Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag that I can use on my kayaking trips beginning in the spring. Researching through the Internet I am overwhelmed by the large selection and range of prices of each. Most of my overnight camping will be in Spring, Summer, Fall mainly in South Georgia and Northern/Central Florida. I've decided on at least a two person size tent, other than that I'm not sure what other characteristics to look for in a tent and sleeping bag. I want to buy good quality equipment. Looking to hear from anyone with their suggestions, opinions on what to look for in a tent/sleeping bag, and any on-line web sites that carry good selections of equipment. Thanks *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jeff Rowland wrote: > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag.... I currently use a Moss Titan GT. It's big, roomy, neutral colored (nice on non-sunny days), can be breezy as a screened in front porch, or cinched down like a bomb shelter. I've ridden out some intense storms in it w/o much flutter or fuss. I use it for backpacking, too, though it is on the heavy side. It can sleep three in a pinch and can be used for non-severe altitude winter camping, too. Made in the USA, made to take it, and made to take it in style and comfort. They are pricey, though you can find varieties of Moss tents on sale at some of the same outlets I mention below. On the otherhand, I very much like the Sierra Design series of meteor light, clip flashlight, comet, orion, etc. tents. They are light in weight and bulk, well-made, have a nice set of features w/o becoming burdened by unnecessary doo-dahs. And you can get them on sale, usually, at places like Northern Mountain Supply, or Sierra Trading Post, or Mountain Gear, etc. If places you go are often slab rock, cobbles, or resist easy staking, then be leery of non free standing designs that require stable, secure and taught staking. Mountain Hardware, some Eureka models, Marmot, Kelty...they all have their pros (and cons). The North Face has many promoters, but I've found their designs to be hit and miss, and some of their workmanship has been shoddy on lighter weight models. Don't underestimate the power of the lowly, or not so lowly, tarp / parawing fly. I use a Moss Heptawing and in less buggy conditions, where privacy is not a major concern, I just take the tarp and maybe some bug netting. Bivy sacks suck. They are great for solo bivy when all you do in your shelter is sleep. Riding out a shore bound windy day, or storms of any length, is a real pain in the ass (literally). For the expense, buy a tent. You'll thank yourself over and over. I've used hamock set ups. They are real hit and miss in my mind. The last thing I want to do is have to fuss an inordinate amount of time setting up camp. Many of the places I go do not favor hammock use. As for sleeping bags, I use a down Marmot bag. I know this flaunts conventional wisdom about water environs and down bags. I've never had a problem. Others have and swear by synthetic bags. I love my Pinnacle...though in really warm, summer conditions, I've brought insulating clothes and a heavier weight fleece sleep sack and been very comfortable. I sleep "warm". Your mileage may vary. -Will Jennings *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Will Jennings wrote: > > Jeff Rowland wrote: > > > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag.... > Mountain Hardware, some Eureka models, Marmot, Kelty...they all have their pros > (and cons). The North Face has many promoters, but I've found their designs > to be hit and miss, and some of their workmanship has been shoddy on lighter > weight models. I'm one of those promoters, but I have to admit, I have only used their better tents. No experience with their lighter weight models, because for Northwest sea kayaking, a sturdy, substantial tent with a good rain fly is de rigeur. Owned many different brands of tent, and NF tents have stood out. One I am currently using is called a Nebula/Nimbus. Bombproof, roomy enough for two in a three-day rain, great vestibules, two independent side doors. Just beginning a relationship with a Mtn. Hardware smaller two-person tent (Light Wedge 2), and I like the design, but suspect it is not as weatherproof as the ancient NF Tadpole it is replacing (wore out the coatings). Time will tell. Heavy wind is the test of a good tent. Almost any middle-of-the-road tent can handle rain well, until the wind blows. Then you find out if the tent is worth keeping. The tents I like in wind are free-standing, and have external guy points **on the outside of the rain fly** for extra anchors. Naturally, crummy anchoring negates the virtues of a sturdy tent. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> > > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag.... > FWIW, and if you live in the NorthEast, Eureka has their annual Tent Sale and Auction at their factory/office in Binghamton, NY March 8th through the 11th. Returned, repaired, discontinued models of tents are usually on sale or auctioned off on Sunday. Also lots of camping gear. Not a few people converge on it, especially scout troops, etc. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 05:54 PM 2/22/01 , you wrote: >"Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag that I >can use on my kayaking trips beginning in the spring." >Jeff, If you want to buy a bombproof tent then I'd suggest going with a Moss. If you'd like to spend a little less, but still get a great tent then consider a Marmot. Moss' Titan GT is a great two person tent which will last you years without any worries. Moss tents tend to be a little heavier than competitive models, but they do all the little things right. They put lots of pockets in the tent, give you a door-side ground flap to keep out mud, dirt, etc. In Marmot I'd check out a Loft or Swallow. For sleeping bags you should check out a Marmot or Moonstone. I just purchased a Marmot Pinnacle, which is a down, 775-fill, 15 degree bag. If you don't have allergies then I do suggest a down bag. The larger the fill power rating, the better. A down bag will be more expensive, but well worth it. I just traded in my synthetic bag after only six years of use. Down will provide longer life than a synthetic bag, plus they are much more compact, a nice thing if you have small VCP hatches to worry about, or if you backpack (like I do). I have never owned a Moonstone, but every year they are rated as the top bag. A friend has one and absolutely loves it. Comfy and warm. Moonstone, like Moss, does not skimp on their products. Anyway, I hope this helps. Whatever you buy make sure you get out and use it! Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
--- Jeff Rowland <jrowland_at_sprynet.com> wrote: > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent > and sleeping bag I have 2 pages on this topic in my web site, http://www.geocities.com/beverly-m/ . They are the second and third ones in the e-mail/stories box. I use a Kelty V2, now slightly modified and renamed the Vortex 2. It's available through Campmor, on-line, but the price on the last years version is much better in the store. It is close enough to free standing that a few cords can hold the fly out away from the tent even if you are on solid rock. The dual vestibules are just big enough to be usefull and it's held up to everything nature has thrown at it so far. I use a Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 for living space outside the tent. It has some extra ties in handy places for those campsites with awkwardly placed trees. It's thinner and lighter than most and the light grey color lets some light in on those dark rainy days. I'm not a big Kelty fan but those items fit my needs exactly and at a good price. ===== Sincerly Bev *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Beverly M" <beverly-m_at_yahoo.com> > > I use a Kelty V2, now slightly modified and > renamed the Vortex 2. It's available through Campmor, > on-line, but the price on the last years version is > much better in the store. It is close enough to free > standing that a few cords can hold the fly out away > from the tent even if you are on solid rock. The dual > vestibules are just big enough to be usefull and it's > held up to everything nature has thrown at it so far. Campmor generally has great bargains that show up in its catalog on special deals pages. Moreover, for those of us fortunate to live within easy driving distance of the retail store, there are always extra bargains off the shelves at the place. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Beverly M wrote: > > --- Jeff Rowland <jrowland_at_sprynet.com> wrote: > > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent > > and sleeping bag > I use a Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 for living space outside > the tent. It has some extra ties in handy places for > those campsites with awkwardly placed trees. It's > thinner and lighter than most and the light grey color > lets some light in on those dark rainy days. Thanks to Bev for reminding me of Noah's Tarp. I've got the size-10 version of the same tarp, and after half a season of use, I think I really like it. Aside from the light color, it's principal virtue is that it can be strung between two high points **on the diagonal that has the seam** to form a high ridgeline. The diagonal with the seam is catenary cut, such that tensioning it, and anchoring the other corners out gives uniform tarp tension throughout. Yeah, yeah, "uniform tarp tension" I hear you say: "So who cares?" I do, because that means only four guy points are needed to pitch it so there are no "tarp puddles" when it rains, to spill down your neck as you exit the tarp for a break. Try to achieve that with a conventional rectangular tarp without a catenary cut seam. On trips, I get nailed with the appellation "Tarp Man" because I'm always fiddling with the tarp, trying to achieve nirvana-in-the-rain: no leaks and no tarp puddles. With Noah's tarp, my obsession is easily achieved ... -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR Tarp Man! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
HenryHast_at_aol.com wrote: } Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Tents and camping equipment > > Thanks for the info. I'd encourage all of us to use the list as a way to > share info on this kind of special sale. I know LL Bean, for example, has a > large warehouse sale somewhere in New Hampshire every year or two that is > supposed to be huge with incredible prices that decrease to next to nothing > by the end of the sale. Please don't. There's a lot of people on this list, including quite a few retailers. They don't post advertisements of their special sales to the list in part due to list policy, and it's just not fair to have other sale announcements here if real list contributors can't post theirs too. So it's really better to leave sale announcements out. Nobody wants this list to be a continuous list of sales from all around the world. -- Bob Myers Verado Email: bob.myers_at_verado.com 18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 550 Phone: 949-851-8250 x227 Irvine, CA 92612 http://www.verado.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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