Ive decided to go with a spacious solo tent with good views and use of trekking poles. Ive narrowed it down to these two tents. I liked the TT notch but id like the option to bring my gear inside. Im 5'11 170 lbs and packing light gear. I like how I can take the rain fly off the stratospire as well as the design of the lightheart solo and its views. I will not go Cuban fiber as its abit too expensive. Ive not opted out the lightheart solong 6 but feel if im only going to be using it, its not really necessary. Originally wanted the moment but id like abit more view and freestanding isnt necessary either.

Gerard,
I ordered an SS1 to improve my own kit for similar reasons. I'm still somewhat new to backpacking, but similar to your build I think I'd just be too cramped in a Notch (I've not looked into the Wedge). My specs in my own search weren't too technical: double wall, under 3lbs, usable in New England and the Mid-Atlantic in 3 seasons, and spacious enough to accommodate a stomach sleeper with his arms above his head and moves around a lot. I won't know if this is the tent for me, however, until I give it a try. It looks good and I like the features, but my sense is only field experience will tell. So pull the trigger with gusto on either tent and have at it! And let us all know how it works out!
Best,
N

Take a look at the SMD Skyscape Trekker (the sil version), which is similar to the LH Solo but has a few differences. It does share the ability to roll the "fly" up so it quickly turns into a mostly-mesh shelter.

one on sale here in gear swap: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=60008&skip_to_post=521556#521556

Edited by saparisor on 03/10/2012 15:06:50 MST.

I've been nothing but pleased with my experience with Judy. The solo has plenty of room, I'm 5'9 and a half, I weigh right around 210lbs. The solo is spacious, or rather a mansion for 1...but not to big! There is enough room to put your pack at your head, another pack at your side, and something on the other side. Build quality is excellent, customer service is amazing, and if you're going silnylon you can get some pretty chill colors. The tent actually stands up really well to wind, the first time I ever pitched it the winds were 20ish mph and only went up from there. Any of her tents are great...and to me I've made a huge step-up from my tarptent contrail..In every way.

*I opted for cuben fiber, and also decided to get the solong6...since I might on occasion have company.

The SS1 is a very large solo shelter. Large floor area and huge vestibules..
The Notch has a smaller footprint and vestibule but you will still be able to put your stuff undercover , however your pack may not fit on the floor inside the inner .
Take a look at this video where I have the two shelters set up side by side :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIt1Oezq2GQ&list=UU0PuLUKvG7Fxxex5BMVK4vw&index=2&feature=plcp
BTW Note that the floor in both of the TT shelters remains under cover when you open the door panel.
Franco

Edited by Franco on 03/10/2012 13:36:06 MST.

The SS1 is really the way to go. The modularity of it is outstanding. Not expecting bugs? Leave the inner at home. Not expecting rain? Leave the fly at home.

The ability to take the top off the stratospire 1 is great! Still weighing out the options of both, the lightheart solo wedge is lighter and seems to have alot more room. I saw the awning version but it doesnt look like I can make any vestibule (but then again not alot of vestibule space) I think i can role the whole awning back if I wanted to open up a wall for a view. However theres also a need to carry one pole to hold up the (wedge/awning) but not a big deal to me at all just throwing it out there.

Both seem to be really awesome tents and im leaning toward the stratospire I but the lightheart looks very cool too. I liked the idea of the solong 6 but again i think its abit to big.

Anyone else own either of these options?

Edited by Nytro on 03/10/2012 16:06:24 MST.

"the lightheart solo wedge is lighter and seems to have alot more room."

If lighter, only barely, as the SS1 include 6 stakes. Yes, more floor space--some not usable--with less head/shoulder room, and much less vestibule space. The SS1 is stronger, a true double wall with fly or interior only setup, double doors, and you can leave both sides completely open in an overhead rain as all the driplines are outside the interior compartment.

-H

That all sounds great to me! Before when I was on the hunt for a 2 person tent I wanted the option to have just the mesh for calm nights in the summer and I can do that with this tent.

Anyone that has tried both tents out? Or prefer the lightheart solo wedge?

Edited by Nytro on 03/10/2012 17:27:56 MST.

Bump

If one of your main criteria is space the LH has an amazing 50% more floor space. It may not all be useable to sit upright but if you appreciate alot of floor area like I do it's awesome and adds a dimension to the tent that a much smaller tent can't possibly match due to physics. A 50% increase in size is hard to overlook if you appreciate floor area and until I tried one had some reservations but soon learned that's what was missing in my other UL tents and if that's your deal and floor space is floorspace then the maker has nailed it with this design. You can't deny the sq. ft. numbers.

Plus there is the appreciable weight penalty for the TT for the gram weenies.

