ME Dragonfly 3XT

Im on the hunt for a light-weight tent that will allow my very-long-self, my partner, my dog and our gear to sleep comfortably and sit out any rain. Ideally I want something with a big vestibule where I can also cook if the weather is shite and pitches outer first or all together. I have been looking at Hilleberg for a long time and had pretty much decided to fork out on a Hilleberg Kaitum 2.

On the weekend I came across the Dragonfly 2XT which pretty much ticks all the boxes AND it is a fair amount cheaper and it is lighter. I can even get the 3 person one (3XT) which is about the same weight as the Kaitum and still a lot cheaper. 

Has anyone got any experience with this tent?

We maddeningly couldn't ever get a look at one before deciding on a Kaitum3, but it was on the "interested" list.

The D2 we ruled out as it gets quite narrow at the back, but we reckoned the D3 would be fine for 2.  In the end a big decider for the K3 was that it really would give enough room for 3 and we're space whores, and you've got full sitting height along the whole inner rather than just at one end of it.  It's a little heavier than the K2, but has significantly more space, and we're more interested in living space than grammes.

A lot of choice between the two might be what accommodation you have planned for the dog.  if [s]he's to live in a porch then would you want it to be a good-sized separate one or a very big single one where the food and cooking happen too?

Pete.

Hi Pete,

The dragonfly doesn't leave a huge amount of space for sitting up but it was much roomier than I expected! We are contemplating the 3 person version because it leaves room for when the family starts to expand. 

Dog is definitely going to be sleeping in the vestibule! Not having soaked pooch getting cosy with my down sleeping bag   That is one of the advantages with the Kaitum as it has 2 vestilbules and one could be for the dog or gear with the other for cooking. However, I am worried about the size of the Kaitum when it is pitched. It is really really long and I am worried that I will stuggle to find space for pitching it in the mountains. Last year in the Lakes I would really have struggled with such a large tent. 

Do you use a footprint with the Kaitum? Do you carry it backpacking?

Do you use a footprint with the Kaitum?

If we're camping out of the car or the boats, yes, otherwise no.  The supplied groundsheet is a good one and should stand up to quite a bit.  We got one mainly for paddling with pals when the K might go as the "party tent" without the inner and we'll sleep in the Tarra.

Do you carry it backpacking?

Yes...

That's at about 600m, overlooking Loch Etive.

We've lighter tents if camping quality is less of a priority compared to putting in miles, but while hardly the lightest thing on the planet the K3 is light enough for us to use cycle touring and backpacking.

More recently we don't do too much backpacking, what with the young family, but it makes a great tent for a relatively short walk in to a wild camp with a range-limited wee girl.

The Kaitum is big, but we've not been defeated yet in finding a space for it.  It's not actually much bigger than a Nallo GT, and those are very widely used all over.

We're very happy with it, but it does have a "thought-provoking" price tag...

Pete.

Thanks for that Pete, that was very helpful!

Is yours the extended vestibule K3? 

No, just the standard.  The GT has more space than even I'd know what to do with, and adds another chunk of weight (and size!).

If they ever do a K4 I wouldn't mind the GT there, for the whole family, but for two I think it's too much of a good thing.

Pete.

Hi Des, thanks for getting back to me on the tent. Very useful to hear from someone who actually owns it! You mentioned it could be a bit warm in summer, how is the venting in the tent?