Cool Tent Concept, but.........

[GypsyRR]

I saw this today and thought it was a pretty cool concept. Perhaps it's not that new to you guys, but it's the first time I've seen one. This is the one person tent for $169, the two person was $269.

But.......... it does not fold down small. It's pretty huge when broken down, in fact. But I liked the concept, especially after sleeping through a bad rain storm last year and then having to clean up and pack up a dirty/muddy tent.

[Biff's R]

That is a neat idea, but wouldn't you need to anchor it down? A strong wind would blow you away.

[GypsyRR]

That is a neat idea, but wouldn't you need to anchor it down? A strong wind would blow you away.

Surely there are ways to anchor it. But, that does remind me of this:

[Biff's R]

That would suck.

[NoRRmad]

If you can find a couple of trees, there's the Jungle Hammock...

Four pounds stuffed into a sack, and no worries about mud.
http://www.backpacking.net/clark-hammock-review.html

[stilldking]

Tents like that are nice and if it rains, it's nice to be off the ground. However, if it gets chilly, there's only the insulation that you are using to keep warm.
Thinking in terms of a bridge that freezes before the roadway, it's getting cooled from the top and bottom, this tent would seem to have the same drawback.
Food for thought.
JC

[Boxer]

The last year it has been more and more difficult to enjoy camping in the tent with my Thermarest. And my wife just has too many hip problems to do it with me. She refuses. That little lifted tent might be the trick but it would get cool underneath. The preferred method these days is this:

[GypsyRR]

Cool underneath would have been welcomed on my camping adventures in July and September last year.

[CycleRob]

Besides the suspended dryness + small size + portability + light weight, the Jungle Hammock keeps you above the creepy-crawler insects, snakes and small nocturnal rodents.

It's gotta be less pricey too (I would think).

.

[Pfeffer]

I really like the idea of this tent-cot, but it needs to be redesigned so that the bars don't run underneath you. Imagine how that would feel across your back?

The folding "technology" is old - taken from old folding lawn furniture designs. Tent designs today are very weight and size conscious compared to what was available, say 20 years ago, and so they weight and fold to near nothing yet are incredibly strong. The tent-cot could benefit from being redesigned with the floor spanned across two lengthwise bars supported by X braces.

The designers ought to consider using something like a Hoberman "scissor" design for compact storage.

[Airman]

I've got one of those three man REI tents. My criteria had a lot to do with how small it would pack and floor space. It's a perfect size for me and one of the boys + gear. It packs down to one of Helen2wheels bags and allows me to put a sleeping bag, tent and chair across the back, or sleeping bags on top of the side cases with the tent across the back when 2 up. The length and packed diameter would be issues with that rig for me. Now, where we live there are no snakes, so being off the ground may be something I will appreciate when I travel a bit more widely.

[mnnden]

I have looked at those myself, I think it is a great concept, my biggest problem was the size, I like a little more room (but that is just me) here is what I purchased for inclement weather, I don't care how wet and dirty the tent gets, I will stay dry, I know, it is another thing to carry, but it rolls up fairly small and works good Good Luck Den
http://www.blackstoneoutdoorgear.com/

[MikeCam]

Clark Hammock (trees spaced properly, not included)
MSRP $199 (Deluxe $299)
• Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz / 1.08 kg
• Climate: Warm
• Max Load: 600 lbs. / 272 kg
• Recommended Safety Load:
300 lbs. / 136 kg

Cot Tent
MSRP one person $169 (two person $269)
Single - 32"W x 84"L x 36"H. 300-lb. capacity. Carry weight: 39 lbs.
Double - 53"W x 84"L x 36"H. 450-lb. capacity. Carry weight: 56 lbs.

REI 1/2 Dome (most popular BP tent)
MSRP $169.00
Season 3-season Design type Freestanding tent Sleeping capacity 2
Average minimum weight 5 lbs. 1 oz. Average packaged weight 5 lbs. 11 oz. Average weight - metric 2.58 kilograms
Floor dimensions 90 x 54 inches Floor dimensions - metric 229 x 137 centimeters Floor area 34 square feet
Vestibule area 9.4 + 9.4 square feet Peak height 41 inches Peak height - metric 104 centimeters
Doors 2 Canopy fabric Nylon ripstop Floor fabric Coated nylon Rainfly fabric Coated polyester taffeta
Number of poles 2 Pole material DAC Featherlite aluminum Pole diameter 9.9 / 8.5 millimeters Packed size 7 x 23 inches

Personal preference always matters. Hammocks have one sleeping position, require properly placed and strong anchor points, and provide no changing privacy. Cots are great, but provide limited move around room and require a substantially more complex system of installation/tear down. The modern bathtub floored backpackers tent prevents the entry of creepy and crawly but not the flying kind - none do of course.

Overall, for space, weight, ease of use and convenience, nothing beats the Comfort Inn. But the 1/2 dome style BP tent is a difficult bargain to pass up.

[DJ Downunder]

I'm looking at getting a swag..for use on the bike.... http://www.oztrail.com.au/swags/simpson.php

They're light and pack up very small...There are even ones that sit off the ground..(but couldn't find a pic)

DJ