Wanted: Tent Recommendations - Update: Tent Arrived

[Tater Raider]

If you want to read the whole thread I'm cool with that, but if you don't then click me to skip to the update.

I am looking for recommendations for a 1 or 2 man, 3 season, backpacking tent with a vestibule. If anyone has a model they think is awesome please let me know. I am not looking for a hammock as they are more than a bit difficult to use in the middle of the dessert.

Weight is the largest factor, followed by space when stored and then durability.

[Red Cell]

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27666
Good color and dual vestibules on this one.

http://iris.backcountry.com/image/view/16298/900/900
EDIT: found a decent pic.

[TheFishinMagician]

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27666
Good color and dual vestibules on this one.

+1

That's a good one, alright! Sierra Designs has a couple more models that would fit the bill too, but some aren't freestanding...not sure if that's a requirement for you or not, Tater.

[irukandji]

I'm currently using a Kelty Grand Mesa 2 and I like it a lot. I'm a bigger guy and I have no problems with space, vestibule is pretty decent size for a 2 man.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28502

Hope it helps

[Jungfrau]

There are numerous tents that come to mind but far too many to list without a few more ideas about what you want/need. You mentioned weight being a factor but with an ultralight tent comes less durability so does a true ultralight tent interest you, something such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 perhaps. I will also assume you want a free standing tent even if it does increase the weight slightly. Are you interested in one door or two? Lastly is cost, what is your budget for this tent?
Some immediate ideas that come to mine are:
-REI Quarter Dome T2
-Big Agnes Copper Spur 2
-Nemo Losi 2
-Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2
-Marmot Limelight 2
However if you are thinking something slightly more durable that would allow you to be less gentle then my list would change. There are also single wall tents but for three season use I see no reason to recommend them.

[Tater Raider]

Anything over 6 pounds is going into file 13. Despite that the tent will get used 1-2 months out of the year, sometimes in exposed winds so some durability is nice but I will baby the tent to extend it's life. The number of doors doesn't matter as I'm using this solo with the option to sleep another person so one door is fine. As far as color goes, think stealth camping.

What can I say? I like having some space for gear inside the tent. A vestibule is handy for stuff that has an odor to it or cooking on a cold wet morning.

I like the looks of the Lightning XT 2, REI Quarter Dome 2, Nemo Losi 2P, and Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1. I like how open the interior is with the 2 poles + 1 strut construction, but am open to any freestanding tent - some of where I am going don't have trees. Groundcloth + rainfly as a camping option for very hot days a definate plus.

Optional gear loft to keep my eyeglasses in so I don't roll over them would be nice too. It don't have to be big, just has to be high.

Does this help more?

[congochris]

Unfortunately I can't give any current recomendations, as the Kelty Streamside 2 I've been using for over a decade is still going strong. Two man tent, full fly. Little on the heavy side, but this was before alum poles came out big. Draw whatever conclusions you like from that.


Ok, so I got a golite Shangri-la 1 the other day at a golite factory sale. All three parts for less than I've seen just the rainfly part online. It'l be tested this weekend. And this was literally purchased as a BOB tent, I'll likely still use my Kelty camping.

[ninja-elbow]

REI Quarter Dome. I have been using mine for 6 years now (the older model). I have even used it recently in "the 4th season" and, while not optimal, it stood up to it. My only complaints have been taken care of by the new models.

The only wear and tear in it as of yet was some residual damage from a dog ripping into it to get at some Chinese food I left in it while using it at a wedding. REI fixed it but there are a few spots damaged, but it's negligible.

[D-Train]

I've been using a Eureka Apex 2 (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/362181/Apex_2_Tent) for a while and it's done fine by me. I've also heard good things about the Eureka Timberline series (http://store.eurekatent.com/category/36 ... %3B_Series).

[Jungfrau]

Well the tents I listed all fall under the 6lb category, wasn't sure if you wanted something like sub 3lbs. Based on your desire to stealth camping I would look at the REI Quarter Dome T1/T2, Big Agnes Lynx Pass 2, Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL2 and Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 2. The Nemo line are great tents but the green fly might not blend in well. The Ability is very convenient to pitch footprint and fly for light and fast. The nice thing about the REI and Emerald is that both have 2 doors which in turn give you 2 vestibules and therefore more storage space if you find yourself in need. Both of them offer the ability to pitch footprint and fly.

[Tater Raider]

Well the tents I listed all fall under the 6lb category, wasn't sure if you wanted something like sub 3lbs.

I don't think you can get there unless you go the 1-man route. I considered it, but all things considered I greatly desire the extra space the 2-man give me.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'll start comparison shopping today and see what kind of deal I can get come Januaray.

