coghlan's tube tent-mlyar tubes

Has anyone switched to a triangle tube tent? it needs no stakes, (use rocks or logs inside) ventilates, and has a ground sheet all for 15-16oz.? It only works in good sheltered spots. Coglan's could be shredded, but at only 5.99$ it seems not bad for a weekend. Mylar taped ( 1 mil ) is amazingly strong if it doesn't get punctured, and is really cheap. Is anyone tired of stakes?

Ecrow

with the price of that tent I could probably afford a steak.

I used a tube tent - once - in the North Cascades in an October sleet storm. The problem with them is that any water that gets in them runs to the low spot, under you, and gets picked up by anything absorbent (eg. sleeping bag, clothes etc.). Condensation inside can be fierce and unless the ends are open (to storms and rain splash) you will get condensation. I guess you could let the water run under your sleeping pad but that didn't seem to work for me. Two of the more memorable nights that I have spent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hey, thanks for the info, does a tarp and ground sheet work better?

Ecrow

Yes, when pitched properly you get air circulation and weatherproofness with the tarp ground sheet combo. It takes some time to learn pitches and finding the right spot for the night, but then you are good to go! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Ecrow,
I have to say something positive about the tube tent design. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />My siltent is a tube tent larger at the front, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />with a triangle of mosquitonet in the bottom. it weighs 16 oz with stakes and some cord. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For the money, the simplicity of the tube tent design is amazing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />Maybe put a plastic end on it that maybe you can pitch toward the prevailing wind... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Still compared to nothing, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> a tube tent can be a great place in a really bad storm. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Or it can be a cramped wet space shared with a wet dog, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />but its still better than nothing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

length is important - 8 feet is nice since theres no doors.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

In the Dark Ages of my backpacking life (late '60's) I owned a clear plastic tube tent of abouut 10 ft.in length Worked "OK" if I bunched up one end but I'd rather have a cheap tarp, and that ain't saying much in my book.

These days with tents like sil-nylon TarpTents & Go-Lite's single wall tents I see no reason on earth to tarp it unless, like me in the '60s, you're operating on very limited funds. Even Backpacker magazine agrees with that statement.

Eric

Wow, I'm impressed with this forum!

Thanks so much for all of you kind advice. You guys are so nice, I know that there are many individual ways to go lightweight, thanks for all of your wisdom!!!

Ecrow

Ecrow check out the Beginners forum here for more detailed advice on many subjects. Welcome aboard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />