Not sure if I should jump on the Lean 1 or 2 this weekend. I've never heard anything that would make me not go for it, but the cost is a bit high... I do a lot of solo paddling and think the weight savings is good, and they are versital... or so I hear. Going to the Far North thing in St Paul on saturday and Dan says this is the best event to get the best price. Do I get poles? What's it like setting up alone with poles? One concern is if I had to set it up quickly because of an approaching storm... Is this an issue? The ol Timberline goes up pretty fast if it has to. Anyone have anything negetive to say about it?

The CCS Lean is the BEST purchase I have made. And if you know how much gear I have bought in the past 3 years you would understand the weight of that statement.

It is easy to set up: One ridgeline and stake it down. If you want the extra "veranda" another ridgeline or two guy out lines.

I no longer take a tarp as this offers four sided protection and a roof. If you use it for sleeping there is a weight saving vs. a tent and a tarp.

The quality of CCS is undisputable.

You should. I have a lean 2+. Plenty of room for two and your gear. Easily would sleep 3.

Practice you knot tying or use Figure 9. If the weather is bad and coming fast just tie the ridge line up fast and stake it out. And bring a paddle in to support roof. Throw all gear in that you'll want out of the weather. Then go about putting your floor down out of the rain and getting gear settled. This will go fast with minor practice.
Once the weather is better you can remove paddle from inside and use lines to pull back of roof out for more space. You can also tie out the awning when the weather is nice and have a great view.

I've weathered a pretty good storm in it without any issues.

I really like it in the fall in the bw because I can just leave the screen tied up and out of the way and walk in and out as I please. I just roll the front of the floor back and you don't have to worry about dragging dirt or water into the tent.

Use the same common sense when picking a site for a tent(no low spots) and you'll be just fine.

Buy...I'd like to also....Probably my next big purchase

I'd buy if I could. You might want to ask Boji and Butthead whether a Lean 1 versus a 2. I've heard the 1's are enough for a solo.

I love mine. I have the Lean3+. I put my 4 daughters and a dog in one. They have plenty of space for their gear. It would take 20lbs of tent to house that many kids and gear.

The CCS quality and customer service s amazing. I have a thwart bag, 2-3 CCS packs, 2 CCS tundra tarps, the Lean3+, and a Lean3 floor. All the CCS gear has been great. I did have an issue with my Lean3. Dan quickly took care of my issue and made it right.

I have a zillion old tents. I just took poles from an old tent. Usually you don't need poles. BUt it is nice to have the poles along for those cases when you do need them.

I really like setting up tarps and have come to love setting up my Lean. It is a fun challenge to see how to adapt it to each new campsight.

If it's raining when you decide to camp just hang it as a tarp. Later you can pull down the sides for a "to the ground' shelter.

The lean 1+ can be set up wide in the front, about 9 ft.
Or straight sided at 7 ft. Slept 2 and gear many times, and 2 with a dog and gear in a rude storm without a problem.
Never got the pole set, have not missed them, but the setup is simple.
(poles I had on hand).
Only real negative is the lack of a floor (to me it is a positive!), remember a river CAN run through it, if set up in a low spot.

butthead

nctry, where are you going to look at the Lean.

quote PlumberDave: "nctry, where are you going to look at the Lean."

Far North Symposium

Lean users - Do you ever wake up with bugs crawling in and out of your nostrils? What do you do about the bugs?

quote snakecharmer: "Lean users - Do you ever wake up with bugs crawling in and out of your nostrils? What do you do about the bugs?"

I have used mine for a few years, no problems. The sod cloth seems to keep them out just remember to zip the front. I have never used a full coverage floor. Lean 1+

butthead

Ben, I have the same questions. Can it be setup by one person in a treeless area? I asked Dan at Canoecopia and he said it's no problem. He said to lay it out flat on the ground, stake the back corners, and then set up the poles in the front. I'm still not totally convinced (especially if there's some wind blowing).

