Tarptent Stratospire Li Review or: How I Learned From My Worst Night Of Camping and Love The Tent
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
- 00:00 Hey Y'all
00:13 Specs
04:00 Pros
06:24 Cons
11:11 Worst Camping Experience
13:15 Final Summary, Will I Use In The Future?
Tarptent Stratospire Li: www.tarptent.com/product/stra...
I called Tarptent and they said it would be back in stock in July :(
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I actually use the solid wall inner (I bought both, thinking I’d change with the seasons) all year round. Ventilation is fine in the heat, and I really like the higher walls which keeps out more rain splash or snow blow than the mesh inner does. I suppose in the desert I might go mesh. Another benefit is that the solid inner is actually lighter than the mesh tent.
As one with experience, you'll get a lot more sand blow too in the desert too with just mesh.
I’ve had two experiences with debris blowing through the mesh (in the Core Enchantments of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Plains of Abraham around Mount St. Helens). Sometimes site selection is unforgiving. Not fun. I am more careful about setting the vestibules lower to the ground in such conditions now. A smaller gag can minimize the debris.
Gotta 'second' WasatchWill's comment. Here in New Mexico the wind blows very strong, especially in spring, but will pick up now and then all year long. 30 - 60 mph for hours and hours is not uncommon. With the mesh liner, in the desert, the tent interior will get covered in a lot of blown sand. I had the same tent and I also had the solid interior, I was glad I made that choice as it had plenty of ventilation even in hot weather, but offered much more protection from the harsh desert environment.
Here in New Zealand, I was glad to have the solid inner for my Tarptent when through-hiking Te Araroa. It was warmer, and kept the wind out.
I love Tarptents and have always wondered about the Stratospire Li. I really appreciate this comprehensive review!!
TIP: Use SEAM GRIP tent glue (the kind for urethane fabrics, not silnylon) to glue around the EDGES of the black Hypalon circles that are the "pole sockets". This will prevent the Hypalon circles from coming loose from the Dyneema fabric and letting the pole fall down. This happened on one of the pole sockets with my Tarptent Notch Li. Henry Shires sent me a small tube of Seam Grip and it works much better than the original factory glue.
If you do use this tent in the future, color code your extra cordage to differentiate one end from the other. I have the Tarptent Aeon Li (one trek pole) - certainly not as spacious but I can pitch very quickly and I am able to adjust height options that provide either ventillation or protection from heavy rain. I am always very leery of using a single strap to attach essential gear to the outside of my pack - straps can loosen and gear can drop off unknowingly. At least use the stuff sack cord to tie or clip one end securely to the pack.
Solid and comprehensive review. I bought this tent several years ago and used it for 2 nights on the South Rim trail in Big Bend NP. Just a few things to add to Dixie’s review. TarpTent shifted production of this tent to China 2 or 3 years ago. My tent had no defects, but little things were different than what was shown on their website (at that time). When I was researching my purchase, it was still made in the US (I took about 6 months to pull the trigger on the purchase). When I contacted TarpTent with questions about differences with the tent, I did not get a helpful or even respectful response. So I sold it off for about a $200 loss, and purchased a Seek Outside shelter. I’ve been very happy with my tent and the support from the team there at Seek Outside in Grand Junction, CO. It’s a great family business.
Gotta say I agree with the review. I purchased the Stratospire Li, set it up many times in the backyard and then used it on a nine day wilderness hike in northern New Mexico. When I got home I sold it at a loss just to be rid of it. Why? Here are the reasons the tent didn't work for me: 1) For a two person tent I found the interior floor space to be fairly small, compared to the Zpacks Duplex. 2) The Li is fine if you're setting it up on level ground. It doesn't set up, IMHO, quickly because the setup is very finicky. But on level ground it is not too bad. Setting it up on a slight incline (sometimes that happens when backpacking), I found it to be really difficult and it took quite a long while to get it pitched 'okay enough' for the night (this was in daylight, I wouldn't even want to try in the dark). 3) Three of the attachment points broke: One at a connection point of the roof of the inner liner, one at one of the floor corners and at the roof of one of the outside guy lines. Yes, I had their repair kit which I used and between that and some 'jury rigging' I was able to fix these problems good enough to finish the trip. But these failures were disappointing, especially in an uber-expensive brand-new tent. There were a couple of other disappointments such with the struts, the pack-ability of the tent, that it only comes with six instead of eight stakes, and others BUT the three reasons listed above are the main reasons I got rid of this tent.
