Hi Barry this is great. It's a fair bit of work to make a video with this type of information. You have got it bang on too. Great that you called out some brands and many many potential buyers.. Keep up the excellent work. ATB Tom
Thanks, Tom. Yes, it does take quite a bit of time to compile a list of tents worthy of mention, especially as most viewers are in NZ, UK and USA. As a fellow creator, you certainly understand the challenges and work that goes into a ‘simple’ UA-cam video. I also try to enhance the footage by real life camera work from trips I go on where possible. Although going to the park is an easier and more practical approach at times. I also wanted to alert hikers to the potential pitfalls of some brands and their tents. Thanks again Tom for your support.
my main priority is if the tent can stand up to the ever changing Nz conditions. I am young I can carry extra weight. I also like fine build quality and ease of use.
I agree. There’s no point in a cheap, lightweight tent that falls apart in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of night because of a moderate unforecast weather event. Be prepared I say. 👍🏼
Great to see Vango make the list. A wee bit of of national pride when I seen that. I have a Vango Cairngorm, bit over the 1.5kg (got mine to just under 1.7 by switching the stakes and 2 of the guy lines), but handles the wind and rain like a boss. My priority is weather proof then weight for short camps, but for longer hikes I favour weight then weather proofness.
Thanks, Aaron. With an international audience, It’s a bit of a challenge trying to cover what New Zealand, UK and USA might find to be the best tents. Glad I added in the Vango then. 😀
I really like my lanshan, for quick camp out or a back up tent for hut trips, where it is to noisy or packed out. FYI really make sure to retighten before bed on wet nights.
@@Upsidedownorangejuice so true. I love the freedom that a tent gives you. I find some huts in summer too warm and noisy at times. The best of both worlds would be to use the hut to cook and chat in, then retire to your tent for the night. ⛺️😀👍🏼
Hi Barry that Mont looks a really interesting tent so much space for the weight and with DAC poles to boot. Never seen a hh that high before you could pitch in a river! Cheers gary
Want a replacement for my Minaret which is getting a little heavy at 2.2kg...and it's a little warm in summer. ;-P Love the weight idea of DCF/Ultra but not the translucency and I'm not sure that single skin tent condensation will cut it in the the SI, with rain and fog, nevermind being careful with the fragility of the thing. Was looking at Xmid Solids until I noticed how frigging huge the footprint is and the reliance on a perfect rectangle. Wonder if I'd be able to find a spot to pitch it! Do like the idea of 1kg, more than 1.5kg though... Thoughts?
Yeah it’s all a matter of compromise at times. I’d check out the Mont and Nature Hike range. Most people seem happy with both these brands. Happy hiking.
Hi there Barry, great videos. Keep it up. I'm also thinking of getting the Mont 1 FN as a 3+ season for those every changing NZ conditions, namely wind. I love the style of the Mont. How's it hold up in windy conditions? I'm torn between the Mont and the Wilderness Equipment Space 1 which are both Australian brands, very similar specs, but the Mont has more floor space and vibrant red, yet the WE looks like it might hold up to wind better in a more subdued green. Thoughts?
Hey there Elliot. Good question. The Mont is still a 3 season tent and I wouldn’t want to be out in +80km winds in it. It might be able to handle it, however it’s more designed as a solid 3 season tent. In its favour, it does have spare loops on the top so you down add extra guy lines which helps to secure the tent more and reduce side movements. I did see the Wilderness tent you mentioned. My concern is that I couldn’t see anyway to secure the top portion of the tent. Are there any guy lines or loops on the outer top? Also, one of the ends of the tent is basically vertical and would become a big wind trap which could become a problem. On a recent 7 day trip over Christmas, several of us had the Mont Moondance 1 which survived a pretty awful storm one night. It did leak a small amount through the upper air vent, however we were all very safe and dry in it. Happy buying. 😀
Weight, sit-up height, side entrance. When you camp with multiple people, is keeping up with the Jones’s the reason why everyone seems to have been upgrading to latest flashiest tents?
Good point, Dave. I think the more you go out with different people, the more you see what’s out there which causes some to want to upgrade. Time to spend your bonus Dave. ⛺️😁👍🏼
@@wildmountainman1 I do like the Mont one you have here, but quite pricey even without import fees etc. And they are all sold out as well. I got a tent similar in design to the Mont for just £25 used, so can't justify upgrading for £500!
Thanks, Mark. Yes, that’s a very good suggestion. Right off the bat, the two tents that come to mind are the Macpac Duolight and the Naturehike Mongar 2, (I have the purple version).
