Reviews > Shelters > Tents > Macpac Microlight > Owner Review by Aaron Hoette

Manufacturer 	

Macpac Wilderness Equipment Limited

Year of Manufacture

circa 2000 

URL

http://www.macpac.co.nz/

Microlight fly

0.6 kg (1.32 lb) my weight 0.66 kg (1.45 lb)

Inner

0.8 kg (1.76 lb) my weight 0.88 kg (1.94 lb)

Pole Set

0.2 kg (0.44 lb) my weight 0.22 kg (0.49 lb)

Pegs

0.2 kg (0.44 lb) my weight 0.17 kg (0.37 lb)

Remaining parts

0.1 kg (0.22 lb) my weight 0.10 kg (0.22 lb)

In use weight

1.7 kg (3.74 lb) my weight 1.85 kg (4.06 lb)
(Fly, inner and 6 pegs.) 

Total Weight

1.9 kg (4.19 lb), my weight 2.10 kg (4.63 lb)
(Everything together.)

Persons	

1-2

Fly Footprint

2200 mm x 1300 mm (86.6" x 51.2")

Floor Area

2.0 m^2 (2.4 yd^2)

Vestibule Area

0.8 m^2 (0.9 yd^2)

Rolled Size

40 cm x 12 cm (15.8" x 4.7")

Manufacturer weight followed by my measurement using Soenhle kitchen type scales.

Product Description 

The Macpac Microlight comes rolled up in its stuff sac.  In this are the fly, 
guide lines, pegs in bag, pole in bag, inner/floor, instructions, seam sealer, 
repair kit.  This is a "three season" and "multi-pitch" tent.  This means the 
tent can be used without problems in all but the most extreme weather 
conditions, and that it can be erected in many configurations, fly only, 
inner/floor only, or combined fly with inner/floor.  

Six aluminium hard ground pegs fix the fly to the ground, and two guide lines 
may also be used.  This tent requires pegs as it will not stay pitched on its 
own.  The pole is hollow aluminium telescopic type with elastic line through.  
The floor is a "tub" polyurethane coated nylon variety, seam sealed via tape, 
and sewn on are the tent inner walls. These consist of white/cream wind 
resistant nylon fabric.  The entrance consists of "no see um" or "fly wire" 
ventilation fabric.  Webbing buckles are attached to the floor peg points and 
the fly peg points, hoop and loop fabrics are fixed to the fly inside and the 
inner/floor outside.  The repair kit contains a pole repair sleeve and patches 
of each of the tents fabrics ( three pieces ), except the entrance side 
ventilation fabric.  The seam sealer is water based type in a bottle with an 
applicator nozzle.

General pitching of the Microlight may be done in number of combinations, due to 
its "multi-pitch" design.  I used the inner alone, placing the pole through the 
loops at the top and pegging down each corner at the strap.  With the fly alone 
the pole slips inside a sleeve present along the entire top seam of the fly, then 
pegging the corner and middle elastic cord loops down.  When pitching the 
combined fly and inner, I went about combining either fly first or inner first.

Field Experience 


Cape To Cape Track.  It did not rain while I walked this track in the spring, 
mainly coastal heath and beaches with occasional forest walking.  It is also a 
windy environment when exposed to the ocean, the tent holds up well with only a 
minimum of flapping if pitched properly.  I used the pole arc as a fin and aimed 
it into the wind.  I took the complete tent on this walk,  I always needed the 
inner for protection from mosquitos, and it could have rained during a night.
Bibbulmun Track, Northcliff to Walpole section.  The tent was used as an backup 
shelter if there was a problem at one of the huts along the way, in the sections 
walked.  I used it the first night in a designated clearing close to the hut, in 
forest.  It rained constantly through the night,  I pitched the tent in combined 
format.  The rain ran off the fly and onto the ground without problems and 
drained into the soil, ventilation was fine in the cool conditions 14 C ( 57 F ).  
The extractor vent worked well to minimise condensation, but some remained.  I'm 
glad the weight of the tent is low, as it is annoying to carry something I'm 
unlikely to use.  This tent will also allow 2 persons, but it is a tight squeeze.

Bicycle Touring in Germany.  Not backpacking/walking, but I used the tent most 
days over a three month period and here is where it was tested most.  Rain was 
constant for weeks, light usually, and pitching a taught and properly aligned 
fly was important.  The tub floor was very useful here, as some much rain on 
muddy ground caused puddle to form under the tent.  There was no problem of 
water leaking in either through the fly or the floor, although condensation did 
build up, but not enough to cause any problems.  The vestibule offered an 
excellent area to accommodate my gear.  Once I'm in the tent, it is comfortable 
for me to remain for the entire night, and possibly afternoon.  Pitching the 
tent in the rain was a common ritual, first the fly, then put gear and myself 
under and clip in the optional ground sheet and inner, much better than sorting 
things in the rain.  In the morning as much water was wiped off the fly with a 
sponge, the fabrics are very quick drying.  Packing the tent wet and drying as 
soon as possible never presented a problem.  This tent was ideal for the varied 
weather encountered, hot, dry, wet and cool.  

I find tents are best used when the weather is adverse to more minimal setups, 
as they offer complete shelter, also a measure of privacy in camping sites.  
This tent performs very well in these situations.  




Product Summary 


This is a low weight, low volume, three season, single person shelter.  The 
design is simple and functional.

Flexibility is a key asset of this tent. Easy to erect and with choices offered 
by the "multi-pitch" design, allows for both lowering the weight and volume when 
certain parts are not required.  Providing shelter fast, with ability to be 
comfortable for longer periods in adverse weather conditions.  Being able to 
open the whole entrance panel on the inner/floor and unzip the fly is very 
convenient.

There is a problem with ventilation in hot or even warm conditions. The 
extractor vent is only adequate, and will minimise condensation mostly. I 
became uncomfortably hot as air flow became too restricted many times, this 
occurs when the door is closed to restrict insects. The ventilation fabric 
does not cover enough of the entrance panel with wind resistant fabric, impeding 
air flow.  If it was wet I had to wipe the tent down and allow it to dry as 
soon as possible.  Getting in pegs also can be a problem.  

I need a tent that is flexible enough to cope with a wide range of weather 
conditions, this tent fits the requirement.

Pros 	
	

• Quality of material and construction.
• Weight and volume.
• Performance of materials.
  

Cons 	

•   Ventilation is restricted.

Biographical Information 

Name

Aaron Joseph Hoette

Gender

Male

Age 

28

Height

172 cm (5'7")

Weight

58.0 kg (127.9 lb)

Email Address

aaron(dot)hoette(at)gmail(dot)com

City, State, Country

Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Backpacking Experience/Background 


My home location is Perth, Western Australia.  I have bushwalked for 
approximately five years, on trips of varying lengths.  Areas include The South 
West and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and the Blue Mountains of New South 
Wales.  My walks have always been one to two weeks long, which allows me to 
travel about 100 kilometers ( 60 miles ) per week easily, so far, always on 
marked trails.  My pack weight is usually under 13 kg (28 lb), and I generally 
try to get away with as little gear as possible but remain comfortable.

Reviews > Shelters > Tents > Macpac Microlight > Owner Review by Aaron Hoette