The Best Tent!

[MikeP]

I've been using one of these for four years now and I can honestly say that for its ease of use, size, weight, pack-size there's nothing better.

It really will go up with only four pegs and in under 3 minutes.

I've not seen them for sale anywhere until I spotted that Rocks has them on his Gearpac website (and a damn sight cheaper than I paid for mine ).

Okay, it's still not cheap by some standards but if you do any regular camping, it's worth the investment.

http://www.gearpac.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=107&osCsid=kq51ask50889rc0dsvfgvedic0

(I have no connection to gearpac or Exped).

 

[Wanderer]

Mike, the design of your tent looks exactly the same as mine. A 2 man (perfect 1 man + biking gear) Hilleberg Nammatj GT (site here: http://www.hilleberg.se/default-e.HTM).

A can heartily second your recommendation. The design, with a porch, etc is excellent and the size is excellent for on-bike transport.

The 'tarp' set up you're using looks like a great idea. I'll have to look into that.

 

[MikeP]

When I bought the Exped, it was a toss-up between the two.

The final decider was that the Exped doesn't need additional poles to use the inner on its own and the weight is a little better (lighter).

They are very similar in design and the prices were similar too.

The Tarp is another Exped item, very large but unbelievably light.

 

[Blackal]

Seen a similar tent elsewhere - very useful size

Where's the awning from, and how much?

Al

 

[Bengaz]

Great set up, have you got any pics of how you pack that lot onto your bike please?

 

[fartoofastforme]

tent

mike, is this the tarp you got from exped ? thanskm

 

[MikeP]

The Tarp is from Exped, 'Scout Tarp' I think they now call it.

It can be used with guy's by attaching it to trees,

or as above by using poles. It doesn't come with poles but most camping shops will have a bucket of various odd poles. I bought a selection for less than a fiver and have enough to put the Tarp up free standing.

As for packing? I use the largest size Ortleib (not the stuffa type as they are harder to pack). The smaller and lighter the gear, the more you can carry (obviously). I now have a full-size ground-sheet to go under the Tarp, a folding camp table.

On the road, the right-hand pannier (away from the exhaust) is my 'kitchen' with cooker, cook-set, small cool bag, coffee pot food and water.

Left-hand pannier is just clothing and books.

Tank-bag is video cameras, stills cameras and power supplies for them.

Aerostich tank panniers for anything I want to hand.

Sometimes the Ortlieb is across the rear of the seat, sometimes I dispense with the top-box and carry it there.

 

[notanotherbike]

we're not worthy / we're not worthy !!

That look's a great set-up, makes me want to go camping & i love hotels....

 

[Steve B]

Mike

Couple of questions

What size is the Ortlieb bag and where did you get the Aerostitch tank bags. They look quite a size? Do tell

Steve

 

[MikeP]

Steve,

How you doing?

The Ortleib is the 89 litre Rack-Pack. The Stuff-Sack is okay but one-end opening means that it either has to be packed in order that the contents are required or you have to empty it to get to what's at the bottom.

The size doesn't mean that it needs to be full but the additional capacity is good to have for when you need it.

Aerostich tank panniers:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Tank-Panniers-p-16412.html

In black or dayglo.

 

[rocks]

Tents and Bags

Nice write up Mike. (No I haven't paind him lol )

I only have one Andromeda left in stock at the moment, and I am doing them with a free foot print with each of my present Exped Tents for the moment.

The rackpack bags can be rolled down further to take up slack though there is a min point (when you hit the handles fixation points). They are still by far and way the most popular bags I sell. That 89ltr Mike has pictured there, is the largest in the range, the next down is the 49ltr, then 31's and 24ltrs. The last two I sell mostly for day commuters who need to ensure the laptop/cloths stay dry and don't want to take the panniers for filtering and town riding.

The motorcycle roll bag is another option at 59ltr, which is a single open ended toughened roll bag. Cheaper and very durable, they do have the dissadvantage of having to pack in order as Mike points out, but when I use mine, I just make sure I pack my tent and what I need first out at the campsite in it, that way I don't wind up unloading half the bike to just pitch the tent. A right savior if your in good old blighties usual precipitation..

If anyone is not sure on the right sizing on bags for their needs, drop me a memo or call.

Oh on the tent front, if your going to spend out an tent get a foot print protector to go with it. Well worth the pennies in my book, will help make it last longer.

 

[Bengaz]

Steve,

How you doing?

The Ortleib is the 89 litre Rack-Pack. The Stuff-Sack is okay but one-end opening means that it either has to be packed in order that the contents are required or you have to empty it to get to what's at the bottom.