I'm comparing the Lean Shelter to a pyramid type shelter (1 pole in the center). The pyramid type shelter seems like it would go up easier and faster by a single person. But the downside is you don't have the nice wide open front available like the Lean Shelter.

PS I will also be at the Far North Symposium this Saturday.

I'll agree with Butthead a five footer would be plenty of room for two. Here's some pictures of a a seven footer, which I have used both soloing and tandem. Its plenty spacious for two. I do use it in the winter time on some cold camping trips love the room. Never have had a bug problem the occasional gopher visitor once in awhile, but hey they don't take up much space and there's plenty of room to go around. IMO not having a floor is a plus I use my lean as a tarp and sleeping setup both. Set up is quick once you get some practice in, I do bring the poles for setup I like the options I can get on a setup. I'll be purchasing a Lean 1 myself for soloing more since the seven footer is just overkill for one, and most likely leave the poles at home.

I think those bottom pictures might be just what I need. Is there a flap to close there or is it just open? I'd like to have the option to zip it up.

Looks like a real easy set up.

Where do you find these leans?

I like the concept of the Lean shelters, which appears to be a silnylon version of a Baker tent. The Bakers were canvas and meant to be set next to a fire. The fire kept the interior warm.







Bill Mason used a modified Baker that he called a Campfire tent. Frost River sells one.









What has kept me form buying one of the Leans is ticks. I travel in the later spring and often the ticks are really bad. There is a campsite on the island on Kek that just swarms with ticks. Lots of grass. I couldn't imagine not having a sewn in floor there. I wouldn't sleep at night with those little monsters crawling all over me!

I wonder if Dan Cooke could rig some type of zipped in floor for those who travel in tick season. Now that would be something I would save my money for. You could take the floor when you need it, but for the rest of the season just leave it at home and take a small tyvex sodcloth.

It would be easy to sew a floor into that. The bugs would also be a problem for me

Hank, I meant, no problems experienced with insect invasion, including ticks, and it is used in tick season.

Last time I had any problem with ticks was before I started soaking my camping outerwear. And that was when I used a tent with a floor.
I did NOT set it up on a anthill, at the campsite near Prairie Portage, last May!

butthead

I use permethrin on my clothes also.

I can just imagine laying there at night while ticks attach to my face and neck while I'm asleep. YUCK! Perhaps I have an irrational dislike to the little creeps.

quote Mustangt125: "I think those bottom pictures might be just what I need. Is there a flap to close there or is it just open? I'd like to have the option to zip it up.


Looks like a real easy set up.


Where do you find these leans? "

CCS Leans

Good replies... All the negative comments seem to come from people that don't have a Lean... Interesting! If it's really 20% off this weekend it will be hard not to buy it.

You should buy it if you feel a need for it and want it. If you don't, then don't buy it.

"In stock items" are 20%, just hope he brings one.
CB

My comments weren't meant to be negative. I was wondering if people had issues with the creepy crawlers. If not, then my concerns would be moot.

If you have the money and like the design then buy one. Now hat color? The yellow looks kind of cool, and so does the red, and . . .

Go ahead, Ben. You know you want to!

quote Cedarboy: ""In stock items" are 20%, just hope he brings one.
CB"

The discount at Canoecopia is 15%. He seesm to have a full inventory there. (That is where I bought nearly all my CCS stuff)

Wow those are incredibly expensive

quote Mustangt125: "Wow those are incredibly expensive "

It is US made gear with quality components and workmanship. That is never cheap.

i would think lean set-up location would have to be key, due to rain runoff, not a problem with a bathtub floor of a tent. just an observation.

bojibob,

yours looks like a lean 2, is that correct?


has anyone purchased their lean(x) at midwest mountaineering's spring sale, and if so, do you recall any price breaks? thanks.

d

quote dutchman: "bojibob,


yours looks like a lean 2, is that correct?



has anyone purchased their lean(x) at midwest mountaineering's spring sale, and if so, do you recall any price breaks? thanks.


d"

I want to say 20%, but that could be wrong; call them and ask.

