The disadvantages of being tall…. Let me paint a picture.. granted with my limited grasp of vocabulary, it might not be a very clear picture.. but a picture nonetheless.. I am by most rights, rather tall – 190cm (6´3”) to be exact. Most tent designers are about 160cm (3’4”) and think a tight fit is just fine for them. (For somebody 160cm short). There are countless examples of this, so I don’t feel I need to list all the guilty tent producers here, I will instead highlight the few tents where the designers actually remembered there are tall people roaming this earth as well. Short people have many advantages within the outdoor world – Tents are smaller and lighter, backpacks that might fit a big persons shoe, can fit all their miniature gear.
Hence in most cases it’s rather impossible for a tall person to have an UL standard that small people would have. Which is also why I think harddrawn lines on what UL is just doesn’t work. I.e 2kg for UL baseweight – utterly ridiculous and simply not possible for anybody that is taller than 160cm and hikes further than their backyard. I still think the best overall measurement for lightweight is 3 for 3. Which simply means your biggest three items at a maximum weight of 3kg. Your sleep system – sleeping bag and pad. Tent/shelter system and backpack and all under 3kg.
This simple measurement will probably work wonders for most people. Now, back onto my headline here – tents for tall people. I am somebody who has grown accustomed to having my feet and head smush against the innertent on most double walled tents, I don’t mind it much, and in some cases it’s rather nice. The problem of course is when I mush so much that I mush the innertent into the outer tent and everything gets drenched in condensation. This on the other hand, is not very nice. So I will list a few of the tents designed for and by tall people.
Keep in mind this is just tents I can think of off the top of my head that I have tested. There are probably other tents that should make the list – but this is a good start
I hope this helps all of my taller friends out there!
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Interesting reading, though I’m not a tall hiker myself. I’m wondering, are there any downsides of the Kerlon 600 Enan version compared to the 1000? Less durable perhaps? I’m thinking of getting an Enan, but I’m not sure whether I should go for the 600 or 1000 version. Any input/advice would be appreciated! Thanks. Cheers / Göran
im 190 with the stratospire 1, and yeah, I can avoid hitting the walls, but you have to position yourself just right 🙂 it’s awesome though love the vestibules for dumping my stuff all over.
Interesting reading, though I’m not a tall hiker myself. I’m wondering, are there any downsides of the Kerlon 600 Enan version compared to the 1000? Less durable perhaps? I’m thinking of getting an Enan, but I’m not sure whether I should go for the 600 or 1000 version. Any input/advice would be appreciated! Thanks. Cheers / Göran
If you can get the kerlon 600 go for it! Durability is not an issue. They discontinued because it cost too much and was difficult to work with
im 190 with the stratospire 1, and yeah, I can avoid hitting the walls, but you have to position yourself just right 🙂 it’s awesome though love the vestibules for dumping my stuff all over.