I'm planning on upgrading my gear before an early July trip this year. One item I'm considering is a CCS screen tent. I realize that these aren't inexpensive, but I look at it as a "once in the rest of my tripping lifetime" purchase, and that tripping lifetime gets shorter each year (by just about a year, coincidentally) so better to buy now than later. For at least the next 5 years, I'll mainly be tripping in mid-summer due to time constraints and other commitments at other times of the season, so a nice bug shelter is a must for me.

I'll probably only have at most 4 people total in the crew, so my question is what would be the right size for me? This will serve as both a bug shelter and the main tarp, and CCS offers only a 10' x 10' and a 15' x 15' screen tent. Would the 10' x 10' be too small for 4 people, or would the 15' x 15' be too large for most campsites?

Is there any advise or personal experiences anyone would like to share on this subject?

To be completely honest the 10x10 will probably be on the small side but doable, and the 15x15 will be large side but much more comfortable(but heavier) and would fit extra people if necessary.100 sq ft compared to 225 sq ft is a huge difference. I wish they made a 12x12. If you are sure it will not be over 4 people and you don't keep all your gear under the tarp than I would go with the 10x10 to save a bunch of weight and cost.

mgraber: "To be completely honest the 10x10 will probably be on the small side but doable, and the 15x15 will be large side but much more comfortable(but heavier) and would fit extra people if necessary.100 sq ft compared to 225 sq ft is a huge difference. I wish they made a 12x12. If you are sure it will not be over 4 people and you don't keep all your gear under the tarp than I would go with the 10x10 to save a bunch of weight and cost."

I also wish they made a 12' x 12'. I'd ask for a custom order (12.5' x 12.5') but the stock sizes are expensive enough that I don't think I could justify adding a custom order charge. I'm leaning towards the 15x15, it just seems that it would be more comfortable for a group of 4 than the 10x10. I'll be lightening my gear load in other areas so the extra weight of the larger screen tent shouldn't be an issue. I'll also have some younger sherpas with me.

Wish I would have purchased a CCS 10 x 10 years ago. Now, am too old to justify the expense. Would be nice not to have to seek the protection of a tent at dusk. (skeeter clouds)

If you want to make an investment in a good screen tent, this would be the one. I had a Nemo Bugout and although it worked very well if I was to purchase another one I would get the 10 x 10 CCS model. The quality of the Nemo was fine and they do have a 12 x 12 but I just didn't trust getting it stretched out nice and tight like I do my CCS tarp. The CCS has better zippers and a 12" solid strip along the bottom all the way around. The CCS also has 6' sidewalls on all 4 sides. If you need a cheap solution that will work, the Nemo fits the bill. If you want a quality product that will last for a long time, go the CCS route. Both are good products for varying budgets.

I own 2 Nemo bugouts and while serviceable they don't have **** on a CCS screen tent. Like Denny Green said "The Bears are who we thought there were" The bugout is what you would think it is, a big box grade unit made by foreign labor. Its design allows it to be sold at a predetermined price point.

The CCS is an heirloom piece of gear, something worth fixing if you ever have an accident. It is designed from a no expense spared perspective. If there is something that is going to increase its durability or make it more serviceable Dan is going to do it. Lots of ties out, solid fabric at the bottom, 4 zippers, premium materials throughout. Intelligent design from someone who has been making and using this gear in the outdoors his entire life. The devil is in the details. Take a close look at a CCS product and you will see the effort made to properly end stitches so that they don't unravel on you and more importantly where those stitches are made and reinforced. I cant even count how many products I've seen that simply self destruct the moment some decent tension is applied to the fabric and stitching.

@ 6.5 lbs the 15' X 15' 1.1. CCS is one of the few remaining pieces of gear I have yet to add to my arsenal, some day she will be mine.


As for your question, yes I do think the 15 X 15 could be too large for some campsites, at least in its full capacity. I've had sites where my 12X12 barley made it but you could always get creative with one corner using a stick or pole and frankly with enough cord just about anything is possible. But with how many tie outs Dan puts on you can shrink it with ease and adapt it to almost any situation, I have his 10 X 14 1.1 tarp and often rig it with a wind wall resulting in a 10 X 9 with a 5 foot windwall, I don't see any reason this wouldn't be possible with the screen tent, it would just have a bit extra netting bunched up. The Bugout doesn't have extra tie-outs around the perimeter so this is not an option. Dan puts so many quality tie-outs on his tarps that the skys the limit for rigging potential.

We should start a raffle, 20 people at $40 each, winner gets a screen tarp, a 1 in 20 chance is pretty good odds, or round it up to $50 and everything extra gets donated to this site.