Tent recommendations please

[Alpha Solo]

Need a tent for solo camping with my bike gear and brass monkey etc...

Must be waterproof, hopefully keep the bugs out and be easy to put up!

Cheers in advance.

[hospitalfood]

some of the light ones for cyclists seem suitable for motorcyclists.
could try R&R sport ??
sorry cant be more help

[Steam]

I have one of these Great Outdoors cycle ones, but it's very bad in the wind. That single pole doesn't give enough support in the wind.
If I was buying a tent again I would spend a little more and get one with several poles.

[pete376403]

Ive got a cheap-ass three man (must be pretty small men, though) that uses crossed flexy poles to hold up the main part and another flexy to support the fly. No guy ropes at all which is quite good at the Brass as it seems to be traditional for pissed people to trip over the guy ropes and bring the whole thing down.
In spite of it's buget ($120 IIRC) it's stayed together for at 8 -9 years and only leaks a bit. Rolls up into a bag about 250mm long x 150mm dia, including the poles
Even if you're camping solo I'd still recommend a 2 or 3 man tent, the extra space is a big bonus and it doesn't take up that much more space on the bike.
Also worth packing are steel pegs, Oterehua rock fields will turn the standard ally ones into pretzels. And take a decent hammer. (you can also use this for fixing the bike at the side of the road...)

[Virago]

I wouldn't recommend the cheapy ones at KMart (Jackaroo is the brand from memory).

We had a bad run with them. Bought one which had a big split in the flysheet. Took it back and got a replacement - same problem. End up getting a refund.

You get what you pay for I suppose...

[Chickadee]

From the last rally we went to Daffyd has a great one - got space for your gear and lots of room. Should ask him where he got his from. We used one our kids got for Xmas (3 man basic one from Mitre10mega). Ours was pretty good, stood up to the weather at Waimate. Make sure you get one that folds up small for taking to the rallies also.

[Meanie]

Heres a Katmandu tent reasonably cheap
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Tents/Adventure-tents/auction-144598404.htm

[chanceyy]

bugger that one closes sunday .. I need one before the rapa rumble in the weekend ... (dogs forgot to bring his one in :eek: )

[twotyred]

I have one of these Great Outdoors cycle ones, but it's very bad in the wind. That single pole doesn't give enough support in the wind.
If I was buying a tent again I would spend a little more and get one with several poles.

go for a dome tent: excellent in the wind:done:

[The Pastor]

I got my tent for $35 from the warehouse. It will leak like a sive tho. (im a biker and don't mind getting wet)

Reason I got it? Super light weight. Fits nicely on the bike.

Its actually quite big. Could fit 2 people + gear.

[FJRider]

go for a dome tent: excellent in the wind:done:

Cash Converters usually have a good selection. Dome tents are good for ceiling heights, Three to five "person" tents are good when weather turns shitty. Room to move, even with a "friend" and all their gear. Length of poles are the usual restriction. Lateral thinking can remedy most of the problems of stowing your gear. You can get new poles and/or joining sockets for dome tents from most sports shops. This means you can shorten bag height/length but increase thickness to suit your available stowage space dimensions.
Winter specials are on everywhere, now is the time for buying "summer" gear.

[Quasievil]

Get one where you put the fly up first and clip in the inside, you will know what I mean when it rains cause by the time the fly is up the inside can be wet.

[T.W.R]

some of these are more than adequate for rallys etc

http://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/shopping_sub_cat?shop_access=&shop_cat=Tramping%2C+Camping+%26++Outdoors&shop_sub_cat=Doite

http://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/shopping_sub_cat?shop_access=&shop_cat=Tramping%2C+Camping+%26++Outdoors&shop_sub_cat=Coleman

The Doite Bivouac is ideal for on a bike, reasonable price for a reasonable tent

[Freakshow]

I cant find any links to the one I remember by there was a tent designed for bicycles that used a bike frame as a support pole I guess the bike could do that as well. PIC http://www.geocities.com/perry_peterson_1999/bike-camper.jpg

[Alpha Solo]

Thanks all.

Lots to think about, off to the shops for a squiz today.

I like Quasi's comment about putting the outer fly up first - very sensible idea. Also the multiple pole to survive the wind etc...

Cheers.

[tri boy]

www.kiwicamping.co.nz

[RC1]

www.kiwicamping.co.nz

+1 here, they got some good tents

[Swoop]

The "tunnel" tents appear to be the best and will be top of my purchase list when looking for another tent.
I used to have a 2-person rectangular with diagonal poles. This let the outer fly and inner tent touch when the winds were strong. Result: the surfaces in contact allowed the rain to transfer inside the tent.:(

I have one of these Great Outdoors cycle ones, but it's very bad in the wind.
Good point! Ventilation is required when having baked beans for dinner... :whistle:

[jim.cox]

I bought a new tent last Friday

Another MacPac Olympus

Bivouac have a great 25% off macpac sale on

Not cheap, but if it lasts half as well as my old one - now nearly 20 hard years of service - I shall be well pleased

[Steam]

I bought a new tent last Friday

Another MacPac Olympus

Bivouac have a great 25% off macpac sale on

Not cheap, but if it lasts half as well as my old one - now nearly 20 hard years of service - I shall be well pleased

Yep, the Olympus is top of the line. I envy you! Did you hear Macpac has been sold to Fairydown, and Bivouac won't be stocking their clothing any more. Sad!

