Is the TARPTENT ARCDOME the UNICORN of 4 SEASON TENTS?

[@wildcamping1502]

Hard to understand why anyone would comment so negatively but good you can handle it so positively and politely, don’t often comment but Love what your videos are about so very helpful and informative and entertaining, Brilliant Dave, ATB,Les.

[@Fellmandave1]

@wildcamping1502 cheers Les. That means a lot to me that you have come out to comment.

[@lloydcozens9346]

That weather!! I just love those fresh, crisp,cold mornings. Not so much the wind though...

[@Fellmandave1]

@lloydcozens9346 I did take some mind shots of the view. To confess Lloyd, I have a super power, I like the wind!

[@KP11520]

Oh... And IMO, where you camp and the worst that can be expected when everything goes sideways is what really defines how capable your 4 Season tent needs to be. And cause I'm old, it has to have a bulletproof tub floor. Keeps more extreme out! So the best answer is a range really.

[@hedleythorne]

Thank you so much for the mention! Great video Dave, and a happy new year to you!

[@Fellmandave1]

@hedleythorne No problem Hedley. You have given me enough! I be interested to hear if it's made a difference.

[@hedleythorne]

@Fellmandave1 It has given me a boost yes, much appreciated

[@Fellmandave1]

@hedleythorne I love boosts. Much better than a mars or snickers.

[@hedleythorne]

@@Fellmandave1 Sighhhhh 😉

[@xjessukx]

Sat watching your video tucked in tent on top of kinder wishing for snow, keep up the great work. Don't let the negative Nellie's get to you

[@Fellmandave1]

That's ace! I was hoping for more snow, too. Good luck! Wish I was there with you. Squeeze over! What tent you in?

[@xjessukx]

@@Fellmandave1 lightwave sigma 15

[@jens-kristiantofthansen9376]

Now listen here, mister so-called 'FellmanDave'! ;-) - Happy New Year, mate and thank you for all your output this past year. Good to hear that you're not letting the numpties get to you. You've got a great thing going. As for what makes a 4-season tent, I think the issue with defining it is that it's going to vary so much from place to place. I grew up in Denmark and it'd be one thing there, and another in Australia where I live now. Your definition is probably the best I've come across - and then it's up to the individual to decide what and where that tent is a 4-season tent.

[@Fellmandave1]

You know what Jens. I can feel another video coming on, thanks to you. ATB , Dave

[@curtchaffee]

I really appreciated your definition of a 4 season tent being down to ability to remain safe in the more extreme conditions, rather than everything else being fit for purpose. I have yet to see an honest 4 season tent ( without spending a pint of blood on a replacement inner). I think the Fjallraven Abisko Dome 2 comes close with it's mesh and open air options, but it is over 5 lbs which is much to lug on hot days. Not to mention the price. I have ridden motorcycles since I was 11 and we all chase a similar myth in the "4 season jacket".

[@Fellmandave1]

@curtchaffee Yeah brilliant Curt.. Y ou have succinctly justified my multitent collection. There is no such thing as the perfect 4 season tent, I guess a light winter tent is what I am searching for.

[@curtchaffee]

@@Fellmandave1 I have a business proposition. Let's partner up on producing and marketing a 4 season women's shoe.

[@Fellmandave1]

@@curtchaffee Hahaha, lets start with a 4 season woman! Thanks for the buymeacoffee Curt. Youre a hero.

[@andrewpolley2525]

I think a pretty good candidate for a 4 season sub 2kg tent would defo be the Southern Cross 1. Handles wind well, ok, not a 2 person but a decent 1 person size if you,re u der 6 foot. Exoskeleton makes it easier to put up in the wind. Fly fits close to the ground so no spindrift issues.

[@Fellmandave1]

@andrewpolley2525 The lack of any visible ventilation has always worried me. But good suggestion!

[@bradsbunker]

Good to see Tent Fish making an appearance

[@Fellmandave1]

As always Brad!

