The TarpTent ArcDome 2 is a real four-season, double-wall tent constructed to deal with critical climate with out sacrificing consolation. Its totally freestanding design makes use of crisscrossed poles that run by way of bolstered UltraTX50 sleeves, delivering spectacular power. A fly-first pitch retains the inside tent protected and already hooked up, so setup is quick, even if you’re exhausted or the climate is hitting arduous. It’s made with a mixture of best-of-breed ultralight materials that don’t skimp on waterproofness. With an awfully spacious inside, the ArcDome 2 combines efficiency with consolation, making it a welcome refuge in hazardous situations.
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- Kind: Double-Wall
- Construction: Freestanding
- Doorways/vestibules: 2/2
- Interior Tent Dimensions: 50″w x 92″l x 45″h (actually!)
- General footprint (not together with further guylines): 78″ w x 101″ l
- Supplies: Fly: 30D double ripstop tremendous excessive tenacity polyester, coating: silicone one facet; polycarbonate urethane one facet (Sil/PcU), rated to over 4,000mm hydrostatic head, pure white (undyed); Ground: 30D double ripstop 100% silicone-coated nylon 6.6 rated to over 5,000mm hydrostatic head, black; Arch sleeve: UltraTX50; Reinforcements: Ultra100 and 210D nylon w/Dyneema ripstop; Poles: DAC NFL 9.3: 9.3mm diameter 7000 collection aluminum alloy
- Weight Examined: 3 lbs 12.8 oz/ 1.72 kg
- For full in-depth specs, go to Tarptent.
The ArcDome 2 is accessible in numerous material and pole combos, together with a stable or mesh inside tent, two aluminum tent pole units, or one constructed from carbon fiber. Since I wished to check the tent in winter situations, I specced it out with a stable inside tent to guard the inside compartment from spindrift and scale back airflow, and with the thinner aluminum poleset, which I favor over carbon fiber poles. Whereas there’s some anecdotal proof that carbon fiber turns into extra brittle at decrease temperatures, I favor aluminum poles as a result of they’re simpler to restore or substitute, and cheaper, with solely a small weight penalty.
Tent Setup and Design
The ArcDome 2 is a freestanding dome with a really barely offset inside tent orientation to extend facet vestibule quantity. It has two lengthy poles that slot into perpendicular roof sleeves, bolstered with UltraTX50, a 3-ply laminate that appears like Xpac however is made with Extremely fibers. When pitching the tent, it’s simpler to insert each poles first, then bend, anchor, and pressure the ends to type the dome form. It takes numerous room to arrange this tent, because the poles should be totally prolonged earlier than insertion, so it’s greatest to pitch it in an open space slightly than in dense forest. In fact, being freestanding, you may also simply decide up the tent and transfer it wherever you need as soon as the poles are tensioned in place.
The outside fly is made from 30D excessive tenacity polyester ripstop with a 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, making it extra waterproof than most non-Dyneema tents bought at present, aside from Hilleberg tents. The ground of the inside tent is made from 30D nylon 66 with a 5,000mm hydrostatic head, so it’s very waterproof, whereas the stable facet partitions are constructed from a mushy, breathable, and windproof 15D double ripstop polyester that looks like parachute silk.
The tent’s dome form and rock-solid construction shed snow and wind simply, however there are additionally quite a few guy-out factors alongside the outside poles, sleeves, and partitions to man out the tent in excessive situations. The tent ships with aluminum V-stakes, which pair nicely with the nook guy-outs and line loc tensioners. However they’re ill-suited for snow, and also you’ll need to give further consideration to the way you stake out the tent along with your snow instruments, skis, or deadmen.
As famous, the ArcDome 2 has a fly-first pitch, so you possibly can set it up with out getting the inside tent moist if it’s raining: the inside tent might be preattached at setup or packed individually and hooked up after the fly is erected. If you need, you possibly can even camp underneath the fly by itself with out the inside tent if insect safety will not be required.
Inside Consolation
The ArcDome 2 has two doorways and two vestibules, so each occupants have quick access and egress at evening, in addition to coated gear storage. Excessive vents within the ceiling vent inner condensation, notably moisture out of your exhalations. As a result of it’s a double-wall tent, inner condensation (attributable to the temperature differential between the within and out of doors of the rain fly) kinds on the fly, not within the inside tent, which homes occupants.
The inside consolation of the ArcDome is phenomenal, given its usable house and inside peak. With a ground width of fifty inches (1.27m) and a size of 92 inches (2.34m), the ArcDome 2 simply accommodates two 25-inch large sleeping pads. The vertical partitions present glorious, expansive inside quantity, whereas the inside peak of 45 inches permits customers to take a seat up comfortably or kneel and pack backpacks inside underneath cowl. Moreover, the tent provides glorious inner pocket storage, together with high-level, full-width pockets, grasp loops, and a gear loft, which are perfect for conserving gear organized and stopping delicate gadgets, like glasses, from getting damaged. If you might want to hunker down throughout a storm, the ArcDome 2 is a tent you possibly can stay very snug in (convey a cribbage set).
The vestibules aren’t overly giant however present ample room for pack storage. If you might want to use a range to soften snow, I’d encourage you to roll again the vestibule doorways if in any respect doable to keep away from carbon monoxide poisoning and to forestall burning the tent down round you. If situations make that unattainable, you possibly can detach a nook of the inside tent and fold it again to supply extra space to make use of the range (that is true of different comparable tents from Hilleberg and Durston). For tent use, a radiant burner range, just like the MSR Reactor I take advantage of above, is the best way to go as a result of it doesn’t have an open flame like most canister or liquid-fuel range programs.
Last Verdict
The Tarptent ArcDome 2 is a uncommon mixture of true four-season efficiency and livable consolation in a comparatively light-weight, freestanding bundle. Its sturdy pole-sleeve construction, waterproof materials, and well-thought-out fly-first pitch make it reliable in excessive winds, heavy snow, and driving precipitation, whereas the roomy, tall inside and helpful storage options preserve two occupants snug for prolonged stays. The design provides flexibility (stable or mesh inside, elective pole supplies) so you possibly can tailor it to alpine or three-season use. Select the ArcDome 2 when you want a sturdy, safe shelter for critical situations and worth inside house and ease of use over shaving each ounce. For winter mountaineering, backcountry ski journeys, or lengthy stormbound nights, it’s an impressive, long-term funding that balances power, weatherproofing, and on a regular basis usability.
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Disclosure: Tarptent loaned us a tent to overview.
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