[pct-l] Gear Tradeoff -- Tents versus Sleeping Bags

[reynolds@iLAN.com (Reynolds, WT)]

Marion's posts seems to confirm my earlier impression that the weight of a
good tent is offset by the weight of the sleeping bag.

This summer I slept out at 27F one night, then slept alone in a Stephenson
2RS another night where the temperature was approximately the same. The
difference was amazing.

Also, my experience is that the smaller the tent the more heat retained. I
believe that Marion's data showing the difference between the Sphinz, the
Meteor Light and the Vertical Ascent is partially the result of tent size
rather than design. Standard double wall tents are designed to pass water
vapor through the inner wall, mesh or not. Condensation typically occurs on
the rain fly.

Finally, my data is with two people in the tent, not one. Sleeping with two
people in a Stephenson 2RS, the condensation is noticable but the tent is
very warm inside. With one person there was very little condensation but the
temp differential was less.

In general I think that a single wall tent, or Tarp, is about as efficient
at keeping heat inside as a standard double wall tent. On cold nights, if
one closes down the tent, or tarp, it will make a big difference. My
experience with Stephenson Tents indicate that the double wall design with
BOTH wall impervious to water vapor creats a storm window effect. The
Stephenson sleeps ten degrees warmer than the average double wall tent where
the inner wall is designed to pass water vapor.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Marion Davison [mailto:mardav@charter.net]
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 10:09 PM
To: Hiker97@aol.com; PCT List
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Netting Tents


ALthough this has nothing to do with ultralight tents, I do have some input
on the quantity of netting in a tent and temperature range.  When we
backpacked, we used a Sierra Designs Sphinx.  It had very little net (a
front door and a small back window).  It got a lot of condensation but had a
10 degree temperature differential from outside (consistently ten degrees
warmer than inside.  We know this because we like gadgets, and carried a
talking indoor outdoor thermometer.   When we took up llama packing we
switched to a Sierra Designs Meteor Light, which has very large mesh panels
on top and a full coverage rain fly.  With the fly on the temperature
difference dropped to six degrees.  There was a lot of cool air traveling
through all that mesh.  We got even more luzurious over time, as we
got a third llama, and last year got a 4 man 9 pound dome tent made by
Vertical Ascent that is all screen starting at about 6 inches off the
ground.  With the full coverage fly on, there is only a three degree
differential.  I have also noticed that the screen cuts down on  light wind.
But we really enjoy this tent.  We get in to camp, put it up and assemble
all our gear inside, lay down and watch the sun set, the alpenglow climax
and fade, the llamas graze, the stars come out, the bats fly over.  When we
are ready for sleep we put on the fly.  There is nothing like having that
360 view in complete comfort in a gorgeous place every evening  for a month.
Marion Davison  "llamalady"

Hiker97@aol.com wrote:

> I am currently using the MSR Bug Hut 1 tent (under 2 pounds).  I was
wondering if others have similar experiences when using net tents (I use a
Integral Design tarp for rain).  Maybe I am imaging things, but it seem it
is warmer in the tent than outside.  I think it has something to do with any
breeze/wind being broken up by the netting.  Inside it is always calm and
nice.  Weird.  Also, the netting seems to have some minor rain shedding
characteristics.  For more room, you can just roll up your sleeping bag for
the foot area (making it higher) and you have a nice full length
freestanding one person tent.  Great for a meritorious combat nap in warm to
moderate weather.  Have others found the same things using a netting tent?
Off to Mt. Whitney country this weekend. Thanks, Switchback
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