I've used this tent several times and I love it!!!
Double wall tents are a must have in Australia and NZ
Out of interest: what are they a must for exactly?
@@Nynke_K condensation, maybe in central Australia you'd be fine but anywhere near the cost line it's going to be a concern
Solid review. I have carried a couple extra lengths of cords, or runners as climbing friends refer to them, no matter what tarp, bivy , or tent I have brought. I am headed toward the Li tarp tent simply for my preferences though I really appreciate your take on the Stratospire..
GREAT video as usual
Make sense to have the tent on the outside of the pack. If it's raining when you arrive at camp, that's the first thing you want to get at and when packing up in the rain you don't want a wet tent inside your pack. However, if your tent fell off during the day that would be a disaster so when I attach my duplex to the outside of the pack I leave a guy rope hanging out of the tentbag. Then half hitch that to the pack. If the tent falls off it will swing about and hit me on the leg.
I have been looking forward to your thoughts about this tent since you bought it! I do like the innovation, but for all the reasons you pointed out the set up just seems to be a bit trickier than I'd like. Love my Zpacks Triplex! Thanks for the awesome videos!
Nice, honest review... very tempting !
Thanks for sharing this. I came here looking for some post-CoVid info. I love my ZPacks Duplex. Love, love, love it. However, after backpacking with it across Scotland in 2018, I found it quite lacking in the Highlands. All of the UK backpackers around me were singing praises of Tarptent (seriously, I saw s0o0o0o many Tarptents over there). And then afterwards during a week of bushwhacking in the Catskills and getting a bit soggy, I did some new research. Kungsleden was coming up and a new piece of kit might be in order. I purchased the StratoSpire Li in 2020 and then CoVid came full force. I am now just getting back to backpacking. I have a trip planned to Québec in September, so I’m going to do a couple of local dry runs using a Duplex and the StratoSpire LI. It’s been two years but I’m finally going to be able to compare the two.
I've had this tent for nearly a year. I bought a blem version with solid inner and I've used it a number of times in the UK. It is very light for the size and really good in windy conditions, very sturdy. Some people don't like the length of it when packed, but I've found that it fits really well in the side pocket of my gossamer gear G4-20. I don't like the pockets in the inner as much as Dixie, as I've found that things fall out of them, but that's my only minor gripe with it.
Used my StratoSpire Li for 2 nights last weekend. Love it, but definitely need a bit more practice setting it up.
i have been waiting on this review from you. i cant say anything at the moment as i have only set it up here in the wind where we are at in Texas at the moment but it wont be long now .we are getting close to time to take our school bus back to Alabama to drop it off and begin our hike north on the AT march 26 is coming soon. maybe in a couple months i can give a little idea of my thoughts
Just love hearing you say “hey y’all Dixie here”
I just love your videos Dixie. Hope you are doing well.
Nice review!
Regarding folding/rolling v. stuffing. The easy solution is to fold loosely, then roll. This keeps you from rigidly folding along the same lines every time.
Thank you!
This is how my dad taught me to store a tent. And I still use this method on the tent I took from his camping supplies. Last summer we went to Yellowstone together and we were discussing that tent. Apparently it's older than I am. I'm in my 30's. He bought it used when I was 5 or 6. And none of its problems are related to the folding.
I still use a backpacking tent I bought in 1978 (yes, it really is 44 years old!) and always fold/roll and the nylon material is just fine. (I reproof with spray-on every 2 years) The neoprene loops for pegging out, now that's another issue, but I just replace them with bungees (which are lighter too). At 3.5lbs it's not ultra-light - that wasn't a thing back then.