Looks like a great set up to me. Lots of room and light weight.

quote dutchman: "bojibob,


yours looks like a lean 2, is that correct?



has anyone purchased their lean(x) at midwest mountaineering's spring sale, and if so, do you recall any price breaks? thanks.


d"

Mine is Lean3 Regular (2.7 Lbs). No sod cloth/bug net or poles. I don't sleep in it.

I could ...but I would probably use my MSR Bug Hut(1-lb/1oz)inside depending on the season

I've used a Lean 2 for the last couple of years, and spent more than 30 nights last year sleeping in mine. Bugs don't seem to be much of a problem and I've been in tick, skeeter and black fly haven.

I've been very pleased with mine, and always haul 2 poles. Don't always use them, but I don't always camp where the trees are strategically placed.

Not cheap, but very well made, designed and made by people who paddle.

Service has been excellent. It is only one piece of CCS gear that I own. Three packs, a barrel pack (new this year), a Lean, and a Tundra tarp.

So when you sleep in something like the above yellow lean which is quite brilliant do you let the flap down when you go to sleep? Keep bugs out and stuff

quote nctry: "Not sure if I should jump on the Lean 1 or 2 this weekend. I've never heard anything that would make me not go for it, but the cost is a bit high... I do a lot of solo paddling and think the weight savings is good, and they are versital... or so I hear. Going to the Far North thing in St Paul on saturday and Dan says this is the best event to get the best price. Do I get poles? What's it like setting up alone with poles? One concern is if I had to set it up quickly because of an approaching storm... Is this an issue? The ol Timberline goes up pretty fast if it has to. Anyone have anything negetive to say about it?"

Ben, are you really asking us to talk you out of buying a lean and saving you some green. I can't do it I have been lusting after one of these since they first came out. I'm sure there will be a learning curve if you get one but that is the same with any tent, hammock or shelter. Let us know what you decide. Maybe we will see a brad new Lean at Wingnight.

tony

quote Tony: "

quote nctry: "Not sure if I should jump on the Lean 1 or 2 this weekend. I've never heard anything that would make me not go for it, but the cost is a bit high... I do a lot of solo paddling and think the weight savings is good, and they are versital... or so I hear. Going to the Far North thing in St Paul on saturday and Dan says this is the best event to get the best price. Do I get poles? What's it like setting up alone with poles? One concern is if I had to set it up quickly because of an approaching storm... Is this an issue? The ol Timberline goes up pretty fast if it has to. Anyone have anything negetive to say about it?"

Ben, are you really asking us to talk you out of buying a lean and saving you some green. I can't do it I have been lusting after one of these since they first came out. I'm sure there will be a learning curve if you get one but that is the same with any tent, hammock or shelter. Let us know what you decide. Maybe we will see a brad new Lean at Wingnight.

tony"

I plan on doing something different tent wise this year. The Lean has a sort of appeal to me. Haven't heard anyone that owns one say anything to deter me. The concern about bugs and little rodents coming in doesn't concern me at all. I like the idea of being able to pack up the floor dry and then the tent in a rain... Even though it never rains on a canoe trip. :) Yes! You may see something besides a Timberline in my spot at Wing Night.

quote bojibob: "

quote dutchman: "bojibob,

yours looks like a lean 2, is that correct?

has anyone purchased their lean(x) at midwest mountaineering's spring sale, and if so, do you recall any price breaks? thanks.

d"

Mine is Lean3 Regular (2.7 Lbs). No sod cloth/bug net or poles. I don't sleep in it.


I could ...but I would probably use my MSR Bug Hut(1-lb/1oz)inside depending on the season

"

I've thought of instead of a floor getting a bivy... But I'd likely go with the floor for now.