[Jungfrau]

There are a few options that would be around that 3lb range. Things like the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 is 2lb 2 oz trail weight, Copper Spur 2 is 3lb 3oz so just slightly over. Black Diamond has the First light at 2lb 13oz, more of an assault style 2 man tent sizing and there is the Hilight at 2lb 10oz and slightly smaller in space. Both are single wall though and would be less than desirable in warm or hot climates imo.

[KS Trekker]

There are a few options that would be around that 3lb range. Things like the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 is 2lb 2 oz trail weight, Copper Spur 2 is 3lb 3oz so just slightly over. Black Diamond has the First light at 2lb 13oz, more of an assault style 2 man tent sizing and there is the Hilight at 2lb 10oz and slightly smaller in space. Both are single wall though and would be less than desirable in warm or hot climates imo.

I don't own a Big Agnes backpacking tent, but I do own a 6-man Flying Diamond tent and I can speak to the Big Agnes quality. These tents are awesome! The tent fabrics and poles are top notch and they are super easy to set up.

[Tater Raider]

I have decided to go with a Timberline 4 for now and add a Timberline 2 later.

Allow me to explain why:

It's not the greatest backpacking tent, but it works well enough.
It's not the greatest canoe tripping tent, but it's well-suited to this purpose.
It's perfectly fine for a car-camper once you toss on a couple extras.

Were I going backpacking, I'd want the lightest 1 man tent out there, but I came to realize over time that my needs actually lie more along the lines of a canoe/bicycle camping-type-thingy. While weight is still an issue, it's less of one. As I have 3 kids, 2 of which are going on a camping trip with me, I needed a 4 man tent (3 men + their gear) and I think I'm adding a couple options like the vestibule and the footprint.

Over the trip planned I will be staying in a hotel some nights but sleeping in a tent more often, so it makes sense to go for simple design and durability. This tent is affordable and meets those requirements. It doesn't hurt that between the tent and the campground fees I'm going to end up saving $100 or more by going this route.

So yeah, I necro'ed my own thread to let ya'll know how time changed my perception and my needs and this is what I've decided to go with.

The question now is do I get a vestibule and an annex or do I just go with the vestibule

[PackLemming]

Eurohike Ryde

£30

[Woods Walker]

The Timberline is one of those classics that has been around forever and for good reason.



I don't own either the annex or vestibule. Based on looks alone it seems like the annex offers more coverage but the vestibule might be more storm proof. Looks like someone could cook under the annex and that's nice during rain. During extended rain people bring water into their shelter and the waterproof floor doesn't allow for drainage. Over time a tent can get swamped. With a larger protected area outside the door you could remove wet clothing and boots before going inside. So I am thinking annex. Heck might get one myself.

[Tater Raider]

I don't own either the annex or vestibule. Based on looks alone it seems like the annex offers more coverage but the vestibule might be more storm proof. Looks like someone could cook under the annex and that's nice during rain. During extended rain people bring water into their shelter and the waterproof floor doesn't allow for drainage. Over time a tent can get swamped. With a larger protected area outside the door you could remove wet clothing and boots before going inside. So I am thinking annex. Heck might get one myself.

I have had a lot of people counsul against an annex, but I ended up ordering one. I'd rather experiment a bit and see what works and if I didn't get it my brain would bug me about it relentlessly.

Practical? Probably not, but sometimes I have to accomodate myself a bit.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I've only ever used pup tent styles before, so please excuse my ignorance, but- what's the difference between a vestibule and an annex?

Tater, you mentioned sleeping 3 people and their gear inside the tent- you may still find this cramped, a bit, with a 4 man tent. My experience has been that one man sleeping space = 2 men's packs/gear, when it comes to storage inside the tent, and that's in ideal circumstances. Three men + gear in a 4 man tent leaves you "over manned" by one man's gear, IMO. So, an additional part to the shelter would definitely be in order.

Even in the army, using the old canvas shelter halves, we had to sleep heel to head in order to keep any of our gear inside the tent, and it was still cramped, even worse for taller or heavier guys. And, this was with the advantage (over hiking/camping alone) of having most of our gear stored in a truck! All we had in the tent was our LBE and pack, and someone was still always busting a tentpole because of the cramped quarters- always funny when it happens to someone else, but not terribly convenient.

[Tater Raider]

I've only ever used pup tent styles before, so please excuse my ignorance, but- what's the difference between a vestibule and an annex?

It's the solution to fitting 4 men in a 4 man tent...


