Ugh. And I blew all my Double Rainbow money while I was waiting for it to come out.

Think this will be as stable in the wind as a DR with trekking poles and guylines?

I am fairy new to BackcountryForum and also to Light Weight back packing. I have be looking for a new (or newer) tent for me and my kids. I am a big guy 6'6" and to big around. Anyway I was looking at the Rainshadow 2 as a possible option but the tent that Franco showed looks very interesting. I know his relation to Tarptent and all that. What is the name of that tent, I did not see it on Tarptents web site and when is it going to be available? Also is their some spec on it? Do you need more then two poles? My kids normally don't use hiking poles.

OK So this must be the StratoSpire in the subject, (Insert face plant) but I would still like more info!!

Thanks for any info,
Wolfman

How many of you are there? Tarptent's upcoming StratoSpire 2 is a 2-person tent. The Rainshadow 2 ("2" on this one refers to the model number, not how many people it holds) is a 3-person tent. The Hogback is a 4-person tent.

If you follow the links on Tarptent's website (start by clicking on "Products"), you'll find detailed specifications on all. For those tents that use trekking poles, you can buy poles from Tarptent instead. I have the Rainshadow 2 and really like it. I use the poles from Tarptent for it rather than trekking poles because usually when I go out with my son's family and the grandkids, we take more than one tent, and I'm the only one who uses trekking poles.

Hopefully Franco will come on here at some point and provide more details.

Thanks for the info Ms Mouse, (I think that's right) I did find the tent on Tarptent's web site, it looks way smaller in their pics then in Franco's pics. Is everyone smaller down-under??

The fly looks like it could hold the three of us, but given that I am in the PNW, Just north of you (Probably from your name) I really have to have the floor and bug netting, I am not much of a fan of the little things that fly around and suck your blood or bite you just for fun!!

Glad to know you like the Rainshadow 2, I am more and more leaning that way, unless I end up making my own tent.

Wolfman

Sorry I was away "testing" the StratoSpire2.
I normally only use solo shelters because I don't like sharing nor carrying extra weight, however we were expecting some storms for two out of four days I tought that given the possibility of being stuck inside for an afternoon and a night (as we did...) I took it with me.
It performed very well and this morning my mate in his Moment and me in the SS2 were the only two out of 8 tents there (at about 6000' next to a refuge) to have slept all night.
Mind you everybody else (as usual here...) were all zipped up inside their condensation producing would be 4 season tents.. (small tents, wet clothing, two occupants inside 20f bags at 55f....)
Anyway, the SS2 is a large 2 person tent and can hold 3 adults but just.
With two kids and considering the two generous vestibules it should be doable.
It does offer more weather protection than the Rainshadow however a bit less floor space.
(as for size, I am 5'8" , Henry is 5'11")
Franco
franco@tarptent.com

No Problem Franco, Thanks for the feed back.

I will probably stick with the Rainshadow 2 if I get a TarpTent, I just wish it had large vestibules in the front. Still not completely decided yet. I have been giving some thought to making my own tent, we'll see how it goes this winter. Hopefully work will be busy and I can just buy one.

Wolfman