Ben, you will be camping with your dog right?

butthead

quote Mustangt125: "So when you sleep in something like the above yellow lean which is quite brilliant do you let the flap down when you go to sleep? Keep bugs out and stuff"

This trip was in the middle of October, in the UP of Michigan. There is a canopy and a screen door. In the photo, the screen is rolled up and tied in the up position, and the canopy is out straight.

We had 40+ mph winds, with rain, for two straight days, which started shortly after we arrived at this campsite. This picture was taken after the first night, and if you look closely, you will see that the Lean is filling up with air due to the wind.....it is balloning slightly.

We set the Lean up facing into the wind (wasn't blowing when we set up) the first night. When it started to rain and blow, I moved the canopy to a more "down" position. With the canopy in the down position, we stayed dry, but the wind was a bit noisy, so we turned it around, with the opening opposite the direction of the wind, and reset it for the second night. Facing away from the wind, we didn't even bother to put the canopy down the second night, and the Lean shed the wind and rain just great. I was very pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was considering the feroicity of the wind. It hardly quivered. No flapping, no bending....nothing.

We kept the screen rolled up because there were no bugs. The Lean "screen" has heavy duty, non "snagging" zippers down both sides of the opening, and can be staked down through a number of loops at the bottom of the screen. With two zippers, you can enter and exit from both sides of the front, so you can exit without climbing over a partner.


The canopy can be raised or lowered and tied out in a number of fashions (there are 6 tie out loops on the front of the canopy. If the conditions are absolutely horrendous, you can loosen the stakes at the very front of the Lean, turn both sides in 90 degrees, Stake them at the new positions and lower the canopy so that it completely covers the front.

I found that even with relatively horizontal rain, the front of the Lean stayed pretty dry and very little rain blew in, even when we were facing directly into the wind. In addition, the Lean is 10 feet deep, so you are not "living" real close to the front end. You are at least a couple of feet inside, where it's nice and cozy.

I love living in this thing. It is anti-claustrophobic, has plenty of room for you and all your gear, is very bright inside even on cloudy days and you will absolutely appreciate the elbow room if you are storm or wind bound for a couple of days like we were. I won't trip without my Lean and I won't trip without my tarp. The comfort those two items provide when the weather sucks is invaluable.

quote butthead: "Ben, you will be camping with your dog right?


butthead"

Yep, she will take me along. :)

It makes a real dog friendly shelter! Wet dog/dog toenails no trouble.

butthead

I have had my Lean3 Plus for 4 years now and cant say enough good things about it.
Have used it 4 seasons, torrential down poors, high winds(with the rain) and it has never let me down. Camped solo, with my famiy of 5(kids love it)and 2-3 adults on BWCAW trips. Have used it as a cook shelter(spring trip in instead of CCS tarp), protected from the May winds, cooked all our meals out of the rain and wind on camp stoves.
On a solo outing the space was limited so I set it up over a stump inside the shelter. Used the stump as my night stand. You wont be disappointed. Takes a few setups to find your grove but goes up fast and secure once you learn how versital it is.
CB

Check Dans post in "for sale", they will go fast!

pull the trigger ben.

go for it Ben, you know you want to.

but the creepy crawlies would be a big issue for me. I need a floor and walls. sorry Dan, the Lean is not for me.

quote serenityseeker: "go for it Ben, you know you want to.


but the creepy crawlies would be a big issue for me. I need a floor and walls. sorry Dan, the Lean is not for me. "

You know, SS, I've been using my Lean 2 now for a couple of years and I've never given bugs, ticks, etc. a second thought. I have brought in a couple of ticks with me after hikes, but the Lean has never been buggy on the inside, nor skeeters.

I did have an amusing encounter with a chipmunk. I was joined two mornings in a row by a curious chippy. I had not zipped the screen all the way down and I played a game of who could blink first with a little guy that came by and stuck his nose into my domain two mornings in a row. I tried to lay as quietly as I could, and out stare him, but he scooted back out as soon as I blinked. I actually got quite a chuckle out of his antics. Upon taking the Lean down, I discovered I had set it up right over his den entrance. No wonder he was so interested in coming in to join me.

