Oh IMO there's plenty to miss about a tent, just as there are things not to miss. Number one is fool proof wind protection compared to most tarp set ups. Even a small 1 or 2 man tent can be really storm resistant and wind proof, at least once it is set up correctly in the rain. And if you have good drainage and don't get swamped, but wind protection is number one. Of course, with hammocks we usually have better access to sheltered sites, which can make up for no criss crossing tent poles. But not always.
I used to have a 35 sq.ft, 5 lb 2 man 4 season NF hoop tent ( Westwind) that, pitched (low to the ground) right out in the middle of a meadow or on a snow ridge could with stand the most amazing amounts of wind. And I had a couple of 9 lb Walrus 4 season tents- 3 man or 3+ gear or 4 man not sure, but also had room for gear in vestibules - that I could actually lean my body weight on and they would barely flex. I really felt secure in any storm in those, and wind or sideways rain or snow was never an issue. It takes a much bigger tarp to compete with that, and really even then I don't think it competes. I'm always nervous about the "sail" of a big old tarp, and without poles I am always nervous about them really standing up to the wind hitting all of that surface area. ( even though so far so good!)
Then again, even a huge tarp is still going to be way lighter than those tents even when shared by more than one person. ( Westwind = ~ 2.5 lbs per person). And also, my experiences in the wind with the HH Super Shelter, with it's smaller tarp ( less of a sail, catches less wind ) but windproof under cover, have been excellent. But wait a minute! The Explorer UL with tarp weighs 2.5 lbs, so it is actually the same weight as a Westwind used by two. But the HHSS weighs ~ 20 more oz. Course need a pad in the tent, so the weights are about the same. But comfort wise, and not having to sleep in a small tent with a stinking snoring buddy? Priceless, and even worth more weight if it turned out that way!
How about having a stable sheltered dry surface(floor) to place things on, or play cards on in a storm? Sometimes I miss that. So tents are not without their selling points. It's just that, under most conditions the hammock/tarp has more selling points for me. But I guess that is all in the past, I doubt I will be going back. I must admit though that, on one trip to the Wind Rivers, below timberline but so many widowmakers that I was kind of nostalgic for my old Westwind which I could have pitched so easily out in the meadows. Then again, to keep the weight reasonable, I would have had to share it with another adult male, and that would suck now that I am used to a roomy, stand up tarp!
And yep, that gear hammock could help with some gear storage problems.
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Originally Posted by Camper1
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