Great Deal On A Killer Tent

“That's pretty far above my price range, but it does look like a great tent...

A retired friend of my wife's just gave me a tent, which is something I've been needing....I was nervous about it at first because it is hard to justify buying a new tent when you have one that is adequate.

But I opened the thing up last night and it is actually a pretty good tent, I think. It is a Sierra Designs "Magic something," maybe 20 years old. It is a single-wall, two-pole one-person backpacking tent, with a large front hoop and a small back hoop.

Not sure what it weighs or how good the waterproofing is at this point, but it is pretty close to what I would have wanted to buy. We'll see how it works out.

One question I have, a general question about three-season tents I guess.... I am a little uncomfortable with the concept of mesh doors with no waterproof flap that can be zipped over them... Is this a pretty common design? It seems it would let the rain in, and on cold nights, would let the heat out...”

“Is there a fly w vestibule that covers the doors? It doesn't sound right Fritz. Are you sure there's no flaps anywhere to zip or tie over the doors?”

“Tents with only mesh doors started a few years back (quite a few years I guess) the idea was to save weight...the tents are basically designed for 2 season use, regardless what the manufacture says....they work fine as long as the winds are low and its not raining badly. I sold quite a few to folks, being sure to warn them about the limitations (not much worse then a tent with no floor, just smaller)....people will still come in and complain about how wind got under the fly and blew through the tent or about how rain was carried inside with the wind.

Like most gear, as long as you use it for how it was intended, it usually will work fine....”

“There are flaps on the front that can be attached to each other with velcro, but definitely no zipper. The directions do talk about how those flaps can be used in several variations, depending on the weather. I am a backpacking beginner so I am not familiar with how these tents are supposed to work.

In the back, there is a flap that extends far enough that it would keep the rain out, esp. since the back is low to the ground. But again, it seems that if there was a cold wind it would just blow right into the tent.

I understand that with single-wall tents ventilation is an issue, and I know you can set up the tent according to wind direction to increase or decrease the blow-through...

Or maybe there is a flap on the inside and I just didn't crawl all the way in to find it.”

“Steve, saw your post after posting mine.

I do have flaps. I guess, as you said, just don't camp in a driving rain.

But if that's the case, the tent seems to have limited value. How often do you know you aren't going to encounter driving rain? And if you need a more weatherproof tent, what role does this one play? Is it just a lighter-weight tent to use when you are sure the weather will cooperate?”

“Fritz, just be aware you might be uncomfortable. You may be surprised by it's performance. Birch and I use a tarp all the time and have yet to get wet or be cold (used it two weekends ago 20* lows). It won't kill you to get wet on a summer weekend trip that you can hike out of quickly. Just make sure the first few times you try it are either in your backyard or on trips like the afore mentioned. You might even try setting it up in the yard when you know it'll rain and see what happens.”

“Yup, Sass, gonna do exactly that. Thanks!”

“That looks like a nice tent, but where are the details? Is it single wall? It seems sort of heavy for a single wall tent. Anyone?”

“mapper - It's a double-wall tent, designed for extreme conditions. It's been used on Denali and many Himalayan peaks. Very roomy and comfortable. I've had one for a couple of years, it's super for 2 people in the winter. Split the weight.

Garuda is made by Dana Designs, here's the website.”

“I'm like Sassafras, I rarely sleep in a tent, and when I do it's a Kiva or Megamid with no floor. It has a lot to do with your comfort level and experience. The 2/3 season tents are usually used by folks that need relief from bugs, mosquitoes, occasional light rain or just want a little privacy. Think of your new shelter as a really cool bivy tent, with way more room then a bivy sack.....I'd follow Sassafras's suggestions about trying it out close to home to see exactly what it's limitations are.

The Dana tent looks like a double wall 4 season tent...
Dana Jana”

“Yea...like he said (m-nutz)”

“It weighs too much. If you're going to commit to spending $$$, save a little more and get a Bibler or an ID.”

“Fritz,

Try this at home..set up the tent in your yard and then turn the hose on it from all different angles/directions. Then, get inside and see where or if it leaks. This will help you simulate what would happen if you found yourself in a driving rain on the trail.

My hose has an adjustable stream on it so I can try several different types of water patterns.

Sure beats waiting for it to rain at home..

Good Luck!”

