Tent Review: One Planet Goondie 1-15D

[walkinTas]

Nik, the only difference I can see between the 15D and 30D is "The 30D Polyester fly has greater UV resistance, slightly heavier and more durable than the 15D Nylon", yet the 15D is rated 3 Season not 4 Season. Am I missing something? How do you rate the 15D as a snow tent?

[Son of a Beach]

The 15D is excellent as a snow tent (after two nights in sub-zero, one one of which included a moderately heavy snow fall). The only reason I can think of for them categorising the 15D as a 3 season fly is that it may not handle strong wind as well as the 30D (just because it's a bit thinner and less tough). That's not so much a winter thing, or even a season thing, but I guess that they had to try to fit the difference into the 'standard' rating system used for tents, which doesn't really work well in this case.

[Mountain Rocket]

You could also assume that the 30D fabric will better handle snow fall due to its extra strength (although real world differences might be negligible).
I can totally understand why they categorise each fabric/fly separately.

[walkinTas]

Fortunately, to a colour blind animal they don't look much different.

goondie-15d.jpg (13.55 KiB) Viewed 36065 times

goondie-30d.jpg (18.61 KiB) Viewed 36065 times

...but the orange one is cheaper!

[Nuts]

You could also assume that the 30D fabric will better handle snow fall due to its extra strength (although real world differences might be negligible).
I can totally understand why they categorise each fabric/fly separately.

Perhaps it would stand a better chance of taking that snow load (which it does seem to be holding pretty well on top..) and perhaps polyester would stretch less??. That said, I would imagine the stitching would go before the fabric rip? A few tents are using that light nylon or similar.

[Son of a Beach]

I was just browsing http://hiking.com.au/ and noticed a "mesh" version of the Goondie for sale there. So I had a look at One Planet's web site and noticed that they've not only added a mesh option for all of the Goondie variants, but they've also added a 3 person version. So the choices in the Goondie line of tents is now:

• Size: 1, 2 or 3 person
• Fly fabric: 15 denier nylon or 30 denier polyester
• Inner fabric: mostly nylon or mostly mesh

(I've added this to the original post which has also been modified to include as much of the relevant information from this topic as I could find.)

[walkinTas]

You certainly wouldn't buy the mesh version just to save weight. 30D Goondie nylon 1.77kg, 30D Goondie mesh 1.73kg. My Nylon version arrived in the mail, so I'd better go down to the rumpus room and pitch it so I can see what it looks like.

[Son of a Beach]

Yes, they appear marketing it for the better ventilation rather than for the weight. Ie, for warmer or more humid climates.

[LAMEA-Gals]

Have just taken my Goondie 1-15D on a 14 day walk in the Kimberley. Although not really humid the days were all plus 33 degrees (nights around 20 degrees). My Goondie is not the mesh version and I found the ventilation on the inner was great in the warmer Kimberley conditions - by buying the version with the more enclosed inner I can also use it in more the colder climates back in NSW. For me the best part of this tent is the usable space inside - its got heaps of head room, a great access door and its long enough for me to bring my pack inside and store bits and pieces at the other end. Can't believe I struggled with the squishiness of a Macpac Microlite for so long.

[Miyata610]

What is the internal height? The website specs seem to only have an external height of 1000mm.

[Son of a Beach]

I'm not sure of the exact height. However I can sit upright and get dressed with plenty of head room. It's quite a wide area that is at full height in both dimensions too.

I'm 176 cm.

[Snowzone]

I've just taken possession of a Goondie 2. I opted for the 15d because it was slightly less weight and I simply preferred the color green.
Everything seems very simple and solid with it. Easy to set up, plenty of room, head height and vestibule area.
After setting it up inside, I am pretty happy with my purchase and I can't wait to try it out on a walk.

[sthughes]

I have heaps of head height in the Goondie. To put it in perspective my head touches the ceiling in tents like Macpac Minaret, H'berg Nallo and Akto, TT Scarp 1, WE Second arrow and most others I have tried. The Goondie is comparable to the MSR Hubba range for head height, probably just a bit less than my Hubba Hubba HP.

[Miyata610]

Could someone please use a tape measure the next time they have their tent up?

[Son of a Beach]

Actually, I think it is the INTERNAL height that is 1000mm. Check the One Planet diagram posted to this old topic: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7653&p=99724#p99724

The left diagram appears to show external dimensions. The right diagram appears to show the internal length and height. That image was taken from their web site where it was not embedded directly in a web page, but merely linked to (as a PDF).

[Miyata610]

Yeah that's where I got the 1000mm from.

It's not clear what it means, so I was hoping someone with a tape measure and a tent may be able to help.

[MotoStv]

Thanks SOAB, great review. Even though i would prefer a integral-pitch tent, i'll be putting the Goondie 2 on my short list.

[baldhead]

I have a Goondie2 30D
It has performed very well in storms ( > 70kmh) and rain
I like having two vestibules,the height in the tent,quality, ventilation options, weight

It's cosy inside for 2 with the width allowing for two mats with not much extra room between the mats ( length is good)
Fine for my wife and I

The tent doesn't come with all the pegs, it requires 10 pegs to fully secure the tent , 6 are supplied ( 4 of which are average)
There is no repair kit provided ie sleeve for poles, spare zips etc which other tent suppliers ie WE supply as standard

[rsser]

Thanks SoaB - great user report.

