1. Originally made by BACKPACKER, compiling yufeimen. For references and reprints for learning and communication purposes, please reprint the full text and indicate the source. Please do not use it for commercial purposes.
2, the original author's point of view does not represent the translator's point of view, the translator is only true translation of the original text, this article is only for outdoor enthusiasts reference.
3, due to my level of limitations, there must be inaccurate and unobstructed areas, please criticize and correct me.
The Four Seasons Account If you are a camping enthusiast both in summer and winter, you need a shelter that can be repurposed.
By Dan Nelson, October 1, 2000
I always dreamed of owning a convertible car. On hot summer nights, there is nothing better than going back to the top of the mountain to make fresh air rolling around you, especially knowing that if there is an unpleasant weather coming in, it will take only one second to retreat.
I must admit that I am not talking about cars now. Of course, I love driving a classic Mustang convertible, or a better '57 T-bird, but such a car is not practical for the rutted forest road that I often go to. No, my dream convertible car is a tent. Those fantastic designs that adapt to all seasons can deal with everything I have encountered in 12 months, whether I am in Idaho, Oregon or Washington, or where I am in high mountains. Rainforest and Highland Desert.
The perfect tent provides enough air circulation to make it cool during the summer months and it can be fixed tightly with a stable pole structure so that even the worst winter milky sky can provide a strong, safe shelter. . Most of the important features are the fairly large mesh windows with zipper-controlled panels to adjust or completely block the cool breeze from the outside, and there are some that can be taken away for use in summer. The perfect tent can handle every kind of trip except high altitude or ultra-light adventure, it can save your time, money, storage space, otherwise you may have to have a separate shelter dedicated to summer and winter.
Fortunately, tent makers are working overtime to make my dream come true. As of the 50 convertible tents listed in the Backpacker Equipment Guide (March 2000). The question is: Do the essence of these products meet the requirements of a true four-year account?
In order to find out the answer to this question, we put forward a clear standard for backpackers (see the list below). We are accustomed to reducing the number of choices to seven convertible accounts. Five equipment testers who traveled hard to set off for the entire year, no matter what kind of weather or road conditions, built tents at every place from the glaciers in the blizzard period of Washington's Baker Peak to the scorched sun in the Alvord Desert in South Oregon. . Totally tested for 150 nights. An additional 100 nights were submitted by the voluntary trekking from the Washington Walking Association, providing insights that complement our assessment.
Field test standards
? Build for the use of all seasons and all environments
Less than $350 (manufacturer's suggested retail price)
According to the manufacturer's instructions, less than 7.5 lbs (3.405 kg)
Freestanding structure
At least three full-length poles to withstand snow and snow
? At least one porch to facilitate winter storage and cooking
The next comments are in order of overall performance.
Marmot Swallow
Final score: 4.3
If you don't mind adding a few ounces to your back, this Swallow will keep you dry and comfortable in any environment throughout the year.
Whether we put this tent on every test, it proved to be more prepared. The three-bar design provides strong rock-like strength in strong winds. When the weather is humid and warm, effective ventilation holes in the canopy's luxurious mesh and purse maintain air circulation. The design of the tent allows for good ventilation, and camping on snow can keep condensation to a minimum.
Bree particularly likes the versatility of his dome, and he also notes that "in the hot season, you can set up the account correctly because of its bare skeleton." The shift of this characteristic relates to the weight of the tent. (Based on Backpacker's measurements) 7 pounds and 15 ounces, this Swallow is the heaviest of these tents, but its nets and poles weigh 3 pounds and 15 ounces.
Everyone loves their spacious interior space and generous headroom. Mike commented to “At the moment of emergency, you can squeeze in three people.†Its rectangular base proved to be long enough for me (I was the highest of all testers), and it was wide enough for me, my partner, and us. Yellow Labrador Retrievers can sleep side by side comfortably.
The excessive number of pockets and internal storage kits are charged by everyone. Paul is the only opponent. He wants a second door and lobby to get more storage and access options.
Contact details: Marmot Mountain, Ltd., (707) 544-4590;
Sierra Designs Omega CD
Final score: 4.3
With its bullet-proof design and spacious interior, this tent is an ideal refuge for blocking storms in remote areas. The concentration of ventilation panels near the door makes it ideal for cold environments.
