Or something between a tent and a tarp. I have done two crossings with a Tarptent Contrail which has been around for a few years but, I feel, has never got the notice it deserves. 780g, bugproof and relatively bombproof. Very quick to put up and with a small footprint.

My other option is a Hilleberg Nallo which is over 1000g heavier. But I have gone back to carrying that. It is luxury in comparison. The primary problem with the tarptent is that it is considerably colder and I have to carry extra weight elsewhere to compensate.

Like everyone says ... there is no right answer.

Colin Bennett

I wrangled with the tent or tarp argument a couple
of years ago and fell into the tent camp, as it were.
Get the right tent and it can be used as a single skin affair. Tarp.
If you go for a tent, I would suggest plumping for an outer first, or pitch as one style. That way you can peel back the inner until required and give yourself more room under the single skin.

It's like the quilt v sleeping bag argument: tent without an inner equals tarp. Quilt with a zip equals sleeping bag. Tent without an inner equals tarp.

I have an old (are there any others?) Robert Saunders Backpacker S, that worked great as a single skin tent/tarp and was bomb proof with the low end pushed into the wind - akin to the Trailstar? But I liked the inner to take the breeze off my face.

As a replacement for the Backpacker S, I would readily have bought a Scarptent but it's silver only, no green, and silver on a scottish moorland is a bit glam rock meets Tartan. The Akto is great, feels solidly built and has stood up to high winds with ease - it is also green.

But as other posters have said: each to their own. Good luck, let us know what you decide.


PS: I picked my new Akto for £349 - which seems like a snip compared with the £499 oft quoted.

Thanks for all your suggestions/advice.

As someone who was brought up on Shortbread and Condensed milk (I'm 5ft 7in + a bit) height has never been a big issue for me particularly in a tent but space and weight are and as the years are rolling on I tend to faff about sorting out my kit in the mornings and there's nothing worse than when it's chucking down trying to get your kit ready for the day.

It's a bit like a good marriage, all about compromise (just ask my boss sorry wife !!!). Anyway I've had a good look at a few options including the Stratospire 2 and Sil Hexpeak V4 but I keep coming back to either the TN Laser Comp 2 or the MLD Trailstar. Ahh decisions decisions decisions I may just flick a coin.

Hi Ian,

Plenty of space in the TN Laser Comp 1 and lots under the flysheet for boots, drying washing, the stove, even the rucksack, so why carry extra weight? Good luck whatever you choose and may you find a good bargain.

I love my Laser Comp, loads of room for comfort and rummaging, I got it in the Terra Nova sale three years ago for £90...still haven't found any faults with it. The bargains aren't quite so good just now, but worth a look:
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/sale/?page=2&sort=&limit=&keyword=&category=

Make the coin land on the Trailstar side. Come a wild night in the hills when it shrugs of bad weather with ease you'll be a happy camper.

Trailstar it is then. My wife reckons Iv'e spent more time choosing a new tent than buying our last house. Too true, got to get the priorities right.