"The One" tent -- Gossamer Gear

Gossamer Gear Tent – “The One” has some buzz about it as to be expected with a one pound tent. I just watched a short video ( The One Gossamer Gear website )showing Glen Van Peski setting up the new tent. Projected cost is $275, includes stuff sack, and 2-pack of polycryo ground sheets, but not stakes. The tent is made out of spinnaker fabric and sounded quite “crinkley” in the video. Glen is very tall (about 6' 4") and it shows him laying out in the tent fully stretched out. Carol

Amazing... that is going in my pack.

Thanks for the link. Interesting and very similar to my TT Contrail on concept.
Still I like my Contrail's high "head end" as opposed to "The One" tent's floor layout where your head is pretty close to the roof.

Eric

Sweet. I've been wondering what that would look like ever since they announced it. Pretty cool. Not huge, but big enough, and for only a pound maybe I'll carry that and a hammock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Looks like a very lightweight version of a tent design that has been around for a long time.

I made a tent similar to this around 1970 and I was copying an existing Canadian product.

Don't know about the crinkly spinnaker cloth. The stuff I've seen isn't fully waterproof.

My latest evolution of this design (hooped pole, tent plus fly, all ripstop tent) is shown in the Make Your Own Gear section of this website under DJ's Bivy Tent.

I've had good experience with my silnylon tarptent, but I have heard that if the rain is hard enough, it can penetrate silnylon and cause misting inside (note: different from outside rain dislodging interior condensation droplets). Wonder how spinnaker compares in a hard rain?

It depends on the Spinnaker. GG's is supposed to be very good, though I have no experience with their products in rain to say if it mists or not. I've heard that it doesn't though, or at least not much.

Has anyone used the GG Squall Classic in a heavy rain? That's made from the same material... I'd like to hear how it handles it.

It looks very much like the one I'm making at the moment, except mine has a hooped pole and a sewn in floor...And my other Lunar Solo clone, too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Nice "one" but expensive...

> I have heard that if the rain is hard enough, it can penetrate silnylon and cause misting
> inside

Been there done that. However, I've learned that using a spray-on silicone treatment "refreshes" the waterproofing and eliminates the misting. Tried it and it does work. Seems to last for a season or so.

Does the tent come with "Buddy" the dog? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is there a way to download the video so I don’t have to try and watch this thing through an extremely slow service?
I don’t mind a slow download; at least then I can watch regular speed straight from my disk.
Thanx,
-Barry

I was wondering why brownwetdog liked it, the dog in the movie was black and dry. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Seriously... I think the dog was the best part, especially the part when he walks up to say "hi". Very cute!

Hector:

Which brand silicone spray-on treatment did you use? Can you provide a link? Thanks in advance.

<<< I was wondering why brownwetdog liked it, the dog in the movie was black and dry. >>>

FinallyME <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Give a dog enough time to roll in the mud and they can all become brown wet dogs... I loved the dog saying hello! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Carol

Gossamer Gear Tent – “The One” has some buzz about it as to be expected with a one pound tent. I just watched a short video (The One from Gossamer Gear) showing Glen Van Peski setting up the new tent. CB

Edited to direct the link to the Gossamer Gear website.

I was wondering how you got the in on gear at GG. I visit there on occasion and hadn't seen anything mentioned, plus I was adding up the weight of all components for the Spinn shelter. Still looking to off set the weight of my chair I use now.

I wonder why it was posted on YouTube if they wanted to keep it private. I just checked YouTube but it evidently has now been pulled. It's whoever put it on YouTube that has the problem, not you, Carol. Once the video was public, anyone could link to it.

I was not too enamored of the tent--sounds as though everyone within half a mile can hear it being pitched--but I loved the dog!

I find that depending how I pitch my tarp is what really controls whether or not it will leak. If the tarp is pitched with a flat-type roof and it rains really hard (and it's left like that) it may leak but I would never leave it pitched like that in a hard rain. If you slant the walls of a tarp there is not much rain that can get through it. I have had mine in torrential rains (for days and days) and it has "never" leaked...Hope this helps...Happy Trekking...sabre11004....

