This shelter has proven to be very popular with hikers, cycle campers, bushcraft users and others. If you use hiking poles, the main support for the shelter can be a pair linked together using a backpacking light linking section to save even more weight.
The ideal support for this is the Luxe 163X pole. which is an optional extra.
Colour options - Forest Green and Desert Brown (Fly only)
As using the backpacking light linking section
Flysheet 40D/230T Nylon ripstop fabric with one side PU and one side siliconized
Webbing straps included
Pole, Pegs and Sealant: Not included
Hydrostatic Head: 2500mm
Weight: Approx 660g
Top tips for a stable shelter in all weathers
If the supporting pole sinks at any stage the material will lose all the tension and the tent can become unstable in high winds, with the possibility of the pole moving. The common tip here is to cut a tennis ball in half and use each half at either end of the pole. It prevents the pole from sinking and also reduces the pressure on the peak. Once this is in place, applying tension on all the surrounding guys will maintain tension throughout the night. Some use Marmite caps or our Pole Mushrooms.
In excessive wet weather we have had occasional reports of the supplied guys slipping in the cleats. A simple overhand knot will stop this. Alternatively replacing the guys with our 2mm Dyneema cord will jam in the cleats nicely.
Seam sealing the tent As the silicone tents are designed without seam taping, we recommend user to apply seam sealing on the outside seam of flysheet where necessary (Mainly around the crown area). Along the horizontal stitching around the vent. Down the zip and 'inside' the guy loops and top loop. (Pull apart with your fingers) Anywhere water can gather is a potential point of issue if the tent will be subjected to prolonged rainfall or a persistently wet environment.
I was looking for a tent to camp at some archaeological digs I was attending and as I was travelling by public transport and or bicycle was looking for a lightweight option. The V4A caught my attention on the backpacking light website, particularly aided with the their you tube video reviews. I therefore took the plunge and as acknowledged by fellow reviewers, was very impressed by the customer service and speed of delivery. I had to return the hiking pole connector I had ordered, as I chose the wrong diameter. This was very easy and was speedily addressed and instead I opted for the Adjustable Tarp Pole 163X instead. My first-time erecting was at a dig with NW Heritage at Lathom Castle Ormskirk during Easter. I travelled by train with my cycle trailer and rented a bike from the Bike and Go hire scheme to get to the dig. It was a straight forward affair to sight and put up the tent. Fellow campers observed that the tent was too small, but everything fitted in and at night I was snug in the Single Inner V4A that I had also purchased. The weather was particularly wet, and we had snow on one morning but there were no issues with leaks despite not taking on the advice to seal the joining seams at the top of the tent. Over the eight days on site I did have to make adjustments due to a bit of sag and changes in wind direction but again this was to be expected and very easily achieved. What I did need and had to improvise with, was some more stakes to take advantage of the additional guy points. The learning points where you were either in or out of the tent, I could however cook from within in the porch area, and the nearby portaloo provided decent if not salubrious changing / admin facilities. Overall the everything stood up well, the quality v price is excellent and I would recommend the tent, particularly for overnight stops / touring. My second dig was in June at the Culver Archaeological Project just outside Lewes, West Sussex. This time I decided to cycle across from my home in Ashford and made some adjustments. This time I replaced the Single Inner V4A which I did not need, with the Hex Peak V4A Footprint and supplemented my living space with a DD 3m x 3m Tarp, Adjustable Tarp Pole 197X and Long 19cm Y Pegs again all dispatched overnight via, for me the excellent DPD Local couriers, with text updates from Backpacking light. Google maps indicated I could cycle there in four and a half hours, across the Weald, so a little over loaded I set off. Nine hours later I called it a day at the excellent and accommodating Horam Manor Touring Park. Thankfully setting up took less than fifteen minutes, again absorbing all my gear so I could have a shower and source a meal and a pint. The following morning it was only another hour or so to Bridge Farm, Barcombe Mills the dig site. The camping area is basically a field with longish grass but again once I chose my area it was quite quick to establish myself. This this set up did me proud throughout the four weeks we were on site. We had no rain and it was exceptionally hot, so the additional shade area was welcome. The bath tub Hex Peak V4A Footprint took some adjustment, again as advised by Bobs videos I eventually got there. One point of note was because of the grass, some mornings, I found that there was quite a lot of condensation. This was clearly down to the dew point however and not the tent, that through easily accommodating height adjustments, by raising the base height of the tent assisted with airflow. A good learning point was, please do take their advice……. Each of the supplied Tarp Poles came with Backpacking light replacement heavier duty spring buttons. One evening, making above said adjustment, the supplied button failed and caused some tension (mine, not the tent). The V4A again proved its worth, as I was easily able to source a hazel pole, that remained in place for a week or so until I obtained the better supplied buttons from home. When it came to breaking camp I was surprised how much the colour of the DD tarp had bleached, due to the UV light, compared to the Hex Peak V4A which showed little, if in fact, no such changes. Overall, I have to say that I have been very impressed with the quality of the Luxe products, and more importantly the customer service provided by Backpacking Light. So much so in fact that I have just received a text from them updating me that the Mega Horn III, I ordered at the weekend, will be delivered tomorrow. Thank you and sorry for the delay in getting to this. All the best, Ron