[@grahamthornton1683]

Great video as always Dave. I was out in my ArcDome in late November in 30mph constant wind (measured). It took me 30-40 frustrating minutes to get the poles secured and tent finally erected. It’s a fantastic tent - I loved being in it for the rest of the night and it didn’t budge once up - but definitely an absolute pain in the arse to put up in strong wind.

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks Graham. Perhaps not just me then. Do you think if the pole adjustment strap was longer, that would help?

[@grahamthornton1683]

Yes, probably. Also, larger/deeper pole end pockets, a larger entrance to the pole sleeve and get rid of the annoying gap in the middle of the one pole sleeve. Great tent tho! 😃

[@grahamthornton1683]

On reflection, I never had an issue pitching my Hilleberg Niak in strong wind. The Niak had a 2 pole set up, wide continuous pole sleeves, deep pole pockets and long straps. I wonder if Henry will end up tweaking the ArcDome design to reflect the Niak? Probably not!

[@mattthomas6597]

I've also struggled to pitch the Arcdome in high winds, I'm hoping over time the fabric will soften

[@Fellmandave1]

@mattthomas6597 Thanks Matt. How many times do you think you've pitched it. Might need the stonewashed treatment like we used to with Jeans! 😁

[@trickofthetrail]

Happy New Year Dave. I am so tempted with the ArcDome to replace my Stone Glacier Skyscraper. I'm just waiting to see a bit more feedback from people like yourself that have used it in some tasty conditions. I'm a bit nervous about the carbon poles, although nice to hear the ultra isn't too noisy. My pal Paul had a Double Rainbow DW Ultra and he struggled with the noise. Well said about the negative comments. I've had a few on my last couple of videos. I don't mind constructive criticism, but there is no need to get all mean about it. Anyway, great video mate. I had it on whilst taking my tree down. 😄 Here's to a fun 2025 of hiking and wild camping. 🥳

[@Fellmandave1]

@trickofthetrail Thanks Mark. I am not sure about it either. Unfortunately I have limited time to trial. Aye, negative comments. Have a look at my serotonin video. There is a guy, 3 comments. All having a go! Thanks for your support. Shout out for you soon!

[@CragScrambler]

Always figured 4 season is for below the tree line, can handle most standard year round and winter conditions, Medium winds and light snow loading which it seemed to do fine. We used to get 5 season tents or expeditions tents advertised, aka able to handle above the tree line, alpine or stormy windy weather and high snow loading Albeit at a weight penelty. I think a lot of people just see "4 season" and think it will handle modern stormy conditions in exposed areas atop any mountains and a lot of them wont, not without failure or damage. Living in the lakes, its the Soulo black for me I know its like a joke at this point, even have double pole set, I simply wont put my life at risk when I want to go out in adverse winter conditions when staorms are even more likely and common these days. Thing is, its bad winter weather only, far too heavy for summer or the other seasons tbh, for those I use the unna or the Abisko lite1 ATB for the new year, look forward to more videos this year.

[@Fellmandave1]

This is a great debate and some good points. I get you about the Soulo black label and the 5th season. I will try ine, one of these days. Its ironic how the Soulo army became a joke on them! Perhaps tents should be classed as just 1 or 2 season?

[@eplane]

Helpful, no nonsense advice that encourages us to get out into the hills. Genuinely appreciate your hard work and wish you a great 2025.

[@Fellmandave1]

Your comment is genuinely appreciated! You too for '25. D

[@That_Guy_Outside]

Hey - not just great technical content - I like your style too. Great review and love the tent.

[@Fellmandave1]

@@That_Guy_Outside Cheers Buddy. I like your commenting style!

[@davidpearce6831]

Great video! Thanks for the shout out. You are so informative and a great host! Harriet

[@Fellmandave1]

@davidpearce6831 Haha, I thought you would like that. Good job, you spotted it, or there would have been hell on!

