Hexpeak v4a vs lanshan 1

[Suffolkrafter]

I'm looking to replace my Vango Nevis with something lighter and as such I am waiting for the luxe hexpeak v4a fly-only to become available.
I plan to pair it with a lanshan 1, 4 season inner (t door) from AliExpress. Should make a weather proof, comfortable shelter for around 1 kg. I tend to camp in poorer weather so need something fairly solid.

But it got me a wondering, the lanshan 1 itself seems to get fairly good reviews for wind resistance. Does anyone here have experience of both tents, the v4a and lanshan 1? If so, how so they compare in terms of robustness and livability?

 

[Erbswurst]

The V4a is pretty robust. I replaced the tent lines though as the delivered were a bit too thin for the line locks a few years ago. They were slipping through sometimes.
I like it, but I own only the outer shell and usually combine it with a bivvy bag on closed cell foam mat. In hot- dry conditions I put a poncho on the ground.

I think you can order it here:

Sil Hexpeak V4a

Sil Hexpeak V4a

luxeoutdoor.de

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Thanks Erbswurst. Glad you've had good experiences with it.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Thanks Erbswurst. Glad you've had good experiences with it.

The V4a is pretty robust. I replaced the tent lines though as the delivered were a bit too thin for the line locks a few years ago. They were slipping through sometimes.
I like it, but I own only the outer shell and usually combine it with a bivvy bag on closed cell foam mat. In hot- dry conditions I put a poncho on the ground.

I think you can order it here:

Sil Hexpeak V4a

Sil Hexpeak V4a

luxeoutdoor.de

Can I also ask, as well as opening the door and securing it to the left (when looking at the tent) is it also possible to open up the panel to the right of the door i.e. un-peg it and pull it to the side, to create a greater opening in good weather?

 

[nigelp]

I use a Nigor Shangri-la 3 with a half inner that goes right into the rear ‘triangle’ of the shelter. That makes for a massive shelter with a huge porch. When all guyed out it is incredibly stable and sheds the wind and rain. You can use the aluminium pole supplied or trekking poles joined - the supplied pole is more stable. Just digging out some photos - need to take some more - I was going to sell it with the full inner and footprint but still like it as a winter shelter.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I'm a big fan of the hexpeak, I've had mine for a couple of years and it's definitely one that I'll hang on to. I took it to a campsite in Suffolk a while back. It was a very open and exposed campsite and 40+mph winds swept through the campsite for much of the weekend. The Hexpeak was genuinely impressive, with limpet-like qualities! and has become my go-to if I know the weather is going to be awful. The huge vestibule area is also a big plus for this tent.

Re your question above about the door. I've never done that and I know it's not designed to do that, but I'd be fairly confident that you could un-peg that section of the tent and tie it back to one of the guy-line loops.

There's a couple of things to be aware of with the tent though. Pitching the outer is a doddle, but the inner can be a bit fiddly to get right. There's a useful video on youtube where someone did some basic mods to simplify the pitching process (the channel is called Outlawed Landscapes). The other thing to note is that it is fairly large for a 1 person tent with a diameter of approx 2.8m and therefore requires a larger footprint when pitching.

I've no experience with the Lanshan 1, it looks like a nice bit of kit with a smaller footprint meaning you won't have to be so selective when searching for a pitch. It will of course be lighter than the Hexpeak, but will come with much less living space.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

There are always trade offs aren't there. Footprint is an issue, as well as things like pitching over heather and rocks which can make things awkward. But wind resistance is my main criteria as I will likely use it on hills in the spring/autumn/winter months. I think it was Outlawed Landscapes that gave me the idea for the 4 season lanshan inner with t zip.

Nigelp the Shangri-la 3 looks so similar to the hexpeak. Looks like a great setup. How much does it all weigh?

 

[Erbswurst]

The V4a has a loop on the tip that allows to hang it under a branch or some kind of washing line between two trees. And inside the tip is so heavily reinforced that you can use every natural stick instead of an aluminium pole.
Or you can cut two outer poles and hang the tent under it. I prefere that over any inner pole that makes the tent a bit uncomfortable.

