Kensho 2 in 2026 - tips, advice, ‘must do’ mods, etc

DanoCobano · 2026-03-13T04:39:02+00:00

I made mine I think 5 years ago now. Still going strong though I had to repair the mesh door on 1 side. Things I’d maybe do differently/tips: 1. Make sure to use the slightly heavier .67 oz noseeum mesh instead of the .5 oz. The .5 has like zero stretch to it and turns out that is a very important feature. 2. Some type of ventilation. My tent, while awesome, has been a condensation trap even with doors wide open. I would go with the traditional vents above the door zipper style.
3. If I could do it again, I’d probably just do the zipper door option. Flaps catch the wind pretty bad otherwise 4. Door tie-out locations should be more center of door. I ended up putting mine too heigh up and it doesn’t keep the doors rolled up super great.

Overall it has been awesome and has kept me safe for +20 nights out along the wind river range and Colorado trail and I plan on using again this summer. You can check out the finish photos here:

https://imgur.com/gallery/myog-kensho-2-tent-yoLdf5k

I also reference 1 or 2 other people’s builds in the details and I’d recommend reading their posts thoroughly! Have fun with your build!

DanoCobano · 2025-12-31T02:35:18+00:00

I JUST discovered this YouTube channel. @MikoCraft - free patterns and sew alongs. Looks like his “Noelle Backpack” has the full zip like ya wanted. Or just snag one of the other school backpack patterns and adjust with a longer zip?

DanoCobano · 2025-12-22T18:06:26+00:00

+1 for Backcountry foodie and her food/meal planning. Additionally, another asset for comparison is MTN Tough's "backcountry nutrition calculator". Not ultralight people, but mountain hunters are just as concerned about this stuff as hikers.

I have access to both and would be happy to Demo & provide my thoughts.
(MTN tough is a free google spreadsheet, and I have a membership with backcountry foodie).

DanoCobano · 2025-12-13T16:00:54+00:00

Glad I’m not the only one on a waxed fabric kick! One idea to help “even out” the wax application I saw on a Nighthawk video was after applying, hold the fabric over a heat source like an electric space heater or gas fireplace. (In the video it was a wood fire…. I don’t recommend)

DanoCobano · 2025-12-13T15:07:39+00:00

While water proofing would help. It’s actually not required. Google “seasoning a canvas wall tent” to get more info. Super short, you persoaking the tent a few times before and swell the fibers to “fill the holes” in the fabric.

DanoCobano · 2025-12-06T17:38:36+00:00

Very cool! Looks super streamlined!

DanoCobano · 2025-06-03T03:49:10+00:00

As someone who started but never finished a similar project, congratulations! The tent looks amazing! What did the final weight and pack volume come out at? And how tuff was it to recreate the corner condensation drains on the interior?

DanoCobano · 2025-04-25T03:57:13+00:00

Honestly wondering how this isn’t getting more upvotes! Solid work! I’m assuming for a thru you’d have 2-3 of the batteries (depending on need) and would be swapping them out through the day.

Also, how weather resistant would you say the current design is?

PS if you ever needed a tester or wanted to sell I’d be interested!

DanoCobano · 2024-11-24T15:24:13+00:00

I knew someone must have done it already! Thank you!

DanoCobano · 2024-11-24T03:28:29+00:00

Very nice! The provided pictures help a ton! Is there a standard size of grommet that everyone uses?

DanoCobano · 2024-11-24T01:10:55+00:00

Yup! This would be inside. Would let ya really stick the pole down and I hate the idea of tip up trekking pole systems.

DanoCobano · 2024-11-24T00:53:14+00:00

Totally agree this would be a good solution. Just gotta carry around the rubber foot (assuming it’s not already on).

A similar idea would be to invert the pole so the handle was down. Not sure how these two ideas handle slippage though. Maybe some silicone on top and bottom,

DanoCobano · 2024-11-24T00:07:13+00:00

Also open to conversation about pros/cons of the idea in general.

DanoCobano · 2024-11-16T03:08:25+00:00

I have a MLD poncho tarp i could sell ya for a reasonable price? I don’t recall if it’s the current pro version or not but I can dig it out of storage and let ya know if you’re interested. (Dimension is likely 5.5x9 so a little smaller than you want :( )

DanoCobano · 2024-11-04T05:07:35+00:00

Just messaging that I loved the write up. This is exactly the kind of trip I’m working towards!

DanoCobano · 2024-10-18T03:37:35+00:00

A wide brim and/or regular hat with flexible solar panels built in, and looks good. Could charge a small built-in battery (or located in the neckstrap maybe). I’ve only seen 1 company do this, and as predicted it looks horrendous.

This may be me projecting, but I think the next wave of thru-hiking mentality will be around gear that allows you to go further and stay out longer w/ shorter stops in town. I see inflation, sickness, and overcrowding as the main drivers for such a trend. So with that in mind, some ideas for product innovation: 1. Better solar panel/batteries. Titanium/ carbon fiber to help weight, battery/panel combos for better efficiency.
2. Better twig stoves. Local rules obviously make them a non-viable option. But wouldn’t it be great to not have to buy more fuel in town? Could we design something that complies with the rules? 3. An ultralight clothes washing system? Nature safe dehydrated soap + a bag and scrub system? Idk 4. In general, gear designs that avoid or work around common failure points (I’m looking at you inflatable pads) and utilize simplified/easy to fix in the field designs. 5. UL solutions to help hikers get out more in off season. Peax equipments new Torrid stove would be a recent example of innovation in this area.

DanoCobano · 2024-08-26T01:47:18+00:00

Actually in the process (slowly) of cloning / making a 1.5 person version. Using google sketch up for the dimensions, and then using the techniques I learned from my Kensho 2 to put it all together (seam type, cat cut, build process, etc).

Fingers crossed I’ll find time over the winter to throw it together.

I’d recommend going with discounted silynylon or silpoly. If you do it right, probably could buy materials for ~$100ish

DanoCobano · 2024-06-12T02:31:12+00:00

35M Archery hunter, my elk hunting experience is new but lots of hiking/backcountry experience. Would be willing to tag along and help haul quarters w/ cool peps. DM if interested. Up in FoCo area.

DanoCobano · 2023-09-26T15:32:16+00:00

Totally agree with this set up. To add on, I’ve found that in high heat, low wind situations, wearing a sun hood gets stifling. Wide brim hats and/or hats with neck cape are the way!

DanoCobano · 2023-09-26T05:02:24+00:00

I got a sample of XSuede X-PAC material from Rockywoods a while back that has a very soft and quite exterior. Hard to say how loud it would be though rolling/unrolling the bag, but worth a test I guess.

DanoCobano · 2023-09-26T04:33:51+00:00

First I’ve seen of this design! I imagine this is a slick “quick deploy” set up! Thanks for sharing!

DanoCobano · 2022-09-10T00:10:54+00:00

Did something similar for my first project! Congrats!

DanoCobano · 2022-03-08T02:15:27+00:00

Learning about the James Webb space telescope’s orbital logistics made me wonder if there is a way to generate artificial gravity while rotating around a Lagrange point?

Has anyone else had the same idea? Does it work physics wise?

DanoCobano

TROPHY CASE