The Lanshan pro is perfect tent to take on hut trips as a back up shelter for weight. Though I am eagerly waiting for a restock of Scarp 1 in July, and going to buy both inner tents so I have summer and winter tent... they quite the shape shifting tent, even if though they short change you on guy-lines and pegs.
Yes, I was impressed by the size of versatility of the Scarp 1. Getting the 2 inners will cover you for most if not all of the trips you’ll ever do year-round. It’s odd that manufacturers have loops for key parts in the tent, but don’t give you the guy lines or pegs for them. It’s all weight saving and making their tent look lighter than it really is. Happy tenting. 😀
@@wildmountainman1 Yea 100%... joys of the ultralight movements lot people finding ways to come across a light weight to try and advertise that market, but also Tarptent sells some very very light double wall tents. I guess the only trade off with Scarp 1 is not the best for pack down for size, but not a deal breaker... guess it is the same for some of the hillaberg's
@@Upsidedownorangejuice yes, my Hilleberg Soulo, although it a true expedition 4-season solo tent, it weights 2.7kgs and is quite bulky. The truth is, you have to choose between strength and lightweight, you can’t have both.
@@wildmountainman1 2.7kgs 😱 that weight keeps me off Hilleberg Soulo, I'm literally 1 click away on buying it. what do you think of MSR Hubba Hubba NX? can that tent withstand NZ conditions all year round? I'm also considering the Scarp 1, too many options and its overwhelming
@@byronquinones2441 It’s sounds as if you need counselling. 🤣 Take a seat… I always say, strength or lightweight - choose one. The Soulo is 2.7kgs because it’s strong and can stand anything you are probably likely to pitch it into. Did you view my video on the Best 2P Hiking Tents? I show and moment on the older and new Hubba Hubba. I see them far more as a 3-season tent. The Scarp 1 is good, however I did feel as if the fabric is quite lightweight and I wonder how well it would stand up to strong winds. The other option if just for you is the Macpac Minaret. Let me know which way you go? However, I have different tents for different seasons, one and done just doesn’t work. All the best.
mines a eurohike tamar 2 all thou its a man tent its 2.6kg and my first wild camp was in the winter in england and i stayed 3 days and 3 nights and it rained all night on the last night and didn,t leak just abit of condensaion and for only 25 pounds and because it wa getting great reviews they put it up to 70 pound now so i got it at the right time
Hi there. Although I can’t see the specs on the BA, I’d suggest it’s a bit lighter than the Moondance, however it doesn’t look as big on the internal living space. I do like the awning on the BA, it looks very good.
Another great video Barry, thanks. I agree with you about the Macpac Microlight tending to sag and end up without a lot of space inside... but one thing I like about mine is the ability to pitch fly and inner together (and take down inner separately) so that if it's raining your inner isn't getting (as) wet... have you used your new tent in the rain yet? Any issues with having to pitch the inner first then the fly or do you feel it is fast enough that to pitch, and take down, that the inner isn't getting too wet in the process? Given that the Mont weighs a little less than the Macpac, and has more space, it looks like a very tempting option... although would need to decide between the ventilation of the mesh one vs the added warmth of the FN variant (for use during winter months)
Hi there Calvin. Great to hear from you. It’s not so much I hate and will never use the Microlight again, it’s more I like the Mont better for 3-season conditions. When the four main guy lines are pegged in, I always then go around the Microlight and separately peg the outer from the outer. In other words I detach the clip that joins the inner and the fly clips at the ground level. Pegging it out separately makes the tent more taunt. I also twist the top toggles a bit between the inner and the fly which helps to reduce the inner sag as well. I mightn’t use the Mont is really bad weather is forecast. Although if you buy the footprint, you can pitch the tent and put the inner in later. They sell the FN model in Bivouac so see if they will put one up so you can see it in the flesh. Hope this helps.
@@wildmountainman1 Thanks for the couple of tips there with the Microlight. I do still love it myself, and definitely happy using it, but have noticed the sag as you mentioned and having a little extra space might be nice on longer trips. For the Mont I wonder if, rather than the footprint, some cord or lightweight webbing (taking up less space than the footprint) could be used on the ground to enable the poles to be put up, then the fly, then pitch the inner from inside under cover... hmmm, might be worth a trip in to Bivouac (without my wallet, so I'm not tempted to make too many impulse purchases)
Always take your wallet, Calvin. You’ve got to live in the wild side. 🤣 Yes, I’m sure you could make up a footprint yourself to save money and make things easier for you if it rains. Let me know how you get on.
