GoLite Hut 1

Ahhh, simplicity... Screw tents! I love this shelter more than any other tent I've owned! Lightweight. Stormproof. Setup is FUN! Extremely versatile. Surprisingly durable for its weight (no problems after 2 seasons - not even a scuff!).

Plenty of room for me (6'5" 230 lbs.)-in the tent (the Den 1) and my pack/boots/drying clothes... (in the vestibule). The edges of the tarp can be snugged to the ground to keep out rain and wind, or easily elevated to provide adequate air circulation in hot, humid weather. The pitching options are almost as open as those of a traditional tarp, but some what restricted. (I'll trade a little versatility for a completely stormproof tent, though.)

With the edges on the ground, this tarp is impervious to rain/grauppel/high winds. Nothing gets in. Now that I have mastered setup, it takes no time to erect it tight and wrinkle-free (even after 15mi. in Gallatin and a few sips if Beam Rye!). I use elastic to permanently fix the Den 1 to the inside corners of the Hut 1. All I have to do is set up the Hut and the Den "pops" into position snugly and automatically - no matter how I set up the Hut.

I spent a night on a pass in the Rockies with a friend (he has a 1-person tent). We saw signs of a storm coming, so I positioned the foot of the tarp into prevailing winds and snugged it to the ground. I also staked the sides of the tent to ground-level and staked the sidewalls out, away from the Den - to add rigidity and airflow.

Lastly, I raised the edge of the tarp's head off the ground about 5". After tightening the guys, my shelter was rock-solid (and pretty tough-looking, I might add). No rain or wind entered the foot-end, and there was plenty of air circulation all night. My gear and I spent a dry, peaceful night listening to the storm outside.

Fantastic shelter! Super lightweight. Bomb-proof. Fun(?) to set up. I hope it lasts forever. Buy one!

Only problem? Made in China. I wouldn't have minded paying extra for this product if it meant providing American jobs. Otherwise - 5 stars, no question!