Appreciate the review bro! Looks like an awesome shelter. I'm going to pick one up. I love that your daughter hikes with you. So special! I wish my daughters would do that with me.
Thanks for the info on Tarptent! It was very easy to understand and I could tell how good it is. I am a Japanese hiker and have imported and used shelters from various manufacturers. This one certainly doesn't have anything at the entrance or exit, no stress. I don't like to have any stress when I want to rest my tired body after a long hike. 11:32
I need to replace my 6 year old zPacks Duo which is becoming delaminated at several stress points. Wasn’t quite happy with what I was seeing. Thank you for this review, i think I found my new tent!
There is now a quick setup video posted on the Tarptent RU-vid channel and on the website product page. It shows a fast (2 minutes) and reliable way to get it pitched with no quesswork about stake location.
I spent about 15 nights this summer in my dipole 2 LI with my wife and we agree 100% with your review. We hike in the Canadian Rockies and even had snow on this tent, love it. I tried using 4 trekking poles, leaving the struts at home and it works probably better and less weight. The other couple we hike with have a durston mid pro 2 and they are jealous I think… lol. We also tried the big Agnes tent floor pad with our 2 person ee accomplice quilt and will never go back, even at -15C! We’ve seen deer, porcupines (before the approached our pole handles (we now go handles up on this tent in porcupine country)), and marmots. Love love love this tent. Never did the 4 stake pitch, so that I will try next year
Hi, I'm considering the Dipole Li 1P for PCT sections. What additional tent stakes would you recommend for the socal sections? Also, in rocky hard to stake out areas were you able to get a stable pitch with this tent using rocks?
You would love this tent. I carried 8 stakes, typically. I prefer 4 long stakes for a taut pitch and 4 regular length. Yes- I’ve pitched this with rocks, using stakes as deadmen. It works great, with a bit of ingenuity. 👍🏼
Great review, thanks. If it was just you and not you with your daughter, would you still use the Dipole 2 for the extra room, or would you go with the 1?
I like solo tents, myself. I'd go for the Dipole 1. A lot of people prefer 2-person tents for solo use but the Dipole 2 feels more like many 3-person tents.
Excellent review. I have the Dipole 1 and agree with all your points. When I upgraded to a DCF tent I had narrowed the choice between the X-mid (my son has one) and the Dipole. The X-Mid Pro did not come out in time for a big trip I had planned so Dipole it was. Initially I was bummed about not being able to make the magical 16oz weight. However, the livability is so nice I’m happy to carry the extra few ounces. Really enjoy this tent.
10:14 did you notice any extra wind getting through the upper part of the foot/head windows? I have the DW and besides the weights savings being able to open from the inside looks like another advantage. It opens more too but just want to make sure wind, in addition the rain as you mentioned, stays out.
For sure. It will handle winter winds well. Heavy snow loading would be the weakness, due to no pole structure. Also, the mesh means it’s not as warm. A Hilleberg it is not, but it would handle it far better than most ultralight tents.
Isn't it REALLY a quad-pole? 😁 Looks like a great tent. I read Dan Durston's comment on comparing the two tents. I think it was a pretty fair assessment.
Hmm. Good question. I’ve owned both.Id say the Stratospire is a bit better in high winds than the Dipole, but the Dipole does VERY well (needs solid stake placements). Both are far better than most ultralight tents.
It might be a little tight, but it could work. I think it would work if both adults had 20" pads. Two 25" pads fill the whole space. If your kiddo is a cuddle sleeper- good. If you child needs their own space, I'd recommend the Cloudburst 3 or another 3-person tent.
Yes- I loved mine. Great in winds too. I like the Dipole much more- easier to set up. Better views and ventilation. Much larger usable space. But I had many great trips with my Stratospire and loved it.
Yeah, it's not for everyone. But the durability and weight can make it worth it after lots of miles. Cool thing is that Tarptent has many models that are half the cost and also very durable, with only a moderate weight penalty.
I also think the xmid is a Great tent. But i’m 6’3 and i had the Xmid solid 1p and i was touching the inner. So sold it and got the dipole dw and this one is so more spacious inside.