Thanks for the vid. I know this is an old one now, but did you get a footprint with yours, and if so, have you tried setting it up fly first? I currently have a Tarptent Stratospire Li. Killer tent but I’d love a free standing option, and love the fly first pitch for the Tarptent I have. Cheers!
Hey Gavan. I always like to use a footprint when tenting. ideally one that comes with the tent, or a cheap tarp from a hardware store. I really like having the footprint extend into the vestibule so that I can put my gear off the grass, dirt or damp ground. All the best.
@@wildmountainman1 thanks for the response! There’s apparently a trick with some of these freestanding tents where you can setup your poles into the footprint, throw the fly over, and then setup the inner under the fly if it’s pelting down with rain. I usually use Tyvek for a footprint but I’ve been looking at this tent recently and would be tempted to grab the official Mont footprint for that purpose.
@@gavanmitchell9095 yes, I’ve seen that too. I’ve never been in a situation with my Mont Moondance 1 where I’ve had to do that yet. It’s great to see it’s an option though. You can also use it as a lightweight summer option by leaving the inner at home.
Finally! A bloody unpaid unsponsored actually honest Aussie/kiwi review. Ffs it’s hard to find
I hope it isn’t sponsored 😢
Thanks David. No sponsorship. 😀 Enjoy.
Hi Barry this is great. It's a fair bit of work to make a video with this type of information. You have got it bang on too. Great that you called out some brands and many many potential buyers.. Keep up the excellent work. ATB Tom
Thanks, Tom. Yes, it does take quite a bit of time to compile a list of tents worthy of mention, especially as most viewers are in NZ, UK and USA. As a fellow creator, you certainly understand the challenges and work that goes into a ‘simple’ UA-cam video. I also try to enhance the footage by real life camera work from trips I go on where possible. Although going to the park is an easier and more practical approach at times. I also wanted to alert hikers to the potential pitfalls of some brands and their tents. Thanks again Tom for your support.
Great to see your latest video doing so well too, Tom. Well done! 👋🏼
@@wildmountainman1 Hey Barry thank you yes its doing ok for sure...
Great video Barry. I like the pop pop pop editing, and the goldi-locks reference.
Thanks Josh. Yeah I thought I’d do something a bit different with all the various tent brand names. We will have to do another tenting trip soon.
my main priority is if the tent can stand up to the ever changing Nz conditions. I am young I can carry extra weight. I also like
fine build quality and ease of use.
I agree. There’s no point in a cheap, lightweight tent that falls apart in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of night because of a moderate unforecast weather event. Be prepared I say. 👍🏼
Great to see Vango make the list. A wee bit of of national pride when I seen that.
I have a Vango Cairngorm, bit over the 1.5kg (got mine to just under 1.7 by switching the stakes and 2 of the guy lines), but handles the wind and rain like a boss.
My priority is weather proof then weight for short camps, but for longer hikes I favour weight then weather proofness.
Thanks, Aaron. With an international audience, It’s a bit of a challenge trying to cover what New Zealand, UK and USA might find to be the best tents. Glad I added in the Vango then. 😀
Biggest factors for me are weight and price, hence why I bought the lanshan 1 plus and I'm loving it!
Excellent. Glad you found a tent you really like. I just subbed to your channel. 😁
I really like my lanshan, for quick camp out or a back up tent for hut trips, where it is to noisy or packed out. FYI really make sure to retighten before bed on wet nights.
@@Upsidedownorangejuice so true. I love the freedom that a tent gives you. I find some huts in summer too warm and noisy at times. The best of both worlds would be to use the hut to cook and chat in, then retire to your tent for the night. ⛺️😀👍🏼
Great video.....I love Zpacks Plex Solo.......
Thanks. Yes, they’re a great brand of tent. Enjoy. ⛺️😁👍🏼
Hi Barry that Mont looks a really interesting tent so much space for the weight and with DAC poles to boot. Never seen a hh that high before you could pitch in a river! Cheers gary
Thanks Gary. Yes, the stats and functionality of the Mont Moondance 1 really grabbed my attention. I just ‘had’ to buy one. Lol. Happy hiking. ⛺️😁
Want a replacement for my Minaret which is getting a little heavy at 2.2kg...and it's a little warm in summer. ;-P
Love the weight idea of DCF/Ultra but not the translucency and I'm not sure that single skin tent condensation will cut it in the the SI, with rain and fog, nevermind being careful with the fragility of the thing.
Was looking at Xmid Solids until I noticed how frigging huge the footprint is and the reliance on a perfect rectangle. Wonder if I'd be able to find a spot to pitch it!
