This tent is made for camping...

[il padrone]

Yes, have heard impressive reports of the Soulo.

http://markswalkingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/photos-2010-549.jpg

http://markswalkingblog.wordpress.com/2 ... -and-snow/

What is the weight of the Soulo? And how do you find the clip-fastening onto the poles? For the past 16 years I have only used tents with poles that sleeve through a fly pocket (really simple to erect) - clip tents have always seemed a downgrade to me. The tent is a double-skin tent of course, so what is the purpose of the cover at the top?

[RonK]

Yes, have heard impressive reports of the Soulo.

http://markswalkingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/photos-2010-549.jpg

http://markswalkingblog.wordpress.com/2 ... -and-snow/

What is the weight of the Soulo? And how do you find the clip-fastening onto the poles? For the past 16 years I have only used tents with poles that sleeve through a fly pocket (really simple to erect) - clip tents have always seemed a downgrade to me. The tent is a double-skin tent of course, so what is the purpose of the cover at the top?

At just under 3kg the Soulo is heavy for a 1p tent, but quite roomy. I have the LW version of the Exped Synmat UL7, which fits in perfectly, leaving a space along the outer wall to store my gear. Four panniers fit nicely in the vestibule.

The tent has 30cm rod pockets at each corner, The clips contribute greatly to the ease of pitching the tent. It's single pitch, and that includes the footprint, which remains attached, so once the rods are clipped in, the tent is up. It has been so easy to put up, even in the wind, at the end of a long cold day. Because it's been windy I've been using the double stays as well. It takes longer to inflate the Exped than it does to pitch the tent.

The little top hat covers the vent, and includes a rain gutter over the door.

[Wingnut]

I almost bought a Soulo but believed it might be an oven when camping in the desert...nice tent though.

[rifraf]

I almost bought a Soulo but believed it might be an oven when camping in the desert...nice tent though.

deja vu (doo) me thinks - that exactly what Andrew (Aushiker) thought looking inside my Macpac Minaret when he helped me put it up for the first time (its been in its bag for around 15-17yrs).
I was glad, as I'd stupidly ignored his recommendation of bringing the 4 season sleeping bag when we did the Waterous Way and when I spent the first night in my bivvybag I hardly slept a wink because
of the cold inside my one season bag.
No probs the next night which I spent in the tent (although I was surprised at the amount of condensation inside the fly area). On my journey down/across whatever, from NSW I found airing/drying the dew/condensation whatever, of my bivvy and sleeping bag a pain. Thankfully, if I forgot, it was generally only a matter of hanging off a tree branch for half an hour or so. Forgetting and going to bed a bit damp one cool night did wonders for not forgetting again.

[Aushiker]

One for the MSR fans (and Rifraf since it is green) ... Shane seems pretty happy with his MSR Hubba Hubba after 180 nights in Africa.

I am under no illusions about the tent floor being waterproof after so much wild camping in the desert, but thanks to the foot print its not as bad as it could be (the footprint is now almost as much duct tape as other material).

Andrew

[Cheesewheel]

Just ordered a Darche Hybrid 1 person



Definitely not a long term road companion but (at $80) I hope to put it to good use as a slightly more cooler, dryer, roomy and bug and snake free bivvy bag for quick over-nighters in the hot humid months to come

Looking to replace my hennsey hammock - sleeping in a hammock is definitely not a good alternative to cyclists lafter relief from being hunched over the handlebars all day!!!!!

[rifraf]

Just ordered a Darche Hybrid 1 person


Definitely not a long term road companion but (at $80) I hope to put it to good use as a slightly more cooler, dryer, roomy and bug and snake free bivvy bag for quick over-nighters in the hot humid months to come

Looking to replace my hennsey hammock - sleeping in a hammock is definitely not a good alternative to cyclists lafter relief from being hunched over the handlebars all day!!!!!

Hi Cheesewheel,
looking forward to reading your review of the Hybrid 1.
Certainly couldnt complain about its weight.

I looked at the hammocks myself as an option - just as well I didn't indulge in the retail therapy as many stretches of my last journey there was a lack of
suitable trees to string from. I've read the tales of doing it with strong tent poles but the ground in many places isnt suitable as an anchor.

I think a bivy is a great option if you can handle a claustrophobic abode and your bivy looks much roomier than most. Hopefully its suitably waterproof and venting will help keep the condensation at bay.

[Aushiker]

Another option for those interested in lighter tents. These popped up over at the Bushwalking Australia forums. The brand is Nordisk and they have a few options such as the Telemark 1 which is similar to my Tarptent Scarp 1.



There is also a review on the Telemark 2 blogpackinglight.

Andrew

[Wingnut]

Rifraf,

I like the idea of the RAB Ridge Master Bivy...but I prefer a single person tent as I can keep my gear inside or under the vestibule...

[rifraf]

Nice looking bivy there Wingnut - well spotted.
My one doesn't have any hoops so is somewhat claustrophobic for the first few nights.
The fabric sitting against you face can take some getting used to. Still the first few nights of touring I'd sleep through Armageddon itself so no worries there. I've yet to try out my new E-vent fabric Macpac Cocoon but am looking forward to its christening.

[just4tehhalibut]

Any thoughts on the Nemo Gogo Elite tent? It uses an airframe rather than ali poles so keeps the weight down, packed weight is 0.8kg.
http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?Gogo+Elite+Tent
... besides the obvious one that you'll really need to watch out for bindi when setting up your tent or carry extra patches in your bike's puncture repair kit.