Cycling UK Forum

After browsing forums for a week or two, I just purchased a Scarp 1 Tent for my trip this summer. Suggestions, er, suggest getting a Footprint for it, but I have been unable to find one for the Scarp 1 Tent. On a blog, some one mentioned buying the Akto Footprint - similar dimensions, just leaves one porch bare.

I googled 'Tyvek' - an interesting material, but apparently its quite loud and noisy. I'd also have to trim it down to size. Anyone have any better suggestions for getting a Footprint for the Scarp 1 tent? I'll be all over the UK using it - Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland - to give you an idea of the types of terrain I'll be setting it up on.

Ordinary builders plastic, couple of quid, not too much trouble to trim it. May create some noise while you do the Mambo in your tent.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/UTN/48635/URN/5/dt/4/srchdte/0/cp/1/v/1/sp/

http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/scarp-mods/

Should add a 'sticky' strip on the footprint (like I will with the inside of the tent so the sleeping pad doesn't slide around)?

And while we're on the tent subject, as far as sealing the seams, is it best to do so from the inside of the tent, or the outside?

I've also ordered some reflective guyline for the tent - that seems to be the sensible thing to do.

Seam sealer goes on the inside of the tent, but if you read the attached links a lot of scarp owners don't think its needed except for the pole hood.

Why not post your questions relating to the scarp on one of those links as they are scarp users and know all the mods needed for the tent.

mcallaghan wrote:I googled 'Tyvek' - an interesting material, but apparently its quite loud and noisy. I'd also have to trim it down to size. Anyone have any better suggestions for getting a Footprint for the Scarp 1 tent? I'll be all over the UK using it - Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland - to give you an idea of the types of terrain I'll be setting it up on.

I have Tyvek for my Scarp 1. I believe it can be washed in the washing machine and that will reduce the noise problem.

When seam sealing I would suggest pitching the tent with the fly inside out. Makes it a simple task then. BTW I have fully seam sealed mine. Nothing worse than cutting corners only to find it leaking later on. Given the cost/time factor is so minimal I can't see any reason to not do a full job.

Andrew

Aushiker wrote:

mcallaghan wrote:I googled 'Tyvek' - an interesting material, but apparently its quite loud and noisy. I'd also have to trim it down to size. Anyone have any better suggestions for getting a Footprint for the Scarp 1 tent? I'll be all over the UK using it - Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland - to give you an idea of the types of terrain I'll be setting it up on.

I have Tyvek for my Scarp 1. I believe it can be washed in the washing machine and that will reduce the noise problem.

When seam sealing I would suggest pitching the tent with the fly inside out. Makes it a simple task then. BTW I have fully seam sealed mine. Nothing worse than cutting corners only to find it leaking later on. Given the cost/time factor is so minimal I can't see any reason to not do a full job.

Andrew

I don't think those that reccomended not seam sealing the entire tent did so in a cost basis more on a necessity to do so basis.

But one thing maybe you as an owner could answer. Why buy a tent that has a questionable waterproofness when others that are similar are on the market and dont need seam sealed.

johnb wrote: Why buy a tent that has a questionable waterproof

Ahh not sure of your point. Are you asking why buy a tent that is not seam sealed or are you suggesting that some tents do not need their seams sealed or that the Tarptent when seam sealed is not waterproof (purchases are clearly informed that seam sealing is required)?

All I can say is that:

(a) I have not read anything credible in respect to the Tarptent that suggests that I shouldn't seal all the seams and irrespective of that I would have sealed mine. If I purchased a "seam sealed" tent that didn't have all it seams sealed I would have sealed the unsealed ones anyway.

I have had experience of one tent that did not have all it seams sealed and yes it leaked in the corner where the seams where not sealed (it was an MSR, of which the model name escapes me at the moment) so I don't see the point in not doing it given it is a such a simple task;


The tent in question on the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory.

(b) I have now owned a few three and four season tents and with the exception of the afore mentioned MSR model they where all fully seam sealed. Seems silly not to do this. Never understood why MSR didn't do it properly in the first place.

(c) In purchasing the Tarptent Scarp 1 I was well aware it was not seam sealed. Given the reputation of the product and the design meets my needs I purchased it anyway. I was happy to pay the price and do the seam sealing myself. Of course I could have purchased another tent that was seam sealed but the Tarptent was what I wanted. Not being seam sealed was hardly a deal breaker.

(d) Henry Shires runs a small cottage business; to seam seal his tents would be a significant impost that would add more to the cost than what it is likely to "cost" the customer so I see it as being a reasonable trade-off.

As I said before not a deal breaker. YMMV of course and that is your choice.

Andrew

Yeah I meant why buy a tent which needs sealing to make it waterproof, surely when buying a tent the basic need is for a waterproof shelter.

Hilleberg don't seam seal their tents and they're waterproof. Terra nova and Wild country don't seal their newer tents either.

johnb wrote:Yeah I meant why buy a tent which needs sealing to make it waterproof, surely when buying a tent the basic need is for a waterproof shelter.

As above.

Hilleberg don't seam seal their tents and they're waterproof.

and their seams are water resistance not waterproof as per their own claims. They use a double sided silicone material and a sewing method which is meant to reduce the need for seam sealing and given their reputation I assume it works pretty well. They also justify their decision saying that taping does not stick well. Of course you can seam seal without tape but each to their own.

There are always trade offs. For my use the Hilleberg design simply does not provide enough ventilation and the price does not justify its purchase. YMMV.

Terra nova and Wild country don't seal their newer tents either.

Not familiar with their tents and in all honesty not that interested either.

Andrew

Likewise I was not familiar with the Scarp 1, had to do a Google search in fact. But to each their own

I've read a lot of reviews online in regards to tents, and the Scarp 1 fit what I wanted the best for the price. Doing a little seam sealing is never a bad idea and I have no problem shelling out a few dollars and an hour of time to seal it. I have no problem improving on what I have - and given the nature of the tour I am doing, the mileage and the month in which I am doing it, I am expecting rain and would probably seal seams on any tent I get just to be safe.