Do like the idea of 1kg, more than 1.5kg though...
Thoughts?
Yeah it’s all a matter of compromise at times. I’d check out the Mont and Nature Hike range. Most people seem happy with both these brands. Happy hiking.
❤hello from canada 🇨🇦
Hi there Barry, great videos. Keep it up. I'm also thinking of getting the Mont 1 FN as a 3+ season for those every changing NZ conditions, namely wind. I love the style of the Mont. How's it hold up in windy conditions? I'm torn between the Mont and the Wilderness Equipment Space 1 which are both Australian brands, very similar specs, but the Mont has more floor space and vibrant red, yet the WE looks like it might hold up to wind better in a more subdued green. Thoughts?
Hey there Elliot. Good question. The Mont is still a 3 season tent and I wouldn’t want to be out in +80km winds in it. It might be able to handle it, however it’s more designed as a solid 3 season tent. In its favour, it does have spare loops on the top so you down add extra guy lines which helps to secure the tent more and reduce side movements. I did see the Wilderness tent you mentioned. My concern is that I couldn’t see anyway to secure the top portion of the tent. Are there any guy lines or loops on the outer top? Also, one of the ends of the tent is basically vertical and would become a big wind trap which could become a problem.
On a recent 7 day trip over Christmas, several of us had the Mont Moondance 1 which survived a pretty awful storm one night. It did leak a small amount through the upper air vent, however we were all very safe and dry in it. Happy buying. 😀
Weight, sit-up height, side entrance. When you camp with multiple people, is keeping up with the Jones’s the reason why everyone seems to have been upgrading to latest flashiest tents?
Good point, Dave. I think the more you go out with different people, the more you see what’s out there which causes some to want to upgrade. Time to spend your bonus Dave. ⛺️😁👍🏼
I'm enjoying the Nordisk Svalbard 1 PU. A little heavy at 2kg, but tough, good internal space and decent height.
Awesome. It’s great you’ve got a tent you like and enjoy going out it. I’ll check it out. 👍🏼
@@wildmountainman1 I do like the Mont one you have here, but quite pricey even without import fees etc. And they are all sold out as well. I got a tent similar in design to the Mont for just £25 used, so can't justify upgrading for £500!
Wow! £25 is a super-deal. Well done. ⛺️👋🏼👋🏼
@@wildmountainman1 ua-cam.com/video/kLoLtrGzBtc/v-deo.html it is very similar in design to the Mont, almost identical pole design etc.
Great video. I would love to see you do the same for 2 man tents.
Thanks, Mark. Yes, that’s a very good suggestion. Right off the bat, the two tents that come to mind are the Macpac Duolight and the Naturehike Mongar 2, (I have the purple version).
Good video Barry.
You missed the Xmid though 😜.
I just about spat out my drink when I seen the 25,000 rating lol.
Haha! Thanks. The good thing is that with 25,000mm of water resistance that drink you spat won’t be leaking through the floor of the tent! 🤣
Terra nova pioneer 2.
The Lanshan pro is perfect tent to take on hut trips as a back up shelter for weight. Though I am eagerly waiting for a restock of Scarp 1 in July, and going to buy both inner tents so I have summer and winter tent... they quite the shape shifting tent, even if though they short change you on guy-lines and pegs.
Yes, I was impressed by the size of versatility of the Scarp 1. Getting the 2 inners will cover you for most if not all of the trips you’ll ever do year-round. It’s odd that manufacturers have loops for key parts in the tent, but don’t give you the guy lines or pegs for them. It’s all weight saving and making their tent look lighter than it really is. Happy tenting. 😀
@@wildmountainman1 Yea 100%... joys of the ultralight movements lot people finding ways to come across a light weight to try and advertise that market, but also Tarptent sells some very very light double wall tents. I guess the only trade off with Scarp 1 is not the best for pack down for size, but not a deal breaker... guess it is the same for some of the hillaberg's
@@Upsidedownorangejuice yes, my Hilleberg Soulo, although it a true expedition 4-season solo tent, it weights 2.7kgs and is quite bulky. The truth is, you have to choose between strength and lightweight, you can’t have both.
@@wildmountainman1 2.7kgs 😱 that weight keeps me off Hilleberg Soulo, I'm literally 1 click away on buying it.
what do you think of MSR Hubba Hubba NX? can that tent withstand NZ conditions all year round?
