Two Person, Four Season Tent?

[scheissami]

Checked out some of the previous threads but many of them focused on bivies or were older.

 

Anyone have the Nemo Tenshi or Mountain Hardware EV 2? I'm looking pretty closely at these two and wonder if someone's got firsthand experience with them.

 

Will be using the tent for ski-touring and climbing. I want a vestibule and a tent that has guy-out points for high winds (I have a BD firstlight, which is rad, but it isn't as burly as what I'm looking for)

 

Cheers!

 

[rbw1966]

I just got the EV2 myself a couple days ago. There is no external vestibule. The internal part of the tent is long enough for gear at your feet (hence the "integral vestibule" of their marketing hype) but if you want a true vestibule you wont get one with the EV2.

 

 

[96avs01]

I've used both and have no big complaints about either. You mentioned wanting a vestibule, so doesn't that lead you to the Tenshi by default? Have never found cooking with a canister stove inside the EV2 to be a hindrance without a vestibule. Tenshi gives you more options to customize features for each outing, but you might find it a bit cramped if you are over 6'.

[PeakDream]

Cooking in EV2's "vestibule" is a pain since I used white gas stove. Never used a tenshi before. Since you are pretty much set on single wall, a bibler with vestibule should work pretty good for you.

[tomtom]

The Tenshi has a zip on vestibule like the ID, so it goes on pretty quick and seals well. The Bibler vestibule, IMO, is a pain to use in comparison.

[MJaso]

I have a Tenshi and definately believe it is worth every penny. It is a well thought out tent and finely manufactured. Some of the main reasons I bought this tent vs the EV2:

 

1) Sleep Tight Anchor Transfer that lets you stay tied in while you sleep

 

2) The poles set up on the inside so you can crawl in and erect the tent (ladies love that)

 

3) The vestibue can be ditched to streamline the tent. This saves weight and makes for a smaller footprint.

 

4) The condensation curtain works great.

 

5) Smaller company that can use the business.

[scheissami]

Are the MH Evo 2 and Tenshi fully seam sealed?

 

As far as the attachable vestibules go, well, the BD firstlight has one and it kinda sucks when it's really windy. The gaps between the vestibule and tent let's wind and precip in, which kinda defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback so far...

[Chudio]

Don't know about the EV2, but my Tenshi wasn't seam sealed. I had to do it myself. Also, the Tenshi's vestibule has these flaps along the edges that go under the snow so spindrift doesn't get inside.

[zeroforhire]

love the tenshi. Well thought out, and very sturdy. I moved from an eldorado to the tenshi, and I am glad I did.

[scheissami]

The Tenshi seems pretty rad. What's the fabric like? Does it compare to the BD superlight tents or is it more burly/waterproof?

 

I also noticed the Marmot Alpinist, which has an integrated vestibule (which, unlike the MH one has a separate door and no floor), is fully seam-taped, has "knees" at the corner to keep the walls off your face, and is about $200 cheaper. Anybody used one of these?

 

 

 

[EastCoastBastard]

I wrote a review of the Alpinist (both the original and the current model) here a little while ago - do a search for it. It sucks. Big time

I returned it to REI and got a SD Convert 2, which got rave reviews from Alpinist magazine, and rave reviews from me too.

convert 2 review

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2009 by EastCoastBastard

[iceaxe23]

I wrote a review of the Alpinist (both the original and the current model) here a little while ago - do a search for it. It sucks. Big time

I returned it to REI and got a SD Convert 2, which got rave reviews from Alpinist magazine, and rave reviews from me too.

convert 2 review

 

 

glad to hear you like the convert 2 as I just bought one to replace my walrus rappeed xv. Are you going to review it? thanks

[EastCoastBastard]

 

I don't think I'm going to review the Convert 2 - Alpinist did a good job, and there are some other reviews floating around the internet (also positive). I couldn't find anything on the Marmot tents, so I wrote the review.

[Vickster]

I love my Hilleberg Allak!

[zeroforhire]

The tenshi is definately burlier than the fabric on the BD superlights...

[scheissami]

I ended up getting the MH EV2 since I was able to get a good deal on it. I used it on my trip to Crater Lake last week. It was pretty warm weather with no precip so I didn't really get to test it in winter conditions.

 

It's fully seam sealed, which you could argue isn't necessary in a cold weather tent. It's super burly and pitches out very sturdy but is still pretty lightweight. I looked at Bibler tents and the Tenshi closely, but wanted to try something new (I have the BD Firstlight, which is rad); I like the external clips for the poles, makes pitching really easy.

 

Because of the integrated vestibule, you have to take some care to keep snow out and the tent dry, but there is plenty of room inside. The benefit is that there's no extra material to bring or set-up. The first night temps dropped into the 20s and there was some condensation despite having the vents open, but nothing outrageous.

 

Overall I'm fairly satisfied with the tent, though it really is only a one-season tent. I think the Tenshi and Bibler tents are likely more versatile, but for lightweight three-season alpine I already have my BD Firstlight.

[Vickster]

I had my Hilleberg Allak up at Muir a couple weekends ago. It was blowing 50-60 consistently and gusting up to 75 ish. I had to dig it out a few times during the night, but it held up great.