do I just order the poles and make a note in the requirements that it is for a stealth 1 ?

Yeah, either do that or email me when you've ordered them and remind me they're for a Stealth.

Thanks, have ordered and emailed. much appreciated.

Scattamah wrote:Zpacks Solplex, Hexamid Solo or Altaplex.

Greetz

S.

Despite the cost, I'm very tempted by the Altaplex, but there aren't many reviews around of it in actual use. There are, however, shed loads of very positive reviews about the Duplex, which is only a little big heaver but potentially much more flexible.

Have you used the Altaplex?

Alas, I haven't as I'm a Solplex user (which is pretty spanky in its own right).

Greetz

S.

Scattamah wrote:Alas, I haven't as I'm a Solplex user (which is pretty spanky in its own right).

Very similar, just smaller and slightly different shape to the Altaplex (two poles rather than one?)

So you'd recommend the, despite the cost? How is the condensation?

Yes...2 poles for the Solplex, although it'll pitch with one but you'll have a lot less space inside.

Condensation only seems to be an issue when it's *very* cold outside and you've got the storm doors closed. That said, it rolls down the inside and over the edges of the bath tub by design so your kit inside doesn't get wet. Other than that, with at least one of the doors open there's plenty of airflow to keep things dry. If you do get condensation, wipe it down and you've got water to wash your face in the morning. :)

Recommend it? Yup. It's light, strong, well made and has saved my bacon more than once from serious weather. A permanent fixture in my bikepacking kit. If it crapped out tomorrow, I'd sell a kidney for another one.

Greetz

S.

vaguely exciting, thanks that's great. If you were buying one now, what would you get: Solplex, Altaplex, Duplex (not much heavier but potentially much more flexible) or Hexamid??

I'm torn!

I'd probably still go for the Solplex. Integrated bugnetting/tub and weight are the deciders for me.

FWIW, I'm 5'10 on a good day and on a regular Neoair Xlite with space to spare. If you're taller, the Altaplex with the longer tub might be a better option.

Greetz

S.

'I'd probably still go for the Solplex. Integrated bugnetting/tub and weight are the deciders for me.'

Ive been looking at one of these too, for forthcoming Iceland trip
Do you have experience of it in high winds e.g. Scottish mountain conditions, and I also wonder about the durability of the bathtub ground sheet when used in rocky conditions although I know that cuben can be patched easily in the field,or maybe using a tyvek ground sheet underneath may be the answer?

Strong wind...check. Got caught in a storm in Wyoming last year where the wind was probably up around 40mph mark for a few hours as the front rolled in after which it died down but then bucketed down for a few hours more. I pulled the storm doors down and things were ok. As long as you have a good pitch and the sides are taut, should be fine.

(Something to note here...I was running it with a single pole on the front only at the time...there was a bit of slack in the back and I held it up during said storm. There were a couple of moments where the tent sucked in and popped back out rather alarmingly but it never tore. I've since gotten a 2nd carbon pole and I've not had the problem since).

Rocky ground...check. Whilst not super rocky, I've had it down on chunky sharp gravel a few times. Big, sharp pointy stuff might be another matter, but I don't think there's much that would withstand that kind of abuse. If that's the kind of terrain you're thinking of, a ground sheet wouldn't hurt.

I recently went one better than that and pitched on top of a sapling stump in the dark (it looked flat by headlight after several pints!). Found it made a nice indentation in the morning...but there was no tear. By all rights I should've had a decent 2 inch hole in the bathtub.

Greetz

S.

Cool thanks, thats great to know!

I had an Altaplex and pole in my shopping basket on Friday but just couldn't hit 'buy'...!

This may help. Any thoughts on whether the heavier cuben fibre (0.71) is worth going for?

I have no experience with the 0.7oz/sq yard cuben. What I can tell you with certainty is the 0.51oz/sq yard material on top of a Solplex is enough to keep out 5p sized hail. The tub is 1oz/sq yard and good enough to stop aforementioned sapling stump from poking through after laying on top of it all night.

I'd say being near half way between the two, it would be relatively robust. If you're happy enough to carry a few extra grams, I can't see it being a negative. Might keep out 20p sized hail :)

Greetz

S.

Just pressed the buy button for a Solplex in camo

Did you order 8 or 9 pegs? Solplex is a 9 peg if using 1 peg for each guy (4 x corners, 2 for head/foot, 2 center back and 1 for the beak).

If you've gone with 8 (the std pack), you have some options...you can have separate pegs on the center back and flip a coin on whether to peg out the head or the foot or peg out both the head and foot and run your guys at the center back to a single peg.

Which reminds me...I need to get 1 more peg myself. :)

Greetz

S.

I didn't order any pegs with it, I have plenty of various types from other tents/bivvis.
From what you say I will probably use it with 9

Scattamah wrote: (Something to note here...I was running it with a single pole on the front only at the time...there was a bit of slack in the back and I held it up during said storm. There were a couple of moments where the tent sucked in and popped back out rather alarmingly but it never tore. I've since gotten a 2nd carbon pole and I've not had the problem since).

Out of interest - are you using the ZPacks carbon poles? I'm going to get an Altaplex and not sure if I should go for one of their poles or get Stu to make me one of his....

Zpacks pole at the front / Pole-A-Bear pole at the back. Approx. 25g difference between Zpacks and Pole-A-Bear @ ~80cm length. This may be less now as I've seen a picture of an all-carbon Pole-A-Bear in threads hereabouts.

The Zpacks pole for Altaplex looks remarkably similar to a Pole-A-Bear pole.

Greetz

S.

I've seen a picture of an all-carbon Pole-A-Bear in threads hereabouts.

Scott, if you let me have your pole back for a couple of days, I'll replace your alloy spigots with carbon if you like

That's mighty kind of you, Sir. If I leave it with you post WRT, is that ok? It's destined to get a couple of runs between now and then.

Greetz

S.

I've done it. I've ordered an Altaplex, in the slightly heavier dark green fabric.

Holy cr*p. I'm never buying another shelter. Ever!

That's mighty kind of you, Sir. If I leave it with you post WRT, is that ok?

No trouble at all.