I'm still dithering re tent mainly for 2 + dog (earlier thread refers) and have been looking at the Laserlarge 3, Nallo 2 GT and now the Kaitum 2. This appeals to the OH as it has the seperate porch for her pooch (a lab, so not really a pooch). Downside is the higher cost and extra 100 gms. But it's 10 cm wider and I wonder if one could squeeze a third person in if necessary (it'd be cosy and not for extended use, but could be useful for a night or two?). This would help justify the purchase and extra cost, as the Nallo 2 GT is not that much different to my Nallo 2 apart from having space for the dog! I suspect the K2 ventilates better - does anyone have any thoughts on that?
I wonder if the Kaitum is any (even) more stable than the Nallo, too?
Also, can one store bikes in the N2 GT without breaking legs on the way in or out?
Crikey, don't know what happened then - four threads! PC stalled - thought I'd lost the thread completely, but they were breeding. I'll post on the others to ignore them. Sorry!
can t comment on width----i have keron 2 --heavier version of kaitum---if like me you have only had single entrance tents then versatiliy and ventilation is better than you can imagine---best tent i have ever had-----puts up very fast and easy----heavy but i use it for boat camping
The Nallo 3 is 20cm wider than the Kaitum 2 and it is getting a little snug for 3 people. 3up in the Kaitum should be possible if you are not all too broad and don't move about in your sleep (if you get any). Kaitum owners will need to chip in, but I don't think I'd do it if I had the choice (I like to be as comfy as possible/practical when I sleep out). The Kaitum will ventilate better, which is a more important consideration the more people you cram in. My only real gripe about Nallos in general is the reduced height at the back. On cold still nights this means a damp sleepingbag footbox unless you sleep like a statue. Not the end of the world I know, but if it happened for a few days on the trot it might get to be a problem. Anyway, I guess the Kaitum is Hilleberg's 3pole answer to this problem. Oh, and as for the dog, I'd go for the Nallo GT. I like dogs but that inner tent cost a lot and cant really be washed as such. On a happier note, maybe this could be the answer to your prayers (just get the dog to carry some of it):
Kaitum 3
Kaitum has been in our program for a couple of seasons. Now we are introducing the Kaitum GT in 2 and 3 person sizes. Just like the Kaitum the Kaitum GT is a tunnel tent with two vestibules and two entrances. One vestibule is extended for extra space inside, making it a very roomy tunnel tent for 2 or 3 persons. Kaitum GT is an ideal choice for the weight conscious user in need of space and comfort.
Rob, we went for the Kaitum 3 as there's a lot more space than the K2 without that much extra weight. It's still quite reasonable IMHO for 2 to carry, and there's acres of space inside. The porches are a pretty good size. It really is a proper 3 person size.
You could get 3 in the K2 if you felt a need, but as Richard suggests it would be a bit hair-shirt, which seems a bit daft if you've otherwise bought a tent that trades some extra weight against increased comfort... But it wouldn't be completely ridiculous.
The Kaitums should ventilate better than the Nallos, as you've got full venting at both ends for a through-flow of air.
Not much in it stoutness-wise, I'd guess. They'll both take Real Flak, and they'll both be pretty noisy while they do so.
Very, very happy with our K3. While theoretically the KnGT would be nice, in practice there's plenty of spce an the "normally aspirated" version.
Note that while a Nallo and Nall GT have identical inners and can be swapped between flys (possibly purchased separately), that is not true of the Kaitum/Kaitum GT (which is a shame, but it makes sense when you llok at the profiles).
If you're anywhere near Tayside drop me a line and you can come over and play.
Many thanks all - really useful replies. Pete - I'm thinking of squeezing three in for perhaps the occasional night, say if going from a bothy to a remote hill and back, as we did from Camban to Beinn Fhionnlaidh a few winters ago, back over Ceathreamhan. Then we squeezed four under the fly of my Spacepacker Plus - but most of the gear went outside! Great tents for that sort of thing - thinking about buying another fly for that alone. Must be about the lightest shelter for 4! Most versatile, too, with its 4 doors.
Thanks for offer of play. My local stockist has a K2 on display so I may go see this week. Damn - it's the most expensive option, too! But it'll last forever, I guess. Also, I have spare poles for my Nallo 2, so I could, if I really thought it necessary, double up (on two, anyway).
I've just thought of another consideration re poles. The poles at the two ends of the K2 are the same as the small end of the Nallo 2, so I assume that'd make getting in and out of the K2 a bit more difficult than for the Nallo 2 / 2 GT. Anyone with a K2 find this a problem?
I briefly crawled into a K2 back in November since there was one on display and I wanted to convince myself I'd done the right thing getting the K3 instead. And it wasn't really much of an issue.
It's a bit different between a Nallo and a Kaitum as the doors are in different places. The Nallo's door is at the very end in line with the vent, while the Kaitum is to one side (as you're sat inside looking out into the \_/ shape of the end, the door is the panel to the right). That actually makes a bit easier getting in and out as you effectively by-pass the porch (that also means you can get in and out with a cooker running, even if you don't take the other end's door for some reason).
