“Man - the poor girl asks for a tent recommendation and we blast her with all of these non-tent options (not that they're bad ideas). Don't you all realize things like tarps and hammocks are perversions of this passion and should not be placed so readily in the hands of impressionable young backpackers. hehe

Buddur's right though - there are a few more quesitons to ask. Based on what you've mentioned so far the REI Half Dome Plus 2" is a good place to start. It won an Editor's Choice award at BP magazine and I have a knock-off of the tent that does everything I need. My only beef with the tent is the same beef for any 2 person free-standing which is the weight. It's under 6lbs which is good for two, but like others mentioned above I too am now working with Tarps and I have a Eureka Solitaire as well.

By the way - I live in Florida and if you come hiking with us, we will try to stay away from any major creepy crawlies - tent floor or not.

Also, when folks mention a tarp above they are not thinking of a floor but rather the roof, with no floor.

Good luck!”

“Well, there is always the MSR Trekker Tarp. With the trekker tarp, you get the best of both world, tarp & tent, and it's light weight. You use your trekking poles or trees to set it up. It has much space, and you can use a mesh insert to keep all the bugs away. It weighs under 4 lbs.

Here is a pic with me at Mt. Rogers with it (photo by Ewker)


The only drawback - I don't think it would hold up well in moderate to major snowy conditions.

Good luck!”

“I responded on backpacker but I have a bit to chime in here, mostly about the tarp option- that will have to wait to after work, for now:

If you can find an all season tent suitable for mountaineering and Florida you'll be able to sell that info to many others and likely make enough cash to fund an expedition.

More on tarps and floors after work, if I can grab a moment....”

“......based on how you've been responding to the previous posts indicate you want something that is traditional....a sterotypical tent....you don't sound like the type that would be interested in tarps and what-not...me either...i'm with you...

Anyhow....like someone else said...weight is gonna be an issue with freestanding tents especially if you want some room inside...it's tough finding a tent with the proper balance of features, style and to some the price.

Tents I would recommend to you in no particular order would be the following:

Sierra Designs Orion AST

Mountain Hardwear Tri-Light 1

REI Clipper

Kelty V2

These tents vary in price and you haven't stated (at least I didn't notice it) the price you're willing to invest in a tent. You may find you'll have to spend more than what you orginally envisioned. Price always seems to be a hurdle that most people get hung up on. Don't let the price determine what you want! Also, these tents are considered by most users as a 1+ tent. Again, if you want room inside, which to me creates the sense of "my world", you'll have to deal with additional weight in exchange for this luxury.

My advice is to carefully determine what, how, where and when you're going to use this tent and does the tent meet all or most of these needs. Also, stick with reputable companies that'll back their product.

Just my $.02...”

“REI Clipper is on sale at REI.com for under $100 - normally $165.”

“No.”

“I bought a used (like new) SD meteor light for $100. It is a bit heavy, but it has a cavernous interior. My 2 daughters and I sleep in it without feeling crowded. There is also plenty of room at the end for all our gear. When two adults sleep in it the vestible shelters both our packs from the rain. Plus, having a door on either side keeps us from getting "too friendly" when going out for a late night bathroom break.

Other than the weight, my only concern is condensation. Because the tent uses pole sleeves (great for quick set-up, especially in wet weather when you can erect the tent with the fly over it to keep out the rain) there is no air circulation if you have the vestible doors zipped down. I have been condidering sewing in some ventilation holes, but I am concerned about weakening the tent structure.”

“The good news is that the tent I have probably fits in all your categories, the Bibler I-Tent.

It's a single wall bomb proof 4 season tent, light at 4lbs, and with the 2 door option ventilates well in the summer.

The bad news is that it just might be the most expensive 2 person tent on the planet.

A few people on TT (baume 66 for one) use the 4 season Hilleberg Atko, a sub 3lb one person tent. Expensive but not as much as the Bibler.”

“northern mountain supply has some bibler tents in their killer deals right now.”

“Yo Bear...
Yer mesh insert has straps on the upper ends that attach to the tarp...am I seeing this correctly, or did you do some engineering of yer own?

My TT doesn't have that capability.”

“but if you want input, if your going to spend the money on a bibler, even on sale, it will cost more than a hilleberg. if you get an i-tent and vestibule (not included) you will be carrying about the same weight as a nallo 2 (vestibule included). personally, i would lean towards the hilleberg.”

“Oh yea, check out the Sierra Designs Astroid, too. Under 5 lbs. Also has the groundcloth, rain fly set-up option.

Both that one, and the one I mentioned above (Clip Flashlight), while easy to set up, are not freestanding. I'm pretty sure that helps save a little weight.”

“thanks all for the deluge of information - i will be sure to post once i have the cash to get my dream tent!

thanks again!”

“Look for a 3 season, 2 person dome tent where the fly reaches (or close) the ground.

Lots of good advice on brands, I agree with SD Orion, Eureka Backcountry 2 (not as good as SD).

These will weight between 5lb - 6lb.

