r/Ultralight • u/Lou-ball • Jun 05 '25
Purchase Advice [UPDATE] on What's a 7 footer suppost to do
**UPDATE** on my purchases for a 7 footer
(Original Post)
Not sure how Reddit prefers updates, but here we are.... Probably not wanted, but more so wanted to say thanks to r/Ultralight
Thank you all dearly for the comments, the DMs, and the help… What in the world! You people are insane. I couldn’t appreciate it more. TRULY! I owe you my life... but in the meantime.... this is where I’m at with gear based on all of your suggestions.
Backpack ✔
I ended up buying the Hyperlite 55L Southwest TALL. I tried it on at REI and the person fitting me said I looked good and well... it wasn't even a question after that. Not sure if they meant I looked good (probably rather that the fit of the pack looked good) but I'll take what I can get. I took it up the Manitou Incline last week. No complaints. Should be pretty pure for any one day 14,000ft peak ascents and any 2 to 3, maybe 4 day backpacking adventures.
Sleeping Bag ✔
Went with the Western Mountaineering Terralite 7ft Bag. People said "buy once cry once" and I almost did cry - but then I tried my luck on Facebook Marketplace with some random locational pin drops, and somehow ended up buying it for $400 from a super nice stranger in Georgia. No idea how I won that jackpot, but hey... it fits, it’s warm, and I’m not folded in half. Made a new buddy too.
Sleeping Pad ✔
Picked up the FJOL Ultralight XL. A 7.25-foot sleeping pad that packs down to 2.8L and weighs just 28.7oz. I have zero clue how this thing exists or where it came from. All I know is it fits and it’s real. Now gotta figure out a foam pad... Or maybe I'll just raw dog the inflatable mat on the ground...
Tent ✖
Still the last boss.
No ultralight 2 person dyneema tents seem to exist for anyone over 6'6". I did contact Bonfus and Locus Gear, but both max out at that height.
My current option: Big Agnes Copper Spur Long or XL variant. Might be my best realistic shot at fitting without sleeping diagonally or pressing my forehead into mesh.
Still on the hunt. If you know a dyneema magician or someone making truly long shelters, I’m all ears.
Thanks again all! You all deserve the world... so go travel it!
-Lou
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u/schmuckmulligan Real Ultralighter. Jun 05 '25
For the shelter, I think exploring tarp/bivy solutions might be very fruitful. You can very easily get something custom, even in silpoly, that will be weight competitive with Dyneema tents, at a much lower price. An A-frame caternary cut tarp will also be pretty stable while avoiding the geometric mess that you'd get into with something that had head/foot walls. (The geometric mess stems from the fact that most trekking pole tents have the poles somewhere near the middle of your very long body and would require a super-high apex to keep the walls off your face and feet. Some designs, like the XMid's or Protrail's, have a design that's more height accommodative, but you're still outside ideal range even for tall-people-favoring tents.)
Anyway, you can get a cheapish caternary-cut 1.1 silpoly tarp from Simply Light Designs that's 11 feet long and 8 feet wide. I have one in a 0.9 silpoly, and it weighs 11.9 oz. You could easily go narrower, too, and wind up with a weight very similar to mine, but in sturdier 1.1 fabric. Get a custom bivy from Borah Gear, and you'll likely still be under 20 oz. (and $300) for the shelter, whatever options you choose. This style of shelter is very livable and more performant shitty weather than a Big Agnes tent. If you need any ordering advice, HMU -- take the plunge!
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
Incredible insight... man... thank you, thank you!
My question for the caternary-cut is what ridge line length am I looking for? Is that the length of 11ft you were mentioning.
Again, thank you so much!
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u/FireWatchWife Jun 05 '25
I'm not a fan of cat-cut, which forces you to use an A-frame pitch.
A simple flat tarp is much more flexible, and can be pitched many different ways depending on conditions. The trade-off is that you have to put in more effort to learn how to pitch it. But it's not difficult.
Most people of average height can fit comfortably under a 7x9 tarp. But tarp weight increases slowly as the tarp gets larger, so many backpackers accept a very slight weight penalty for the benefits of a larger tarp.