This is the right answer. I feel very comfortable with longterm durability. I also have zero troubles getting the tent in the stuff sack. The process is very quick for me now. It took me some time to settle on how to carry the tent, but I put it vertically inside my pack. The first few nights I resorted to carrying it on the outside though.
Dyneema tents should not be stuffed period, it's not "personal preference" if you want the Dyneema to last.
TIL that rattlesnakes can camp out at your tent door, will add this to my paranoia list thank you 🙏
A few thoughts: I thought that w/ Dyneema you were supposed to roll the tents.
Guy lines: I sorta use Skurka's method w/ my X-Mid... Longer lines though. One end on the lineloc loop w/ a bowline knot. Then the other end thru the line loc ended w/ his "Macarthy Hitch. Most of the time I have a bunch of extra cord wound up, but if I needed a rock stay, I can let the line out.
Great video, Dixie...👍
Hi Dixie, do think it might just be worth waiting and try and get my hands on a Durston Pro? Great video as always! Thankyou🤙
Thanks Jessica 😊
Always great content.
Still living with my duplex, lightweight and still perfect condition. I still find it fussy to set up sometimes??? Must be me. Plus, what i paid for it, I need to use it until I die, hahaha 😆
Always best to roll the dyneema fabric vs. stuffing it👍
Hi I just found this story about the all American rail trail. It goes east to west across the US. I kind of hope you will do a study on it and give it some thought of doing it. I think it would make a good story.
Great post my friend. Stay safe, free, happy and healthy. 😇🤗🥰💛💜
Hey Dixie, not sure if your still looking for a synthetic bag but Red Fox have not failed me. Made from multiple great materials and their micro fiber fill packs down smaller then normal synthetic.
I love my Notch li. Would have gone with the stratosphire but found the footprint too big.
Zpack Duplex works a treat in New Zealand.
Thanks for the review! Considered buying it, but the bathtub wasn't quite wide enough for my wife and my sleeping pads, so went with the triplex. I was also curious about the condensation. You hinted at that it wasn't an issue, but I would assume condensation will be an issue either way. When we used our Nemo Dagger, we still had condensation on the inside of the fly and with enough of it, it just dropped through the mesh inner layer anyway. We also use our extra set of trekking poles on the triplex to open up the head space. Would an extra set of trekking poles (2 people, extra set) help offset or improve that little triangle piece that gave more headroom?
So have you made any plans for some big hikes? If your bored and need a challenge, the Ozark Highlands Trail and the Ouachita Trail are great but short challenges for someone with your experience and stamina. Far more ups and downs than Florida with lots of waterfalls! ;-)
I have a tarp tent as well, nylon A frame style, the only *pro* is the weight, unless setup 100% perfectly, it will sag or fall near the hip to feet area
great movie, watched with pleasure. Best regards from the forest😊🌳🌲
I love the doctor strangelove reference!!!
Thanks for the review. Tempting but for the cost and since I already have one I'll stick with my Duplex. I like simplicity. Stuff or fold? Hmmm . . . stuff sack :-)
Good job
Great tent for a young family (3) + dog backpacking. The Silnylon version is very affordable. It is fiddly, and not the fastest tent to setup, but you get used to it.
Looked at this tent, 2 reasons i purchased differently was the "struts" limits packability and it is made in china. I have a z packs altaplex and a seek outside cimarron both in dcf. Dcf is the best as dixie says.
The outro shot of the waterfall.. where is that?? It’s beautiful!
Whitewater Falls on the Foothills Trail! I recognized it immediately. Been there twice. It’s a beautiful sight to see!
Dixie, have you taken note of the new Zpacks Plex Solo that is out? I went from the Tarptent Double Rainbow Li to the Plex Solo and now I think I’m the happiest woman alive! Only 13oz after trading out for thinner guylines and I would LOVE to see you give it a shot. I know you’re more of a two person tent girl though 😅 The setup and take down is like a dream, the vestibule is huge and I’ve already tested in high winds and it’s a beast 💪🏼
Do the magnets hold in the wind? Hard to imagine they hold well. I hardly ever close my Duplex doors unless it's excessively windy or wet.
