The perfect tent for every trip does not exist. Which tent is perfect for a trip depends most on the climate in the coutry you visit. In places where it rains a lot a tunnel tent ist probably unbeatable. In the tropics it is complete out of place. A good ventilation and a perfect moskito net are important here.
The following point are important for me:
- A 1 person tent should not weight more than 2 Kg.
- A self-supporting construction is worth a lot if you cannot use any tent pegs.
- It should take very little time, to put up the tent.
- warterproofness and good ventilation, depending on the climate.
I have been using my 'Tadpole' (the north Face) now for 14 years! In this time I only once had to replace the poles and a zipper. For me, the construction of this tent is perfect. Is is rather a tent for warmer regions. With a windproof sleeping bag, the tent can also be used for snow-trips.
A down sleeping bag of the same weight is still warmer then one with a synthetic filling. On the other side you have to be careful, that it does not get wet. Because I transport the sleeping bag in a dry bag, this is never a problem for me.
For a while now, there have been sleeping bags with a windproof skin. This is great, it improves the bag considerably! For temperatures as low as -20°C, a dawn sleeping bag with 700gr of down is OK ...for me. They usually weight about 1400gr.
Because you cannot shower every day and the quality of the down reduces when you wash it, I use a silk-inlet to keep the sleeping bag clean. It can easily be washed can also used in 'not so clean' hotel beds.
The choice of the stove depends most on the available fuel. The only fuel that you get everywhere, is petrol. Since MSR introduced the shaker-jet, I have used my MSR Whisperlight for over 13 years without a single service! On the other side you can not ajust the flame as good, as on never (but heavier) models.
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My cycle tours
