Is the Notch Li fully waterproof?
Yes, it is fully seam-taped and fully waterproof. Dyneema® has a hydrostatic pressure rating of over 8,000 mm.
Which Dyneema fabric weights do you use?
The fly weight is 0.51 oz / yd 2
The floor weight is 1 oz / yd 2
Do I need trekking poles for general use?
Trekking poles are preferred but an 8 oz / 227 g pole set is available.
Do I need to put the fly up and then the interior?
No, the two parts clip together and setup or takedown as a single unit. It is easy to unclip the interior from inside if desired.
Can I use this for winter?
The structure will withstand light to moderate snow loading. The optional partial solid interior is recommended for cold winds or blowing snow.
Can I stuff the Notch Li to make it smaller?
You can easily remove the 4 carbon fiber struts but we highly recommend rolling or folding, not stuffing, to extend the fabric lifespan.
Does the Notch Li accommodate tall people (over 6 ft 3 in / 190.5 cm)?
Yes, we recommend the Notch for taller folks. The design of the shelter makes it impossible to run into end walls and there is ample sit-up room.
What does my purchase include?
The Notch Li fly and interior, a stuff sack, aluminum stakes + stake bag and the necessary guyline cording. The Notch Li is designed for trekking poles to provide structure to the shelter. There are optional poles for non-trekking pole users that are available for purchase in the webstore.
Do I need a footprint?
Use of a groundsheet depends on the conditions you expect to encounter and your style of camping. The 1-oz Dyneema flooring is tough and does not usually require a separate groundsheet as long as the ground is clear of sharp objects. However, Dyneema, like all non-stretch fabrics, is subject to puncture under extreme pressure from sharp rocks or sticks. We sell optional Tyvek groundsheets which are very tough and great for sleeping out or taking a break, but generally heavier than you need for floor protection in most conditions. A groundsheet is recommended for use on very rocky ground and desert conditions.
Marc Laliberte –
This is a one-year review of the tent. My initial review can be found below. I’ve used the tent extensively during the last year, camping maybe 40 nights in all kinds of weather from spring to full summer to fall. The tent has held up well and still seems new.
The tent is a pain to set up on wood platforms (see photo). That said, I think all the non-free-standing tents will share the same issues. I usually set up using a mix of regular stakes, fishbone tent stakes, carabiners and some extra rope, but you need to carry that with you. The tent is super easy to set up on softer ground.
I learned that when you dismantle the tent and it rains it is much easier to keep the interior dry if you first pull the middle stakes and then the ones at the ends. The way the tent falls down it simply keep the interior drier. Condensation has never been much of an issue, even on super humid days. If the tent gets wet, it will dry in 20 minutes once the sun shows up.
Rain resistance is excellent, EXCEPT when you’re on hard surfaces like the wood platforms I mentioned above. When it’s raining hard on such a surface, you’ll have backsplash issues, enough to get the interior wall damp. You can lower the tent a bit if the weather forecast calls for heavy rain, but the best thing in that situation is to try to set up on softer ground (leaves, sand, grass), where backsplash is much less of an issue. (Lowering the tent enough to eliminate the backsplash is difficult, as you both lose headroom and ventilation.)
Wind resistance has been excellent so far, but I can’t say I’ve been exposed to super strong winds.
Overall this has been a great tent for solo back packing, and I highly recommend it.
Robert Stambaugh –
This is the best tent that I have ever owned. Extremely light and very weather resistant. I used it for nine nights on the JMT last month and it was terrific. I set up in a thunderstorm so bad that the wind was blowing sideways. I dove in the downwind door, and zipped it shut. There were a couple drops of water inside that I easily wiped up with my bandana.