[NighthawkNZ]

I been happy with the tent from
http://www.completeoutdoors.biz/line/2264/

[Coldrider]

I bought a macpac nautilas tunnel style tent about $500 bucks 6 years ago.
It's two person but in reality 1 person & gear, folds down next to nothing, weighs about 2KG. The tent, sleeping bag and self inflating bedroll fit into a 45 litre Ventura pack. Quality & expensive but look after it and it serves very well.

[jim.cox]

Did you hear Macpac has been sold to Fairydown, and Bivouac won't be stocking their clothing any more. Sad!

Yup, that's what prompted me to grab it

Not sure what Mouton Noir (the guys that own Fairydown) plan to do with the Macpac label - but I fear the worst :(

[90s]

I love my outer limits cross bike. Very small and light, good for mountain biking and tramping as well as stowing in the pack on the bike.
Look at adventure tents on tm, I found some good ones quick:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Tents/Adventure-tents/auction-144797979.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Tents/Adventure-tents/auction-144425369.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Tents/Adventure-tents/auction-144344224.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Tents/Adventure-tents/auction-138361731.htm

[Alpha Solo]

Those Macpac's look good, multi pitch / good floors / NZ conditions etc.

Jim.cox - have you had any issues with the rear entrance allowing water to pass onto the inner? I've just been reading that it's an issue on the newer versions of the Olympus.

Can anyone tell me - What is the advantage of a Tunnel over a Dome?

A dome seems to be almost self supporting, and easier to pitch etc but what are they like in strong winds i.e. southerlies?

Again many thanks!

[jim.cox]

Those Macpac's look good, multi pitch / good floors / NZ conditions etc.

Jim.cox - have you had any issues with the rear entrance allowing water to pass onto the inner? I've just been reading that it's an issue on the newer versions of the Olympus.

First I've heard of it. I never had that problem with my old one - but is the old one door design. Haven't had a chance to put up the new one



Can anyone tell me - What is the advantage of a Tunnel over a Dome?


The tunnel sheds wind better - so can handle stronger conditions.

Also unless you are looking at sleeping four or more people a dome is not the optimal shape - requires more floor, fabric and poles and so is heavier

[JKWNZ]

I personally prefer tunnels over domes as they are more sturdy in high winds. I've camped next to plenty of domes which haven't been there in the morning.

The tramping shops are all selling out of Macpac (and Fairydown) have been bought by Mouton Noir. I presume that'll be the end two iconic kiwi brands... for now...

I've spend nearly 6 months in all sorts of weather in a Macpac Nautilus with my other half no problems. i.e. no leaks. Highly recommended to spend that extra little bit of money to have no problems when your out. The best part with most Macpacs is that you can pitch it in the rain and it will be dry inside as the outer fly is can be left attached to the inner. If your really certain of the weather you can save more weight and just take the inner...

Whatever you do dont buy one with fibreglass poles... my worst night was spent in near Wellington with a cheap tent half collapsed due to the wind all night

[Alpha Solo]

Thanks all - Off to get a Macpac today!!!

The wind is blowing strong out here so tonight will be a great test!

[Coldrider]

The only issue I have with the nautilas is you have to take time & care getting in & out as the openings are not the biggest, but that is where the strength is.

[Alpha Solo]

Just pitched the new tent in the lounge, though it best to get to grips with it inside before sleeping outside tomorrow.

Got a Macpac in yellow so hopefully nobody will fall into it at the Brass Monkey as they are not cheap :angry:

Thanks everyone for their input. :done:

[Coldrider]

Helps if they don't have guyropes. Also put motorcyces both sides of the tent real close, stands supported with chocks so they don't fall on your head when your asleep, or any other time.

[jim.cox]

Got a Macpac in yellow


Which model did you get? and from where?

[SDU]

We've had a two man (you will want room for your gear inside especially for the brass) Macpac tent for 15yrs. Been great for all the rallies & even the Brass easy to put up. Think it was high country grading/winter. You won't regret getting a macpac

[Alpha Solo]

I got a Macpac Minaret, small two man tunnel tent, I would have preferred a dome but in all the reviews it came out top.

I slept out in it last night, no issues :zzzz:except being woken at 4am by the local hens!!! :angry:

Cant wait to get away and camp somewhere really remote next week for a full test! :first:

[vagrant]

Great choice. I have had one since about '92. It has done plenty of tramping and cycling trips, as well as numerous Brass Monkeys.
It has slept 5 in if not comfort, at least warmth, when due to poor planning someone else forgot their tent.

[Swoop]

Thank goodness for the Kathmandu sale on at the moment!

Updated the beeping slag at a very reasonable price.