Paul praised his three-bar structure for its easy-to-set dome, saying "It's like a book for kids that has a three-dimensional picture? It's too easy." This tent uses Sierra Designs' standard hook-and-loop hooks to hold the post. There is a locked paper clip at all post connections for added stability. The breeze, rain, and snow can smoothly slide through its tapered, tight tents, prompting us all to agree that the tent is almost weather-free. One of us noticed that the heavy wet snow often gathered just above the entrance door, although it was easy to fall when we punched a punch from the front room.
Although this tent seems to be suitable to withstand blizzards in any season, a few of us have reservations about its effectiveness in hot, humid conditions. Omega has several ventilation panels near the door, but there is no mesh at the bottom of the tent. After using this tent on the sultry night in the Cascade Hills, John particularly noticed the lack of cross ventilation options.
Omega not only displayed a mesh but also showed a nylon door panel; the nylon zipper on the shaded mesh blocked the cold breeze. But Mike does not like the fact that thick nylon cloth is outside the mesh. "If the temperature drops I want to close the tent, I have to pull the zipper to remove the mesh before closing the nylon cloth."
Another we find fault is its vestibule. Is a separate door, medium-sized vestibule, when filled with equipment, this Omega's entrance channel may become crowded.
Contact: Sierra Designs, (800) 635-0461;
Mountain Hardwear Muir Trail
The final score: 3.9
If you do not need spacious accommodation, but require maximum protection regardless of the season's weather, this Muir Trail is just what you need.
For its perfect robustness and stability, all personnel agreed that this Muir Trail is difficult to beat. "This tent can withstand wind, rain, snow and their joint attacks," Bree said. John, who picked this as his favorite tent, said that the low end of the Muir Trail was designed for wind protection so that the tent would not move. The structure of the four poles tapers towards the feet, forming a wedge that can open the strongest strong winds, making it the best performer in high-altitude camps and Other windy places. Reliable glued seams and an extra wide ledger complete a first-rate weatherproof package.
This design that made the Muir Trail so stable in the snowstorm is a violation of the living area. John reported that "This Muir Trail is acceptable to a guy like me (5-8"), but the two bigger guys crowded here may be an unbearable time." After using this tent for himself during the Metho Valley, the six-foot-tall Paul agreed: "The shape of the tunnel only provides sleeping space and no living space." For me, I squatted through several of them. On a rainy night, I found that I could sit comfortably at the front of the tent if my tent partner was lying down.
In its particular short space, condensation was always something I was worried about until I actually slept in this tent. The Muir Trail provides excellent air circulation by several high ventilation holes and other ventilation holes near the ground level; cool air flows along the ground, and hot and humid air can escape from the roof.
Contact information: Mountain Hardwear, (800) 953-8375;
Dana Design Arja
The final score: 3.8
This Arja offers all the robustness and stability you will need to withstand any storm. Its uncovered mesh gives a little breeze inside, which is great in the summer and cold in the winter.
When skiing in the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho, Paul shared this Arja with a rather big guy and found it to be a durable, storm-proof shelter with plenty of room for two people. It is a great advantage over other tents: “The second home in the swing†Paul is very enthusiastic. He would not want to climb over from the people in the tent at midnight or someone would climb over from him. We all like its extra unusual storage space.
The shape of this Arja's three-bar modified dome is easily erected, although a few testers noticed that their poles were too long for the casing. "I want to put the post to the buckle because it is too tight so there is some difficulty," said John. But once the tents are up, the tight mechanics will be an advantage for you, and you will get a tight shelter that will not relax. Paul survived several large winter snowstorms in Arja and noticed that it could easily drop snowfall. Its tents are also exceptionally good at diverting rainwater, although this is the only tent that has no glue at the seams.
After traveling with Arja in cold weather, Mike felt sorry for the lack of panels that covered a lot of mesh inside the tent. It should be admitted that this structure effectively guarantees the circulation of air, but he said, "I think this is a three-quarter account, because it has no way to stop the cold wind coming in through the mesh." On the other hand, I found that Closing all the fanout vents and kicking the snow near the windward side of the outer tent, this tent can be made warm and comfortable.
John expressed a last but not universal requirement: more equipped pockets inside.
Contact: Dana Design, (888) 357-3262;
Kelty Cyclone Convertible
The final score: 3.5
Once you understand how it hangs in a unidirectional pen holder, this Kelty Cyclone Convertible combines strength and stability and is vast and comfortable.