One additional thing I like about the Lean is how convienient it is when you tear down and pack everything up to leave.

I take the Lean down, and pack up the floor last. All my gear is sitting neat, tidy and cleanly on the floor. The last thing that gets packed is the floor. Makes for a nice tidy tear down.

"I take the Lean down, and pack up the floor last. All my gear is sitting neat, tidy and cleanly on the floor. The last thing that gets packed is the floor. Makes for a nice tidy tear down."

I do the same thing, pack all gear under cover then the Lean and ground tarp for sleeping go into the sleeping bag/bottom compartment of my internal framed backpack.

butthead

Ben-did you get the lean??

BANG! I pulled the trigger. Got the Lean 2 in... Well you'll just have to come to Wing Night to see what color. I got the floor and I bought an extra hank of Reflective rope... Dan threw in another... I just thought of something... I don't have stakes unless they are included. Hope it don't rain tomorrow.

congrats. im guessing yellow.

GREAT! Another Lean at Wing NIte!

butthead

Congrats!!!

quote kanoes: "congrats. im guessing yellow."

Red is faster. That's my guess.

quote bojibob: "

quote kanoes: "congrats. im guessing yellow."

Red is faster. That's my guess."

I was also going to say red. The faster color.

tony

Green is more stealthy.

quote mr.barley: "Green is more stealthy."

+1...congrats! On a separate note, bring your GPS & USB cord to Wingnight and I'll download the Red Pine BW/Quetico Maps if you're interested.

Stakes do not come with, although Dan sells stakes as well. The Lean can be staked almost to the point where it wouldn't come loose in a hurricane. Buy plenty.......I carry 40, split between my Lean 2 and my tarp. I don't always use that many, but there are some things I can't have enough of.

Of course, you can make wooden stakes on site if you run into a situation where you don't have enough.

I also leave several pieces of rope on the Lean permanently. Four on the front of the canopy, at the ridgeline, and at the back loop. In addition, I leave a lot of ropes attached to my tarp, and carry a whole bunch of extra rope.

In addition, I find that the little "figure 9" carabiners come in very handy, and I carry and use a bunch of those in the pitching of my Lean and tarp. Saves me lots of knot tying.

quote awbrown: "Stakes do not come with, although Dan sells stakes as well. The Lean can be staked almost to the point where it wouldn't come loose in a hurricane. Buy plenty.......I carry 40,... quote>


40 stakes? wow! That's a lot. New York Strips or T-bone? :) Seriously, I'd have trouble using 20 stakes. The ones Dan sells seem awfully big. should have looked closer.

I just take the stakes from one of the tents/tarps I'm not using on that trip. I have a nice collection of MSR Groundhogs, Go-Lites, and Kelty No-Bend stakes that all work well.

Great! Now I'm going to be on a quest to find the perfect tent stake.

quote nctry: "Great! Now I'm going to be on a quest to find the perfect tent stake."

Good luck Ben! Congrats on the Lean. I'm jealous.

quote nctry: "

40 stakes? wow! That's a lot. New York Strips or T-bone? :) Seriously, I'd have trouble using 20 stakes. The ones Dan sells seem awfully big. should have looked closer."

I have a Lean 2. It has 9 stake loops down each side, 4 along the back. I often stake out the canopy which makes another 4. If you use the poles that is another 2, and if you stake out the rear loop that adds 1 more. If you stake down the screen, this could be another 4 or thereabouts. You could use even more if you use more guy lines in a hurricane. You could easily use over 30 stakes.

Tyically, if I don't need the poles and connect the ridge line between two trees, and tie the rear loop to another tree, I will use 26 stakes. So, you won't have trouble using 20 stakes....easily.

