I've just returned to the site after a long hiatus but I have a new question at hand. I have a MH waypoint 1 with no vestibule and may eventually get one of those tiny 2 man tents like the nemo tenshi or bibler or ID MkII. How have people coped with wet boots and packs and maybe even cooking in the tent (shhhhhhhhhh)? an excellent MYOG idea would be have a zippering section o nthe floor with a waterproof zipper for some free space for hte boots, but I don't really want to do that yet.

This one is subjective... but a vestibule is a "must" for me because I choose not to cope with boots inside my tent. I just know that no matter what I do, my wet, muddy boots will come into contact with my nice down bag. I suppose I can place my boots in a trash bag -- but I prefer to have a place where my boots can air out through the night -- but without worries of getting rained or snowed on -- and that's where the vestibule comes in. YMMV.

Edited by ben2world on 12/13/2007 20:49:43 MST.

The vestibule also serves very well to prevent a lot of water getting in the tent if it is raining while entering and exiting. And if I need to put those muddy boots on when I'm getting out of the tent, it gives me a protected area to do that. It also gives me a covered area to place a wet pack that otherwise might come into contact with my down bag.

I think I would REALLY miss a vestibule, even if it is just a small one.

I used a garbage bag for my gear when I used to have an old tent with no vestibule.
It worked for storage... but not for cooking :-p
The garbage bag would flap and be noisy during a windy night.
My Europa 05 is much better than the old tent.

Could you make a poncho that can be fitted as a vestible?

Sea to Summit poncho tarp

Franco, what would prevent wind and rain from getting between the tarp and the Contrail and possibly dislodging it?

Bernie

I think I would just get a tent with a vestibule! :)

One problem with bringing all of the wet gear into the tent is increased moisture resulting in condensation or ice forming on the walls. I have owned an I-Tent for many years and use to use it a lot in the winter and it was a real pain to get in and out when raining or snowing although condensation was never a significant problem in that tent. However the added moisture was such a nuisance the I would occasionally put my boots and raingear outside in a trash can liner. Any type of a small vestibule is strongly recommended. Franco’s solution appears to be more of attempt to satisfy his longing for his lost “erector set” rather than a serious vestibule replacement.

UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION of Franco's photos, if some 1 mil plastic or similar weight material could be properly anchored without touching the breathable material of the tents you have been considering, it might be worth the savings in tent cost.

Edited by johnk on 12/17/2007 13:52:04 MST.

The only tent that I have that does not have a built in vestibule is the Lighthouse, and that is precisely what I don't like about it.
The poncho over the Contrail was something that I put together originally as a sun shade, it was close to 40c , about 5c less under the extended vestibule.(not that it is a particularly good idea to have silnylon out in the sun for prolonged periods) . It overlaps the Contrail by a few inches , you can see the front guyline of the Contrail about 1/3rd under the poncho....
I have had that set up under moderate but prolonged rain. If you want to make it a bit more wind worthy just drop the height of the front pole. If a strong wind blows in that direction , you have a kite.
If you happen to have a mate with another Contrail or similar A front tent, you can then join the two and have enough room in the middle for eating and playing cards.
Franco

2 years ago I worked on a trail crew and in order to cut down on damaging plants and the area we used 2 four man tents. I think we had a North Face tent and it was the opposite of light. It lacked a vestibule but in each corner their was a zippered triangle that you could access from both inside and outside the tent. We never encountered any rain on that spike but it seemed like this area could serve its purpose. But then what would you do if you got mud in their? I personally love vestibules.