[@iamchriswhelan]

I do quite like the look of these tents but im not into the colour of the fabric, i wonder when they will make DCF or Ultra tents in different colours. I agree with you about wind speeds for a 4 season tent around the 50 mark but with that comes how much noise can one person take with the wind hitting the tent. One little tip with gloves and dropping the tent is that i use some waterproof workman gloves. There waterproof and windproof and quite tight to the fingers so you get full dexterity. I enjoyed this video Dave 👍

[@Fellmandave1]

@iamchriswhelan Great tip Chris. I'll put a pair in my bag.

[@MancsOutdoors]

Hi Dave That man and his Misses’s was me who you met at stonewaite outside the pub ,it made my day seeing you there we had wild camped the night before .funny hearing you tell the story on this video it’s an honour still watch your videos 👍loved your Nortent reviews but I’m a hillberg fan still 😊great video as always pal ATB

[@Fellmandave1]

That honour was and is all mine! Thanks foir getting back to me on this. i am at work, repairing and improving after an attempted brak-in, so a bit of encouragement from a good person was just the ticket. i might even get a hilleberg soon, you never know!

[@nickchurchman6815]

Thanks Dave for another great video - and hope the bad comments don’t weigh too heavily on you I have the Scarp in the ultra material and love the “no absorb water” feature - I really like the look of this ArcDome as the interior space is better than the scarp and the set up is less fiddly than the scarp Look forward to chapter 2 on this story

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks Nick, not so sure about less fiddly. I just like the space. Cheers

[@MrPurplepirate77]

Happy New Year Dave. I think for 4 seasons it needs to cope with all weather year long, let’s remember you can get some extreme summer rain that you don’t always get in winter. With regards wind I think minimum has to be 40mph. We also need the zips to perform all year and not all zips do as I found out. Really sorry to hear that the freaks are bothering you Dave, but we’ll dealt with mate👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

It's an interesting test, reminds me of an Unna/ Niak. Nice storage options inside and generally looks well designed. Pricey mind, but the cost looks on par with other tents trying for a piece of the market and certainy cheaper than the big H. It'll be good to see what you think of it in the longer term. ATB, G

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks Graham. Its just a loaner so no long term. Might buy one if I get the wind pitching sussed.l and some better ear plugs!

[@sqd8r]

Ignore the haters, this is an excellent channel.

[@Fellmandave1]

Cheers mate.

[@AlienApe.]

Ah great - I've been waiting for this one! Thanks for the vid - ignore any criticism from sad keyboard warriors, I really appreciate and enjoy what you do.

[@Fellmandave1]

The support is overwhelming , thanks AA

[@leebarton1143]

Well said to the haters mate, made me smile. Happy New Year.😊

[@Fellmandave1]

That's good Lee. Happy new year!

[@jjmcwill2007]

Great video. I'm leading a group of friends to hike the Laugavegeur Trail in iceland in mid-January, and I just ordered an Arcdome 2 for 2 of us. The other tent we're taking is a Slingfin Crossbow 2. It will be interesting to see how these two quite different tents perform in Iceland's notoriously wet and windy weather. I've had some doubts about the durability of Ultra TNT but your video has given me some assurance that it's perhaps not as fragile as I feared.

[@Fellmandave1]

I think it is very strong , but not puncture resistant, so just dont kneel on it when packing! Have a great trip, I am sure it will be amazing. Thanks for commenting. ps, can i come?

[@Olan...]