Keith –
I’ve now spent 8 nights in my new Notch Li, all in different mountain locations, I’m confident proclaiming it a great tent. Like all really ultralight gear, you need to treat it well. Pitches got better as I got more experienced- it’s easy and fast, but the fine points take a little practice. Only one night developed any condensation, and it was eliminated by tying up all four side panels over the top of the tent while I ate breakfast. Folding and rolling it up is probably the most difficult part- it’s easy at home on my clean garage floor, but in the mountains with the wind blowing, it is not as easy as shown in their video. No question, the interior is small, but works for my 5’11” frame with room for extra clothes, etc. The vestibules are huge, and I love the double doors, a total luxury during the day as an escape from mosquitoes or just a rest, with a two way view and a breeze blowing through. I own both interiors- the mesh is definitely my preference for decent weather (all summer), but I will switch to the partial solid for cold weather in fall and spring. The partial solid feels slightly claustrophobic because you can’t see out while lying down. One tip I have learned is to adjust the tightness of the cords to the night time configuration before retiring. I have found that if I tighten the pitch with the door(s) open, as they usually are during the day, then crawl into bed, the door won’t zip closed- it’s just too tight. So, if you want to sleep with doors closed, tension it with doors closed then open and crawl in for the night. Minor complaints? it really needs 6 stakes, and the stakes should have cord loops to pull them up- it’s a pain to have to find and order 2 additional stakes and mini cord. I find I almost stake out the two apex guy lines- it’s just security against wind and makes the pitch more taught. The pockets- yeah, slippery things can fall out- I just took a needle and thread and sewed 3/4″ up the bottom edge of the pocket to correct that. I also tied a mini cord across the top of the interior between mitten hooks to hang moist socks or a headlamp. All in all, a wonderful tent; the more I use it, the more I like it.
Claudia –
I am so in love with my Notch that I have named her. Easy to put up and pack down, zero problems with condensation (in Scotland!), decent room for one person. My first night was a bit shaky because I was so used to 2-person tents, but I quickly got the hang of working with the space and every night after I adored being in my little cocoon. I am a slim, average height woman, so it was fairly easy for me to move around inside: if I pushed my pad over to one side I could even sit next to it! Anyone bigger than that (5’8″, 120lbs) may find it a bit tight, but honestly it is still the most live-able 1-person tent I have ever come across. I have loads of space at my feet, head and sides to store gear, but of course as I get more ultralight I take less stuff. Those still carrying extraneous gear will find they have to stash more out in the vestibules, but there are two of them so no big deal. It held up brilliantly in high wind and crazy rain, and I was able to get it folded up neatly in the stuff sack every morning, whatever the weather. I thought the magnetic tiebacks were great, and didn’t have much of a problem with the mesh pockets, but do think they could be designed better. The tent is very translucent, but with the partial solid inner I didn’t find it a huge issue. I am really happy with my decision and look forward to many many trails in this tent.
cristina (verified owner) –
Super excited to finally have this long-wished-for, carefully considered tent to pack on PCT Washington trip. Camping the night before departure at a state park in wind storm conditions seemed a perfect test of what to expect from the Notch li.
I’ve owned 2 tarptents, a Rainbow which was admittedly an easy set up compared to the Contrail, my go to bike-camp tent for several years. I felt confident mastering Notch set up was entirely possible and use would be even more enjoyable than it’s predecessors.
It’s solid with a great profile design, cost-wise compares favorably with other makers’ similar tents, & shipping time of the well-packed tent was awesome.
Unfortunately I could not get the tent to stay put. PCT thru hiker friend, after setting up her Tarptent Bowfin and enjoying her dinner, took pity on me. No sooner did we think the tent secure than it would collapse. Initial set up was on our designated sanded site. Absolutely no purchase with several different style/length stakes. Then moved to (no camping on grass) grassy area, still no luck.
Bottom line, I ended up opting to take my heavier but known-reliable tent I’d brought along as a backup when we’d heard about the wind warnings. Enlisted a local friend to return the Notch since I would not be back from trip until return policy had expired.
Upon my return the tent was back at my post office! Apparently it had been punctured in our endeavors to set up or from the wind lashing and despite what seemed a very thorough look over the next morning in utter stillness, obviously hadn’t noticed damage before returning.
