Tents

I heard from one of the guys at Drifters that The North Face plans to bring out their own stores in SA soon... now that would be awesome!

I have been to one in Chamonix and the US. Their range is amazing and far exceeds what I have seen online even. The top spec stuff "Summit Series" is as good as anything I've seen and decently priced compared to brands like Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear.

Quite a while ago (maybe a year ago) when I was shopping for a tent at Drifters, they showed me a 2 person Sprayway tent that was built on similar lines to the Tadpole, but could be pitched "all in one" (eg, flysheet first) and which had an inner that was less mesh and more nylon. It was heavier than I wanted though, and not great for tall people (my husband's feet and head pressed against the tent when lying down). But it looked like a great option for cold weather and I think it wasn't too expensive either. You can contact Drifters here:

www.drifters.co.za/displayCustomLink.aspx?name=DriftersCentre

They give great advice telephonically and over email

Anybody looking for Ferrino tents?

@Captain
I'm looking a a decent hiking tent ( that's not going to break my bank)
What are Ferrino tents like specs etc?

@Fitness: depends on what you're looking for. As I'm sure you're aware using the right product for the correct application ensures both a satisfied consumer and a happy producer/manufacturer. I've been in discussions with Ferrino for a while now and have concluded a deal with them to represent them in SA.

Maybe a bit of info regarding Ferrino will be useful;

Founded in 1870 and became famous for manufacturing waterproof tents. Currently still owned by the Ferrino family in Turin, Italy. One of the first tent manufacturers to start using a geodesic design - these tents were designed in consultation with Reinhold Messner. Messner subsequently used the tents on his ascents of Gasherbrum and Lhotse

Ferrino also supplied Mike Horn with his tents and other technical gear on his epic solo trek across Antarctica - 20,000km over 20 months with temperatures between -15deg Celsius and -70deg Celsius.

Are you looking for a solo tent?

Captain
Just sent you a PM

Just for the record, tents imported from Europe are exempt from import tax. Only VAT is paid. This is according to the SARS Customs and Excise Tariff document, Schedule 1, Part XI, point 63.06 (p. 379 of the pdf in the link below). I know some people who have imported their tents from Europe, and it worked. You must just make sure that they (e.g. Amazon) don't reroute it through the US or something, if you can.

SARS Customs and Excise Tariff document link

I've had a "Ferrino Syncro 3" for years, its proved to be a great tent. Would be nice to have then represented in SA again.

I checked the Ferrino website and their specs are really good... looks better than the lightweight TNF tents actually I would definitely look at this as an option. You can see that their designs cater for European conditions.