Keep in mind 2 people on this post have a vested financial interest in TT's which is fine (but should be divulged for the newbies's benefit)and we all love Mr. Shires for his great achievements in UL tents but when you read forums to gather generalizations and opinions this has to be factored in the equation and is the reason this particular forum is so skewed with pro-TT posts especially from Franco. Remember this is backpacking and there is no "best" tent design and it's a function of preference that tends to change over time. I think both Judy and Henry offer test/loaner tents to try out and if your anal like everybody else on the forum just try them both and don't wonder what your missing since next year something better will come along anyways and keep you on your toes Lol.

50% larger but less usable volume with less headroom everywhere but at the peak. So yes, I can deny the sq foot numbers.

Physics? Really?

IMO, LH all the way, and I think the SoLong is the way to go.

-Made in USA (unlike solo or duo by the way)
-Way roomier than any other tent discussed here, and room inside is 100% usable. It really is for all intents a 2 person tent, and most certainly for me it is dad/child and big dog tent no problem
-Only 2 lbs, and that is with 2 doors, 2 vestibules and an absolutely huge awning that you can set chairs under and cook!

My opinion of course, I love TT, and have owned several, but the SoLong is a pretty special tent design

Good luck with the search!

You would have to add on the additional door? or it comes with 2 doors? Whats your opinion on the wedge vs awning? It seems like the wedge has the best of both worlds and the awning you cant get the same setup like a standard solo but with the wedge you can have both.

I like the look of the lightheart more than the stratospire 1, the demensions looked like it took up lots of space with the vestibules open however i think the lightheart solong 6 would be about the same. Def let me know

"50% larger but less usable volume with less headroom everywhere but at the peak. So yes, I can deny the sq foot numbers.

Physics? Really?"
--------------------------------------------------------


If you like to move around in your tent and stack fire wood up really high then the above ground volume would be helpful but I don't do cartwheels when inside of any tent so most volume above the floor is totally unusable whereas space on the floor is all useable for something for many people (sprawlers like me) and important to many hikers. Over the years not many have wished for a tent with less floor space and more headroom.....that is the opposite of the facts and is silly.
Saying that a tent is 30% smaller but is better due to having more head room is folly and shows that many on this forum overlook facts in order to promote TT's and bolsters my prior comments. You can't deny physics and square foot area.....try doing that to your local property appraiser or carpet salesman Lol.....

Remember there is a reason that most people have sold their TT's over the years.... it's the number one mistake made in the shelter selection process and you can't hide all the "For Sale" TT's over the years. I love a TT for certain situations but most folks move on for many reasons and floor space limitations probably near the top. No Kool-aid drinkin' here.

"Over the years not many have wished for a tent with less floor space and more headroom.....that is the opposite of the facts and is silly."

I think we are talking personal preferences here. I don't know (or care) if I am in the majority or not -- but I really appreciate the roominess of my current dome tent. I can get up and pee in the middle of the night without having to remember to contort a certain way in order to avoid brushing a potentially wet ceiling.

I think we all need some minimal volume and square footage -- even this bit contains a degree of subjectivity already -- but beyond that, I don't see how ANYONE can state "as fact" that extra floor space is just better than extra volume and anyone who thinks otherwise is "silly".

Edited by ben2world on 03/11/2012 13:17:25 MDT.

To be honest i dont really care how big a vestibule is but what i do care about more is the ability to comfortable stash my pack inside the tent with me. with the lightheart solong 6 wedge (more comparable to the stratospire 1 in width, ability for 2 as well) i actually like the sides being abit wider and the ability to fit 2 people seems to also fit the option of a 2 person, i dont have to buy an additional 2 person tent for car camping. I love the full rain fly width of the TT notch i just wish there was a little more room for all my gear to be stashed inside with me while keeping a tight profile. Still didnt make my end all decision both are amazing tents.

It would definetly need to be the wedge, i think without the zipper to convert it back would suck because you have to practically crawl or limbo your way into the tent. Thats a no go for me. but if i can just unzip it (wedge option) that looks better to me.

Edited by Nytro on 03/11/2012 13:08:31 MDT.

The original Solo with a convertible awning may be a better option for you than the Slong6?. Still 50% more floor space than the TT at about the same weight and great ventilation and views and you can fold the awning down easily for bad weather. Since you like floor space like me the original Solo is even wider in the middle than the Solong6 at 65 inches and plenty enough room for your packs alongside you with room in each end left over.
I would probably only give up my Solo if the Solong6 gets an awning later on.

do you prefer the wedge over the awning? Just wondering if it will leak thru the zipper and if its a durable as the awning option. I like the solos size and think the demensions would be just right. What color is yours?

Mike
I have a financial interest IF the shelter is bought in Australia, otherwise I am TT fan just like you are an LHG fan.
"Saying that a tent is 30% smaller but is better due to having more head room is folly "
Well that is your opinion , others will disagree..a smaller footprint is not a negative.
BTW, the amount of for sale items often reflect the amount of gear sold.
There are several thousands more Tarptents out there than LHG shelters...

Anyway, I think that Gerard should buy the one that he likes.
Franco