Happy New Year Dave 👍.. Just as i was about to give my two pennies worth you ran into the pole sleeve issue that i was about to mention was the deciding factor in me very recently selling my Unna.Its one of those trade offs if you are trying to go under 2kg and remain in the 4 season tent category isnt it. My absolute favorite tent is the Lightwave S20 which is more or less the same dimentions and weight as this Arcdome but in my opinion a better vestibule door set up Also having the short cross pole gives it more stability than the Unna and i am guessing this Arcdome too . Plus with it being a single skin its a very quite tent having no inner to flap around. Ease of pitching in strong winds is a massive concideration when choosing a 4 season tent and threading poles into sleeves isnt without its complications even for expieienced people .Plus when you are pitching tents with pole sleeves theres always that point where the tent is temporarily off the ground while you are getting that second pole in place which leaves you and the tent in quite a vulnerable situation. To Pole Sleeve or not to pole sleeve , that is the question !!! Re 4 season and assuming we are only talking UK 4 season where we very rarely get massive dumps of snow weight to concider , personally i look for an inner that can be completely sealed off to allow for 4 or 5 degrees temperature build up but also with enough venting to be able to dump it and regulate the internal temperature to some degree together with a fly or vestibule area that comes all the way down to the ground. 35/45 mph wind handling capability is an absolute must without any significant structural deformation . Personally i would be happy to use that style of tent in winter BUT if i was planning on exposed Summit camping where i would expect stronger gusts then it would have to be one of the 3 pole Exoskeleton type tents but then we have the extra weight trade off issues plus going for a smaller tent would be my choice . PS Have you ever heard of a Hilleberg Soulo by any chance 🤣

[@Fellmandave1]

@Olan... First class comment Olan and eloquently put. I would love to get a soulo, but wasn't it killed?

[@Olan...]

@@Fellmandave1 Yep but it will rise from the dead just like Jesus did👍 I just bought my 4th Soulo, i need to make a video explaining why my relationship with the Soulo has been twice as bad as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylors 🙄 ( Coming soon)

[@Fellmandave1]

@Olan... 😆😆😆I hope you got to keep the massive diamond ring though.

[@Olan...]

@@Fellmandave1 Hahaha i doubt anyone else even knows who those two are :)

[@WalkWithWallace]

An interesting looking tent, without seeing it in the flesh I still think I prefer the Scarp. But minds could be changed. lol. When your channel gets a bit of traction then the haters come in with the algos. Don't let them get you done bud. Sounds as though they don't!

[@Fellmandave1]

@WalkWithWallace hi Robin. I found after 5 k they emerged! Thanks for the support buddy. See next comment.

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@Fellmandave1 Done mate.

[@justin-ga]

Great channel - amazed that tent fish doesn’t have more subscribers already

[@Fellmandave1]

@justin-ga tent fishes own channel! Don't let him here that!

[@grahamscothern4319]

Nice one Dave ! Interesting tent not sure about the colour but looks robust Happy new year ! Atb Graham

[@Fellmandave1]

@grahamscothern4319 Happy camping year Graham!

[@robert-anderson-74]

It would be interesting to compare this tent with the TT double rainbow Li. The double rainbow Li can be as strong as the TT Arcdome if you stabilize her with trekking poles on both entrances. The double rainbow li even has a liner, so it is also a 4 seasons tent (and about 1 Kg lighter).

[@Fellmandave1]

Interesting, maybe the scarp 2 also?

[@robert-anderson-74]

Yes, even with the scarp 2 it would be an interesting comparison. The Arc dome is in my opinion the best tent of all three, but it is too heavy. That´s why I would choose the double rainbow li.

[@johnpatterson5744]

Like the down jacket,it zips up onto the face really nicely.👍

[@Fellmandave1]

It does! Cheers John,

[@camping_guru_uk]

4 season, very difficult that one. I understand that most people think of 4 season meaning the tent can perform extremely well in mid winter extreme conditions. Well most of those tents are not great for the summer so "4 seasons" I'm not so sure. The same for a really good 3 season tent that could be used in mid winter but isn't quite so good. I've just used the Robens Sprinter 2 just before new year on the Peak District and it coped really well so does that make it a 4 season tent. I think so, in fact I think it's an ideal tent for all four seasons. I'd love your option on this, I made a crappy video so fast forward to the middle part for the tent review 😂😂😂 Love your vids Happy new year

[@Fellmandave1]

This is a great debate, but for that meshy inner on a sprinter to be 4 season, you must be eating Vindaloos on your camps!