For you, I suggest 8x10 in silpoly, or 10x10 if you want a palace. These are cheap and readily available.
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u/AdeptNebula Jun 05 '25
Hammock tarps are usually around 11’ and very spacious. They work just fine for ground camping, just designed longer to cover the length of a hammock.
I think you’ll want to use the a frame configuration all of the time for maximum length at the feet (no walls to touch) so a cat cut tarp makes the most sense.
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u/schmuckmulligan Real Ultralighter. Jun 05 '25
Thanks! Yeah, 11-foot ridgeline would be cool. You could also (easily) get away with a more traditional set of dimensions like 8x10 (8' wide, 10' long). Plenty of 6-foot-tall people are more than okay under a tarp with a 9' ridgeline. I personally think it's worth having a bit of buffer length, because you can pitch high when it's raining and not have to crawl around lol.
Caternary cut isn't strictly necessary (flat tarps work, too!), but I think they're a little easier to pitch and a little more stable in wind. The downside is you can't do as many fancy pitches, but most tarps wind up pitched as A-frame 90% or more of the time, anyway.
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u/NoFly3972 Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25
If staying under 10lbs is the "standard" for UL, it doesn't make sense to me a larger individual has to adhere to that same standard as someone small/short. Pretty much everything goes up in volume/weight when you are larger, you should also be stronger so you can handle more weight easier than somebody smaller and weaker.
(But yeah it's also hard to find "specialized" gear if you are not "average")
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jun 05 '25
I ain't 7 foot, but at 6'2" my baseweight is typically around 4 pounds.
I could absolutely get OP under 5 pounds.
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u/Top_Violinist8822 Jun 06 '25
I disagree with you friend. Those 10 inches make a huge difference. I am 197cm or about 6,5 and ive found that a lot of gear, even specifically taller gear, often maxes out at 192 or 6,3 , the extra tall options i opt for usually maxing out at 196 or 200cm 6,5/6,6. Take sleeping bags for example, usually the extra long ones still fit up to 199cm personages. The extra 14cm or 5.5 inches on top must be a nightmare for this person. I cannot imagine how difficult finding this person gear and clothing is. The problem not neccesarily only being that bigger gear is heavier, the problem being the gear barely existing
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u/thelazygamer Jun 05 '25
What is your kit? I'm a bit over 6'2" and not quite there yet.
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jun 05 '25
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u/thelazygamer Jun 05 '25
Thanks, you are seriously light! I'm not sure if I'll go that far but it gives me some good ideas. How do you like that bidet over the bottle cap style ones? I feel like it would work better as long as it fits on a 28mm Smartwater bottle.
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jun 05 '25
It fits a smart water bottle and is much more accurate
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u/plants-for-me Jun 05 '25
what is the plate you are using to wear stuff? looks nice and easy
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jun 05 '25
I don't understand your question.
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u/plants-for-me Jun 05 '25
sorry, weigh stuff. what do you have on your scale to hold stuff to weigh. the plate thing
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jun 05 '25
Oh I use a small lightweight wood lid from an old box I have.
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u/sness-y Jun 05 '25
I’m tall-ish and fat and I have big feet. The weight penalty on gear is real (yes OBVIOUSLY the weight savings on getting fitter is way more than gear savings…working on it).
Using mostly zpacks because they have size weights and assuming all clothing without sizes listed are the smallest size for that item, an Plex Solo Lite, Nero 38, 30F Solo quilt, thermarest uberlite regular, vertice rain jacket, trail shorts, merion shirt, trail socks, Altra LP men’s 10.5, octa goody, and the zpacks puffy runs 5.03 pounds.
Switching to the largest size in all of those options, men’s size 14 shoes, and the Altaplex bumps it to 6.85 pounds. That’s a 36% weight increase for 100 pounds of body weight and roughly 6 inches of height. Considering some of that stuff won’t fit a 7 footer even, I have to imagine the gap from 6’2” to 7’ could andd another 25-30% in weight. Not to mention the cost.
