The definition that is generally used for bike packing is that you are cycling off road on gravel and camping. Bike touring is used when you are staying in accomodation. I like to do both on the same trip and don't care about names. But if I'm going to go camping, I need a tent.
I also plan to do some back packing and the options I currently have are either too big and heavy: a four person or two person tent from MEC, or suit a particular trip - my camping hammock.
So I got a new tent, requirements:
- Light
- Packs small
- Can cope with most conditions
- Simple to put up
I ended up looking at tarptent and got a ProTrail Li. It's super fast and easy to put up.
You can either carry your own poles, or re-use your own trekking poles. For cycling I've got poles I can use, when I'm backpacking I'll re-use my hiking poles.
Weight is a ridiculous 453g.
It's not designed for winter camping or snow, but that's fine because that's not something I intend to do anytime soon. It is a single wall tent, so we'll see how it does with Pacific Northwest weather.
Update: I've slept out under the tent 3 nights now. I've found it draughty.
Probably because I'm putting it up wrong, I've found a significant gap between the outer tent and the floor. I've had multiple occassions where I've felt the wind just gusting through.
Got to keep experimenting on this, perhaps I can improve things.
Update: When the wind was consistent, I found it much better rotated so that it isn't side on to the wind. It could have been that the wind was in Maui and warm.
Also: Read this post before choosing a trekking pole tent.