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

Yes the spray silicone does work and is very effective as a simple maintenance program for any silnylon tarp. It really does work..Hope this 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="" />

“Has anyone used the GG Squall Classic in a heavy rain? That's made from the same material... I'd like to hear how it handles it.”

I have the GG Squall. Our scoutmaster has the SpinnShelter (thanx to Glenn <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />). So I have observed both in heavy rain.

To me I have had BETTER waterproofing results with spinnaker than silnylon. I haven’t had any drops come in these 2 tents through thunderstorms.
I also have NOT seam sealed these tents but I had to with my silnylon tents to get similar results.

And, I don’t know why, I have had less condensation issues with spinnaker.

One feature I love about Spinnaker is once you have the tautness correct, you don’t have to retighten 30 minutes later. Silnylon eventually sags on you so you usually have to retighten (or just live with the sag).

Once it’s set up, it hasn’t been noisy.

The GG Squall is so easy to slide into its tube stuff bag. That’s where I struggle with silnylon.

One thing that initially scared me upon arrival of my GG Squall is that my back stake-out ripped. It must have been a sewing defect. I sent it back to GG and they turned it around in 1 day. That tent has been strong ever since. However, I don’t pull it as tight now.

-Barry

As in my other post on this thread I feel "The One" tent needs at least ONE end made higher for head room. Otherwise they need to look seriously at the TT Contrail layout. Does nobody else feel this The One tent layout is just impractical?

Eric

Eric, I think all tent designs are compromises and in the end it just comes down to personal preference. Currently, I use two shelters with one end higher and a front entry (silshelter and Virga 2 ) and one with the middle higher and side entry (Montbell Diamond). Both types of designs have their pros and cons. I like the ease of entry of the side opening designs and the fact that when you sit up, your butt is already where it need to be--there's no need to scoot up. Also, with the pole(s) in the middle, the unsupported panels of fabric are smaller. On the other hand, with the one-end-higher design, you may get less condensation directly overhead and a more spacious feel while laying down.

"As in my other post on this thread I feel "The One" tent needs at least ONE end made higher for head room. "

Why?

There is at least 14 inches at each end and the sides slope dramatically upward. If you want headroom, just sit up. This design has been extremely successful for years - SMD Lunar, Hilleberg Akto.

As I recall from the now disappeared video, the trekking pole length is the same as for the SMD Lunar Solo and the Tarptent Squall 2 (115 cm./42 in.). And with this one you have the height at both ends--nice for two head-to-toe sleepers or for Buddy the dog as a footwarmer in the rear of the tent--he'll be able to stand up!

And thanks, Hector, for the tip on using DWR on silnylon! I personally haven't had "misting" problems that weren't caused by heavy raindrops knocking loose condensation inside, and it was very, very minor. But I plan to go to the Rockies this summer, so I will spray some on my tent to prepare for those thunderstorms!

I just checked GG's site and he has "The One" listed now with the video.
Nice design.

mike

Guys,
Agreed, all tents have some compromises. The One tent has a nice side entry but so does the TT Rainbow. I'd rather carry the Rainbow's extra weight B/C the ends where you'd put your head are arched almost straight up from the floor for quite a way. Thus sitting up is no problem.

The One tent, however does not have this advantage of design. Also you can't sleep sideways in it with your head near the pole unless you are
EXTREMELY "vertically challenged".

Again, not the smartest design we've seen come down the pike.
In fact I see nothing else in the design that is innovative or even new.

Eric
P.S.
Did I mention that I don't like this tent?

Eric,

"Different strokes for different folks." If you don't like The One then don't buy it. But why keep going out of your way to attack it--especially when you have no actual personal experience with it? What's that all about anyway?

From my perspective The One looks like a very interesting tent--one which I plan on getting myself when it goes on sale next week. At 17 ounces it is the lightest full coverage tent with a floor available on the market. That alone makes it innovative. However, it also has high head clearance in the middle of the tent, looks very easy to set up, and has nice ventilation. I personally prefer spinnaker for a tarp or tent because it is much lighter and doesn't stretch and sag as sil-nylon does. As a fixed length hiking pole user (125 cm), I also love the fact that both hiking poles can be incorporated in the support of the tent and that 125 cm is the optimum length of pole to use.