Does the Shangri-la 3 has the same features?

You can set up the V4a outer wall on a smaller footprint somehow if I remember it right. I think you set it on a rectangular base and fold in the two additional triangles. I think the German seller showed it me in his workshop. I may got confused with a custom made cotton Tschum though, as he is making these. The guy speaks English, no problem to ask him.

I never tried to open a second section. It surely works too, but I didn't see a need for that, because the original door is wide enough.
I could imagine to try it out if really needed although it's currently clean and dry sleeping in its drybag. I have the coyote tan version for Mediterranean sites and use in Germany either a Italian army camouflage poncho or at the coast my green Hilleberg Nallo2, what doesn't mean that I wouldn't trust the wind resistance of the V4a. That is a well made tent in a storm resistant shape.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

The more I hear about it the more I like it. I will try get the fly shipped from the German distributor.

 

[Erbswurst]

The only downside point are some reflective pieces. The one over the entrance you can cut away very carefully with nail scissors. But at the storm line attachments in half height of each corner they are printed on the strap itself. I think unless you cover it with fabric you keep that very well working reflective little points. Edding doesn't cover it for example. It doesn't hold on it.

It disturbs me only theoretically though, as I usually don't use it for stealth camping anyway. And if, I am so well hidden, that nobody will come along there anyway, especially at night.
Perhaps it's no fault that a driver can see you before he hits into your tent...

I would prefere the option to detach such items if I want to nevertheless. But the German seller couldn't convince the maker yet to change that point.

Well, if it really disturbs someone, it should be easily done to sew a second strap over it. Such a short piece weighs really next to nothing.

 

[Erbswurst]

Tell the guy that you are a member of the forum here, and best regards from Berlin!
He is a bushcrafter like you and me. He obviously just hasn't the time to play in every internet forum he likes to with two children and his Tschum workshop.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Tell the guy that you are a member of the forum here, and best regards from Berlin!
He is a bushcrafter like you and me. He obviously just hasn't the time to play in every internet forum he likes to with two children and his Tschum workshop.

I will do!

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Thanks all for the advice, I'm now the proud owner of a hexpeak v4a, freshly seam sealed. I think it is my dream tent, I absolutely love it. The 3ul 4 season t door lanshan inner fits very well, and I've rigged it with a combination of bungee and microcord. In theory, it should all just spring into place when I erect the pole, all in one go. In practice, I may be sat on a mountain side untangling knots for a while. I'll see how that goes.
Now I just need to wait for some foul autumn weather for my next trip. I have Snowdonia in my sights.

 

[Erbswurst]

Congratulations!

If there a trees in your area think about buying in a boat shop rather expensive 2,5 mm line and hang the tent under some kind of washing line. That eliminates the rather disturbing pole in the middle of the tent and some weight in the rucksack.

I use Edelrid Multicord SP 2,5 mm, orange, what's the best that I found in that diameter. Edelrid you probably get in shops that specialise in climbing equipment. But boat shops sell pretty similar thin but strong lines.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Yes, I always carry some cordage of that sort of diameter, but almost always I am camping in hills, far from trees. I never used to use trekking poles but increasingly I'm finding them useful for crossing rivers and bogs and rough heather etc. So it is no big deal for me to use a pole.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Thanks all for the advice, I'm now the proud owner of a hexpeak v4a, freshly seam sealed. I think it is my dream tent, I absolutely love it. The 3ul 4 season t door lanshan inner fits very well, and I've rigged it with a combination of bungee and microcord. In theory, it should all just spring into place when I erect the pole, all in one go. In practice, I may be sat on a mountain side untangling knots for a while. I'll see how that goes.
Now I just need to wait for some foul autumn weather for my next trip. I have Snowdonia in my sights.

Nice one, you won't regret it.
Reminds me that I need to do that shock cord mod to mine before I take it to Dartmoor!

 

[Siberian Mongoose]

Giving me ideas—i like roundish, well hexagonal here, tents!