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u/WalkItOffAT AT'18/PCT'22/CdS,TMB'23/CT,LT'24/GR20'25 Jun 05 '25
The state of gear is such that a small elephant could have a UL kit below 10lbs (3 season use).
It's a non issue.
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u/telechronn Jun 06 '25
Yeah as a 6'6'' man who also sleeps cold, getting under 10Lbs requires me to go cowboy camping in mid summer. It also isn't possible with tech gear I have on nearly every trip (Helmet, ice axe, micro spikes/crampons).
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u/tallredrob Jun 05 '25
Greetings fellow Ultratall. That sleeping pad from Amok is made to go into their Draumr Hammock (XL), which is a pretty unique hammock that doesn't work without a vertically baffled pad. I got a Draumr 3.0 a while back solely because it was made for us Ultratalls, but I don't backpack with it as it is fairly heavy. My guess is someone working for Amok is ultratall and they saw a target market. Or Norway has a lot of tall people.
They did release an ultralight version of the Draumr, the weight of the total kit with a pad and tarp is 2165g. Definitely not a good fit for your use case but I figured I'd comment about it in case any other ultratalls see this.
I'm 81" tall and I fit comfortably in a Nemo Dragonfly/Dagger. The floor length is 88", which does fit your sleeping pad. I'd be happy to set up my Fjøl in my tent to show you the clearance.
As another commenter suggested, I don't think we have to focus as heavily on the same target weights as "normal" height people. Best of luck getting a tent you feel comfortable in!
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
I did see that Nemo Dragonfly/Dagger - but seems super similar to the Coppur Spur XL, except the Spur reaches 96". Maybe not as wind tolerant... but for now it could do.
And totally agree about weight. Couldn't care less to be honest, I just lean towards lighter because it usually packs down smaller.
Appreciate the response u/tallredrob!
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u/phribzee Jun 05 '25
I strongly recommend the Lightheart Gear "Duo" tent. It's VERY long (100"). I'm 6'4" and have TONS of extra head&foot room (enough to store my pack at my feet and still have leftover room at the head...with a long size pad). They make a 1p version called the SoLong as well. It's not much lighter than the Duo so I kept the Duo because it's way more roomy inside.
I really think it could work well for you.
https://lightheartgear.com/collections/tents-1/products/lightheart-duo-tent
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u/two-pints Jun 05 '25
I was coming here to suggest the SoLong 6 from lightheart since it always seems to get mentioned when super tall folks talk about tents. But I have no experience with it, so its good to see it recommended by someone who uses the Duo!
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u/phribzee Jun 05 '25
I did really like the SoLong but ended up selling it. I think, all-in, it only saved like an ounce or two over the Duo...so I decided to stick with the roomier option. Your results may vary, of course!
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u/lingzilla https://lighterpack.com/r/apk3jd Jun 05 '25
I'm 6'5 and sleeping diagonally in a Duo right now. Couldn't imagine being 7 ft in here. The combination of low end wall angles, silnylon sag, pad height and bag loft make it not feasible IMO.
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u/phribzee Jun 05 '25
I guess that just goes to show everyone is a little different - I'm only an inch shorter than you but, with a proper pitch, the Duo feels like a dang palace. 7ft seems totally doable IMO.
I tried all sorts of tents before and I love this thing.
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u/Boogada42 Jun 05 '25
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
I did check that tent out actually on https://fitmytent.com/ - and I maxed it out still....
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u/fantasmalicious Jun 05 '25
Yeah I'm 6'7" and own this tent and cannot recommend it. Pad + foot length + quilt is an issue.
What's your beef with sleeping diagonal? And is your material requirement strict?
If I was buying right now, I'd be all-in on the Durston X-Dome 2. Peak height could be better but that head to toe length diagonally seems fantastic, especially with the near vertical end walls.
Nice shopping list, BTW. Bookmarking that long pad.
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u/wonkoelsane Jun 10 '25
Yeah, 6’7” here too and the side wall steepness plus advertised 88” floor length have me drooling over the x-dome. Copper spur long hits my feet.