I was offered set-up help from tarptent folks and supplied enough patching material to repair the punctute but I lost confidence somewhere around the 10th unsuccessful attempt. That damage had occurred so quickly, further worked against embracing this particular challenge.
In my opinion there is a very definite skill to setting up and using this type of tent and even with what I thought was adequate prior experience, it wasn’t a good fit for me.
[ Tarptent Reply: Happy to help with setup and repair – you can send it in so we can do it. You just need to ask. ]
Marc Laliberte (verified owner) –
I’m generally very satisfied with the tent. It’s a one-person tent, granted, and couples will have to find other places to get frisky, but for a solo hiker it is great. It resists wind, is absolutely water tight, condensation is not an issue and is so light, it’s amazing. I do use the extra guy lines, and have thus to carry two extra stakes, but honestly I’m not sure if they are really required.
I have two minor issues:
The tent fly is translucid. That means that light will easily go through, even if you really can’t see details. So, if you have a light in the tent at night, people can kind of see what you are doing. Not in any details, but, yeah. It also means that on full moon nights there is a surprising amount of light going in the tent. This might also be something to consider for high Arctic trips in summer. If you need full dark to go to sleep, better put the tent under a tree or bring something to cover your eyes.
The tent floor is very slippery. I mean VERY slippery. On my first trip with the tent, I had a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite pad and a “YF” series sleeping bag from Feathered Friends, both of which are somewhat slippery to start with. The combination of the Dyneema floor in the tent, the XLite pad and the sleeping bag does not work. It’s like trying to sleep on a slippery hill. Every time you move the pad want to move out from under you. I woke up at some point, thinking that the pad must have sprung a leak as I was face down on the floor, to realize once I had fully woken that the pad was still OK, only now in vertical position on the side of the tent. Not funny. For the record the same pad and sleeping bag work well in a “conventional” tent with a nylon floor. The sleeping bag and the Notch Li also work well with a pad which is less slippery, such as the Thermarest Zlite.
Mark Rinella (verified owner) –
Great tent. Have used it 4 times so far in UT above 10,000 feet with no issues. The weight is fantastic. Interior space is sufficient. I am 5’11” and have room at either end and along sides for small amount of gear I want to keep in the tent. Ventilation is very good and I like that both sides can be opened. Solid on one night of strong winds, but I did stake out the two additional guy lines. (There should be six and not 4 stakes included with this tent – not sure what the logic on providing only 4 stakes is.). I would love the option of a Dyneema footprint with some grommets please.
charles.lucas –
Just tested the Notch Li in a proper gale with the rain lashing down in the West of Ireland. It was as solid as a rock. Bomb proof! And completely dry. A great performance. Other lightweight tents I have had have been rather delicate and collapse and bend when the wind gets up. Not this one. Very impressed. But other reviewers are right: the pockets in the mesh are much too small and badly designed. Everything falls out. Make them bigger please.
Bec (verified owner) –
Having had a silnylon Notch for a few years now, this upgrade had been on my radar for a long time. I have enjoyed the massive dual vestibules, ventilation/views, interchangeable inners and small footprint the Notch provided, and was excited to upgrade. After a few nights in my new Notch Li, this may be almost my ideal tent. A taught pitch is much easier than the silnylon version, with (as expected) no sagging when soaked in the morning. Fly zippers (though I had been a bit hesitant due to risk of failure) I found a welcome addition, not having realised how tricky the clips on previous zipper-less versions had been to deal with – re-introducing zippers has to me made a big improvement, much easier to pitch zipped shut and to partially close doors. Magnetic latches (though I shared some initial concern as being ‘gimmicky’) worked flawlessly, with plenty of room to wrap around the fly material (more trips will tell how they perform in strong wind I guess). Re-designed solid inner looked great, and solid material on the inner roof was a good choice to stop drips of condensation. Perhaps the only tiny gripe (aside from not much floor space, but huge vestibules compensate) is persistence of those poorly designed pockets which slant downward and let everything (phones, glasses) inevitably fall out onto the floor to be potentially squashed. This is, however, a minor issue. An overall awesome tent.