Tarptent Moment DW vs Scarp 1

[GPSGuided]

Thinking of a one person tent to add to our equipment collection at home as it'll come in handy for a quick solo or possibly double outing without hauling our wonderful 3 person Exped. Been considering Tarptent's Moment DW and Scarp 1 as they both seemed to have the reputation and would match the requirements. Question is, are they that different for my needs? I am aware that MDW is rated as a 3 seasons tent while the Scarp is 4 seasons. But without a great desire nor opportunity to snow camp, does it make that much difference b/n the two models? I'm thinking that MDW with a solid inner would be more than sufficient for the colder conditions I'm likely to encounter here around Sydney, or even further afield. Am I missing something? Are there other angles I should consider in the choice of these two?

Now, just need our AUD to pick up a bit more or organize a trip to the US...

[RonK]

Hmmmm, I'm thinking of selling my never used Moment DW with solid inner, carbon fibre poles, extra pegs and guys and Tyvek footprint, as I've discovered it packs too long for the bikepacking travel I bought it for, and will likely replace it with the more compact packing new Protrail.

I purchased the tent as a lightweight alternative to my Hilleberg Soulo and would have no qualms about using in the same weather conditions.

In EnZed now but will be back in Oz next week.

[GPSGuided]

I noted the Moment DW is 18" packed and is a tad longer than some others too. RonK, keep me posted while I decide which direction to turn.

[Franco]

GPS Guided,
The new pole for the moment is 17" and I have made a couple, for cyclists , 15" long but the Carbon Fiber struts are 18" and a bit of a pain to have to take them out and replace them every time you set it up, so in practice 18" is the packed size. (the sleeve needs to be modified slightly to help with that)
As for the differences, basically the Scarp is a larger shelter, in emergencies it can take two 50x183cm mats , so if you like a lot of floor space the Scarp is better.
As for weather performance, the Moment with one peg at each end needs to have those pegs set in very well or as I did in exposed areas add some rocks to them.
(I used the guylines in most places , so 4 pegs)
For cold/wind again the Scarp 1 with solid (fabric) inner is a bit nicer , still I tested that on two nights swapping the shelter with my mate, there wasn't a big difference to me.
My Moment is the original hybrid, so built in mesh door, not the new double wall type.

Note my oversized pegs...

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Franco. A bit torn on the space vs weight balance b/n MDW and Scarp. I do want a double walled design though. 18" is not too big a deal for my needs as whilst I am an avid cyclist, haven't got bitten by bike touring yet. Even then, weight still matters.

[Franco]

Both, now, are double wall and can be purchased with either the mesh or white fabric inner (solid) , some buy both inners .

[GPSGuided]

Got it. Thanks.

[RonK]

As Franco stated, it's the length of the struts that constrain the packed size, otherwise the Moment DW packs in to a thin bundle that would easily fit under the side compression straps on most backpacks.
Even for regular bike touring it's no problem, but I'm getting into bikepacking, touring done ultralight, so no racks or panniers just soft bags attached the bike frame and cannot accommodate an object 18" long
The Protrail packs down to 12" which is much more workable for my purpose. And good to know now that I can source locally from Franco too.

[GPSGuided]

Bikepacking? That's a new one to me. Go with the mega saddlebag. I can already feel the heat from the backpack whilst cranking up a 10%.

[johnrs]

Hi GPS Guided
How tall are you??
If you are long and wide then the Scarp may suit you better
John

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for the warning. I'm more on the slim in the mid 170 range and MDW would be more than adequate for me alone. Although I don't mind a bit more room if the weight penalty isn't excessive. Needs to have a significant weight reduction to my Exped or it's not worth it.

[Franco]

Hi Ron,
I only look after enquiries I neither sell nor supply the gear .
I did ship out from Melbourne for a while and then it was when I did some mods for customers, but double shipping (from the US to me and me to the customer) proved more expensive and not all were happy about it (it was the same shipping cost to the customer however some felt they should pay for local shipping instead of the international one ...) so we gave up on that.

[Moondog55]

Did you not consider the Protrail GPS?

You did say LW solo shelter
http://www.tarptent.com/protrail.html

[GPSGuided]

Thanks MD55. I did go through their line but didn't want to go as far as hiking pole supported tents. Personally prefer fully inclusive design here. Otherwise I'd just go for a tarp shelter option which I already have.

[Moondog55]

I'll be thinking a bout a dedicated pole if I buy one A Carbon Fibre pole isn't going to mass much
Bank manager is still not on my side tho

[GPSGuided]

Yes, equipment acquisition is a bottomless pit and it needs to be judicious. For this purchase, I also want a bit more functionality than what those simpler designs can offer. Double sided entry and the better weather protection in the MDW/Scarp are attractive to me.