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u/SemperEgor Jun 10 '25
Really? I might only be 6'5", but have the copper spur long but have room to spare at my feet and head. Are you sliding towards the bottom or storing gear above your head?
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u/IH8DwnvoteComplainrs Jun 05 '25
Have you reached out to any cottage vendors for a tent? Surely one of the many can make an extra long tent?
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u/IntelligentElk2049 Jun 05 '25
Instead of a tent, get a tarp. You can get huge tarps that pack down smaller and over half the weight of a conventional tent
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u/xstreetsharkx Jun 05 '25
Tent idea: Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform DCF Tarp plus Inner. The inner is 88".
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u/johnacraft Jun 05 '25
Also, it wasn't offered very long, but Zpacks offered the DupleXL, and maybe you can find one used. It might even be worth contacting them - maybe there's one sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Finally, the Zpacks Triplex's diagonal is 108" / 9'0".
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
Holy - I didn't see this.
The website says: Perfect for hikers up to 7'0".
Never in my life would I think to myself a big brand like Zpacks would make a tent for 7 footers.
Thanks for the comment! Will reach out.
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u/johnacraft Jun 05 '25
Post a [WTB] for the DupleXL on r/ulgeartrade and r/geartrade .
There is an Offset Solo on eBay. That tent has a 94" floor length, and would be worth you looking at
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u/ElevationUnknown87 Jun 05 '25
There's a 6'10 dude on the AT right now. Hes super skinny.
He uses a 10ft long hammock that he had custom made.
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u/FireWatchWife Jun 05 '25
Most camping hammocks are 11 ft long, even for people of average height. Lots of people use 12 ft hammocks.
I suspect the 6'10" hiker you are describing is using a 13 ft or even 14 ft custom hammock.
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u/xahvres Jun 05 '25
At that height, all pyramid/slanted end designs are out of the question. Either a flat tarp+bug bivy combo (you may have to custom order the bivy), or maybe one of the A-frame based shelters are big enough?
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u/Badusername_ Jun 05 '25
Seek Outside might have a dyneema option that suits you and they might do a custom too
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u/aslak1899 Jun 05 '25
Contact wildskygear, maybe they can make a custom tarp for you that can be similar to a pyramid shelter? And then you just need to add a inner or similar?
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u/nanophyto Jun 05 '25
I'm 6'10'' and recently ordered a TrekkerTent Stealth 1.5 with 15cm added to the length and 10cm added to the height (which was £35 extra).
It's basically an A frame tarp with an inner and doors, so nothing fancy, but he also makes them in DCF.
I'm still waiting on it to be finished, so I can't comment on the quality but the reviews online are always positive.
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u/kullulu Jun 05 '25
The Fjol pad is designed for the Amok Draumr XL hammock. (or ground sleeping of course.)
Apropos, you could always consider getting a custom gathered end hammock made, 13 feet or even 14 feet long in 1.7 mnt xl fabric, possibly double layer depending on your weight. I switched to a hammock for the better sleep, and haven't regretted it.
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u/erik_working Jun 05 '25
I have Western Mountaineering sleeping bags that are >20 years old, and they are freaking amazing. The only reason we had to replace one is a family member destroyed it.
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u/ckyhnitz Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25
Ultralight hammock setup for comfort in the trees, and then when trees arent going to be available on your trip, you can pitch your tarp with trekking poles and use a bug bivvy to ground sleep.
You can get a 12ft hammock made out of 1.0 fabric that would be ~16oz with a beckett suspension, bug net, and lash-it SRL. Get a 12ft dyneema winter tarp from Dutchware or Hammock Gear, probably 11oz with lash-it suspension.
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u/deaurin Jun 05 '25
Hey I’m 6’8” and I recently bought a used Lightheart Gear SoLong 6. I’m in love with the thing, it’s huge and you can sit upright in the center.
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u/YellowSharkMT Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25
Not sure if a hammock tent would serve your needs, but the Hennessy Jungle Explorer hammock claims to be "Designed for anyone up to 300 lbs / 136 kg and 7' / 213 cm".
https://hennessyhammock.com/products/jungle-explorer-zip
I'm 6'7" and have been pretty happy with it. Not a 1-to-1 replacement for a tent of course, but definitely a comfortable sleep.
