Solo tent backpacking: Snugpak Journey solo?

[lostplanet]

Just interested to see what owners think of their Journey solo.

Seem to be a gazillion micro, single ,bikepack, backpack dodads out there.

Dont mind spending the money on decent kit and weight isnt absolutely critical.

In fact i'd rather have build quality that will take good bit of use and last, over mega bucks ultra light weight as ill probably break it anyway.

Thanks

 

[Barney Rubble]

Hi, I'm not going to be that helpful because I don't have the Journey Solo, but....
I recently bought the Snugpak Ionosphere and am looking forward to using it when we come out of lockdown. The Ionosphere is identical in design but clearly differs in the materials used as it's 500g lighter and olive green. I'd encourage you to consider the Ionosphere for the 25% weight saving and stealthy colour.

I did a ton of research on the Ionosphere before I pulled the trigger and was really impressed at how overwhelmingly positive the online reviews/videos and interactions that I had with users on various facebook groups. There's clearly a lot of love out there for this tent.

The crucial thing to consider with the Journey Solo/Ionosphere is that it's more of a posh hooped bivi than a tent and that's predominantly what appealed to me. You have plenty of room inside for you and your kit (it's actually pretty spacious in that respect) but don't expect to have room to sit up in it as it's only 70cm high. When I eventually get out with mine, I shall be using it for woodland camping in conjunction with a poncho tarp to create a covered admin space by the door.

Of course the good thing about the tent being so low is that it can cope with the wind, it also benefits from 14 pegging out points so you can really anchor it down in bad weather, it's also got a reputation as being a solid bit of kit - these are all points that are repeated in the reviews.

If you want a tent with more living space then I'd recommend the MSR Elixir 1, you have tons of head room in this and a generous vestibule. I have the Elixir 2 and it's a palace of a tent, I've had it out in 30mph winds and it's been fine, but I wouldn't necessarily want to take it on an exposed mountain camp.

It's a difficult decision to make, but it ultimately boils down to what you want to do with the tent?

 

[lostplanet]

I think the inonsphere is actually exactly what im looking for. Thanks for the write up and taking the time to do it, very interesting.

Main use is shelter (protection from wind rain), somewhere to sleep whilst walking a trail. Not so much bushing but maybe wild camping if needed. I fancy doing some mileage and a multiday hike.

As an example, Been looking at Peddars way for a long time, Ive done a small portion of it,

Im use to sheltering under a basha in a A frame style in most weathers and I have got a Dutch Hooped bivvy which is good but really not big enough as id like to have a free standing unit with gear storage/porch.

A Mini tent with that kind of protection, build quality, weight, price and compactness is perfect. I will definitley be looking at getting one.

Thanks

 

[Erbswurst]

It is much more expensive, but did you also think about the Hilleberg Akto?

It's obviously much more comfortable to enter.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think the inonsphere is actually exactly what im looking for. Thanks for the write up and taking the time to do it, very interesting.

Main use is shelter (protection from wind rain), somewhere to sleep whilst walking a trail. Not so much bushing but maybe wild camping if needed. I fancy doing some mileage and a multiday hike.

As an example, Been looking at Peddars way for a long time, Ive done a small portion of it,

Im use to sheltering under a basha in a A frame style in most weathers and I have got a Dutch Hooped bivvy which is good but really not big enough as id like to have a free standing unit with gear storage/porch.

A Mini tent with that kind of protection, build quality, weight, price and compactness is perfect. I will definitley be looking at getting one.

Thanks

No problem, glad I could help. I have similar plans in mind for my Ionosphere and am hopeful that it will serve me well.

Funny you should mention the Dutch hooped bivi. That's my go to shelter option (with a tarp) and has been an excellent bivi bag. I bought the Ionosphere to mix things up a little and have another option should I wish.

 

[TLM]

Question concerning people choosing tents for the Misty Isles: how important is mosquito, midge and fly "resistant" design. For me here in Finland it comes right after keeping the rain out.

 

[lostplanet]

No problem, glad I could help. I have similar plans in mind for my Ionosphere and am hopeful that it will serve me well.

Funny you should mention the Dutch hooped bivi. That's my go to shelter option (with a tarp) and has been an excellent bivi bag. I bought the Ionosphere to mix things up a little and have another option should I wish.

@Barney Rubble How was your Ionosphere experience? should be plenty by now

 

[hughtrimble]

Question concerning people choosing tents for the Misty Isles: how important is mosquito, midge and fly "resistant" design. For me here in Finland it comes right after keeping the rain out.

I can't speak for the Misties, but down here in the South of England it's very high up on my list. They're not a problem all year round, but when they are a problem, they are a real problem so I like to have my kit suitable for them.

This summer a matter of just weeks apart it went from zero issue to awful where I was in Kent. Thankfully I had a mozzie net that went over my bivi that I could hang from my tarp line. I couldn't have slept sealed inside the bivi by the integrated mesh due to the heat, and I couldn't have slept with the bivi open without the external mozzie net due to the mozzies.

 

[lostplanet]

Things went very quiet for me this past 4 years but I'm slowly getting out and about.

I am like you Hugh, I am quite a light sleeper although noise doesn't bother me too much bugs do. Even in the colder months (do we really get colder months anymore in the UK?) it only takes a couple of them buzzing around to make it irritating when all you want to do is switch off and sleep. So bug net is a must for me.

I like to have the tarp setup to do the essentials and keep dry. weight isn't too much of an issue for me. A mini tent maybe overkill but I like the idea of the room against a hooped bivi. Condensation is a factor and after reading and watching reviews the Jupiter seems a good option.

Seems there are a few of alternatives which I narrowed down to Ionosphere IX (joint first place atm), Alpkit Elan, Terra Nova Jupiter lite (which is winning), Wild country coshee,

I am also thinking for a friend as well who has limited sleep time outside so I would want to create as comfortable a place for them as well. It helps to discuss for sure as the more I think whilst writing the more 2 ionospheres would be the way to go and later on get a Jupiter for myself to mess with.

 

[lostplanet]

I found a rather nice price for 2 wild country coshee micro's. I like the pitching design for wet weather and i'm happy that wild country will be decent quality as I've had a tent by them before which lasted years. looking forward to trying this out.

 

[Limaed]

Personally I wouldn’t go for the Ionesphere. I can’t comment on the quality as I’ve not owned one. Essentially I think you’ll miss the space to sit up and cook in the porch if the weather is poor. It’s also hard to keep your kit dry / get dressed for the same reason. If you only camp in fine weather for 1 night at a time a bivi might be okay but I don’t think they cut the mustard. You can have a lightweight 1 person tent for less weight and have twice the space.