A 4 season will weigh closer to 10lb and have enough condensation for inside rain in Florida.

Floorless like the Megamid, Betamid, Kiva, are lighter (about 3lb-4lb) great for winter as your body heat (Ive seen the photos, you are hot) will melt the snow underneath even with a groundpad so the tent floor will be stuck to the ice in the morning. You can wear crampons inside. In really crappy weather it is nice to take this stuff off inside. and did I say "tons" of room. Add one of those heavy duty space blankets to use as a floor and you are good to go.

In bug season I still take my Eureka dome, in winter the floorless is great.”

“I've never seen a floorless tent in the winter. I'm wondering, what do you sleep on?”

“I thought this thread was about stuff sacks!”

“under 3.5 lbs, free standing...big dollars though...$275.00, solo packpacking tent...room for you, pack or dog.

MH tri light 2, under 4.5 lbs...2 person tent...freestanding, bigger dollars $345.00...room for you, partner, packs, dogs.

you can;t beat these tents!!! the are 3 season though....so if big winter colds are a dilema...get a wiggy's sleeping bag and sleep warm...or get something with a fancy name and pay big dollars and still be cold.

im a stomach sleeper...how do these hammock thingys work when someone sleeps face down or on thier side? I'm curious...one can NEVER have too many tents, packs, sleeping bags, lanterns, stoves...hiking sticks...socks, boots, hats, coats...etc...”

“First off, if the Clipper is available for $100, go get it, your search is over. It's designed much like my first, dear, lamented tent, TNF tadpole. Put the money you'll save in the bank and start driving yourself crazy as to what 4 season tent to get when the pennies add up.

I think the discomfort over the idea of creepy crawlies is something that you get used to. It's not the weight savings of a tarp (and to lesser extent a tarp-tent) that make a tarp so great it's the fact that you have less walls between you and the out there. Your more in touch with the woods you're sleeping in, sound, sight and scent are so much lessened when inside a tent. I wake up with a branch and leaf above my head, and a worms eye view of my surrounding. The tent is a wall between us and the wilderness. Why do we go out there in the first place?

A teepee tent (like the megamid and others) is great in the winter, your body heat warms the inside a bit and the moving and settling around will turn the snow into a hard packed surface. Protect your bag with a ground sheet, sleeping pad or bivy (my choice). The teepee tent is spacious, spread out, invite your neighbors in.

Don't get lost in that this discussion really hasn't been as much about what tent (or tarp) to get but what style are you going to be traveling in, and aesthetic concern.

I have a walrus rapidee (sp.?) bought for a mountaineering course and it's closeout price, a megamid bought for NE winter, a large tarp and a lightweight one person tarp for everything else (and NE winter, too). I complement the tarps with a bug-bivy or regular bivy sack.

I would have built my shelter system differently if I planned it from the ground up, not organically. Also, if I go into the desert or Florida I'd get a tent (creepy crawlies). The Clipper is near top of my list for that. I'd go get one of those, now before they're gone.”

“That Clipper is a sweet tent fot the $$$.”

“That Clipper does look like a nice tent. If I was in the market for one, I'd get that. It looks like somebody took the Clip Flashlight 2 design and modified it to make free-standing, and to give you a view, thereby eliminating two of the biggest problems with the Clip 2. Sweet, and only $100.00.”

“I live and camp here in Florida and we do indeed have a lot of creepy crawlies (fire ants, scorpions, racoons, opossum, coral snakes, rattle snakes, water moccasins, mosquitos, no-see-ums, gnats, gators, etc, all of which I have seen on the trail), but I can generally find a campsite that is fairly clear of pests and makes tarp camping enjoyable. The other concern much of the year is the heat and humidity, without a breeze the summer can be unbearable and a tent eliminates that breeze.

In pleasant weather (no rain) I and others that I know (Humanpackmule) will just sleep out in the open air. This allows me to not only see the forest around me, but also the sky above me, which is an unfortunate drawback of tarping (no simultaneous bug protection and sky viewing).

When I started out I got a 2 person free-standing and really like it, but I am trying to go lighter and I enjoy connecting with the world around me.”

“Sierra Designs Meteor Light CD
"I bought a used (like new) SD meteor light for $100. It is a bit heavy, but it has a cavernous interior. My 2 daughters and I sleep in it without feeling crowded. There is also plenty of room at the end for all our gear. When two adults sleep in it the vestible shelters both our packs from the rain. Plus, having a door on either side keeps us from getting "too friendly" when going out for a late night bathroom break.

Other than the weight, my only concern is condensation. Because the tent uses pole sleeves (great for quick set-up, especially in wet weather when you can erect the tent with the fly over it to keep out the rain) there is no air circulation if you have the vestible doors zipped down. I have been condidering sewing in some ventilation holes, but I am concerned about weakening the tent structure."
hyway
11:30:02 AM
12/16/02


Does anyone know if sewing vents holes in the pole sleeves of a SD meteor light would significantly alter the tent dynamics?”

“Modifying the sleeaves will likely weaken the tent somewhat.