[RonK]

Bikepacking? That's a new one to me. Go with the mega saddlebag. I can already feel the heat from the backpack whilst cranking up a 10%.

This is bikepacking. What's not shown in the vid are Anything cages which mount on the forklegs and can carry things like a Nalgene bottle, a small tent (like a Protrail) or a sleeping bag.
Some bikepackers do use a small backpack for extra capacity on longer trips.

This is bikepacking.

[GPSGuided]

Ah, that's cool! Thought incorrectly it was with UL backpacks. This makes much more sense. Do you know what's the weight difference with the traditional rack and pannier system? The weight balance would be much improved too.

[horsecat]

I have an Exped "Vela 1 Extreme" that needs a new home GPS. Excess to my needs and only used once (one small twig hole on the base of the fly and bag is the only sign of wear), just haven't got around to advertising it. Might not be what you're after though but thought I'd put it out there just in case

[RonK]

As with ultralight backpacking, the smaller capacity of the frame bags imposes a greater discipline on what you carry. I expect to carry around 10-12kg bikepacking, about half the 20-25kg I'm carrying right now in NZ.
And the bike (almost identical to the one in the vid) will not have racks or mudguards and at 12kg will weigh around 4kg less than the touring bike I'm using.

Because the bags are all inline with the frame the bike is much more manoeuvrable on narrow tracks and trails.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Horsecat for the offer. I did look at the Velo 1 Extreme at one point and really liked it for the features that normally comes with an Exped (as in our family Gemini III). But for solo use, I am thinking of something a little lighter than what the Velo 1 can offer. Otherwise the Velo 1's weight is a match with Scarp 1. A consideration. I'll need to think...

Ron, with that kind of weight and distribution on bike, I might even get into it at some point. I really didn't like those traditional touring setup, where the bike is more like a tank, with handling to go with.

[Empty]

If you are interested in ultra comfortable lightweight bike touring this what I use. This was packed for a 4 day rail trail trip and total weight on the rack was just under 15kg. This included quite a few luxuries like a 2 man tent, Helinox chair, Aeropress and of course a few spares and tools for the bike.

As Ron says panniers are not ideal for really bushy single tracks but you will be surprised where you can go with a fully sprung, lightweight setup.

Something different in case you are interested.

[GPSGuided]

OMG! It's amazing how quickly a bit of bike talk can bring out all kinds of riders, recumbents included. This time with a beard or not? Are we all BNA forumites too?

Yes, can see where bike touring can go and where it can be more pleasant than carrying it all on one's back. Can certainly see how UL gears can benefit across the board, whether walking or riding. One day...

[Empty]

Sounds like you are equating recumbent riders with langloffers who's daily food supply is carried in their beards. Happy to say I am smooth faced and that I am avoiding crushed nuts on sundae!

[GPSGuided]

Just kidding of course. You do know that there's an envy component there, right?

[Mickl]

Anyone have any pics of the moment and scarp inners with a wide mat in them and a pack in the vestibule? I have been looking at the above also but can't seem to find any good images of them with wide mats and gear stored to try get an idea of what room would be left....

[Strider]

Does a wide mat even fit in a Moment?

[Franco]

that is a 63x198 mat (from the product page ,BTW)
The Scarp 1 floor is 81x218cm but the "bathtub" height can be reduced (by unclipping one or two of the inner hooks) so that the floor can widen out to just over 1 meter.
So both shelters can take a wide mat , the Scarp can have room for a pack, the Moment will take some gear inside but probably not a full pack , however both have a vestibule (or two) large enough for a large pack.

[Mickl]

that is a 63x198 mat (from the product page ,BTW)
The Scarp 1 floor is 81x218cm but the "bathtub" height can be reduced (by unclipping one or two of the inner hooks) so that the floor can widen out to just over 1 meter.
So both shelters can take a wide mat , the Scarp can have room for a pack, the Moment will take some gear inside but probably not a full pack , however both have a vestibule (or two) large enough for a large pack.

So judging by this picture a wide mat would be pushing against the outside of the bathtub floor but in the Scarp 1 it wouldn't as the floor is rectangle? Am I right in assuming that the floor is 107cm at the centre point?

I'm trying to compare in my mind these tents to the interior of a Vango F10 Helium 200 as that what I have now....

[Franco]

Hi
Yes what you see in that photo is what you get.
The corners push the bathtub out a bit but it does fit.
As usual there are different ways to look at this.
It ruins the cosmetic appeal for some but will fix the sliding mat bit for others.