess :-)
but i don t recommend it !
just answered for fun, just after seeing an ad on tv :-)
like maarten, i think it s very heavy, so so quality, so so shape etc ...

I too use the Bibler Ahwahnee, it is very easy to setup and since it is single wall, no rain fly needed.
It breathes very well for a single wall, mine is a single door but they have since come out with a 2 door version. Very expensive but as Bill mentioned worth the price.

Hi all.
Have a look at this site www.outdoorsmagic.com It has reviews of kit that people have sent in,and links to most equiptment suppliers.

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Just going for a short ride on my bike....

I am no good with tents so decided the first one I bought should be easy & simple to put up, light and huslefree.

I got a black diamond "firstflight" single wall, water repellent (not bad in the rain during the HU meet in uk), breathable, two poles, weights 3.4 lbs packs very small.

its ridiculously easy to put up even at 11.00 at night after a long ride, i would recomended it.
(not sure about the colour - yellow - should attract the local insect population but you can definitely find it in the night even after a few drinks)

Maybe this ? http://hikinghq.net/images/MVC-002F.JPG

i have to say that hennessy hammocks are fantastic and i am using one in europe at the moment and yes you dont need trees ,that takes away the comfort factor back to mere tent status ,but you can sleep so comfortably for a full eight hours and wake very refreshed unlike in a tent ,i even stayed laying in mine for two whole days in norway while it pissed down rain in and was cosy as ,but i recommend getting the hex fly as you can fit all your gear under and out of the rain and it will go over your bike as well

I can highly recommend the VAUDE Mark II. I've had the long version (usefull if you are over 6')for some years now and can only say:

Bomb proof, cleverly engineered, put-up/take-down in about 3 min - each! Loads of room, 2 porches, and the poles are on the outside, just hook them in! Use from 2 to 12 pegs - depending on weather.

Best tent I ever had - and there have been a few.

Groundsheet/footprint is a good idea with any modern tent with lightweight floor. Protects from nasty sticks and stones that make the floor leak. (Mark II floor is thin but superbly waterproof. I had to put it up in a bog once and no problems!)

Draw back? Not excatly cheap!



[This message has been edited by Atwoke (edited 03 November 2005).]

Haven't tried one but just found out about tents from Nemo.
http://www.nemoequipment.com/products_tents.asp

The Hypno looks like it would be good for moto camping. Light and supposedly easy to set up and take down. Pricey, but so are lots of the better ones.
http://www.nemoequipment.com/products_tents_hypno.asp

http://www.nemoequipment.com/p_photos/hypno_1.jpg

I've used a Hellsport Borgefjell for 13 years now. think it's great small super light super fast tent.

only dissadvantage is that it's not free standing, that's why I'm considering a tapdole, and if room permits, a tarp to provide some outside shelter/compensate for the lack of a vestibule.

I have the Tadpole 23. I like having the option of using just the tent (when no threat of rain, but for keeping bugs out) or just the rain fly (when rain may be a factor but a complete enclosure is not necessary or wanted). The Tadpole also packs smaller than most. Be sure to get something that has pole clips rather than sleeves for quick setup/takedown.
Mike