BIKEPACKING TENTS - 3F UL GEAR LAN SHAN 1 vs ALPKIT TARPSTAR 1 (DISASTER)

[@johnashcroft-jones6091]

Interesting video, thanks Josh. I'm just testing some shelters. I like my EMTB inside so use a 3.5x3.5m DD tarp with a 1P tent inside.

[@jimbojet8728]

A good vid. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort, to let us know about the tent and dealer. I went elsewhere (Valley and Peak?) and bought the Big Agnes bike packing 1 man tent. It’s a stunner! Great service too.

[@Sams_adventuress]

Lanshan owner here, I really recommend this tent, it’s amazing to be honest, sorry to hear of you misfortune with yours, mine was purchased from “Camperlists” and is very very good. I’ve also owned the Soloist but sold it after a week as it had very poor moisture management with condensation. But, I’m a huge alpkit fan for there sleeping bags, very good! 🙌

[@85parrot]

I think that's the thing - very little quality control so it's a bit of a gamble if you get a great one or one with half the stitching not done or the panels the wrong size. I've gone for it at a price of about £100 (not used it yet), but with the prices going up it's a much less attractive gamble.

[@adriaankeizer1878]

I own a Tarpstar 1 as well and found that the sagging of the inner tent can easily be reduced. Just bind together the 4 elastic loops by which the inner tent hangs from the top of the pole. For this I use the velcro strap that comes with the (Tarpstar) pole. Just slide it to the top and wrap it tightly around. This will tighten things up ever so slightly. Another important tip is to make sure you start pitching the tent with all the short guy lines at full length. This helps keeping some space between inner and outer tent.

[@boyandbike]

Good to see a comparison. We have two Alpkit tents for cycle trips the Khort and the Ordos 3 both of which have been good so far and great value. Alpkit have a new 1 person tent The ULTRA coming out in the next few months it was mentioned in their shareholder update a few weeks ago, which might fit you!

[@morekeepsmilingadventures]

Alpkit stuff is generally always really good in my experience. Interesting I will have to keep an eye out for that, do you have any info on what it’s going to be like?

[@st1ffee]

i have the tarpstar 2 for the sake of not much more weight its a lot easier to pitch and i find gives better clearance from fly and inner.Also easier to get in and out.

[@paulpeopleperson3594]

I use the night cat version of lanshan after using it for two years I don't have any of the.issues you experinced. But have changed pegs out.At 5.8 I can get in and out easily.

[@adriantyler9696]

Quick observation. I have the tarpstar 1. The inner attaches differently to the one you have. There is simply an adjustable clip you connect to the top of the tent by the pole. The one you have shows a cap and four bits of bungee. What difference does it make? Well when I use it I. Able to clip the inner in very easily andost importantly I can drop it down once I get up out of bed to provide loads of elbow room inside in bad weather. Perhaps swap the bungee for clips instead and give it a go? Just my four pence worth. Keep up the great work with the videos.

[@morekeepsmilingadventures]

Hmm sounds like there must be multiple versions or something, a clip is exactly what I felt it should have. It just makes it a little awkward to put the inner up really. Id need to sew a clip onto the outer, mine has no clips anywhere. I might see what alpkit say about this.

[@WiltshireMan]

I know the Soloist had issue's with the door and getting wet when you got in or out but I think it is the best tent of all three you have used sofar. The Soloist with it's fly coming right down to the ground will keep those cold Winter draughts out and the free standing bug net for Summer balmy nights is a snug, bug proof shelter and not saggy. The Lanshan is just too draughty, I've got one. OK in Summer, also when the Lanshan gets wet it's can sag a bit as it's made from Sil nylon. I wonder if we will see you back in a Soloist again one day? That tent did serve you well.

[@jeffwilson8540]

It seems like alpkit have two versions of the tarpstar 1. My version which I got last summer has a clip that holds the inner to the outer which is really easy to set up from inside.

[@cyrilhaessig27]

Hi, do you mean a clip that attaches at the top as opposed to the pole sleeve shown in the video ?

[@jeffwilson8540]

@@cyrilhaessig27 yes my outer tent has a small clip buckle stitched in to it which clips onto the inner flysheet which makes it a lot easier to attach from inside. I'm not sure why Alpkit have changed this design.

[@natureseyemusic]

Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape is by far the best for bikepacking. I've been using them since 2015. I use a polycro ground sheet and sea2summit nano bug net, carbon pole, and titanium pegs 500g all in. I can sit up in it, cook in it, get changed in it etc. It's never let me down even in some heavy weather. I use it all year round. It packs small and is superlight.

[@FOXMAN09]

Here's my concern with the gatewood cape, lanshan, lunar solo, and other ones the same shape. If you are setting up in a storm, how in God's name do you have space to dry off your wet ass and set up your inner net and sleep system without getting everything wet in such a small vestibule? With the pyramid style, you have the extra space to do that.

[@drmajharrison]

Could you fit a bike in the tarpstar if you took the wheels off first?

