[pct-l] Tarptent Contrail VS Moment

[Christy Georg]

Russ,

I used the TT Contrail on my thru-hike this year.  Tons of thru- 
hikers use it on the PCT, it's really a "tried-and-true" thruhiker  
tent.  While I'm satisfied with its performance- yes even in rain,  
snow, and wind (though its very noisy in wind- use earplugs) I think  
I would try the TT Moment next time.
Why?
1.  I'm a 5'4" woman so I don't need all the extra space in the  
Contrail, though I did use it to keep all of my gear inside the tent  
every night.
2.  The smaller footprint will fit better in tight spots.  I'd like  
that.
3. The Moment weighs only 1/4 lb more.  Believe me, with the Contrail  
you WILL add weight: carry extra stakes, plus add cord to stake out  
the sides and probably add cord to the front flap and add that extra  
stake too.  The Moment can even be free-standing, you don't need  
extra stakes.
4.  Setup time.  I get irritated setting up those stupid feet.  Even  
after using it everyday for months, it takes too long when I'm  
exhausted.  The Moment sets up in under a minute.  I think I'd really  
like that.  You really, really want to put rocks on all the stakes  
whenever possible, so you gotta hunt for them first.  If you don't  
sometimes a stake pops out while you're balancing the pole in front  
and staking out the front beak.  That can be a bummer.  Esp in bad or  
mosquito-y weather.  I didn't hear too many complaints from other  
Contrail users about this, but its worth considering.
5.  Front entry makes me feel like a dog crawling into a doghouse.   
It's unpleasant / uncomfortable.  I'm interested in the Moment's side  
entry.  Also probably easier to pee from!  The trekking pole in the  
front isn't the problem for me, it's the doghouse thing of crawl in,  
then rotate.  When I exit the tent I grab the pole to help me up (my  
BD poles have a rubber grip below the handles so they aren't cold to  
grab)

Lots of hikers carry tents that are 3 lbs just because they're  
freestanding, fast and ez to set up.  The Moment is a way better  
choice.  But its true that the Contrail weighs a bit less than the  
Moment and is roomier.  I do recommend it for big or tall people, or  
if you want all your gear inside.  The Contrail performs good in  
rain, and it's so roomy you can keep your body from touching the  
moist sides of the tent.  I don't know how the Moment compares.  But  
keep in mind it really doesn't rain much on a PCT thru-hike.

I love Henry Shire's Tents.  He makes great products and has super  
customer service.  I've had the 2-person Squall 2 for a long time.   
It only weighs 2 pounds, so on shorter backpacking trips I use that  
solo and bask in the luxury.  It's setup is very similar to the  
Contrail.  And I can have company.

Good luck!
- Wandering Dot


> Does anybody have feedback on Tarptent's Contrail?  At 24.5 Oz it  
> is the
> right weight but I have some concerns:
> - How does it stand up in the desert?  Specifically if you have a  
> sandy
> bottom and therefore no place to drive stakes?  I suppose I would just
> sleep under the stars in that case.
> - The pole coming down in the middle of the entrance looks like it  
> would be
> annoying.  Has this been a problem for anybody?
> - Is there enough room with the wind-flap down to store all your gear
> comfortably?
> - How did this tent hold up in wet weather?
>
> Thanks for any feedback you can provide.  I am doing the PCT in  
> 2012 NOBO
> and am interested is this held up for anybody throughout their thru- 
> hike.
>  If you have other tent's you recommend I would be interested as well.
>
> Thanks All!
> Russ Mease