Tarptent “Sublight”, 16oz

I noticed in the most recent issue of Backpacker Magazine (their review issue), they listed Henry’s new tent; 1lb and $179. How come they published it if Henry doesn’t have it advertised and it probably won’t be ready for a while?

Funny; Practical Backpacking started a thread on this (#4088 but it got deleted by the moderator).

-Barry

Gearmakers often submit pre-production gear models for review. I would expect that the magazine would want some assurance that the products submitted are sufficiently close to being marketed -- versus pure 'vapor ware'...

As a comparison, the two new MontBell tents featured on the gear guide are also not available for sale yet -- and are not featured on the company website either.

Barry et al,

The difficulty with the Backpacker Magazine Gear Guide submission process is that the list of products is due--the list is locked--on September 15th. Every company has a different product development cycle and calendar but in our case that's really, really early to be able to lock down plans for the following year. We do the best we can to provide accurate information and projections but some things are just too fluid to pin down new products along with production schedules for existing products. Yes, you'll see a new solo shelter from us this year but it's not on the site yet and wont be for several months.

-H

Makes sense. Any photos of the prototype up? Would love to catch a glimpse of the thing.

And are we allowed to know what material you’re using?
Thanx,
-Barry

I would guess that it is "cuben fiber" That's the strongest and lightest stuff that I know of. It is so light that even colored you can see right through the stuff...Hope that helps...Happy Trekking...sabre11004...



The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there !!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

“I would guess that it is "cuben fiber"”

Not for $179 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. I would guess silnylon.

Barry, what is your take on PracticalBackpacking's editor deleting threads? I've heard complaints from others regarding the PB site's editing habits. Does anyone on this site hold membership on the Practical site? Barry Brum

This is a whole thread on PB in the General Discussion Forum, to which Barry has posted. A little too much heavy-handedness over there generally for my taste.

Yeah, for $179, I wonder what fabric they're using... I can't imagine it's silnylon if it only weighs 16 ounces... My guess would be spinnaker cloth, like the Gossamer Gear shelter. It's pricey and lightweight, but not as much as cuben. Still... $179 seems too inexpensive for even spinnaker, but I can't imagine how he managed 16 ounces using sil nylon.

Howzabout we just let Henry finish developing his product and reveal the details when he's ready?

MNS

Pfffft... that's crazytalk. What fun is that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I'd much rather speculate. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


*edit- added another smiley face to make sure that people know I'm not being mean. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Naw, it's not cuben and it's not spinnaker and it's not sil nylon. He's gonna use dog fur.

Hmm, as a certain leader of the free world would say, "My mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts."

Who's that Tom? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Hey my DIY siltent is 8 feet long, 10 feet around wide end, has a triangle of bug cloth in the rear and flaps in the front. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

tent + 4 Eastman Al stakes + 50 parachute cord + sack = just under 16 oz. It has a seamless floor/wall.



a pair of hiking poles hold up the rear in the top photo



here its pitched by a pond in the Sierras with a bug net over the front door. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Jim,

Is that picture from Onion Valley or Cottonwood? Looks awfully familiar. Sorry for the off-topic post.

What a beautiful spot to camp near the pond. Picture perfect.

John, Chaz,
Thanks it was a beautiful spot by the pond. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />The pond is a few miles from Grouse Ridge Look Out in the Sierras above I80 west of the summit. I was on my annual 4th of July 4 day solo. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Boating using my Down Airmattress. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The shot showing the entire tent was taken a few miles north of Lake Alpine above Arnold Cal, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />in the canyon next to "underwood canyon" on the edge of the mokelumna wilderness. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Both shots around 8,000 feet of elevation on warm sumer days. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

BTW in the Sierras the ONLY flat spots maybe right next to the water. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />You just have to be very thoughtful about low impact. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Its a bit buggy by the pond, but the mosquito net is a nice haven when lazing around. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The mosquito net is a "campers net" from Campmoor. It hangs from one point and weighs 6 ounces. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />You tie it from a tree branch and lay your pad on the ground and tuck the edges of the net under rocks to make a nice bug free "tee pee". If there are yellow jackets around be sure to shake them out of the net before you roll it up - I got stung. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Oops, 0 for 2. Nice that it's a bit farther north (just moved to Portland recently). But don't worry, I'll keep clear during the 4th of July weekend!