: Hi Malcolm,

: I have a Nemo inflated tube arch bivvy which is great, roomy, packs
: small, and is light. Problem free since 2007. A real quality
: product.
: I have had a couple of the Northface Tadpoles and like the
: lightweight mesh for good weather and the full coverage fly for
: bad. Roomy for one, ok for two with a little pad overlap at the
: feet. I replaced my last Tadpole with an MEC version, the
: rainfly is heavier but bomber protection.
: We have a four season Moss that never gets used. A four season tent
: is really a one season tent in my mind.
: I carry a large Siltarp for multiple purposes, such as, cook tarp,
: camp shelter, emergency cover. Hope this helps. Let us know your
: choice.

THanks Reg,

If it were up to me I'd get a smaller tent, but Amy is insisting that we get a bigger tent. Something about me snoring and taking up room- go figure!

I totally agree on the four-season tents. They are winter tents. One day I am going to start a company that makes tents and I'm going to design a tent that has zip-out liners for all the mesh areas, as well as a variety of zip-out vestibule options- a true four-season "convertible" tent. The "Schweizer Tent" is also going to have flaps around the edges that you fill with rocks, dirt, or snow to weight the edges down- keeping wind from getting under the tent, and will have a footprint that covers the vestibule area so you have a place to bang the mud/sand off your shoes before you enter the tent. There will be a "gear ledge" in the back of the tent that stretches across like a shelf. Not a gear loft- but a ledge that gives you a shelf to put stuff like lights, eyeglasses, toiletries- stuff you want close at hand, but you want off the floor where you aren't rolling over on them when you sleep.

-Malcolm