Tarptent - Scarp 1

I love my Scarp 1 but it’d argue it is for the more experienced. Ultimately, a tent will only provide some of the warmth. As long as you get something 4 season rated, a solid inner but with a fly all the way down to the floor you’ll have the slight temperature boost. Realistically you’re only looking to increase the temperature by 3-5°c but some people claim more. I’ve never measured a difference bigger than that no matter what shelter I use though. The most important thing to boost your temperature is clothing and sleeping equipment. I use a -1°c down quilt with a synthetic top quilt which controls moisture very very well. Combined they give me a comfort of -9°c but I’ve used the combo down to -12°c. If it’s colder than that, I use a -12°c down quilt and the same synthetic top quilt which has seen me warm and toasty down to -18°C. To summarise, you’re looking to solidify more than just a 4 season shelter but an appropriate sleep system in combination to get the warmth you want.

Have you considered the Tarptent Scarp 1? I quite like it. I use it on my winter climbing trips, sometimes with, sometimes without the crossing poles. They don’t increase the strength, just maintain its volume under stress (wind/snow). It’s not bothered by 50mph winds, haven’t gone above 60 with it though, I still prefer to find somewhere sheltered. The only downsides in my books are the inner door toggles are shite for gloves, so I added my own, and its packed size/shape took some getting used to. It felt faffy at first but all 4 season tents have a process that’s best followed for good reason. I can be out a snowstorm in 10 minutes. I actually find myself using it over my X-Mid in the summer if wind is likely. If you look at my posts here you’ll see it in all seasons and all forms, from minimal to full poles and guys.

I second the Tarptent recommendation. They balance light and durable really well. I have the Scarp 1 and love it.

Tarptent Scarp 1. Don’t need the crossing poles unless you are expecting seriously bad conditions. Using trekking poles as lifters is usually sufficient.

For 35% off, I would be getting the Scarp 1. For 1 person it’s very spacious. And yes you can fit two people inside it if you use 20 inch inflatable mats.

I love my Scarp 1. Haven’t used it for true mountain summit camping in the UK yet as I prefer to duck down to more like 700m for peace of mind. I have the crossing poles in carbon but yet to use them. Hiking poles work great to lift the fly off the inner in windy weather (use some shock loops on the mid panel guy out tabs). Having two vestibules is wonderful but plenty of space inside to bring in all your gear if that’s what you prefer. I’m not very tall so I can sit up in it just fine, but if you are very tall you might prefer a dome tent.

Tarptent makes tents that do not require trekking poles and are double walled. I have the Scarp 1, and it can be free standing if you add the optional cross poles.

I have the Scarp 1 from tarptent, and the dimensions claim that the interior is 86" long. I am also 6'2" and have lots of room in the Scarp 1.

Is it for one person or two? How are you defining 4 season? Are you expecting snow loading, or just stormy/cold conditions? The Hilleberg Nallo 2 is certainly a good tent. Have you also looked at the Soulo and Unna? The TarpTent Scarp 1 (with crossing poles) is more than big enough for one person with gear. The Scarp 2 feels less sturdy in strong winds. I have both. Have you looked at the Nortent Vern 1 (or 2)? I'm planning to buy one soon for winter camping.

You definitely aren’t too tall for the Scarp 1. It is really long tent.

The Tarptent Scarp 1+ is a good fit for your requirements and often seen on more adventurous pitches in the Scottish Highlands and other European ranges. Fly first, freestanding pitch with good ventilation options and a solid inner available, which is two-thirds solid, one-third mesh. The 1+ is a large one person (you can squeeze in 2) or there is a dedicated 2 person Scarp also. For three season use it comes in around 1.1 - 1.3 kg, so we'll within your target. And a bonus for you: rather than look for another winter tent, you can add optional crossing poles to the Scarp in winter to make it an even more bomber 4 season, snow loaded fortress! It is within budget I reckon. Tarptent have the Scarp on sale at the moment with a stunning 35% off! (Not affiliated BTW) And just to add an alternative viewpoint, my personal choice and go-to shelter for the type of conditions you describe is the MLD Trailstar with a breathable or bug bivvy (but inners are available). Not freestanding, but palatial space and just the most beautiful, aerodynamic mountain-hugging limpet of a tarp you will find, and only half a kilo.

Think you have a few good suggestions already... But you mentioned msr access... What don't you like about it? I had the 2p version, very spacious, just a little too big for me. I switched to scarp1 which is 1+. With your dog, maybe the scarp2?

What is your budget? Naturehike while decent (i have had 2, and still have 1) i would not class as 4 seasons. the pole structure on star river is very similar to Cloud Up, and i think it will collapse in strong wind. MSR elixir - great tent - but again, i wouldnt be confident in it during strong winds - check youtube for vids on this. You can try an MSR access2 - i had this but decided it was too big for my preference. I have since settled on Tarptent Scapr1 or check their latest offering, the Arcdome - not cheap mind.

Yes it’s a very spacious tent.

Look at the Scarp 1 at Tarp-tent….with optional cross supports for additional snow loading protection and it’s on sale now!

I have a TarpTent that is really good in wind and rain (though the carbon fiber pole broke on my last day of camping in high wind). My favorite tent is my cheap Naturehike - I've camped in it well over 100 times in rain,, wind, and high altitudes. It's getting old, sure, but, it's been rock solid throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Scotland, Eastern Europe...

It's a tad heavier, yes, but it packs smaller than my other tents. And it does really well in wind (and rain, until this, which might be an anomaly).

I exaggerated a bit when I said everything was wet. My wool base layer, boots, and backpack were in a big garbage bag (I always take a big bag to put everything in at night. I also have a waterproof outer layer. The problem was that I didn't have a dry place to change. I had to wait for the rain to let up. And even wet, my sleeping bag would have offered some warmth - I just didn't want to get it dirty. I wasn't THAT cold. I burned a lot of camping fuel, drank a lot of tea, and stayed awake - It was just the preferrable option by that point. I only had a couple of hours left before dawn.

With my better tent, yes. It's fully waterproof and built for high winds (Tarp Tent).

Scarp 1. Honestly, I'm not super impressed with it. It's light, but bulky. Waterproof, but so noisy in any wind (crinkly material). My carbon fiber pole broke my last morning of a week long trek in Iceland, and it's expensive to replace. The fabric is fragile. I had a couple of rocks tumble from my rock wall and they tore the fly. I also had a manufacturing defect - one of the support pole attachments tore off the fly my first night. I sewed it back on. I think the design is good, but there's a reason I brought my old tent.