[Ent]

Hi baldhead

Great review covering a key pints that get missed, that being pegs. Increasing number of tents ate bring sold minus guy ropes and pegs. This can lead to total tent packed weight being under what an all season user would carry.

Cheers

[sthughes]

Well I couldn't help myself and decided to grab a Goondie as well. I bought it specifically as a winter tent as the huge space of my Hubba Hubba HP never warms up much in winter, and also for the odd walk where a smaller tent would fit on tight sites better. I got the 30D version just because it should last better, is cheaper and perhaps most of all because everyone else seems to have green tents. Anyway I think its good, here's my 2c based on a hugeley extensive one night test in moderate breeze and about 3cm of snowfall, I did at least pitch it broadside to the wind to test it more!:

Positive:
Perfect size for 1, wouldn't want it any smaller in length or width, head height is incredible! The only one man tent I have ever found adequate.
More guy out points than Hubba
Well put together (I'd put it half way between MSR and Tarptent)
Good floor and fly materials
closable vent
Lots of obvious things
Guy line pockets
zips seem good
Extra guy out points

Negatives (some very picky):
Inner pitch first
very thin inner fabric doesn't hold the warm air in like some (next worse thing to mesh)
Fly doesnt reach the ground (I had some spindrift in the vestibule)
Velcro fly pole attachments
"Pole in a hole" corners not executed as well as MSR
No rain gutter (like Hilleberg Soulo)
Only 6 pegs included (I have added 6 pegs and 2 guy lines)
inner fabric at each end is not tight - hence easier to push inner against outer.
Rear "porthole" could be bigger (I haven't tried but I imagine my OP McMillan would struggle to fit through, fine for my 50L pack).
Did I mention inner pitch first

BTW mine weighs 1802g including 4 extra pegs and 2 extra (3mm) guy lines.

I'm happy with it but can't help but wish a "winter" model with integral pitch (externally sleeved poles), a fly touching the ground and slightly denser weave inner fabric was available. But as an all rounder it does a good job for the price.

[Son of a Beach]

Good points, there sthughes. (Can you fix your image? Doesn't show up here - probably requires being logged into the file share system, or doesn't allow embedding into other websites).

I don't think I have the loose fabric issue at the ends with mine, but will have to look again next time I pitch it. Looking back at the photos in the first post in this topic it does look a bit loose, but I think I've got the hang of pitching it better since then.

Can you explain what you mean by the "rain gutter"? (I'm not really familiar with some of the other tents). Do you mean to redirect water away from the top of the fly door or something like that?

[sthughes]

Good points, there sthughes. (Can you fix your image? Doesn't show up here - probably requires being logged into the file share system, or doesn't allow embedding into other websites).

I don't think I have the loose fabric issue at the ends with mine, but will have to look again next time I pitch it. Looking back at the photos in the first post in this topic it does look a bit loose, but I think I've got the hang of pitching it better since then.

Can you explain what you mean by the "rain gutter"? (I'm not really familiar with some of the other tents). Do you mean to redirect water away from the top of the fly door or something like that?

Okay Image fixed (or another uploaded), Microsoft have ruined Skydrive with recent updates

Basically the triangle pieces that form the ends of the tent inner are just cut a tad wider than the floor, so with the floor pegged out tight the yellow fabric is still a little loose. It's a very minor thing.

The Hilleberg Soulo has essentially a flap of stiff fabric turned up over the vestibule opening that stops water or powder snow etc. above from falling over the opening and possibly blowing inside. On the Goondie I found that the powdery snow on the fly above the door would fall off and blow inside the main tent as I came and went. It's a minor problem once again.

soulo.jpg (65.91 KiB) Viewed 35431 times

I tend to see the Goondie as a poor man's Soulo in some ways, especially as a winter tent. But it is lighter and roomier so ignoring the $300 price differential both have their advantages.

[Son of a Beach]

Yep, I see what you mean. Such a gutter would be a lot more effective on the steep sloping top of the Goondie doorway if it had one too.

A bit off topic, but how does the gutter on the Soulo go when filled with snow? I would guess it would work better for rain than for snow.

[sthughes]

I've never owned a Soulo, but I imagine you are correct. With the very light powdery snow we had it might have been effective, but you're probably right - it probably would have clogged up with snow and been useless anyway. More a rain thing.

[bushwalker zane]

I would have loved to have bought a Goondie, if it weren't for a few of the negatives that sthughes pointed out, integral pitch! That would make it a lot more attractive. I ended up recently buying a Soulo. I think I will put together a large review on that little beast when it arrives! Nice picture by the way, Lake Myrtle is a beautiful place to camp.

[rsser]

Good grief!

I find it hard to take seriously a user report on separate-pitch tent that lists as a negative that it isn't integral pitch!

That was clear in the OP and in One Planet lit.

Get real.

[Mountain Rocket]

Good grief!

I find it hard to take seriously a user report on separate-pitch tent that lists as a negative that it isn't integral pitch!

That was clear in the OP and in One Planet lit.

Get real.

I am sorry Ern but your post makes no sense to me. Care to rephrase it?

[corvus]

I am sorry Ern but your post makes no sense to me. Care to rephrase it?

What he said
corvus

[rsser]

2nd user review in this thread: on this page, the post above by sthughes » Wed 01 Aug, 2012 12:59 am

First -ve listed.