Types of shelter

That's right - pretty much the same design, but using cheaper (heavier) materials. The heavier stuff is probably more suited to NZ conditions anyway, so it's a win/win for me.

After the discussion here, I'm looking pretty darn hard at the Zephyros 1. Seems pretty hard to beat for the great price. $190 for a simple, fairly quick set up tent, with decent room, and a good shape for wind (provided it's pitched into it, not broadside), with an alright vestibule for gear. The questions I need answered in a shelter (specifically for the TAT) are: Is it light? Does it set up easily? Is there enough room? Is there protection for my gear? Will the bastard of a thing keep bugs away from me? If I get stuck beside a raging river, could I wait a few days in the tent without going mental? The Zephyros 1 seems to answer all these questions. Having said that, I'd love to hear more about the Luxe, 1strider.

Ok, posing a (related) question: In your mind, what makes a 4-season tent, "4-season"?

used to be that 4 season tents had snow skirts but these days few 4 season tents have this. A 4 season tent has to be able to handle anything nature can through at it at whatever speed its coming. You get more poles and pegs heavier material and the inner tent has little if any mesh

My solo tent is the Macpac Microlight Classic. I chose it because Macpac said they would prefer to be in it if conditions were bad compared to their new Sololight, plus it's been around a long time and well tested in NZ conditions. I like the floor being 10,000mm and the weight is 1.6kg, same as the Zephyros I think… Macpac said; "The Microlight is designed for all seasons. Its pole structure creates a more tapered roof, which helps to displace rain and snow more effectively (this has been tested). It also has a heavier floor fabric, so although they both have the same waterproof coating, it will be more durable. Due to the tapered roof, the living area is reduced. The Microlight does have a double door. Overall, the designers feel they would rather live in and use the Sololight, but if conditions were bad, the Microlight is superior.”

Hi guys. You're gonna love this! Really interesting development in my life. Without going into it too much, I was seeing someone, we tried living together, didn't quite work. I'd lined up another place, but prior to signing a contract I pulled out of it because it was when I made my decision to take 4 months off and hike the TAT. We (her and I) still get along, and so figured that it would be beneficial to us both if I just stayed as a housemate in the spare room for the four months before I left for the TAT. However, as these things go, it's not going to work. She's starting to look at dating again, and I'm trying to focus on training, so it's just not quite working. Don't get me wrong, we're still good friends. Anyway, my boss offered for me to live at work, free of charge, until I go. How can I pass up such a generous offer like that?! So, as we speak, I'm in the process of packing and moving. I'm going to be living in a loft area, out the back and away from view. However, it's a high, vertical ladder (6m or even more), to get up there. No way am I dragging a bed or even my sofa bed up there! So what I've just decided is that I'm going to start preparing for the mental aspect of camping for 4 months straight away. It's very cold up there - no insulation whatsoever. I'm going to pitch my tent, and use my time to really nut-out my sleeping system, which to me, is the most important system in the whole ensemble. I'm going to pitch my free-standing Kathmandu tent, for two reasons: one, it's free standing. No guy lines required. And whilst the roof leaks and it'll be pretty drafty, of course, I don't have to deal with the real vagaries of the weather. And two, why would I want to wear out the actual tent I'm taking before I leave? Of course, once I have decided on the shelter I'm taking, and purchase it, I'll be taking it out tramping in the hills to test the whole system in the weather. The badder the better. What's the saying? Something along the lines of: hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I'm VERY excited about having the opportunity to test out my gear, and condition myself to sleeping on hard ground (did I mention it's bare concrete?). :D Not to mention I get to save a few more dollars between now and August when I go. And I've booked my flight from Christchurch to Auckland for the 1st of August, so it's all systems go! Stand by over the next few days to find out how my Klymit Insulated Static V performs.....

Consensus re pitching the Zephyros for windy conditions seems to be broadside with the entry on the lee side. Doesn't seem logical, but means the hoop pole is side on to wind direction for max strength. Works for me anyway! I've used mine below freezing and it's quite comfortable - the inner is mostly solid with a small mesh panel at the top of the door - effectively a two layer tent. Can get a bit stuffy in Summer, but you can drop the door to floor level for better airflow. I've also purchased the footprint for Winter use - protects the floor and also provides a dry area in the vestibule.

Wow, some really great stuff there guys! I'll check out the Macpac, and Hutch, I was kind of poo-pooing a footprint, but...... It does make sense.... As for pitching the Zephyros broadside, it seems counter-intuitive, but hey, if that's the way they reckon you do it.... I'm also liking the look of some of the Sierra Design tents. Rated up to 40+ mile an hour winds (around 30 knots; hey, I'm a sailor), with big, wide openings for max airflow and ingress/egress. Problem is, I can't find anyone in NZ who sells them. Anyone know of somewhere?

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/tents

Got two of them as well :-) - Lightning HT2 and HT3, excellent tents for the money. I imported both of mine direct by waiting for a cheap one to pop up on eBay then drop shipping through YouShop. The HT2 was a little over $300 landed, the HT3 nearer $400 - this was when exchange rates were a lot more favourable though. The HT2 in particular is brilliant - first trip out I ended up tent bound during 12 hours of heavy rain and wind and not a drop made it inside. Love that little tent.