Cyclone in the shape of a garden is a strong, stable shelter that can maintain its shape in moderately strong winds. An open bill like a tight drum can easily pull away rain and snow. There are mesh panels on the doors and ceilings, and there are sufficient conditions for cross-ventilation. The out-of-the-book components can seal vents to regulate air circulation. Spacious interiors, generous vestibular spaces and double doors reveal bright spots.
The disagreement on the easiness of setting was mainly due to the arrangement of its unique post cover. This Cyclone sleeve is sewn at one end, and each of the three poles has an eraser "bullet" on one end. Paul immediately fell in love with the system after experiencing it. Bree reported that "This is a tent I don't mind setting up problems during the heavy downpour in Washington's Olympia Peninsula. In about a few minutes, you have a dry shelter to get into." After a third time or It was the fourth time I set up a tent. Mike and I basically agreed. Although we discovered later that when the rubber “bullets†hooked on the pipe when wet, it was not as easy as the poles without rubber “bulletsâ€. Slide back to recover.
We are also mixed about the "pilot's driver", which is the widget used by Kelty to refer to the anchored ledger and each pole and tent body. The pilot is composed of a rubber patch outside the outer bill and a thick plastic paperclip. The rubber patch is positioned directly on the post sleeve. You just squeeze the patch around the pole and slide the clip on the patch down to hook the pole below. This lock that holds the post to the post is a good idea, but the elastic cord that holds the paper clip attached to the post is sewn with a small strip of nylon and three clips are torn off during the test.
In the same way, some plastic rods that maintain the spread of the outer tent were also sewn into the edge of the tent, and one of them suddenly broke during the early stages of the test. Careful packaging of the bill in bags filled with filler may prevent this problem.
Contact details: Kelty, (800) 423-2320;
REI Convert Mountain 2
Final score: 3
For people 6 feet (1.83 meters) or under, this Convert Mountain 2 will do a good job in moderate weather.
The space utilization and unique design ideas of this REI Convert Mountain 2 won our praise. However, testers felt that their design ideas were not fully implemented. For example, Mike noted that "the idea of ​​a roof vent on the outside of the tent seems to be very good. It should allow any hot, humid air that stays inside the tent to be discharged from the highest point." Unfortunately, this Convert Mountain vent Failed to achieve the desired effect. "The vent must be placed in a steep location to get the most effective breathability," Mike said. Paul and I also have a few buzzwords about this tent. The Convert Mountain's bills were glued to waterproof at the seams, but the seams around the main door zipper were not glued, as Mike commented. "This is where the yoke should be sealed. It's It is directly above the center of the tent.†To solve this problem, I repaired the joints around the zipper with a complete sealing tube and added a cover to cover the upper part of the zipper.
Mike, John and Bree think that the Convert Mountain's living space is spacious and comfortable, but Paul and I feel uncomfortable because of their short length and narrow width. We also noticed its low, tunnel-shaped vestibule, which requires campers to climb in with their hands and knees.
Good ventilation options (mesh on the door extend to the ground), a large number of mesh panels on the ceiling, ventilation of this tent is very good. This makes it very comfortable in summer and adjacent seasons, but I worry about its use in winter. In other words, snow accumulates at the top of the tent near the vents and the self-supporting vestibule neck, causing the tent to droop under the heavy snow pressure and the vestibule almost falling. During a spring snowstorm on the Pacific Crest Trail, I had to go outside the tent several times to clear the snow to keep the tent upright and stable.
Contact details: REI, (800) 426-4840;
The North Face Harrier
The final score: 2.6
In a normal environment, this Harrier is a comfortable shelter for hikers who are 6 feet or less and don't mind getting wet.
Everyone agrees that the construction of this Harrier is very quick and easy. Why? This tent is a basic rectangle supported by two crossed poles, and the third pole extends through the narrow part of the tent to support the wide outer tent, which is very simple. Two doors and two vestibules satisfy everyone. There are also concerns about the small size of its vestibule, which John believes is inadequate for the storage of backpacks, boots and various hybrid equipment.
