I've been using a Notch for a couple of years (basicaly a narrower version of the Stratosphere). It's a great little tent and if anything I wish I'd gone for the Stratosphere as the Notch's inner is a bit narrow.

The main issue I have is with stability in the wind and a tendancy to flap even if pitched end on to the wind.

Robs quite right and an extra optional peg out point half way along each vestibule edge would greatly improve it.

I've also had an issue on a couple of occassios when pitched end on to prevailing wind where the wind pushes the low ends sufficiently to lift the small apex pole ends off the floor and backwards. This takes all the tension out of the vestibules and leaves them flapping worse than ever.

I think it's expectiing a lot even for these tents to be stable with only four or six pegs outs. I've taken to including four little sawn off pegs to secure the corners of the tent at the bottom of the end apexes.

Brilliant tents, just need more pegging points for the UK.

p.s. also had some stictching come undone on a couple of bits of webbing, but that's a quality issue.

Thanks very much for the replies and the suggestion of additional pegging points. It seems to me that it's a grown up Trailstar with more usable head height and with the addition of a nest included. The dog will be happy. Andy Howell had a good point with the lifters.

Thanks again.

Re: the lifters, don't forget that as a solo walker, both your poles will be supporting the tent. You might want to consider a Trailstar or Duomid with an inner. The weights are quite similar. The Trailstar is totally bomber. I used a Scarp this year, which I think is superb but a little heavier.

As an actual owner and user of Stratospire 1 on the last two Challenges I can thoroughly recommend it.

I have not experienced any abnormal flapping nor any abnormal condensation. Although I always set the ridge guidelines in line with the ridge line I have not found it necessary to use lifters for the side panels nor did I feel that extra pegging points would be necessary.

It takes only a couple of minutes to erect but you do have to exercise a little extra care when pitching as the sleeping area is offset to the ridgeline. Do follow Henry Shires advice in his video of ensuring a rectangular shape as it results in the inner being clear of your face but also clear from the outer. It is worthwhile taking an extra minute to re-peg if necessary.

The interior space is superb with same sleeping area as the Scarp 1 but an interior height of 48 inches!

Andy Howell does cover the main advantages very well in both reviews but the Stratospire 1 does not seem to suffer as much sil nylon sag as the 2.

If possible see if Henry can fit two way zips on the doors as the only, slight, difficulty is that it is a long stretch across the porches.

All in all a great tent and you'll enjoy using it

Thanks Ray, good to read. I was just about to order and then saw a Drift 1 from Trekkertent. So now thinking cap back on!