Robert Saunders Tents

We decided to get one of his old school Basecamp tents for 'heavy' camping, when I googled , this came up on the front page

It's Goodbye from Robert Saunders

too late to phone him today (no answer)

Anybody know anything if it's true, or is it old news?

I spoke to him on the phone last year in spring and he didn't mention it.

His site's still up, Mole, complete with prices and order form?

I was looking at SpacePackers t'other day.

Yeah I saw the site was there. 

 And Alpenstock have the tents listed too.

lester wrote (see)

Last I heard, his daughter was taking over on a full time basis.

when was this? since the post I linked to (Oct 20009)

lester wrote (see)

 I bought a Spacepacker Plus in 1986 and it's still as waterproof as the day I bought it. It has been used extensively and hasn't faded at all in the sunlight it has been exposed to.

Well, our SP+ Mk1 (1996) is shot away.  Still waterproof (not the groundsheet - that went years ago) , but flysheet quite faded, splitting pole sleeve, and holes/small splits at some stress points.  Though, to be fair it's had a lot of use.  I would have bought another, but the inner in face/toes thing and weight compared to 'modern' tents put me against it.  Brill design though - specially at the time originally produced (mid 80's I think).

Went halves on a Space packer Plus (cotton inner) with my parents for my 18th  Birthday present (1985).

Sent it to Robert about 5 years ago for a tart up, he sent my a brand new inner, repaired the poles sleeve and all new rubbers. Its now as new (albeit the fly is a little faded) it is still watertight.

It has been used all over the world and regulary in adverse conditions in the uk. It is an outstanding performer.

Sadly, I am about to send it to my nephew in Northern Ireland as I also have a my serious Quasar for high altitude and my new Akto for soloing. (BTW, Robert will tell you he designed the Quasar anyway (mountain trek)).

Its hard for my to say goodbye to my faithfull friend, but I know its going to a good home and and it will serve my nephew well in his induction to the hills for years to come.

12 outa 10 Robert Saunders. Sad to see you off the scene, you really did under state and under sell yourself (as I remember arguing with you). Tent legend.!

I've wondered for a while if Saunders can keep going.  There's nothing wrong with the tents but the marketing is, sadly, well behind others in the game and now the rest of the field has caught up they don't have the clearly best tool for the job kudos they used to.

I still have a Spacepacker that's my weapon of choice for light trips for two, or 2 entrance luxury for one, with a great combination of lightness and usable space, including porch space for each camper and a choice of doors too.  Opens up completely in nice weather, hardly anything else as good for that as far as I can tell.

Was using it for the kids' bedroom on their first cycle tour last week!

Pete.

Mole wrote (see)

We decided to get one of his old school Basecamp tents for 'heavy' camping, when I googled , this came up on the front page

It's Goodbye from Robert Saunders

too late to phone him today (no answer)

Anybody know anything if it's true, or is it old news?

I spoke to him on the phone last year in spring and he didn't mention it.

I just came off the phone from the man himself. 

Roberts Saunders is Still Trading.  

They are no longer a limited company, so this may have sparked the rumour.  Maybe a LFTO member could update that thread above?

He didn't have the tent I wanted in stock, but is just about to make a new batch once a fabric order arrives, so would take a deposit.

I have a Spacepacker mk1 for sale, I bought it last year and I've only pitched twice in the garden. I bought it from another guy who hadn't used it so the tent is virtually as new, the tent is totally unmarked. The Fly isn't taped and as yet the seams are unsealed which is how they come.

If anyone's interested I'm looking £175 for it shipping included to the UK, the new price is £269

http://www.robertsaunders.co.uk/pages/frame.html

I can provide photos for anyone interested.

The Fly isn't taped and as yet the seams are unsealed which is how they come.

For the same reasons as Hillebergs, TN Superlites, Helsports aren't taped: silicone elastomer coatings don't take hot air taping.  That's actually not a bad thing as hot air taping heat ages the base fabric and weakens it, as well as adding weight (and cost).  Make the seams carefully and they shouldn't leak.

The Spacepacker is a good tent... as long as you're not very tall (it isn't lack of room to sit up, but to lie down).  People who dislike an inner tent not far from their face when lying down should probably apply elsewhere too.  Clicky for my OM review...

Pete.

Yes the Spacepacker isn't suited to tall people generally unless you use it as a solo tent and can lie diagonally. As a solo tent it's heavy at 1.9kg but provides loads of porch space and virtually unmatched porch/door versatility, with 4 doors you'll always have a sheltered quarter regardless of wind shift.

Quote Peter, 

For the same reasons as Hillebergs, TN Superlites, Helsports aren't taped: silicone elastomer coatings don't take hot air taping.  That's actually not a bad thing as hot air taping heat ages the base fabric and weakens it, as well as adding weight (and cost).  Make the seams carefully and they shouldn't leak.

Agreed, of the 3 Phreerangers I have 2 are untaped (pre 1988) and one taped (post 1988), the untaped ones are fine as I've resealed them but the tape has started to come off the other and has taken the coating with it.

My Dad just told me about Britain Goes Camping on BBC4 (iPlayer link clicky) which has RS at about 25 minutes in, saying how he pioneered the use of synthetics in the wake of the Everest expedition.

I knew he was an innovator but I hadn't realised he'd introduced synthetic fabrics to tent making.  Dates not given exactly, so maybe too early for the "50 years of innovation" thing Rohantime are running at present

Pete.

Oh, sad news. Just read that when I was seeking for a replacement pole for the Spacepacker. Have used it in Europe (all over the place), South America and in Asia. Never failed on me, never let me down, even in harsh conditions. RIP, Robert!