You will love it! I have a lean 1+ and I like it when the family goes along. No bug problems and I have had it on two of the worst bug trips I have ever been on. You will love it. Buy more rope than you think you will need and take plenty of stakes.

quote Frenchy19: "

quote mr.barley: "Green is more stealthy."

+1...congrats! On a separate note, bring your GPS & USB cord to Wingnight and I'll download the Red Pine BW/Quetico Maps if you're interested."

I'll have my GPS set up for WCPP. So I won't be able to put anything else on it til after June. But I'm looking forward to seeing you at Wing Night... Maybe I'll bring my GPS and show ya what I got for info on WCPP. I'll be in the ---- colored Lean2 with lots of stakes. :)

quote nctry: "

quote Frenchy19: "

quote mr.barley: "Green is more stealthy."

+1...congrats! On a separate note, bring your GPS & USB cord to Wingnight and I'll download the Red Pine BW/Quetico Maps if you're interested."

I'll have my GPS set up for WCPP. So I won't be able to put anything else on it til after June. But I'm looking forward to seeing you at Wing Night... Maybe I'll bring my GPS and show ya what I got for info on WCPP. I'll be in the ---- colored Lean2 with lots of stakes. :)"

Bring the GPS! I'd love to see how you've got it rigged for WCPP, and I am looking forward to seeing your new GREEN Lean!

Yellow is my color preference.........matches my personality! ;-)

I must have been really good last year (or at least someone wasn't paying attention), because Santa brought me a CCS Lean 1+ for Christmas. If it doesn't snow too much tonight, I plan to give it its inaugural try over the weekend. I never could get fully happy with my Hennessy Hammock, though there were things I did like about it. I'm excited to see how it goes with the lean and will report back. After trying a variety of solo shelters now, I have a feeling this may be the one.

Well it snowed as predicted, but the water's open and I wasn't going to pass up a chance to paddle the BW in March. This past weekend I gave the new lean a test run during a short loop trip out of the South Kawishiwi EP (32) and around the triangle.

Setting up the lean for the first time was relatively easy. I found the most difficult part to be finding a good location that had good tie points for the ridgeline, was level, and had enough depth with tie points for the back/top loops. I think this will get easier with experience, as I'm learning the lean will fit in a wider range of spots than currently fits my untrained eye.

I love all the space provided by the lean, and at half the pack size/weight of my faithful old REI Half Dome tent, that's pretty sweet. I've learned that space is important to me. My biggest problem with my Hennessy Hammock was not having room to maneuver, especially in challenging weather.

My biggest concern with the lean was how going floor-less would go. Anticipating wet conditions, I brought along a small ground tarp that was just big enough to protect my sleeping pad and bag. As it turned out, this was quite valuable, as I found myself needing to bed down on top of a couple inches of wet snow and slush. By morning that snow had mostly turned to a cold mud puddle. Granted this was probably an extreme case, but I think I''ll still be investing in the floor tarp that goes with the lean, just for these such occasions.

In conclusion, I believe I've found my shelter of choice going forward. I'll want to add an appropriate floor tarp and get more practice with setup, but it's hard to beat the living space, pack weight and size. And as usual, the build quality of CCS products is second to none.

Thanks, Santa!

Looks good, Uncle Moose. That's a lot of rope - how much did you take with you? Did you get the reflective rope?

Yes, boonie, it's the reflective rope - I love that stuff. I brought 120 feet total (12 x 10' sections). I believe I actually used 100 feet of it. In both setups, my ridgeline needed to be longer than I would have ordinarily expected (trees just happened to be far apart at the best lean sites). Also, two of the three lines off the back were probably overkill and not really necessary. I guess all anyone really needs is the ridgeline. Then the awning lines are next in importance, followed by one on the top loop to lift the ceiling a bit. I found that I prefer to run a single ridgeline rope through all the ridge loops (rather than two separate lines at the ridgeline's corner loops) so I can slide the lean into place during setup. This adds another five feet of needed rope. Also, two of the sloppy, dangling lines in my setup are really just a 10' section that I cut in two and basically used to make crude prusiks on either end of the lean's ridgeline to hold it in place. Eventually I plan to do this properly with two small, appropriately sized lengths (so these just added to all the "rope noise").

