[Alex MacDonald]

We've been looking for a back/bikepacking tent that's ultralightweight as well as not taking up lots of space in the bags. I tried one of the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL-2, but found that I couldn't get out of the thing fast enough if I were to get one of my quadraceps spasms (really nasty cramps!), and it was really tight for 2 people. More like 1.5 people, really. So back it went, and we opted for a Mountain Star 2 from Kuiu. Huge doors on each side of the tent, and weighs about the same as the Big Agnes when you count the fly. We set it up in the living room, and I was very impressed! Kuiu has a carbon tent pole option, and even though I didn't feel I needed that, they sent it anyway! This tent, as opposed to the BA, is free standing, and the fly is attached to the tent body similar to the Hilleberg tents. It can be unclipped and just the fly used if you want the lightest setup,but i don't enjoy ants crawling over my face in the night. We popped it up in the living room, inflated our pads, and found more room than the BA, along with some very nice touches inside, good venting, attachment points for lines to hang stuff from, and excellent vestibules on each side of the large doors (one on each side). Altogether, it's an excellent tent. And using Kuiu's "world tour" in May, when they were in the Seattle area, I saved 15% on the tent. I expect that next year, they'll do the same thing, considering they bought an expandable semi trailer for a showroom. So if you're in the market for a tent for next season, you might give these guys a try.

 

[Salmo_g]

Alex,

I bought the BA Fly Creek UL-2 to use as a 1-man tent. I think it weighs 2 lb, 2 oz. How much does your Kuiu Mountain Star 2 weigh? Obviously it can weigh a bit more if it's going to be used by 2 people and still offer less tent weight per person.

I know what you mean about the quad cramps, even in my 3-man mountain tent, I have to do some stretches in the morning before I attempt to crawl out - or else!

Sg

 

[Billy McFly]

I have two of this guys tents - Great light weight tents. I'm ordering one of these for the rare time the wife wants to come along. I have the solo version and have weathered some serious thunder/rain storms.

https://www.tarptent.com/motrail.html

Oops - I thought you were looking. Thanks for the heads up - I'll check it out. I need a 2-person ...

 

[Salmo_g]

I have a Tarptent 1-person Contrail that looks very similar to the 2-person Motrail. Weighs 2 lb 1 or 2 oz with the optional tent pole. I bought it before I began using trekking poles, and a trekking pole can be substituted as a tent pole.

 

[Billy McFly]

I have a Tarptent 1-person Contrail that looks very similar to the 2-person Motrail. Weighs 2 lb 1 or 2 oz with the optional tent pole. I bought it before I began using trekking poles, and a trekking pole can be substituted as a tent pole.

I have the ProTrail 1-person. Love it. I use trekking poles early in the season for snow fields and high river crossings. Tent poles the rest of the summer. Great tent!
I use a Caldera Keg F with Esbit for my solo cook setup.
You can go nuts subtracting ounces. but it all adds up.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

[QUOTE="Billy McFly, post: 1305887, member: 24733
You can go nuts subtracting ounces. but it all adds up.[/QUOTE]

For sure! Since we're gearing up for bike touring next year on our Fargos, I've been going the other way, looking at Trangia cooksets which will allow me to actually cook, rather than just heat water. Wouldn't use one backpacking, but cycling around say, Lopez Island, we have the opportunity for fresh food everywhere, and I an make some amazing stuff with these cooksets. If you're just boiling water tho....

 

[Salmo_g]

I use a Caldera Keg F with Esbit for my solo cook setup.

I got a Caldera keg last year to use with a beer can alcohol stove. Probably just me, but I find I need to carry a lot of alcohol if it's more than 1 or 2 nights, sort of canceling out the benefit. I'm back to taking the Pocket Rocket and a isobutane canister for week after next.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

I got a Caldera keg last year to use with a beer can alcohol stove. Probably just me, but I find I need to carry a lot of alcohol if it's more than 1 or 2 nights, sort of canceling out the benefit. I'm back to taking the Pocket Rocket and a isobutane canister for week after next.

as long as it's drinkable, nothing wrong with carrying lots of alcohol...!

We just ordered a trangia cook set today, and I'm dying to see just how far I can push it with cooking great food: scampi shouldn't be a problem with one! Here's the tent to go with it on our bike packing trips though; Kuiu's Mountain Star 2

We'll give it a good test tonight!

 

[Richard E]

Always a compromise when trying to go ultralite, yet have room for two, AND have the tent be durable and weatherproof. Kinda of like a three legged stool; emphasize or change one leg of the stool, and the stool gets out of whack.

I have a tent for "ultralite" camping/hiking, but when I need room for two and want the tent to be durable and weatherproof, I keep coming back to my REI Half-Dome 2 Plus. It's my go-to all-around tent, my "5 weight" among my tents - it just fits so many conditions and does it well. I know it's not ultralite like you all are talking about, but in our neck of the woods we can't always count on the weather being cooperative, and the Half Dome 2 Plus has weathered some nasty conditions and the extra "plus" room is handy to make sure all of my gear is protected when in those conditions.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

First time in the boonies with the Mt Star. Easy setup/takedown, and the vestibules are large.

I'm 6-2 so you can kinda get a sense of the thing even though I'm bent over driving in a tent stake

 

[Porter]

I always find the best Two person tent is usually a 4 person tent.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

A further note on the Trangia cookset: the thing simmers incredibly well, which was one of the main reason why we bought it. Last night I browned the meat on high, then plopped the "gate" over the burner and simmered the stew for about a half-hour. It worked perfectly, and the dish was great! So much better/easier than the Whisperlite!

 

[Porter]

Looks delicious Alex!

 

[Alex MacDonald]

Looks delicious Alex!

Thanks! it's easy to do: dice up some meat, coat it with flour & brown it, throw it in the pot with some garlic granules, pour in half a good ale, a squirt of cabernet, and a shot of bourbon, a beef boullion cube, some tomato paste and some water to just cover. Get it simmering and add sliced carrots, mushrooms, a bay leaf and diced onions. let it simmer for about a half hour, season to taste, and you're ready to eat!

 

[Tacoma Red]

It does look great!! Some Stilton, a good country French bread, and a nice Cab on the side.

 

[Tacoma Red]

It does look great!! Some Stilton, a good country French bread, and a nice Cab on the side.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

It does look great!! Some Stilton, a good country French bread, and a nice Cab on the side.

Hell yes!!! Add a good cigar and a nice cognac in the study afterward-the perfect meal!

 

[Salmo_g]

a good cigar and a nice cognac in the study afterward-the perfect meal!

You have a study in your 2-person tent? Hot damn!

 

[Alex MacDonald]

You have a study in your 2-person tent? Hot damn!

but of course! Along with the Persian rugs, leather armchairs, and the gun cabinet.....