New to camping, not sure on a family tent

[05Kingquad700]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

[05Kingquad700]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

[terasec]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

cause you set it up and left it up all summer! You might mention that you used your tent as a cabin the only complaints abou failures of Kodiaks were you and the people that tried to live full time out of them. Let's see any tent stand up to use as a full time house.

correct i didnt use it as intended
regardless fabric failed alot sooner than it should,
since the kodiak i have been using a stick shelter with cheap store bought drop clothes/canvas as panels
that untreated store bought canvas has held up better than the kodiak canvas,
so far its been up for almost 2 years and only some rot on the bottoms where it contacts the ground
reason its lasting longer than the kodiak is not the use but the fact that kodiak when set up stretches the canvas which weakens it,
the drop cloth is just drapped over the shelter unstressed,

[tplife]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

Modern quality polyester tents feature dual-wall construction, with an inner "breathable" layer to minimize condensation, and an outer waterproof layer to retain heat. Used in conjunction with a full-coverage rainfly, it retains heat in close comparison to a canvas tent, but with half the weight and reduced maintenance to minimize odor retention or rot, since it uses synthetic fabrics rather than treated cotton.

[MacGyver]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

There's another aspect to canvas that is often overlooked. It's that canvas has a traditional look that's not really so traditional anymore, so it stands out in a crowd of multicolored, plastic looking domes and the somewhat rarer nylon cabins. I'm actually looking at bell tents now to further that departure from the norm.

[a65hoosier]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

There's another aspect to canvas that is often overlooked. It's that canvas has a traditional look that's not really so traditional anymore, so it stands out in a crowd of multicolored, plastic looking domes and the somewhat rarer nylon cabins. I'm actually looking at bell tents now to further that departure from the norm.

MacGyver - I've looked at Bell tents, but they just don't "fit" the style of camping I am currently doing which is 2-3 nights. Just too heavy and they chew up large amounts of space in the SUV. However, they sure are nice basecamp style tents.

Like you, I do like to break out of the "same old, same old" at the campsite, so I've been really leaning towards picking up a Pyramid 4 from My Trail Company or the predecessor model called the Yahmonite 5. This pyramid tent design is from the founder of the now defunct GoLite brand. This tent model was formerly called the Shangri-La 5 when it was manufactured/sold by GoLite. After GoLite went belly up, Big Agnes bought up the remaining stock/materials and rebadged the tent as the Big Agnes Yahmonite 5. You can still pick up a Yahmonite 5 via Campsaver's website in their outlet section. Currently at 35% off clearance, throw on the coupon code "outletgear15" to get another 15% off which brings the original MSRP of $600 down to $331. Link here: http://www.campsaver.com/outlet/yahm...erson-3-season

My Trail Company's Pyramid 4 (retail $399) is an updated model with slightly larger dimensions (4 inches each side) than either the Shangri La or Yahmonite. 9'4" x 9'4" footprint, 6'1" interior height. Single robust pole, fully protected inner mesh nest (you can use just the full fly in bug free conditions) and usable vestibule. Packs down small. Due to lightweight, yet strong fabrics, it weighs less than 6 pounds total (fly, nest, stakes, guylines, and stuff sacks). Really a tent that 2 people could hike/pack in if they split up the components and divvy up the weight. Truly huge square footage for the overall weight---and a palace for 2 campers. The pyramid shape and single supporting pole is one of, if not the best structure, against strong and variable winds (fun note...the dimensions of the tent are the same...in proportion...to the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt).

Link to the My Trail Co Pyramid 4: http://mytrailco.com/collections/ten...amid-4-shelter

[Happy Joe]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

There's another aspect to canvas that is often overlooked. It's that canvas has a traditional look that's not really so traditional anymore, so it stands out in a crowd of multicolored, plastic looking domes and the somewhat rarer nylon cabins. I'm actually looking at bell tents now to further that departure from the norm.

It looks traditional to me (Sibley tent ptd. 1856) and widely used since by military organizations.

Personally, I have found heavy canvas to be warm and water resistant (not proof) although they get extremely heavy especially when wet ... rot doesn't enter in to it unless one is trying to use fabric in a semi-permanent structure; or the tent is not dried before packing (mildew has ruined more than a few tents (and not only canvas) for people over the centuries.
I don't really worry about the material any more other than to verify U-V resistance and denier... I do require taped seams for water resistance though...If a modern tent leaks its pretty poorly made, IMO.

Having spent considerable time in domes and short to medium walled tents my newest has tall walls so that the floor space is completely useable (people can stand/sit erect anywhere in the tent).... its all just personal preference though.
A hint; multiple tie downs around the edges do not make for the easiest nor quickest setup/breakdown.
(Edit); more experience from the alaknak (Cabela's) and G-P small tents; a string/tiedown in front of the door is occasionally an irritant/in the way.
A center pole is a mixed blessing; it can be used to hang things but; especially in a smaller tent, it can get in the way.
Larger diameter (>~1/2") metal/wood pole sections (chained and sprung/shockcorded) while not a problem to haul are not a pleasure either.