I've also tried the Stratospire Li. I sold it off and went back to my Duplex after 1 trip. It's not bad, but my Duplex is my favorite UL tent out there, and I don't see anyone taking that crown anytime soon. Although, the Duplex XL is looking mighty tempting... :)
I think the Durston Xmid Pro 2 will be the new king of the hill, perhaps a Duplex killer....That being said, Tarptent should consider making the corner struts smaller , might change the design a bit, in order to make it packable.....
Dixi New Zealand is opening the border soon. Government just announced it today. Come for TA in summer. Love from nz xx
thats a sick tent
Stratophere Li 👍🇫🇮
there is a different, much easier way to set it up ... first stake out 2 corners of the long side of your sleeping area (1 normal / 1 pitch lock corner, this makes it also very easy to see which way you will be sleeping), go to the other side and insert the trekking pole and stake it out (at zipper), stake out the trekking pole on the other side, then stake the 2 corners that are left, last stake out the 2 guylines. This takes me less than 2 min and I'm always facing the way I want especially if the ground isn't exactly even.
Thank you very much! This set-up method is much better than the “official” one. It works like a charm.
Thank you so much! That helped a lot...
@Homemade Wanderlust So after using this vs the duplex which one do you like better? I am on the fence on which one to get between the two.
Doesn't Dan Durston also say to fold and roll dyneema tents? I'm not a fan of stuffing tents
What about transparent in double-wall it is better than single wall ?
Hey anybody know Dixie’s hiking plans for this year??! Thx!!..
Dixie, have you looked at the Durston X Mid pro? I’ve ordered one and am really looking forward to test it out. The poles are offset from the doors, it has peak vents and can be set up so the walls are low or higher for ventilation. It might be what your looking for.
It’s on my list to try if I can get my hands on one!
@@HomemadeWanderlust , I’ve finally have been able to order the pro version, just have to wait for it. This summer will be the next ordering window! Hope this helps.
00:16 189 grams with stakes?! Is that if you tape the entrance and fill it with helium? Should be 819g - converted from oz :)
Dixie have you heard of Eryk's great adventure? He is a 360 lbs guy hiking the AT to lose weight said he wants to lose 160.
I haven’t until now, but that’s awesome. Wishing him the best!
13:15 Sasquatch!!
I have the same tent. I think your review was fair and agree with your points.
I agree regarding the 8 stakes. And lengthening the lines on the strut peaks, makes it easier to setup and should make it harder for the pegs to pull out too (less leverage).
I liked it but found it fussy to setup, I haven’t used it a lot and hope to get better at it.
The struts I think are a good idea but I also find them slightly annoying. I can fit the tent in my bag vertically, which helps protect it. And also makes it easy to grab whilst also being able to grab other things. My backpack is top entry tube style. But I would prefer a tent that fits horizontally, without needing to remove stays.
I find dyneema to be bulky and I actually prefer to save space than weight. I think silpoly is better than dyneema for a tent or tarp. Takes up less space and can be just stuffed, more durable and convenient in that regard. And roughy same characteristics in other regards. Worth the weight penalty to me. TarpTent doesn’t make SilPoly versions last I checked.
Build quality looks good to me. And I like that it’s seam sealed.
I think it’s a good tent but not sure it’s the best tent.
You look like you're feeling better. New meds or just not near down lately? We care.
All manufacturers recommend rolling instead of stuffing DCF tents. It’s not an issue exclusive to Tarptent. And regarding not pegging out the struts - sounds like more of a problem with the campsite you chose.
Yes it’s not an ideal camping spot, but she was also camped next to a Zpacks tent that didn’t have the same problems. The point is the windy weather in a rocky campsite is easier to mitigate with other tents that don’t have those struts.
Woohoo.
Unfortunately it is out of stock if you want the mesh inner. I emailed and asked if they had an idea when they would get more in and I've not gotten any reply.
I called them on the phone and they told me July!
@@HomemadeWanderlust thank you so much for that!!!! You de best! Well, then they just lost a sale. I can't wait till then. I've decided to go w the Big Agnes Tiger Wall Carbon. Funny, the Tarptent company is in Nevada City, which is not far from me.
