MacPac Olympus Tent Question

[JOSS]

Folks,

For the last six years I have had my brothers MacPac Olympus tent. It has
been great. He now wants it back - his kids are old enough for overnight
walking and he lives 1500 k away so sharing is very difficult.

Is the new Olympus as good as the old one made in NZ?

I reckon it is a great design....just hoping it is still a great tent.

Thanks in advance.


Simon

[Roger Caffin]

Post by JOSS
For the last six years I have had my brothers MacPac Olympus tent. It has
been great. He now wants it back - his kids are old enough for overnight
walking and he lives 1500 k away so sharing is very difficult.
Is the new Olympus as good as the old one made in NZ?

Opinions might differ. My opinion is that they seriously degraded the
design. They have removed the rear vestibule space completely, such that the
inner tent now completely fills that space. There's nowhere to store packs,
and I reckon the inner tent will now be much less storm-resistant being
under the rear window.
A REALLY great shame.

Cheers
Roger Caffin
Owner of old Olympus

[Gus]

Yeah, Opinions do differ, but Roger has a great point.

I have had some limited experience with old (very old) Olympus'. I
personally only used it in warm weather at the Arapalies. I initially
struggled with a lack of air flow in warm climate, but after a few
days and finally opening the doors alot It was alright. Actually
that's not true, my very first problem with the tent was I felt I had
to be a gymnast to get in. But I believed this was changed on more
recent (but still old) models. Overall tent that is a cozy 2 that
would have been great when used in a slightly application. Personally
I disliked it, but I had a negative experience.

NOW THE NEW OLYMPUS....

I have had a brief look at it. First thing I noticed was they
increased ventilation, which initially I thought was great as this is
the reason why I dislike the old Olympus. However upon close
inspection you find out that there is only one vestibule. The single
vestibule is (supposedly)larger than just on of the old vestibules,
however, in my opinion it looked small. I had visions of packs being
in the vestibule and having to do some yoga position to get in the
tent. However, I also imagine that once in the tent it wouldn't be
so bad. If one wanted to cook in the vestibule I assume you can still
unclip the inner back for space, anyone know???

Basically overall, I have a friend that I call little Miss Macpac as
she has an obsession with their stuff (like me and W.E.). Anyway
little Miss Macpac, saw the new Olympus and was gobsmacked and quite
sad.

Overall.. my personal favorite over a Olympus is (and has always been)
a Wilderness Equipment First Arrow. I find the vestibule set up to be
the most practical set up, air flow is better as the high point is at
the end instead of middle, this also made entry/exiting much more
pleasurable than the Olympus. I will grant that without guy rope the
Olympus does seem more stable than the First Arrow. It's all a
personal feel, however I make no lies that I prefer
http://www.wildequipment.com.au/tents_first.html .

It should perhaps be noted that I do work in a shop that can't sell
Macpac and can sell W.E. (but don't really) . However my experience
with both tents came before I worked in retail. Also I should point
out that I don't and haven't owned either tent.

[Roger Caffin]

Post by Gus
Overall.. my personal favorite over a Olympus is (and has always been)
a Wilderness Equipment First Arrow. I find the vestibule set up to be
the most practical set up, air flow is better as the high point is at
the end instead of middle, this also made entry/exiting much more
pleasurable than the Olympus.

It isn't a bad tent, and I dare say the air flow is good. I have to add that
I have never had any problems with air flow in the Olympus, but maybe I have
used it mainly under cooler conditions?

However, for my use the First Arrow would have a number of deficiencies:
1: The rear vestibule does not have enough room for two packs (let alone
3!).
2: The rear end is very low - 700 mm, and a normal-sized person can't really
sit up inside it at the back end while another person at the front end does
the cooking.
3: Even the front vestibule is cramped, at only 650 mm long. If you have two
sets of wet clothing and wet shoes to store there while filtering water and
doing the cooking for two - not so good.
4: It's awful heavy, at either 3.28 kg or 3.75 kg. (Ignore 'minimum pitch'
weights - you wouldn't take the risk on a serious winter trip.)