The size doesn't mean that it needs to be full but the additional capacity is good to have for when you need it.

Aerostich tank panniers:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Tank-Panniers-p-16412.html

In black or dayglo.

Ive got the 89 ltr rack pack Mike. Its great, you can fit anything you can think of in it yet it will roll quite small if you dont want to take too much.
You really never have to worry again about what you have to leave behind.
Mines never leaked in downpours and they are really cheap for what they are.

I love that tent its perfect for me but I will have to save up!

When we went away last I had vario paniers and top box full, back seat removed and the 89 ltr bag accross the paniers 3/4 full. The bike still handled flawlessly!

 

[Nasty1]

Nice write up Mike. (No I haven't paind him lol )

I only have one Andromeda left in stock at the moment, and I am doing them with a free foot print with each of my present Exped Tents for the moment.

The rackpack bags can be rolled down further to take up slack though there is a min point (when you hit the handles fixation points). They are still by far and way the most popular bags I sell. That 89ltr Mike has pictured there, is the largest in the range, the next down is the 49ltr, then 31's and 24ltrs. The last two I sell mostly for day commuters who need to ensure the laptop/cloths stay dry and don't want to take the panniers for filtering and town riding.

The motorcycle roll bag is another option at 59ltr, which is a single open ended toughened roll bag. Cheaper and very durable, they do have the dissadvantage of having to pack in order as Mike points out, but when I use mine, I just make sure I pack my tent and what I need first out at the campsite in it, that way I don't wind up unloading half the bike to just pitch the tent. A right savior if your in good old blighties usual precipitation..

If anyone is not sure on the right sizing on bags for their needs, drop me a memo or call.

Oh on the tent front, if your going to spend out an tent get a foot print protector to go with it. Well worth the pennies in my book, will help make it last longer.

Hey Rocks

When would you normally get your new stocks?/2009 Exped models in. I will be looking for one of these but not until later in the year. Just looking for a heads up on when to get in before the spring/summer rush

Cheers

Adie

 

[gpsonaPan]

This is the tent she and I have.Classed as 3 man ample for 2 with storage space .

Bought from www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Ortlieb bag lookalikes too. Gelert brand (as is tent)

HTH

Pat

 

[Steve B]

Steve,

How you doing?

The Ortleib is the 89 litre Rack-Pack. The Stuff-Sack is okay but one-end opening means that it either has to be packed in order that the contents are required or you have to empty it to get to what's at the bottom.

The size doesn't mean that it needs to be full but the additional capacity is good to have for when you need it.

Aerostich tank panniers:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Tank-Panniers-p-16412.html

In black or dayglo.

Hi Mike

Many thanks for the side bags details. I've got someone in Vegas who is getting hold of a set for me and then sending them over to save the tax and VAT.

By the way that bike of yours isn't looking a tad mucky. Are your standards slipping

Steve

 

[MikeP]

By the way that bike of yours isn't looking a tad mucky. Are your standards slipping

Steve

I don't mind it getting grubby.........

I just don't leave it like it.

 

[Bengaz]

View attachment 96372

This is the tent she and I have.Classed as 3 man ample for 2 with storage space .

Bought from www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Ortlieb bag lookalikes too. Gelert brand (as is tent)

HTH

Pat

How are these in the rain and do you know the weight and pack size? It doesnt say on go outdoors.

(reduced to £49.99 http://client3.pindigital.com/GoOutdoors.1413/5032307566038)

 

[rocks]

2009

Hey Rocks

When would you normally get your new stocks?/2009 Exped models in. I will be looking for one of these but not until later in the year. Just looking for a heads up on when to get in before the spring/summer rush

Cheers

Adie

Adie, best to start checking early. They come in batches and the period between each can often be extended. Problem's with shipping and rising price of petroleums means the prices are rising, so wouldn't wait too long if you can help it.

I know there are plenty of cheap tents out there, but I still say if your planning to use it regularly and in possible wet weather, then pay out for a good one. Or you could find a trip ruined because you stimped on paying out that extra. For me, there is nothing worse than when the wet weatherarrives, than not having a nice dry tent to climb into, or enough space to keep your wet gear seperate from your dry.

If you keep the practicalities such as that in mind, then your likley to make your camping trips alot more enjoyabe, even if the weather takes a spell for the worst.

 

[everywherevirtually]

Best Tent

I have an 8 year old North face VE-25. I've put tears in it, burnt it, fell on it, had people trip on it and still it's going strong and is totally waterproof.

I have a smaller one man tent I got from decathlon which is fine for summer trips but the VE-25 is the daddy for everything else.

It also performs well in the snow and on Everest base camp