How many stakes did you take and use?

I used 7 pegs around the base of the lean (4 corners and 3 sides middle). Two additional pegs were reserved for staking out the awning lines if necessary (only used one at one of the campsites). I used 4 pegs to hold the ground tarp in place (probably not necessary if a properly sized floor is used).

So, I think I brought 16 stakes total and used 11 or 12. My favorite kind of stake is the simple hooked aluminum peg, but one has to be sure to get the right kind (many makes will bend if just breathed on). Piragis sells the right kind - some kind of extra hardened aluminum. I've yet to bend one of those, and they've struck plenty of granite.

Finally set up my Lean tonight. Boy was that easy! Do you Lean users fold at all or just stuff back into the bag? I only staked out the corners but see the need for more stakes. I used the poles to set it up. Wow, do I like the Lean...

I'm in the "just stuff it all back in" camp. Less risk of uneven wear at regular/repetitive fold points (and I'm lazy and don't want to be bothered).

Stuff it! After all, it's a "stuff sack" not a "fold sack".

Lot of comments about ground tarps in a Lean shelter. I think I found the perfect (for me) floor. It's the floor from a Golite Shangri-La 1, bathtub style that can be staked out to form sides. Real similar to this floor from Black Diamond. Mine came from a clearance sale at Sierra Trading Post.

butthead

I'm a stuffer when putting away. I use one continuous line with prussics for my ridge line. If the ground is muddy when packing up I leave ridge line attached to trees, slide prussics together and then stuff lean into the bag. After it is all in the bag I cinch it up and then take down the ridge line. This will help with keeping it cleaner.

I usually have a tripping partner staying with me in my lean 2+ so I prefer the full floor. During the day we just fold back the front so we can walk in and out with our shoes on.

quote bellolake: "Go ahead, Ben. You know you want to!"

Buy it. You can't have too much gear.

Started this on another thread, but bringing it here as this thread seems most appropriate...

I guess my main question is: Is there an advantage to the floorless design? Other than a few ounces of weight savings, am I missing anything? I can find many reasons why I'd want a floor, but very few reasons why I wouldn't. I love how the leans are a more advanced version of a very traditional shelter system, but between the price tag and the lack of a built in floor, I find it hard to make the purchase. I would really like to see one with a floor in at least the rear 5 or so feet, enough for two to sleep on. For me this would seal the deal. I have even considered the possibility of rigging my rainfly with velcro tabs in order to attach it to the walls of the lean to make a little bathtub style sleeping pocket in there (similar to Butthead's solution above)! If my lady found out I paid $400 for a "tent" and she still had to sleep in the dirt, she'd give me a right talking to!

Question made simpler: Leaners, why do I need a floorless shelter?

I'm guessing it's strictly a weight/pack size issue. The floor/ground cloth is a separate option (granted it's not sewn in), so one has the choice to take the extra weight/bulk or not. Personally, I will probably go ahead and get the ground cloth so I have it available for times like last weekend when there was wet snow. I can see leaving the ground cloth at home for other trips, though, like during the summer or when I know it's going to be dry. Depending on how you travel, the extra size and weight of the floor is not necessarily insignificant, so I think having the choice is helpful.

So I guess the short answer to your question would be 'to save pack weight/bulk'. As I see it, this is the main advantage of the lean - its living space to pack size/weight ratio is so great, assuming you don't mind being a bit closer to nature. :o)

I see the lack of the floor as a benefit to allow you to setup in areas tents cannot. Have a few rocks or a tree stump in the way, just set up around them and ignore that area for use. The lack of floor also lets you sit inside the Lean in the bug season with a chair and not worry about the floor. Same goes for rainy days you can walk inside and not worry about a dirty floor while having all your gear inside high and dry.