However, this Harrier lost a lot of points because it wet most of the testers. Bree said that when she was in the wilds of Norse Mountain in Washington, “there was water leakage in all four corners of the basement, and there were also several leaks in the outer tent.†Both John and Mike noticed water around the base seam. Exudation, even with adhesive coating. The seam is wrapped in a twill belt and is intended to help prevent wear with a braided strap that is sewn around the seam. That braid makes the sealant layer in the joint difficult to work with.
Mike pointed out that his purse did not stretch beyond the edge of the wall. Rainwater flows directly from the outer tent to the lower edge of the tent. There is a seam in the base plane that is stitched, and rainwater immediately passes along this road. What's worse is that when the wind increased the rain under the edge of the outer bill, the wall was soaked, and everything else inside the wall was also brushed by rain. As a good part, this Harrier is well-ventilated and effective against wind.
The unanimous opinion of all the staff is that their habitable area is not enough for two people. Its rectangular floor has proved too narrow for two people to sleep comfortably, and is too short for anyone who is over six feet tall to sleep without touching both sides. Walls are tilted inward at a shallow angle, reducing their usefulness near the wall space. Nylon was so close to my face when I was sleeping that the formation of condensation was inevitable. It took me long before I was awakened by the water that dripped my eyelids (my own condensing breath).
Contact: The North Face, (800) 719-6678;
Learned with testers
Bree Barton Heath Firefighters, Emergency Doctor Height: 5 feet 5 inches (about 1 meter 65)
Test Range: Southern Cascades
Favorite Tent: Marmot
Preference: A space that can sit up and move around, one or two windows, a wide vestibule
Paul Cleveland River Wizard, outdoor writer height: 6 feet (about 1 meter 83)
Test Range: Favorite Tent in the Pacific Northwest: Dana Design
Preference: Two tents, large vestibule and room for easy access
John Kemple
Volunteer Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park Height: 5ft 8in Test Range: California, Washington Favorite Tent: Mountain Hardwear
Preference: light and durable; willing to sacrifice some space to save weight
Dan A. Nelson Outdoor Writer Height: 6 feet 2 inches Test Range: Idaho; Cascades, Olympics, Wallowas
Favorite Tent: Sierra Designs
Preference: The space to be able to get up and down, enough space for me, my dog ​​and my hiking partner
Mike Torok
Aerospace Engineer, Volunteer Road Maintenance Team Leader Height: 5 feet 7 inches Test Range: North Cascades, Glacier Peak
Favorite Tent: Marmot
Preference: Light weight, there is room for two people that will not feel crowded
The original is as follows:
Tents For All Seasons
If you're a fan of both summer and winter camping, you need a convertible shelter.
By Dan Nelson, October 1, 2000
Photo by Dan A. Nelson
Marmot Swallow
I've always dreamed of owning a convertible. There's nothing better on a sweltering summer night than rolling back the top to let fresh air billow in around you-especially knowing it'll take only a second to put it back up if nasty weather rolls In.
I must confess that I'm not talking about cars. Sure, I'd love to drive a classic Mustang convertible, or better yet a '57 T-bird, but such a car isn't practical for the rutted forest roads No, the convertibles that fill my dreams are tents, those all-season wonders designed to handle any and all conditions I encountered during 12 months of travel in the mountains, rainforests, and high deserts of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The perfect convertible offers space in summer, but also battens down tightly around a stable pole structure to provide strong, Safe shelter in the worst winter whiteout. Most feature sizable mesh windows with zip-over panels for Regulating-or completely shutting out-cool breezes, and some have fallflies that roll back easily for summer use. The ideal convertible handles every type of trip, short of high-altitude or ultralight adventures, which saves you the time, money, and storage Space you might otherwise devote to separate summer and winter shelters.
The question was: Would the cream of this crop pass muster as true all-season shelters, fortunately, tent makers are working overtime to make my dream come true. No less than 50 convertible tents are listed in the Backpacker Gear Guide (March 2000). ?
To find out, we came up with backpacker-specific criteria (see list below), which we used to pare down the selection to seven convertible two-person tents. Five hard-traveling gear testers who hit the trails year-round, regardless of Weather or trail conditions, pitched the tents on everything from the glaciers of Washington's Mt. Baker during full-blown blizzards to the sun-scorched sands of the Alvord Desert in southern Oregon. Total nights of testing: 150. Volunteer trail crews from the Washington Trails Association put in another 100-plus nights, offering insights to supplement our evaluations.