I'm also considering the Scarp 1, too many options and its overwhelming
@@byronquinones2441 It’s sounds as if you need counselling. 🤣 Take a seat… I always say, strength or lightweight - choose one. The Soulo is 2.7kgs because it’s strong and can stand anything you are probably likely to pitch it into. Did you view my video on the Best 2P Hiking Tents? I show and moment on the older and new Hubba Hubba. I see them far more as a 3-season tent. The Scarp 1 is good, however I did feel as if the fabric is quite lightweight and I wonder how well it would stand up to strong winds. The other option if just for you is the Macpac Minaret. Let me know which way you go? However, I have different tents for different seasons, one and done just doesn’t work. All the best.
mines a eurohike tamar 2 all thou its a man tent its 2.6kg and my first wild camp was in the winter in england and i stayed 3 days and 3 nights and it rained all night on the last night and didn,t leak just abit of condensaion and for only 25 pounds and because it wa getting great reviews they put it up to 70 pound now so i got it at the right time
Nice! Sounds like you scored a great deal on a very good tent. Well done. Keep enjoying the great outdoors. ⛺️😁👍🏼
@@wildmountainman1 thanx buddy and you.
Zempire mono. Very waterproof. Suits nz conditions. Under 1.5kg. $230 NZD. Doesn’t suit tall ppl though.
Thanks. Happy tenting.
How does the mont moondance compare to the big agnes copper spur?
Hi there. Although I can’t see the specs on the BA, I’d suggest it’s a bit lighter than the Moondance, however it doesn’t look as big on the internal living space. I do like the awning on the BA, it looks very good.
Another great video Barry, thanks.
I agree with you about the Macpac Microlight tending to sag and end up without a lot of space inside... but one thing I like about mine is the ability to pitch fly and inner together (and take down inner separately) so that if it's raining your inner isn't getting (as) wet... have you used your new tent in the rain yet? Any issues with having to pitch the inner first then the fly or do you feel it is fast enough that to pitch, and take down, that the inner isn't getting too wet in the process?
Given that the Mont weighs a little less than the Macpac, and has more space, it looks like a very tempting option... although would need to decide between the ventilation of the mesh one vs the added warmth of the FN variant (for use during winter months)
Hi there Calvin. Great to hear from you.
It’s not so much I hate and will never use the Microlight again, it’s more I like the Mont better for 3-season conditions. When the four main guy lines are pegged in, I always then go around the Microlight and separately peg the outer from the outer. In other words I detach the clip that joins the inner and the fly clips at the ground level. Pegging it out separately makes the tent more taunt. I also twist the top toggles a bit between the inner and the fly which helps to reduce the inner sag as well.
I mightn’t use the Mont is really bad weather is forecast. Although if you buy the footprint, you can pitch the tent and put the inner in later. They sell the FN model in Bivouac so see if they will put one up so you can see it in the flesh. Hope this helps.
@@wildmountainman1 Thanks for the couple of tips there with the Microlight. I do still love it myself, and definitely happy using it, but have noticed the sag as you mentioned and having a little extra space might be nice on longer trips.
For the Mont I wonder if, rather than the footprint, some cord or lightweight webbing (taking up less space than the footprint) could be used on the ground to enable the poles to be put up, then the fly, then pitch the inner from inside under cover... hmmm, might be worth a trip in to Bivouac (without my wallet, so I'm not tempted to make too many impulse purchases)
Always take your wallet, Calvin. You’ve got to live in the wild side. 🤣 Yes, I’m sure you could make up a footprint yourself to save money and make things easier for you if it rains. Let me know how you get on.
Thanks for the vid. I know this is an old one now, but did you get a footprint with yours, and if so, have you tried setting it up fly first?
I currently have a Tarptent Stratospire Li. Killer tent but I’d love a free standing option, and love the fly first pitch for the Tarptent I have.
Cheers!
Hey Gavan. I always like to use a footprint when tenting. ideally one that comes with the tent, or a cheap tarp from a hardware store. I really like having the footprint extend into the vestibule so that I can put my gear off the grass, dirt or damp ground. All the best.
@@wildmountainman1 thanks for the response! There’s apparently a trick with some of these freestanding tents where you can setup your poles into the footprint, throw the fly over, and then setup the inner under the fly if it’s pelting down with rain. I usually use Tyvek for a footprint but I’ve been looking at this tent recently and would be tempted to grab the official Mont footprint for that purpose.
@@gavanmitchell9095 yes, I’ve seen that too. I’ve never been in a situation with my Mont Moondance 1 where I’ve had to do that yet. It’s great to see it’s an option though. You can also use it as a lightweight summer option by leaving the inner at home.
Let me know in the comments what’s your favorite 3-season backpacking tent?