Tensa Solo question

**unionmanbirch** · 10-30-2022, 10:38

Tensa Solo question - how does the solo hold up in bad weather? Anyone use them during thunderstorms or high winds? I do a lot of bicycle camping and wild camp. Over the past couple years finding a spot to hang has become tiresome to me. I ride a recumbent bike and trying to drag it through brush is a chore. I've always been able to find two good trees eventually (I'm in the northeast) but I'm thinking of getting two Tensa solo poles to make it easier. For wild camping I should only need one, but if I have two poles, I can hang in state park campgrounds in CT and NY too without worrying. Anyway, back to my question. I had four straight days of rain in the Adirondacks last month including one day of pretty strong thunderstorms. Would the solo hold up in those conditions? I don't think I'm interested in the Tensa4 as it seems too big to carry on the bicycle.

**Shug** · 10-30-2022, 11:02

Mine seems very solid. Was in high winds with my Tensa Trekking Treez and it held through all of that.
Like anything you may have to tweak here and there like adjusting a tarp but you should be good to go with it.
Shug

**LowTech** · 10-30-2022, 11:18

I don't see any reason for the Solo itself to suffer, the stakes (whichever ones you choose to use) are more important in my opinion. The pole just gives you something to hang from, the stakes are what keeps it standing in all conditions.
I will be taking my Solo on an upcoming bikepacking trip (just a two day). It straps easily along my top tube and I could put one on each side if wanted. But the right stakes for the terrain is the big challenge. I still haven't decided on which ones to take. Plus none of the stock issue ones will work in my environment so I'm always experimenting w/ everything from rebar to nail spikes to old military half-shelter stakes trying to find the right thing to get me anchored in the rocky terrain.

"Sent w/o me knowing"

**unionmanbirch** · 10-30-2022, 13:07

Thanks Shug. Your insight is always appreciated.

**Shug** · 10-30-2022, 13:11

Originally Posted by unionmanbirch

Thanks Shug. Your insight is always appreciated.

I agree with LowTech that you should double check your stakes.
If you go to the end of the video below you can see some staking. And at 8:20 in video in the field.

**cougarmeat** · 10-30-2022, 13:19

In my trip report on Orcas Island circumnavigation, I have pictures of the Solo. It was absolutely necessary as I committed to hammock or ground bivi if necessary. Usually, I take a tent backup because unlike a forest, there are sometimes no trees on a beach. The ability to only need one solid support - not two trees at the right distance - really opens up the possible hang options. I tried the orange screws once, but the ground texture required boomstakes (I brought both).

Really consider your anchor system, especially if you anticipate heavy rain.

**Alamosa** · 10-30-2022, 14:59

It is all about how well the tie-outs work. Make sure they are staked well or tied out to vegetation with deep roots.

**unionmanbirch** · 10-30-2022, 19:29

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like the Tensa would work as long as I make sure it is staked solidly.

**JollyRoger70** · 10-30-2022, 19:31

I didn’t have bad weather on the trip I’ve used the Solo on, but it was rock solid. I think the only real catch is to make sure you use the right stakes between the orange screws and the boom stakes.

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**tinktheman12** · 10-31-2022, 16:47

I've got a Tensa Solo but only tried it twice in backyard (Northern Indiana, fall) and couldn't get it to work. Have any of y'all tried it with the Dutchware spiral stakes? Would those work for solid ground? I'm presuming they would not work for anything resembling soft ground?

Would you recommend I to invest in the orange screws for soft ground circumstances?

With winter coming up, what would you likely use?

Phew, sorry for the barrage of questions. Thanks for your help.