Field Test Criteria
? Built for all-season, all-conditions use
Less than $350 (manufacturer's suggested retail price)
Less than 7.5 pounds, according to the manufacturer
Freestanding
At least three full-length poles for wind and snow loading
At least one vestibule for winter storage and cooking
The reviews follow in the order of overall performance.
Marmot Swallow
Final
Grade
4.3
If you don't mind a few extra ounces on your back, the Swallow will keep you dry and comfortable all year long, in any conditions.
Photo by Dan A. Nelson
Marmot Swallow
The Swallow proved more than ready for every test we threw at it. The three-pole design provided rock-solid strength in strong winds, while the expansive mesh in the canopy and effective vents in the rainfly kept air circulating when the weather was damp and Warm. The tent's design allows for good high-low venting, which kept condensation to a minimum while snow camping.
Bree was especially fond of this dome's versatility, noting that "for bare-bones shelter in the hot-and-rainy season, you can just pitch the fly." This feature offset concerns about the tent's weight. At 7 pounds 15 ounces (on Backpacker's scales), the Swallow was the heaviest of the lot, though the fly and poles alone weigh just 3 pounds 15 ounces.
Everyone loved the roomy interior space and generous headroom. Mike noted that "in a pinch, you could squeeze in three people." The rectangular floor proved long enough for me (the tallest of the testers) and wide enough for me, my partner, And our yellow Lab to sleep side-by-side-by-side comfortably.
The plethora of pockets and inside storage sleeves appealed to everyone. Paul was the only dissenter, wanting a second door and vestibule for more storage and access options.
Contact: Marmot Mountain, Ltd., (707) 544-4590;
Sierra Designs Omega CD
Final
Grade
4.3
The concentration of venting panels near the door makes it best suited to cooler conditions. With its bombproof design and roomy interior, this tent is an ideal refuge from backcountry storms.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
Sierra Designs Omega CD
The Omega CD boasts great sleeping space for two, with plenty of room left over for gear, plus a dog or two. Even better, the extra space is all usable, thanks to steep, tight walls and a peak height of 45 inches.
Paul applauded the ease of setup of this three-pole dome, saying it's "like a pop-up book for kids?it's that easy." The tent utilizes Sierra Designs's standard clip-hook feature for attaching poles, with a locking clip at all Pole junctions to add stability. Air, rain, and snow slipped smoothly over the tapered, taut tent, moving the group to agree unanimously that this tent was nearly impervious to weather. A couple of us noted that heavy wet snow tended to collect just above The vestibule door, though when we "punched" upward from inside the vestibule, the snow fell off easily.
While the tent seems fit to withstand storms in any season, a few of us had reservations about its usefulness in hot, humid conditions. The Omega has several venting panels near the door, but no mesh at the foot of the tent. John in particular Noted the lack of cross-venting options after using it on a hot, sultry night in the Cascade foothills.
The Omega sports both mesh and solid nylon door panels; the nylon panels zip closed over the mesh to shut out chilly breezes. But Mike didn't like the fact that the solid panel was outside of the mesh. "If the temperature dropped and I Wanted to close the tent, I had to unzip and move the mesh before I could close the nylon panel."
The only other nit we picked was with the vestibule. With a single door and moderate-size vestibule, the Omega's entryway can get crowded when loaded with gear.
Contact: Sierra Designs, (800) 635-0461;
Mountain Hardwear Muir Trail
Final
Grade
3.9
If you don't need spacious accommodations, but demand the utmost protection from the elements regardless of the season, the Muir Trail fits the bill.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
Mountain Hardwear Muir Trail
The crew agreed that for pure strength and stability, the Muir Trail is hard to beat. "This tent stood up to wind, rain, snow, and various combinations of all three," Bree said. John, who picked this as his favorite tent Said, said that with the low end of the Muir Trail set into the wind, the tent wouldn't budge. The four-pole structure tapers sharply toward the feet, creating a wedge that splits the strongest gale and makes it the best performer for high Alpine campsites and other gusty places. Secure seam-taping and an extra-wide rainfly complete the stellar weatherproofing package.
The design, which is what makes the Muir Trail so stable in storms, cuts into the living space, however. John reported that "The Muir Trail is acceptable to a guy like me (5'8"), but two large guys may have a tough time fitting into this one." Six-footer Paul concurred after using the tent by us during an excursion through the dry Methow Valley in Washington: "The tunnel shape offers only sleeping space, and no living' space." For my part , I spent a few rainy nights huddled inside, and found that I could sit up comfortably at the head of the tent only if my tentmate was lying down.
Given the smallish space, condensation was one of my concerns?until I actually slept in the tent. The Muir Trail offers excellent ventilation with several high vents and Others near ground level; cool air flowed in along the ground, and hot, humid air escaped Through the roof.
Contact: Mountain Hardwear, (800) 953-8375;
Dana Design Arja
Final
Grade
3.8
The Arja offers all the strength and stability you'll need to weather any storm. The uncovered mesh inside makes it a bit breezy within-great in summer, chilly in winter.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
Dana Design Arja
While skiing in Idaho's Sawtooth Range, Paul shared the Arja with an even more guy and found it to be a durable, stormproof shelter with ample room for two and a huge advantage over some of the other tents: "The second door rocks!" enthused Paul, who prefers not to clamber over his tentmates in the middle of the night?or have them scramble over him. We all liked the extra, out-of-the-way storage space.
“I was some difficulties getting the poles into their grommets because of the tight fit,†said John’s three-pole modified dome shape sets quickly and easily, though a few testers noted that the poles are almost too long for the sleeves. . But once the tent is up, that tightness works to your advantage, producing a taut, sagproof shelter. Paul weathered several big winter storms in the Arja and noted it shed snow effortlessly. The fly also sheds water exceptionally well, though this was the Only tent lacking factory-taped seams.
After cold-weather outings with the Arja, Mike lamented the lack of solid panels to cover the plentiful mesh inside the tent. Granted, the configuration keeps air circulating effectively, but, he said, "I'd consider this a three-season tent , since there's no way to stop cold breezes from rushing through the mesh." On the other hand, I found that by closing down all the vents in the fly and kicking snow up against the windward edge of the fly bottom, the tent could be Made snug and warm.
John voiced one final but common request: more gear pockets inside.
Contact: Dana Design, (888) 357-3262;
Kelty Cyclone Convertible
Final
Grade
3.5
The Kelty Cyclone Convertible combined strength and stability with roominess and comfort?once you get the hang of the one-way pole sleeves.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
Kelty Cyclone Convertible
The dome-shaped Cyclone is a strong, posing that held its shape in moderately heavy winds. The drum-tight fly shed water and snow easily. With mesh panels on both doors and in the ceiling, there's ample opportunity for cross-venting, And the fly features sealable vents to regulate air flow. A roomy interior, generous vestibule space, and double doors round out the highlights.
Opinions diverged on ease of setup, often because of the unusual pole-sleeve arrangement. The Cyclone sleeves are sewn shut on one end, and each of the three poles has a rubber "bullet" on one end. Paul, who has had experience with This system, liked it immediately. Bree reported that "this is one tent I don't mind setting up in torrential downpours on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. In a matter of minutes, you have a dry shelter to dive into." By the third or Fourth pitching, Mike and I basically agreed, though we later found that the rubber bullets catch in the sleeves when wet and don't slide back out as easily as nonbulleted poles.
We also had mixed feelings about the "Flyboy," Kelty's name for the gadget that anchors the fly to each of the poles and tent body. The Flyboy consists of a rubber patch on the outside of the fly and a thick plastic clip. The rubber Patches are located directly over the tent pole sleeves. You merely squeeze the patch around the pole and slip the clip down over the patch, catching the pole underneath. This locks the fly to the pole. Great idea, but the elastic cord that keeps the Clip attached to the fly is sewn to a tiny sliver of nylon fabric, and three clips tore off during testing.
Also, small plastic rods are sewn into the lips of the vents on the fly to prop them open. One of the rods snapped during the early stages of testing. This problem probably can be avoided by carefully packing the fly in the ads sack.
Contact: Kelty, (800) 423-2320;
REI Convert Mountain 2
Final
Grade
3
For folks under 6 feet tall, the Convert Mountain 2 works well in moderate weather.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
REI Convert Mountain 2
The REI Convert Mountain 2 received praise for its use of space and unique design ideas. But testers felt the ideas weren't carried through fully. For instance, Mike noted, "The concept of a roof vent in the fly was really good. It "Last, the Convert Mountain's vent didn't live up to expectations. "The vent needs to be placed at a steeper location to breathe most effective," Mike said. Paul and I also had leakage around the vent. The Convert Mountain's rainfly is factory seam-taped for waterproofness, but the seam around the main door zipper is not taped, and as Mike commented, "This is the most important seal on the fly; It's directly over the center of the tent." To solve the problem, I worked closely a full tube of seam sealer into the seams around the zipper and the hood that covers the top of the zipper.
Mike, John, and Bree rated the living space of the Convert Mountain as roomy and comfortable, yet Paul and I felt constrained by the short length and narrow width. We also noted the low, tunnel-shaped vestibule, which requires campers to get down On their hands and knees to crawl inside.
With good ventilation options (mesh on the doors extended to the floors), and with vast panels of mesh on the ceiling, the tent vents well. That makes it comfortable for summer and the shoulder seasons, but I had concerns about winter use. Namely , snow accumulated on the top of the tent near the vent and across the neck of the self- supported vestibule, causing the tent to sag and the vestibule almost to collapse under heavy snow. Only by making multiple trips out of the tent to clear the snow could I keep it upright and stable during a spring storm on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Contact: REI, (800) 426-4840;
The North Face Harrier
Final
Grade
2.6
In moderate conditions, the Harrier is a comfortable shelter for hikers shorter than 6 feet who don't mind getting damp.
Photo by Alan L. Bauer
The North Face Harrier
Everyone agreed that the Harrier pitched quickly and easily. The reason? The tent is a basic rectangle supported by two crossed poles, with a third stretching across the narrow dimension of the tent to support the large rainfly. Simple. The twin doors and two vestibules pleased everyone. There was some concern about the smallish size of the vestibules, which John thought inadequate for storage of packs, boots, and assorted gear.
The Harrier lost points, though, by getting most testers wet. Bree said that while she was in Washington's Norse Peak Wilderness, "water leaked in at all four corners of the floor and seeped down through a few spots on the fly." John and Mike both noticed water oozing in around floor seams, even after a coating of seam sealer. The seams are bias-taped, meaning a fabric ribbon is sewn around the seam to help prevent fraying. That fabric tape made it difficult to work sealant into the seam.
Mike pointed out that the fly doesn't extend past the edge of the tent wall. Rather, rain runs off the fly directly onto the lower edge of the tent, and with a stitched seam at ground level, water worked its way through in no time. Further, when wind blew rain up under the skirt of the fly, the tent walls became soaked, as did anything inside that brushed against them. On the good side, the Harrier vented adequately and slipped wind effectively.
The general consensus was that the living space is inadequate for two people. The rectangular floor proved too narrow for two to sleep comfortably and too short for anyone over 6 feet to sleep without touching both walls. The walls slope inward at a shallow angle, reducing the usefulness of the space near the walls. With nylon so close to my face as I slept, condensation buildup was inevitable. It wasn't long before I awoke to water (condensed from my own breath) dripping onto my eyelids.
Contact: The North Face, (800) 719-6678;
Meet The Testers
Bree Barton
Wildlands firefighter, EMT
Height: 5'5"
Stomping grounds: southern Cascades
Favorite tent: Marmot
Preferences: room to sit up and move around, a window or two, and large vestibules
Paul Cleveland
River guide, outdoor writer
Height: 6'
Stomping grounds: Pacific Northwest
Favorite tent: Dana Design
Preferences: tents with two doors, big vestibules, and room to move inside
John Kemple
Volunteer backcountry ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park
Height: 5'8"
Stomping grounds: California, Washington
Favorite tent: Mountain Hardwear
Preferences: light weight and durability; will trade some space to save weight
Dan A. Nelson
Outdoor writer
Height: 6'2"
Stomping grounds: Idaho; Cascades, Olympics, Wallowas
Favorite tent: Sierra Designs
Preferences: room to sit up, room to lie down, and enough space for me, my dog, and my hiking partner
Mike Torok
Aerospace engineer, volunteer trail maintenance crew leader
Height: 5'7"
Stomping grounds: North Cascades, Glacier Peak
Favorite tent: Marmot
Preferences: light weight with room for two without feeling cramped
Gpon ONU,1/4EF GPON ONU,Epon 4fe Olt
BRS Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. , http://www.gdopticaltools.com