[@neillawson4252]

Ive used the lanshan plus one with four season inner and found it’s a great little tent great vid

[@Geordiewildcamper]

I have the 3Ful Lanshan 1 Plus, slightly larger than the one, four season inner with T zip. Its well made and spacious. I seam sealed where the guylines fit to the outer, and bought it from Ali Express. I also peg out the inner separately and i also fit the inner door toggle to the outer to gain more space and less sag. I did replace the pegs as they are too small. Brilliant tent

[@ascot1049]

Brilliant review mate ,thanks

[@jabrobbins]

Love the outdoor vestibule space👍

[@jabrobbins]

But.. after watching full video the access issue would drive me crazy. Nice review

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

Love my L1 pro.

[@simonwiltshire]

Cheers for that, i was wondering wether to get the lan shan or not and my doughting is over, that's three people i know now that have had problems with it, i'll stick to my trusty old fox 2v2 from oex.

[@MoosebearAdventures]

Absolutely stunning. What a beautiful review comparison

[@peter236uk1]

I had the soloist great tent but did not like the getting in and out especially in the wet. I know have the helm 2 which i love to be honest. I have just brought the Elan Bivvy in the sale so will see how that goes

[@hughjaars2285]

Both of these look like too much faff for me at the end of a day’s riding - I use a naturehike spider. Light, freestanding packs small, easy and quick to pitch and has stood up to Dartmoor rain in spring / summer. I only just fit at 6’4 and am tempted to get something bigger such as the Mongar 2 or Helm compact 2.

[@sing_cycle_referee]

Hey! You mentioned the pole you use in the video but I can't find the mention or a link to it. Which one was it again? Thanks!

[@dufresneorama]

Great video as always mate 👍 I think with the lanshan non-pro models there are the older versions that are smaller and newer versions which are larger, think inner zip setup is way to tell them apart. My original lanshan 2, bought from Ali express and branded Flames Creed has been problem free fortunately. I bought the 3section carbon poles, but as you say a bit long for frame bag, but the 5section ones fit inside frame easily. Also have a 3ful tunnel tent called the taihang 2 (discontinued) which is great for bike touring as the porch fits 2 bikes wheels off. Pretty light at about 2ish kg. Been trying to get my hands on the 4season inner for it, but noone seems to have one, kicking myself for not getting one when I bought it! Finally also have a 3ful taiji 2 which again great tent, bit more stable in wind but use more for hiking than bike related duties. Shame you had issues with 3ful as they're very good for the price.

[@robinmager]

I had a struggle finding a tent that fitted my requirements (which seem very similar to yours) I went with the Naturehike Spider 1/Bike Packing Tent. It's still early days but so far I'm happy with - maybe I should do a review?!

[@ifitrollsrideit530]

What about an Alpkit Aeronaught 1? (It looks like) it's a copy of the Vango Project Hydrogen tent just a little heavier (ticker material maybe) and a lot cheaper. I have the Vango and it's a great tent for bike packing as it packs up into a really small space. The inflatable pole is also one less thing to break in bad weather.

[@southcoastoutdoorsuk6301]

Sorry you’ve had such issues with the Lanshan and poor service, I’ve literally sold hundreds of these and have excellent feedback on them , all models should be the plus models with the T zip they are the most upto date ones Our customer service is excellent Atb Col Outdoor Gear Essentials

[@Geordiewildcamper]

Agree !

[@weeringjohnny]

Josh is typically self-effacing about things but it's obvious he's tried the tents in real-world conditions. I trust every word he says, which you can't say about many other testers' reviews on KZbin.😢

[@GravelGorauGwynedd]

No need for a tent where I live in Machynlleth, the weather is very tropical this time of year and sleeping outside without a tent is the way forward in Mid Wales

[@morekeepsmilingadventures]

😂😂 I will have to check it out some time.

[@platypushatstand]

Maybe try the Luxe Hexpeak V4A.

[@stickyprickle]

Champagne 🍾 cork can be made into an excellent pole end to protect your “trekking pole tent” if you are not using a trekking pole. I have a flame creek 1p Similar weight and size to the lanshan, very cheap, has issues with Condensation, had it for 4 years but only used it a handful of times.

[@babar69110]

nice job !!!

[@driewiel]

Six Moons Lunar Solo is single skin.

[@Captainraskett1989]

Life lesson, when ever a product doesn't meet you're standards or it's not what you expected or damaged upon arrival never rely on the courtesy of company to do right by you, as you found out. Always use you're 30 day returns policy and just send it back for a full refund. All you have to say is it's not right for me they can't argue anything.

[@MegaMastiffman]

That’s a bad bad look for 3Ful

[@timporter8886]

What a faff! Back to the trusty Soloist, by any chance!?🤔

[@morekeepsmilingadventures]

Very tempted to be honest, need a new one though. Really would love alpkit to give the soloist a update

[@timporter8886]

@@morekeepsmilingadventures I bought one after watching you use it, not tried it yet, and despite the "not great" design of the door, I'm lookin forward 2using it this spring. For the weight, and the money (got mine for £99) it's a lot of tent.

[@DavidMackenzie]

Another interesting video. I use the Alpkit Ordos 2 so I can keep my gear in the tent with me. Heavier than these though.