Annex - place to sit, maybe place shoes


Vestibule - enclosed gear storage


Yes, a rainfly is a lot more versitile and would do better than the annex, Yet still I wanted the annex and couldn't get around that. I tried.

Next summer I plan to buy the 2 man Timberline for solo trips. The annex can be used with either, but I'll have to get a different vestibule I think, and road testing it on the 4-man tent will let me know if I want to go this route.

[ghost792]

I don't own either the annex or vestibule. Based on looks alone it seems like the annex offers more coverage but the vestibule might be more storm proof. Looks like someone could cook under the annex and that's nice during rain. During extended rain people bring water into their shelter and the waterproof floor doesn't allow for drainage. Over time a tent can get swamped. With a larger protected area outside the door you could remove wet clothing and boots before going inside. So I am thinking annex. Heck might get one myself.

I have had a lot of people counsul against an annex, but I ended up ordering one. I'd rather experiment a bit and see what works and if I didn't get it my brain would bug me about it relentlessly.

Practical? Probably not, but sometimes I have to accomodate myself a bit.

One of my friends had a Timberline with the annex. We got to talking about it when I was looking for a tent recently. The difference between the annex and the vestibule is that the annex is designed to be converted to the flipped up "porch" configuration and the vestibule is not. I believe the annex comes with the extra poles to do so, but I may be incorrect on that.

My friend did a lot of camping with his Timberline for Boy Scouts. He did mention that the annex was very, very nice for cooking under during rain storms.

Here's a Timberline 4 with both vestibule and annex. I believe the annex can be configured with the ends underneath the rainfly, like the vestibule, but I'm not sure.

[DJH]

'scuse me for jacking into your thread, but what options would anyone recommend for a backpackable 4-season tent? I like the above Timberlines but they only rate 3-season and here in Northern NM we can get some pretty harsh winters.

I've been looking at this one - http://www.rei.com/product/776502/big-agnes-string-ridge-2-tent but it seems a bit pricey (maybe I'm out of touch with tent prices as I haven't bought one in over 10 years.) and I'd like to see some other options.

[Tater Raider]

'scuse me for jacking into your thread, but what options would anyone recommend for a backpackable 4-season tent? I like the above Timberlines but they only rate 3-season and here in Northern NM we can get some pretty harsh winters.

I've been looking at this one - http://www.rei.com/product/776502/big-agnes-string-ridge-2-tent but it seems a bit pricey (maybe I'm out of touch with tent prices as I haven't bought one in over 10 years.) and I'd like to see some other options.

You're fine. Hijack away!

Having slept in a 3 season tent in January and survived without frostbite I can say a 3 season will get you by if you take the following precautions with your bedding:

• Keep it dry
• Layer, layer, layer
• Keep it dry
• Groundcloth
• Keep the %&* bedding dry

Eureka does make a 4 season that is less expensive and along the same lines of the Timberline called the Alpenlite XT, but I'd do a lot of looking into reviews, especially the ones similar to what I got recommended.

Also, the Timberline can be made into a "4-season tent" by rigging storm lines. It adds nothing to the ability to keep in heat but it does provide rigidity in high winds. Toss on 1 or 2 vestibules for room and to help restrict airflow and you've got something that should work but that I haven't tested. Link courtesy of the Boy Scouts, complete with a picture on how to do it.

[hutchb25]

Good choice!

I have a Timberline 2 and have been very happy. My girlfriend and I car camp in it and I have it in my ALICE packed up pretty nicely...consider separating the components to make it work; I keep the poles lashed to my MSS carrier. I will say the only thing that bothers her is that with two of us, our packs have to stay outside...but a tarp/poncho can be rigged to keep them dry. I should look in to the vestibule idea, that might be smart when it's both her and I.

Also consider being liberal with opening the vents; in late summer I had issues with condensation with two of us.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I've only ever used pup tent styles before, so please excuse my ignorance, but- what's the difference between a vestibule and an annex?

It's the solution to fitting 4 men in a 4 man tent...


Annex - place to sit, maybe place shoes


Vestibule - enclosed gear storage


Yes, a rainfly is a lot more versitile and would do better than the annex, Yet still I wanted the annex and couldn't get around that. I tried.

Next summer I plan to buy the 2 man Timberline for solo trips. The annex can be used with either, but I'll have to get a different vestibule I think, and road testing it on the 4-man tent will let me know if I want to go this route.

Ah- thanks- I didn't have a name for it, but I guess I've been rigging an annex for years, using a poncho hooked to the one tent pole. now I know what to call it, so I can sound smart. "Sound" smart.