Yep. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Is that you, John?

"The One" is no on the GG site as of this morning.....

I just saw it there a few minutes ago...

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/xdpy/s/Shelter/index.html

It's in the "shelters" section...

OK!, OK! OK!

Yes, The One tent is made from a preferrable material to sil nylon. It's likely "mist-proof" in a heavy downpour as well. And I get it that many DO like it's design. For sure The One tent is another welcome addition to the growing number of new UL gear designs. Time and sales will determine its fate despite my grumpiness about its design. Maybe I just forgot to take my Geritol and Dr. Jack Daniels when I wrote those opines.

Anyway, on the subject of tent material, I'd pay for the difference if TT came out with a Cuben fabric Contrail. The stretchy nature of sil nylon does keep one occupied tightening guy lines, especially in wet and windy weather.

Eric, GOM

I don't like my face banging the end of a tent. It looks kinda small. Might be o.k for kids and is lacking bug netting for the price. I think I would prefer something a tad larger although the material would be a good choice.

Mentioned on a different forum, isn't the design the same as Six Moon Design's Lunar Solo?

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36

Not the same. Similar yes, but I really cannot see how anyone can design a tent now that is not somewhat similar to a previous design.
Note that the GG version uses two poles and the SMD only one.
Franco

Yes, yes silnylon does stretch but not endlessly, at some point it stops....
This is what I do. I set up the Contrail with the pole an inch or so shorter than it should (can) be. Pull the guylines taut and proceed to wash my self, prepare dinner, whatever. If the humidity has risen or has started to rain I re-tighten the tent before I go to sleep. If it starts raining during the night , then I just increase the length of the pole and it's good night from me. If there is a chance of strong winds ,I use all of the 8 guyout points provided. Typically I have a walk around "camp" before I go in for the night and at the end of that I check the set up again.
Franco

Once again, there is more than 14 inches at each end. Unless you are 7 foot tall, you will have considerably more given the steep angled walls. Also, Glen is almost 6 ft 4" - and in the video you can see that he has plenty of room.

Can you not see the bug netting? How tall are your kids? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Franco,

It took many nights in my Contrail before I finally realized, as you mentioned, that one of the fastest and easiest ways to tighten the Contrail was to merely raise my hiking pole support. Another advantage of it's design...OK, and TheOne tent as well.

Eric

I agree there's nothing particularly revolutionery about the design of "The ONE", except it uses lighter fabric. I'll just wait until Henry gets the ball rolling and uses spinnaker in hid Double Rainbow.

What would be really nice (if any of you cottage tent-makers are watching), is a 2-person spinnaker tent that incorporates 4 trekking poles for support. Something like the DR without the central long pole. I'd pay a lot for that, as almost all my hiking is with my partner. Call it "The TWO"???

retrotramp,

Your spinnaker 2 person tent already exists. It's called the Squall Classic--designed by Henry and sold by Gossamer Gear in a partnership together--and it fits two people. This spinnaker tent weighs slightly less than 25 ounces with stakes and with the use of one trekking pole. This has been my favorite tent since I bought it a year or so ago, but I don't need the extra space for solo hiking. I look forward to trying The One out as soon as I can get my hands on one. I look forward to losing another 6 ounces or so off my base pack weight.

Hello Gentlemen and Ladies, Nice Tent. Hard to argue with the wgt savings. Depends on what you want. Nice Tent. KK

Spray silicone is not recommended because it ultimately hardens the fabric, providing less 'stretch' and greater chance of material tearing. This is why silicone impregnated fabrics exist - silicone is injected between the threads which still permits some level of stretch / strength, while also providing a level of waterproofness. Otherwise, the spray silicone is crap for most applications. Plus it adds unnecesary weight, and its all about lite gear.

First post in a while.

It's a little hard to follow from the thread, but if you're referring to The One it does have bug netting.

Photos of the prototype of The One were posted on BPL a while back ... I graciously offerred to test it for Glen but he demurred.

Damian <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />