This is the first video I’ve seen where someone set up this tent properly. Everyone complains about the bathtub laying flat, that’s what happens when you don’t stake it out right, it needs tension. Great video man- I’m going to share.
I have used my Trekker for a while now - 30 nights out so far in various New Zealand conditions. I am about half way through the 3000km Te Araroa Trail. Great tent and roomy - I am 6'4" and I get all my gear and a large size mattress inside no problem. I have made one modification you may wish to consider to make it even more liveable. I carry a small collapsible pole that I made out of an old tapered trekking pole. I use it at the foot end to raise a guy and make the foot area higher. The guy tag is already in place at manufacture. It makes it easier to avoid attracting any of the internal moisture if its that sort of a night.
Mike, how does the trekker handle a hard rain. Do you get any splash back? I love the fact that the outer wall can be totally rolled back. Cool idea with the foot of the tent.
@@281load I have had a couple of serious rain conditions. First was short and heavy with a fair bit of breeze. I got a bit of "rain spindrift " if there is such a thing! Nothing more serious than the effects of a heavy fog for the rain period. The next one was a high country front and the rain was consistent and heavy, altering direction throughout. 12 hours of that and whilst a bit damp from condensation I had "down pitched" by shortening the poles to ease the spindrift effect. I was happy it worked and was able to dry out the high humidity later in the day. Best thing was all my gear was inside and dry. Your ability to stay dry in such situations is influenced hugely by having a pee strategy. I carry a lightweight funnel in a plastc jar that works for me - glad I am a bloke!
@@heez90 your point about staying dry in a long period of rain - it looks as though it’s not possible to enter/exit the tent without the inner getting wet? (Some tents have a vestibule to crawl into but these look too small for that.) And venting: in still but wet conditions it looks a bit of a problem as the doors can’t be opened without rain entering the inner?
@@petergilbert72 Hi Peter. The problem you describe is real. If you expect to stay dry getting in and out of a Solo Lightweight tent in heavy rain conditions then you will be disappointed. Maybe a bigger/heavier tent model would provide that protection. Best to stay inside unless you are decamping and moving on.
Great review of this tent with good tips on the setup. I have the heavier scout version of this tent and find it to be a nice little tent with good room for my needs. I have watched several other videos but yours is the first that really explains the tension and stake adjustments for the most effective pitch. Can't wait to get back in my Scout, or maybe even get a Trekker, and pay a little closer attention to these details. Thank you so much.
Great review. I've got a 10 year old Skyscape Trekker that I'm looking to replace. Great tent, but the single wall causes problems with condensation issues. Snow/ice/rain load causes sagging. Either of that wets out the sleeping bag, which can then freeze by morning. I camp above tree line at 10K ft with frequent cold and windy conditions. Looked for full double wall trekking pole tents less than 2 lbs but they're all too narrow for me. May go with the newer sil-poly, double door version you reviewed. I replaced the old spreader bar with Pex tubing. Makes it a lot stronger in wind. Not sure how the current system works in high winds as the poles are not directly connected to the spreader. The Lightheart Gear Firefly patented the Pex spreader, so that might be a reason. The Firefly is very close to the Trekker, but has a top vent and struts at the foot and head to help keep those raised. Still have the large single wall though.
super review mate......for me Im deciding between this the GossamerGearThe One and the Vango F10 project bikeapcking tent....thanks to people like you.....I will probably buy this tent as I want the headroom...and the extra quality fabric compared to the Lunar Solo (SixMoon design earlier tent).......so simply put...Im greatful to you.....
Great video. Nice clear job showing and explaining. I just bought this tent and your tutorial is helpful! For years I’ve used an MSR NX2 - 2 man and got the 6 moon one to cut weight yet still allow me at 6’ 3” fit. Thanks!
Nice review and tips. I have a DCF version at about 15 ounces and am currently replacing my guylines and adding a few line tensioners. I haven't used it for a few years but absolutely love the ability to stargaze with this little tent. I'm going to pull it out of retirement to use in the Grand Canyon later this month and was rusty on the pitch. Thanks!
That looks like a really nice, quick ( as long as you are not trying to put tent pegs into a rock field you dork haha) tent to set up. I like the design. Great review man.
One thing to note is that if you aren't a trekking pole user, you can pick up some carbon or aluminum poles from Six Moon Designs that also work for that tent. I believe I forgot to mention that in the video.
You bet! Here's are links to the carbon poles amzn.to/31gYZIq(it uses two of the 45" poles....carbon or aluminum both work...just different weights and price) , and here is a link to the aluminum poles amzn.to/2Lr5q5Z.
Nice review. I got a real feel for this tent. Would you choose this over the Luna Solo for hiking? Or is that the better option? I hike with camera gear that I keep inside the tent. The Luna appears to be bigger inside.
Thanks much! Appreciate you watching! I haven't tested out the Lunar Solo, but I have used the Lunar Duo. I believe uppi are correct the Lunar Solo is larger inside, uses one trekking pole for setup and is a touch lighter, but has one door. Whether this one or the Lunar Solo fits you best kinda depends. This Trekker is a single/double wall hybrid and will do better against condensation. Tough call!
Backwoods Pursuit Thanks for your reply! I went for this over the Luna because of the hybrid wall. There’s no sense bringing my pack inside if it’s just going to soak up a puddle of water! It also seems this might be more stable in windy conditions. A tough call, but hopefully I’ve made this right choice!
Hey there! Thanks for watching and for the comment! Yeah, I do really like this tent. It's a great blend of space, weight, compactness and great value.
Thanks for the question and for watching! You know, it just hasn't been very windy the during my uses yet, so I can't say one way or the other from experience. I think it'll be fine, but I'll have to update you when it does happen to be windy for me. Take care!
Thanks for the quick response. Looking forward to your update. The low weight combined with the decent cost makes this tent a very attractive update to my setup.
@@fontanell definitely! It's a fantastic value, especially at its price point and weight like you mentioned! Really the only time I can see you having any issues with wind would be if you had one or both of the vestibules open. Otherwise this thing is very solid when all buttoned up.
I must admit, the more I see of this tent (via videos, I haven’t actually seen one) the less impressed I am by it. I’m in the UK where windy and wet weather is never far away. Last thing I want is a shelter that lets me down on a barren hillside in the middle of the night. I was intending selling my rather low roofed Hilleberg Enan and was attracted by the Trekker’s height and views out - but I really wouldn’t want to place my safety in the hands of this rather thin skinned hybrid! I’m in the Enan now thinking maybe I’ll keep it, appreciate the quality of the materials and workmanship, and live with its limited headroom. . 🤔. Thanks for the in depth review anyway 👍
@@petergilbert72 yeah man, that Enan is a great tent for sure and it's going to be more weather proof that this Trekker....although it's a great tent as well. Thanks for watching!
@@petergilbert72 I'm not sure comparing a $270 tent to a $680 Hilleberg Enan is balanced. The SMD is also nearly a pound lighter. I suppose the most attractive feature about this SMD tent is the ability to stargaze with the vestibules rolled up. I have the DCF version that is no longer available weighing in at just under 16 ounces. I use it for desert and canyon trips when weather won't be too bad, but it has held up to driving rain and 40 mph winds. I will absolutely concede that it is the most picky of my tents to get the tension and pitch right. The Enan is going to be a wonderful tent, but it comes at a cost. Perhaps its worth having two tents for different purposes. : )