[@camping_guru_uk]

@Fellmandave1 😂😂😂

[@Bikepacking]

I am a big fan of tarp tent for the pass 11 years have a few of there tents wel built well design and most importantly they last .. but to be honest i am not a fan of the UltraTNT fly fabric just to loud .. beside that good brand .. how long do you have the tent for it be interesting to see it in the summer with mess inner

[@Fellmandave1]

@@Bikepacking just got it. First night, loaner from TT. I think if you have good tension in the material, it is quiet. Thanks for commenting!

[@andrewlloyd9892]

Nice video 👍

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks for the visit

[@slowboilingleafs]

Looks like your tripod had a tough recovery from the new years. I much prefer to evaluate the tents on their uniqe set of features than to boil it down to a checklist comparison focused on weight and "4 season". If a tent cant let me enjoy the views behind a bugnet, its a 1 season (winter) tent on my checklist :) I love that so many tents are being made, there seems to be a constant improvement and inovation and the arc dome does seem impresive in its own way. If it can create condensation like the best of them, then it must be a soulu killer 🙂

[@Fellmandave1]

Lots of sense being said in these comments. perhaps all tents are 1 or 2 season? Cheers Buddy.

[@slowboilingleafs]

That or most good designed tents are 3 season, but either summer or winter. Again depends on what people value in their tent and what they pair it with. Its a luxury to see all these tents get put to use and testet, giving a better platform to evaluate them on. Cheers :)

[@DarrenofPlymouth]

Hi Dave, enjoy your videos, am an avid wild camper too. Recently bought the Ly3 for winter use on Dartmoor (me and missus).... what do you recommend in terms of limits in wind speed for this tent? Bought this tent based on one of your videos, so it will be all your fault if i get blown off YEs Tor haha. All the best, Darren

[@Fellmandave1]

All I can go on so far is my Ly1 wind testing. So for I am quietly optimistic. Remember the 3 is a big boy. As for being in the mountains with your wife and you get blown off, you can thank me later.

[@DarrenofPlymouth]

@@Fellmandave1 thanks for the replay, I will report in on the Ly3 in due course... if I make it :)

[@LostInIce4]

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to 2025 and some wonderful camping adventures.

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks, enjoy. Get out there!

[@Bikepacking]

Question Fjern prices look good on there website could you tell where the brand is from cant find info about them

[@Fellmandave1]

@@Bikepacking British company, based in UK.

[@Bikepacking]

@@Fellmandave1 good to know cheers

[@Fellmandave1]

@Bikepacking it's the same holding company behind sportpursuit

[@stevenanderson5404]

Great video as always 👍 Is that the Easton carbon poles ? I had the same problem with mines this morning on my X dome while taking it down. The clips that poles attach to at the four corners are a bit tight so we're pulling out while detaching them.

[@Fellmandave1]

Yes it was. Hope you had a good camping otherwise. Cheers.

[@stevenanderson5404]

Nothing a dab of super glue won't fix 😄​@@Fellmandave1

[@Cheefie]

Hi Dave, I’ve become a bit of a fan of Fjerns stuff. Love my Vinter trousers, Vandring stretch mid layer and my Arktis II. How is the Orkan jacket? Notice you’ve also been using that for a while now

[@Fellmandave1]

The Orkan is my go-to for winter and heavy weather . It's wearing well and remains comfortable. At the price from Fjern, there's no argument. I like the vintner but a bit too vanilla. Thanks for commenting, buddy.

[@Martycycleman]

Well, Dave, happy new year. Rise above the negative comments from the N.O.B.S. What pegs were provided with tent? Cheers great video and cold.😊

[@Fellmandave1]

Thanks Marty, just 6 eastons 6". Not enough!

[@KramF10]

I barely comment on videos these days, as camping/hiking etc seems to be such a subjective topic. People should listen to those with experience and have been there and done that, not random KZbinrs who have zero experience, yet feel it appropriate to dish out advice on gear etc (sponsored usually), I don't put you in that category by the way. Experienced people don't hang about in the KZbin comments either, typically 😂 they are out doing it!

[@Fellmandave1]

Thank you my friend. They never have very long term accounts and no subs, plus, mystery names. I just snuff them now.