The Outside Vitals Cirq Tent is a single-person ultralight trekking-pole tent that weighs 1 lb 13 oz and requires two trekking poles to pitch. It has a two-peak design, one taller than the opposite, creating a big entrance vestibule and open rear porch, although inaccessible from inside, with peak vents on either side of the ridgeline to advertise airflow. Dimensionally, this tent is big and requires a big open area to pitch, however in case you’re tall and have loads of room to set it up, you’ll be a cheerful camper. It’s priced at $330 USD and about 10% much less in case you’re an Outside Vitals member.
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- Minimal Tent Weight (tent and guylines): 1 lb 13 oz (822g)
- Minimal variety of stakes to pitch: 6. I like to recommend 8
- Sort: Single-wall, twin peak
- Peak heights: 53” / 44” (135 / 112 cm)
- Ground Dimensions: 91.3” × 28” (232 × 71 cm) – I measured 90″ and 30″ within the center tapering to twenty-eight″ on the ends.
- Material: 15D Nylon / 50D Polyester Sil/PeU Ripstop (2000mm)
- Seam-taped: Sure:
- Inner pockets: 1, dangle loops in peak corners
- Coloration: Grey fly with blue flooring
- Professionals: Seam-taped, Spacious inside, wonderful airflow resists inner condensation
- Cons: Requires a big area to arrange – 12′ x 12′
The Outside Very important Cirq 1P is a single-wall, one-person tent that requires two trekking poles for pitching. The entrance peak is taller than the rear peak, creating a big entrance vestibule and a smaller coated space on the rear of the tent, although it’s not accessible from the within. Catenary minimize edges within the fly assist cut back material weight whereas rising airflow and aerodynamics.
Whenever you pitch the tent, the trekking pole ideas slot into grommets sewn to the facet of the tent flooring, which provides stability and helps preserve the ground width. The tops of the peaks are usually not strengthened, so keep in mind, ideas down!, to keep away from shredding the ceiling. When you can technically pitch the tent with 6 stakes, I discovered it very useful to stake out the highest of the 2 peaks individually. The entire guy-lines are pre-attached and have line-loc tensiors, which is good. The guy-lines are additionally fairly lengthy, though you gained’t want that additional size on a regular basis.
There are two large mesh-backed vents under the ridgeline to advertise airflow. They each have kickstands to prop them open and several other velcro patches to maintain them closed in inclement climate. When open, they assist filter any water vapor from the height to stop condensation. It’s the primary time I’ve seen any ultralight tent maker embrace such large facet vents on a mid-like shelter.
Entry is thru the entrance vestibule and door. The vestibule doorways will be rolled again individually or collectively and are secured with dowels and material loops. One thing to contemplate when you’ve got restricted dexterity. The entrance wall of the tent above the tub flooring is all mesh with a door on the fitting facet. You’ll most likely wish to place your head at this finish.
The again wall of the tent is an element strong and half mesh. It overlooks an space coated by the rear vestibule, however it’s not accessible from both the within or the surface. It has a number of capabilities: it will increase airflow from entrance to again and supplies an anchor for the rear pole. It’s remarkably just like the again cavity of the Gossamer Gear “The One” tent, as are many different elements of the tent (see our assessment for footage). There’s one mesh pocket on the again wall the place you possibly can retailer your cellphone, glasses, and a headlamp, and two dangle loops within the peaks to hold gear.
The ends of the ground are hooked up to the fly and dangle under it with mesh, offering some flexibility if you must pitch the tent on uneven or sloping floor. It is a widespread “ultralight tent idiom” that additionally enhances airflow and provides a spot for any inner condensation to drip out with out wetting the tent flooring.
The tent’s inside is big. The bath flooring is 8 inches deep, 90 inches lengthy, and 30″ large within the center, tapering to twenty-eight″ on the head and foot finish, with peak heights of 53″ (135 cm) and 44″ (112 cm). You’ll don’t have any downside becoming a 25″ large pad on this tent: simply ensure your trekking poles are lengthy sufficient. You may require a pole jack.
Relying on the place you backpack, that inside area comes at a price, although. The Cirq requires ample open area for setup. It’s not simply the size of the tent, however the room required to stake out the peaks. I’d give your self no less than a pitch that’s no less than 13′ x 11′ to set the tent up. That’s prohibitive in my neck of the woods, in New Hampshire, Vermont, and alongside the 1400 miles of Appalachian Path I’ve hiked. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to even discover a flat area, it’s most likely obtained bushes or vegetation in the way in which. For solo backpacking within the jap USA, I like to recommend tents that require a small pitching footprint because of this.
When establishing this Cirq, there’s additionally quite a lot of rigidity placed on the stakes due to the height top and the truth that the tent makes a giant wind goal. Stakes are usually not included with this tent, however I like to recommend utilizing lengthy ones with good holding energy. Outside Vitals despatched me Easton tubular 8.75″ stakes (bought individually) to make use of with the Cirq, they usually’d be a good selection if the soil permits their use.
The Backside Line
The Outside Vitals Cirq Ultralight Tent delivers distinctive inside area and air flow, making it a superb selection for taller backpackers searching for consolation whereas holding shelter weight affordable. Its dual-peak design and enormous vestibule improve usability, whereas large ceiling vents successfully cut back condensation. Nonetheless, its massive footprint and staking necessities demand ample, open area for setup, which can restrict its practicality in densely wooded or constrained environments. Total, in case you prioritize roomy shelter and wonderful airflow in your treks and may accommodate the tent’s dimension, the Cirq is an effective ultralight choice price contemplating. Tall individuals take be aware. That is one lengthy tent!
Disclosure: Outside Vitals donated a tent for assessment.
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