@@HomemadeWanderlust ps I'll be doing my first thru-hike, the Tahoe Rim Trail, on my 60th birthday with 2 of my 11 awesome previously wild burros I've trained. My feet and back can't carry a pack any longer but I'm in great shape otherwise. Donkeys rock! If it weren't for them, I couldn't get out in the backcountry unless car camping. I've watched almost every one of your videos and you've taught me so much!
@@BurroGirl Awesome!! Happiest of trails to you ♥️⛺️
@@BurroGirl props to you for making it happen, too. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!!
Absolutely Zpacks Duplex all the way, no other tent is as simple and as functional as this one.
How does the duplex do in a heavy downpour?
DCF is best stored folded and rolled. See ua-cam.com/video/0W9AJs71mLE/v-deo.html for a detailed explanation. I have seen other reports on Reddit Ultralight and Backpacking Light confirming Matt's assessment. DCF will also store considerable smaller when folded and rolled; stuffing will typically end up with a very large bundle (a little discussed disadvantage of DCF). Nylon is a very different material and stuffing is generally considered acceptable. As far as folding a tent on the same area repeatedly, I don't know anyone who folds a tent on the *exact* same spot over and over again. Honestly, I feel like that issue would only be for people who are incredibly OCD and take a significant amount of time to line it up perfectly every time.
Are you still doing Te Araroa? NZ is now open to the fully vaccinated.
Based on current information she won't the next season. But who can say nowadays what will happen in 6 months? ;)
2 doors were nice when a bear crashed in on my SSLi last Spring.
What's the idea weight for a backpack? Is 6lbs too heavy?
6 lbs is definetly on the very heavy side. - Otherwise it depends on its volume, material, and how much weight you want to carry with it comfortably. 1...3 lbs would be the lightweight range. 3lbs if you want to have something like 70 l and 50 lbs capability.
3lbs absolute max. No need for it to be heavier unless you are carrying ammo or something ;)
Hi Dixie, NZ is opening up to fully vaccinated international tourists by October 2022, possibly sooner depending on the Omicron peak.
Thanks. There are a lot of options for ultralight tents, however, I find it really difficult to find one in a less noticeable neutral color, since most tend to be light or bright colored (my area contains evergreens mostly). The leave no trace principal used to ask hikers to blend into the environment, but I have found companies are oblivious to this as they've not provided products to apply the principal. What tent would you pick if you were wanting to be more stealth or less noticeable? Thanks.
Correction: 28.9 oz = 819grams not 189 :-))
Dixie, I see people stuffing their tents and I wonder if that's not a waste of time. Couldn't you just stuff it in your pack?
You absolutely can, but the stuff sack helps protect it from abrasion. I stuffed mine in my pack loosely on the PCT. I also cowboy camped right on top of it. I ended up with abrasion issues by the end. Could’ve been my actions or a bad batch of dyneema, but I keep it in a stuff sack now just in case lol
Rattlesnake theory acquired.
28.9Oz is not 189g. It is 819g
Have you ever tried bike packing?
Not *yet*!
Hey Jessica, we are an emerging outdoor clothing company known for our unique fabrics and sustainable practices. We've been really enjoying your content and would love to collaborate if you are interested. Just in case, we’ve also sent you an email about it with more details. Anyways, have a nice day! -Mia
This tent is WAY too much trouble. Was my Duplex perfect? No. If my femur heals so I can hike again, what tent will I buy? Another Duplex.
$700 for a trash bag with zippers. That’s nuts.
Tell me you’re ignorant without telling me you’re ignorant
Ignorant is not knowing, he must not have listened to your review, before spouting. I love tarptent but can’t see paying that price. I have the Motrail and it has stood up in 50mph+winds in southern Ca, during a Santa Ana wind event. I set it up with trekking poles which I feel adds to the strength of the tent. Great review Dixie!
@@angelusway that’s awesome you’ve found one that works well for you in high winds! Definitely don’t think it’s necessary to spend $700 on a tent ♥️