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Surely if the weather is wet there can be seepage of water between the loose under-groundsheet and the SIG? I`m not convinced that using the seperate additional groundsheet will keep the underside of the SIG clean in all weather conditions. But of course I`ve never tried this method myself, so I`m willing to be told otherwise.

And of course unless you`re completely fanatical about taking your shoes off every time you go in the tent, both in wet and dry weather, you`re going to have some dirt on the inside of the SIG as well, surely? With my groundsheet you roll it up filthy, put it in a binbag and hose it down when you get home (same as your undergroundsheets, I presume.) . Pods get wiped and folded inside to inside etc. It`s very quick. I can`t imagine there`s much difference in cleaning and folding the flysheets of either type of tent. Except, of course, you can do this on top of the groundsheet and keep most of it off the muddy grass.

I still think a flysheet first tent is easier to strike in poor weather. Last time I packed up in a monsoon we ran the tailgate of the car up to the porch and I packed and cleaned every last thing into the car under cover of the flysheet, then we took that down in about five minutes. (We still got soaked then though!)

Cheers, Val! All I was trying to say is that having tried both types of groundsheet arrangement I much prefer SIG for the type of camping (100% UK based) we do.

There are pros and cons either way, its just a question of which works better for you and yours. MT

Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 19/2/2006

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There are pros and cons either way, its just a question of which works better for you and yours. MT

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Oh, I absolutely agree with you there. You chose whatever works for your needs. But I do think newbies need the pros and cons explained fully, and there are so many people that just post "SIG is best, no question". That`s not entirely useful...no more so than me just saying "I hate SIGs". I was asked "Why so, Val?" So I said why. There are a lot of folk on the forum that are very vocal about liking SIGs, and sometimes I feel I`m the lone anti-voice!

I do think the riser groundsheets are a brilliant compromise though. Everything I like best about flysheets first, but also make the tent less draughty and more bug-proof. (Which I do agree is the big plus point of SIGs.)

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 19/2/2006

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Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 19/2/2006

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There are pros and cons either way, its just a question of which works better for you and yours. MT

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I feel I`m the lone anti-voice!

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Your not on your own Val ,m not keen on SIGS either ,gfave in and bought the aSpen (even tho it has a sig ) cos I loved the tent ,still have to see how I feel about the SIG could still be getting shut of it this year if it dont work out !

seperate groundsheets are just soooooo easy ,your packing up ,everythings thick mud and wet but you can just throw your groundsheet into a bin bag safely away from the rest of the tent and sort out when you get home !

Thanks for all the helpful explanation everyone. Still mulling it over - hope to see the vail 700 and indiana 8 erected in sheffield this week. Also v keen on montana 12 but don't seem to be able to find it up anywhere.

Steve...I know you have a montana 12...from the picture in the book I imagine its rather dark inside...would be interested on your opinion? And what do you think of the indiana 8 looks lighter and airier and has a canopy?

thanks again...val- your comments are great!

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 19/2/2006I do think the riser groundsheets are a brilliant compromise though. Everything I like best about flysheets first, but also make the tent less draughty and more bug-proof. (Which I do agree is the big plus point of SIGs.)

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