I agree. The lean can serve as a generic shelter from the rain. It is much better than a standard tarp since it can block with wind and has a porch. When using it as a protection from the rain, I like to be able to wear my muddy boots inside and sit on chairs without worry.

For sleeping, I do like having a floor though.

It would be nice if the Lean floor could be velcro'd to the walls...

quote Mad_Angler: "


It would be nice if the Lean floor could be velcro'd to the walls..."

You could do something like that yourself... I'd velco the floor to the sod flaps if I were to do it. Personally I would think the velcro would pick up all sorts of debris and be a pain. But we've gotten velcro strips for use on the Fire Department that works pretty good. Kind of a self adhesive deal.

quote nctry: "

quote Mad_Angler: "



It would be nice if the Lean floor could be velcro'd to the walls..."

You could do something like that yourself... I'd velco the floor to the sod flaps if I were to do it. Personally I would think the velcro would pick up all sorts of debris and be a pain. But we've gotten velcro strips for use on the Fire Department that works pretty good. Kind of a self adhesive deal."

I was thinking maybe toggles and loops might be better than velcro.

"Question made simpler: Leaners, why do I need a floorless shelter?"

Poor form but I'll answer with more questions.
Do you ever walk into your tent, during a downpour, and shed your raingear and boots inside?
I do that in my Lean.
Do you ever cook in your tent?
I do in my Lean (without any real problem with spillage).
Can you pack all your gear inside your tent, then take the tent down and it's the last thing to pack?
I have.
Can you alter the shape, height, and front width of your tent, according to campsite limitations?
With a Lean you can, and I have with my Lean1+.

I understand that some folks can't wrap their heads around the lack of a floor. It has not been a disadvantage for me, instead it's a large benefit. I do use it year around.

butthead

quote mr.barley: "Green is more stealthy."

I thought the green ones are supposed to make you horny?

quote butthead: ""Question made simpler: Leaners, why do I need a floorless shelter?"


Poor form but I'll answer with more questions.
Do you ever walk into your tent, during a downpour, and shed your raingear and boots inside?
I do that in my Lean.
Do you ever cook in your tent?
I do in my Lean (without any real problem with spillage).
Can you pack all your gear inside your tent, then take the tent down and it's the last thing to pack?
I have.
Can you alter the shape, height, and front width of your tent, according to campsite limitations?
With a Lean you can, and I have with my Lean1+.


I understand that some folks can't wrap their heads around the lack of a floor. It has not been a disadvantage for me, instead it's a large benefit. I do use it year around.


butthead"

I agree with all the reasons mentioned above, and would add that if you need to clean the floor, you pick it up, take it outside and shake it off. Try that with your tent.


In regards to "attaching the floor"

Velcro tabs would work, but they collect dirt and debris.

The Lean floor comes with grommets on four corners and I often stake down the dorners just to keep the floor from shifting, particularly when I'm sharing with my dog.

These are all some good points being made.
I mean with the vestibule I can leave wet boots outside, or boil water, and with a freestanding tent I can pick it up and shake debris out, but it's not comfortable to do anything but sleep. And I sure wouldn't want to spend a entire rainy day in the thing. I see that a sapling in the way of a tent becomes a nice little living room fixture that also serves to add tension to the rear wall, or a stump a dining table. So yes, I find the Leans interesting...

I just can't help but imagine waking up to a river flowing through the middle of it! Obviously, it's placed with drainage in mind, but things happen. So that's really where the question comes from. And the whole idea of the velcro groundcloth sleeptub thing. Maybe just pull the sleeptub out for bedtime? haha

What's really attracted me to the Lean is their light weight and large space. I like how you can just hang out in them. I could become a base camper with something like that, and just get real comfortable for a while. Or, I could easily stuff it and find the next site. They are pretty cool.