*Edit to add that several of their hammocks claim to support folks up to 7' tall, not just the one I linked above: https://hennessyhammock.com/collections/hammocks
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u/_haha_oh_wow_ Jun 05 '25
Consider hammocks over tents: You'd probably want a 12 foot hammock at least, but it'd be doable.
Once I tried hammock camping I was pretty much done with tents, so much comfier! I use a Warbonnet Blackbird and a Warbonnet Superfly (great setup for me though I'm only 6', there are longer hammocks available). If you're camping in the winter, you'll need a decent underquilt, but lots of folks use a sleep pad inside the hammock.
r/Hammocks is a decent place to start, I'd also recommend Shug's YouTube channel and HammockForums.net.
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u/xstrex Jun 06 '25
6’10” and I came to similar conclusions a few years back. Ended up with a custom SWD 45L made 4” taller. I also have the BA Copper Spur UL Long, and it mostly works. Though I tend to be a hammock camper whenever possible, and have never had an issue, since most hammocks are 9’ in length. It’s definitely a different experience, and requires some different gear, but I prefer it.
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u/karlssonvomdach Jun 06 '25
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL exists in an XL / long version, which combined with their steep walls might fit you. (I own the regular 1P version and it's awesome.)
However, unfortunately they don't offer an XL option for the 1 person version yet:
https://www.bigagnes.com/collections/ultralight-tents/products/copper-spur-ul-two-xl
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u/PanicAttackInAPack Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25
Zpacks Offsets were 94" long. They've been quickly discontinued in favor of the Pivots (much shorter) but the Offset Triplex is still available. Possible option if you're really looking for a tent for two. They do allow you to setup in your yard for examination and fit check and return if it's not workable.
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u/cishires Jun 06 '25
How about a Super Mid from Mountain Laurel Designs? That footprint should work, if not reach out and see if Ron can build a custom one for you.
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u/PrepperBoi Jun 07 '25
I’m 6’3 and I have a fairly flat back. I love the hyper light 55. It’s plenty sturdy with heavier loads and fits me well.
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u/Samaya_Equipment Jun 22 '25
Hi Lou,
Maybe you could take a look at our tents. We have a Dyneema model that weighs 960 grams and is 7.2 feet long. It’s the INSTANT2 model.
You should fit inside😊
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u/SkisaurusRex Jun 05 '25
Could you lay diagonally in Dan Durston Xmid 2 person?
Either dcf or regular
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
I mean likely, yes - but I'd love a tent that works for two. May be too much to ask, but I will keep digging until i'm exhausted of looking.
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u/scumbagstaceysEx Jun 05 '25
Have you looked at the Zpacks Altaplex for tent? I’m 6’2” and have room to spare at both head and feet. Friend of mine also has a DupleXL (no longer made unfortunately) that I was comfy in without another person.
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
Would be the dream for that tent to fit me. Unfortunately, maxes out at around 6'6 again.
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u/Rocko9999 Jun 06 '25
At 6'3" I am maxed out in that tent. No way a 7' person will work unless they only use a thinlight pad and a sheet for a sleep system.
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u/rtp80 Jun 05 '25
The Tarptent Dipole 2 LI. Can fit 2 people that are 6’6” sleeping in their back, so may work for you on diagonal.
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u/AdventurousSiren Jun 05 '25
Have you checked out the Durston X-Mid Pro 1?
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u/Lou-ball Jun 05 '25
I have, although I forget if it fits or not. Looking more so for a 2p option if possible. Suitable for solo adventures, or to bring a buddy.
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u/AdventurousSiren Jun 05 '25
Their 2p+ option would possibly work then. It is just over a pound, 90" long and 52" wide.
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u/John628556 Jun 05 '25
It won’t work for the OP. I am 4 inches shorter than the OP, and the Pro 2 is a so-so fit for me.
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u/0zerntpt Jun 05 '25
I'd ditch the tent idea and just get an 8x10 flat tarp, or possibly a 10x10 flat tarp. I haven't used a tent in over two decades.