“Gear Slut - What Bibler are you comparing it to? The closest in size would be the Eldorado, and it is still considerably smaller than the Jana, 11 sq ft smaller. The Jana weighs 9 oz more than the Eldorado. I'm not sure it's worth the extra $566 bucks to shave off 9 oz and lose 11 sq ft. Unless you know where to get one for anywhere near $299.

Same with Integral Designs. Which tent? The MK3 is closest in size, yet still much smaller. It weighs 2 oz MORE than the Jana, and costs $426 MORE.

Even at regular price the Jana is a killer tent for the money. At $299, it's a steal.”

“Damn, I should work for those guys.”

“It looks like a good tent, but too heavy for me to carry. With snowshoes and all that winter gear I'll be carrying soon, I'll be lucky to be able to travel a mile or two. I was thinking I could always put everything on one of those tub sleds when it's really snowy. That way I could pull all the stuff along and slide down the hills too.”

“wingding0 - Are you soloing? The Jana is perfect for 2 people, but you wouldn't want to solo with it. I use a http://gallery.bcentral.com/Gallery/ProductDetails.aspx?GID=4471833&PID=339322">Hilleberg Akto when I go alone.

Other people on this site have used sleds quite successfully. I think it was Pamster that posted a trip report about a solo sled trip.”

“You folks really gotta try going bottomless (Kiva or Megamid) once, especially in the winter....it's really much lighter, dryer and you have SO MUCH room.”

“Once you've gone bottomless in the winter, you'll never go back”

“I haven't tried a Kiva or a Megamid, but I have gone bottomless in winter. I can tell you there is nothing worse than a frozen frankie! LOL!”

“I really like our Walrus trekker tarp w the mesh insert. It's perfect for spring and fall on it's own and is excellant with the insert in summer. We're in mosquito and black fly country, going without bug protection is not an option in the monthes of June, July and August.

The Trekker tarp with insert cost a mere $160. It's huge and the weight isn't too bad.”

“Hilleberg Akto = Bad Mo Fo Tent


But... I also liked the Megamid that LeSubtil brought and that Tarp set up you guys brought too, Sass.”

“The megamid is pretty cool but I don't think I'd like the pole being in the middle. How can ya snuggle with that pole there?”

“Ahhhh, thats why I now have a Kiva.........”

“Killer price, but too heavy for me to carry. Its 4 lbs heavier than my Warmlite, and 7 sq ft smaller. I'm pretty happy with it.”

“Wingding0, use a sled while backpacking with sno shoes, or X country skis is the way to go. U R just pulling the weight instead of having all of it on you. I think AmyGee has the specs for a very nice home-made sled. Very similar to mine.”

“That Jana is a really good double wall tent for winter. I got mine for $250. It's the pre-Dana Garuda. Mine's not an HT - don't know what that means. It's held up to some really killer weather. It's so strong, it feels like you could lie on top of it.”

“Okay, I'm going to start a sled thread.”

“M-nutz, thanks for the link. I just ordered one of these a few minutes ago. I've been looking for a 4 season tent for awhile (started the HELP w 4 season tent thread people are still posting to) so this was very timely for me.

Should be here in time for next weekend's TT Desolation trip YEEEEHAWW!

Wingding, start the sled thread please, & stay in touch re our February Frozen Fanny snowshoe trek. I'll be pulling my gear on a sled, which is why the weight of the Dana tent isn't a big deal...it's actually lighter than many 4 season tents.

Thanks again m-nutz.”

“Wanderer - You're welcome. I'm sure you'll love it. If you run into a good storm, you'll really love it.

Have fun with the frozen fanny!”

“M-nutz: Do you know much about the Hilleberg 2 person tents. Some of them look darn good on the 'outer screen (and with some great weights)?”

“BTW: Packed weight of 7lbs 12oz. for the Jana is a bit beyond what I imagine carrying.”

“Pedxing, I have a Hilleberg Nallo 2. I like it a lot. It packs up small and only weighs 5 pounds total. I use it solo, but it has enough room for 2. The vestibule is one of the best features about the tent. It can be left wide open even in a rain storm for good ventilation and great views while in your bag. The inner can be unclipped to form a large tarplike setup. The only nit I could pick with it is that they should have made the mesh screen black instead of yellow for better visibility, but since I most bought it for cold weather use I can overlook that. It's not an inexpensive tent, but if you don't mind spending the money it's worth it.”

“Ped - I've not used the bigger Hilleberg tents. From what I have read and heard, all of their tents are impeccable quality and exceptional materials.”

“Thanks Rich and M-”