However, I am sure many will find it very satisfactory. It is just a shade
wider than the Olympus, but you wouldn't get 3 Therm-a-Rest mats in it! Fair
enough - emergency use only.
I wonder what the relative prices are?

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[Gus]

Granted the rear vestibule is tiny. I personally have never attempted
to either use is as an entrance or for gear stowage. Nor have I needed
to as I have found the main vestibule to be massive. Should be noted I
have never cooked within a First Arrow, allow I don't for see an issue
if I did.

I have slept 2 people in a First Arrow and think for two people its
massive. So big we actually slept both with our heads up the small/low
end and we were fine. I have on many occasions slept 3 people within a
First Arrow and find it more spacious with 3 than 2 in an Olympus. We
haven't ever had issues entering and exiting the tent even with three
80+L packs in the main vestibule.

Three thermarests do fit across in width provided they are 3/4.
Overlap will occur if full length.

I would definitely not recommend 4 people in a First Arrow unless you
are well aware of what you are doing. I have done 4 people in First
Arrow before and would say 4 is perhaps a good emergency number in the
tent. Also 4 packs in the vestibule does involve a bit of careful
placement.

I didn't think a First Arrow was much heavier than an Olympus,
definitely not when split between 3 people. Would be interested in
knowing the difference??

If you have wet (damp) clothing I have found the internal guy rope
within the inner to be a great clothes line. I am quite a fan of
airing and re using socks on this line, my mates think I'm a tad
festy.


I too wonder what the relative prices are?

On a personal level First Arrow easily wins for me. But I do
understand how others would prefer the Olympus. Neither is
particularly "better" than another, they are just "different".

[Roger Caffin]

Post by Gus
On a personal level First Arrow easily wins for me. But I do
understand how others would prefer the Olympus. Neither is
particularly "better" than another, they are just "different".

Here I have to agree 100% with you. Nothing is perfect. :-)

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[Gus]

I am curious, has anyone had any experience or know anything about
this tent from msr.
http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/wind2.asp it seems very interesting.

Also when it says it has "a baffled wall for added warmth and
protection." does that mean the outer fly is two layers???

- Angus McPherson

[Roger Caffin]

Post by Gus
I am curious, has anyone had any experience or know anything about
this tent from msr.
http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/wind2.asp it seems very interesting.

Fairly new.

Post by Gus
Also when it says it has "a baffled wall for added warmth and
protection." does that mean the outer fly is two layers???

They do make it hard to tell, don't they? And when this happens, I always
suspect the worst. But the general MSR manual says:
" Wind 2T: Integrated double-wall, two-person, two-door, two-vestibule,
extreme-condition tent; wind-tunnel rated for 106 mph. 7 lbs. 6 oz. (3.3
kg)"
This says 'double-wall'. Hum
But the diagram does not show this. I wonder whether it simply has doors
inside across the ends of the groundsheet? Dunno.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[norts]

I am a WE and First Arrow fan. I can not comment on the Olympus as I
have never been in one.
I have been very happy with it but I have only used it once with 3
people and I found it very crowded( and they were my sons who were only
8 and 10 at the time).
I use the rear vestibule to store gaiters, tent bags etc and any other
gear that is not needed around the campsite.
When we cook in the vestibule one person does not have to go to the
other end of the tent as there is enough room for both to be side by
side.
My biggest beef is trying to get it folded and bac into its bags. I
have given up and got new bags for it. Now my Macpac Microlight fits
into its bag very well and is a much better designed bag.

I have noticed that the tents are now called Sea to Summit First Arrow.

Roger

[Gus]

The bag is tricky. But after being forced to use it, one can pack it
very tightly. And yes Sea to Summit do seem to be placing their name
on WE tents. I haven't actually seen it on the First Arrow, but on the
Dart definately.

On that note, with Sea to Summit and W.E. connected. Could this mean
that their pack range which already has a few slight non canvas models
could expand perhaps with Siliconised Cordura? or would that be
rediculous price wise. (Sea to Summit make some silcordura dry bags,
although I have never seen them)

[David Springthorpe]

Post by norts
I have noticed that the tents are now called Sea to Summit First Arrow.

Haven't STS been WE's distributor for some time now anyway ?