Enjoy!

[tplife]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

I know those as "single pole" design tents, there are several variations out there. They're popular in deer season here for "spike camps" in the Sierras in different fabric variants.

[a65hoosier]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

I know those as "single pole" design tents, there are several variations out there. They're popular in deer season here for "spike camps" in the Sierras in different fabric variants.

Well, I just joined the ranks of single pole design tent owners. I've been watching the Yahmonite 5 (and it's smaller sibling the Yahmonite 3) show up briefly on clearance at Sierra Trading Post, Campsaver, (and at one time REI's outlet) for the past 12+ months. Listed for a few days, I'd oogle it...then it would be gone....and I would be bummed out because I had waited too long. No more oogling...I ordered the Big Agnes Yahmonite 5 today. After I receive it, I'll do a brief "what's in the box/set-up" review and then a followup review after I get a chance to take it out a few times.

[JimmyRoss]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

MacGyver - I've looked at Bell tents, but they just don't "fit" the style of camping I am currently doing which is 2-3 nights. Just too heavy and they chew up large amounts of space in the SUV. However, they sure are nice basecamp style tents.

Like you, I do like to break out of the "same old, same old" at the campsite, so I've been really leaning towards picking up a Pyramid 4 from My Trail Company or the predecessor model called the Yahmonite 5. This pyramid tent design is from the founder of the now defunct GoLite brand. This tent model was formerly called the Shangri-La 5 when it was manufactured/sold by GoLite. After GoLite went belly up, Big Agnes bought up the remaining stock/materials and rebadged the tent as the Big Agnes Yahmonite 5. You can still pick up a Yahmonite 5 via Campsaver's website in their outlet section. Currently at 35% off clearance, throw on the coupon code "outletgear15" to get another 15% off which brings the original MSRP of $600 down to $331. Link here: http://www.campsaver.com/outlet/yahm...erson-3-season

My Trail Company's Pyramid 4 (retail $399) is an updated model with slightly larger dimensions (4 inches each side) than either the Shangri La or Yahmonite. 9'4" x 9'4" footprint, 6'1" interior height. Single robust pole, fully protected inner mesh nest (you can use just the full fly in bug free conditions) and usable vestibule. Packs down small. Due to lightweight, yet strong fabrics, it weighs less than 6 pounds total (fly, nest, stakes, guylines, and stuff sacks). Really a tent that 2 people could hike/pack in if they split up the components and divvy up the weight. Truly huge square footage for the overall weight---and a palace for 2 campers. The pyramid shape and single supporting pole is one of, if not the best structure, against strong and variable winds (fun note...the dimensions of the tent are the same...in proportion...to the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt).

Link to the My Trail Co Pyramid 4: http://mytrailco.com/collections/ten...amid-4-shelter

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5821[/ATTACH]

I'm not OP but thank you for such a good write up

[a65hoosier]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

Thanks JimmyRoss.

The Yahmonite 5 arrived via the big brown truck and I finally got the chance to set it up in the backyard for a shakedown and a trimming up by installing some guy lines and shockcord. Everyone sets a new tent before they take it out camping right? - lol.

Some pics:

[Stillness Wilderness]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

a65hoosier,

Nice tent pics! When are you going to take it out for its maiden voyage?

SW

[a65hoosier]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

SW - Hopefully I will be able to get out and give it an overnight before Thanksgiving. I camp year round, but with the full mesh inner "nest", this tent may be overly drafty for more hardcore winter camping (although the single pole design is certainly strong enough to handle fairly tough conditions). I have other tents I typically take that are better suited for camping during the Indiana winter season.

[tplife]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

A65Hoosier, due to its full-coverage rainfly and dual-layer design, (unless the wind is blowing over 25MPH) I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised with the lack of draftiness of this tent.

[a65hoosier]

Re: New to camping, not sure on a family tent

A65Hoosier, due to its full-coverage rainfly and dual-layer design, (unless the wind is blowing over 25MPH) I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised with the lack of draftiness of this tent.

I think you may be right tp. I do have some adjustability on how close the fly is from the ground (relatively) due to being able to adjust the single support pole up or down. The all mesh inner "nest" doesn't provide much wind blocking should a good breeze sneak under the fly. Of course, I watched a few videos of users of this tent not even utilizing the inner tent in winter (no bugs) and just pitching the fly. For the most part, they had the bottom of the fly drawn fairly close to the ground in those conditions. Always a balancing act between good "condensation reduction" ventilation and too much ventilation (ie...a gale blowing thru the tent).