As for FL and creepy crawlies, having never camped in FL I still haven't gotten over the idea of the different bugs I'd encounter and would feel more comfortable in a tent. Though before such a trip I would search out reassurance that I could get by with a bug bivy.

Have never had to deal with snakes. That would be a mental challenge....”

“Very few of the bugs here could actually kill you. Unfortunately, black widows and brown recluses are fairly common here and will definitely ruin a backpacking trip.

I try to rely on the thought that none of these bugs (and arachnids) or animals that I mentioned will actually seek out a human.”

“mountain hardware is pushing the envelope and creating great 2 person 3 season freestanding tents that are (currently) under 4 lbs and are researching to break the 3 lb mark. You get what you pay for, no shoddy workmanship in the MH line.”

“I have MH clothing and bags, never had a tent. Their workmanship is impeccable.”

“Yeah, all their stuff is outstanding. They are what TheNorthFace once was.”

“bitpusher - But, the Clipper is 1.5 lbs heavier than the Clip Flashlight. And, is 3 sq ft smaller. (they both retail at the same price)

IMO, the weight savings is worth it not being free standing. Clip Flashlight is a breeze to set up.”

“...another vote for the hilleberg Akto. The new version is better than mine and lighter. I also like the clip flashlight. that would be what I would carry if I didn't have th Akto....”

“Buddur, yes, I do have clips. They are very effective. I'll see ya soon, you can check them out. Do you have the same version of the TT as Birch and Sass?”

“I have a Clip Flashlight CD. I think the only downside is that it is not free standing.”

“Is the Akto freestanding?”

“New question here: My tents are free standing, and a little heavier for it. The 2 man has a fly that needs to be staked out... so is it truly a free standing tent?

The 3 man has a fly that clips on and doesn't need to be staked, weighs about a pound more. With the two of us going we divide the tent weight, so ultimately we are carrying less weight and have more room.

We are real interested in a 3 man tent, with the bottom that folds up the side walls 4-6 inches to help keep water out. A fly is a requirement as we live in Maine. Lightweight, small stuff size are also requirements. Free standing isn't a requirement, as we are used to the 2 man tent needing stakes, but we do like that feature... Recommendations please?

Oh yes, let's keep an eye on the bottom line a little bit, but we are not afraid of investing in a real decent tent either. (Read that: If it's $400.00, we will have to pass on it, we ain't rich).”

“Uphill Klimber - I'm just guessing here, but I believe "freestanding" refers to the tent body only. I think most "freestanding" tents have flies that require at least some staking...especially where there are vestibules concerned.”

“A few years ago we were in Camp 4 in Yosemite, when Amy offered a little advice to some guys pitching their new tent, she suggested they put in a couple stakes, they smirked at her and said 'it's freestanding little girl".......well, when the winds came up and blew it away, she looked at me and said....Naaaaaaa, it's free standing......last we saw of it, it was floating down the Merced River.....




If only they hadn't said "little girl"”

“LOL mtnsteve. Serves them right, eh?”

“"Doc", I says, "I had this dream I was a Mountain Hardware Room With A View, then I had a dream I was a Sierra Designs Lightyear CD...What's the problem Doc?"

Your problem is obvious (says the Doc)...you're two tents.”

“LOL

When I would describe the "tent city" at the 3-day Breast Cancer Walk that Sass, SG and I did... I would always describe it as Intense. Always made me laugh to hear myself say that.”

“LMAO Tara! I don't think I ever heard you say that....


LOL at Buddur too!”

“uphill. we took a trip this summer to WY and it was me and my 2 oldest boys. i bought a 3 man for the trip, thinking along the lines that you are thinking about it. like you, i didn't have a huge budget and went for the best value, but i still wanted a REAL tent. i am very happy with my choicece. i know there are better ones out there but this thing held up in one hellacious thuhnderstorm. i mean it took a beating and held up great. we were dry as a bone when we woke u pthe next day. it's the eurika 3XTA Apex, it's $159 at campmore. the new model looks like they have improved on last years a little. it's freestanding without the fly. the fly has 2 vestubules, i has dorrs on both sides. good tent.




here's the campmore link.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=26504115&prmenbr=226”

“oh yeah, the next day we were pummeled by dime size hail for an hour, she held up great.”

“she?

what's her name?”

“I just returned my SD Light Year to REI. It was a 2000 model. I had some minor complaints with it. So now I have a nice store voucher burning a hole in my wallet.
Looking at maybe getting a MSR Zoid 1. May hold out till the big tent makers break that 3lb mark. MH has done it with the "Waypoint" not yet released.
Until then, I will stick with two tents, a silshelter, and my Tri-Pod.

Confessions of a gear junkie.”

“Didjfan:

YOU GEAR WHORE!!!”

“didjfan, where did you get info on the mh waypoint? inquiring minds of gear junkies want to know.”

“In the November issue of Adventure magazine. The article was on ultralight gear coming out soon. The specs for the "Waypoint" are:

Two person,32.5 sq. ft. 2lbs 9oz. Made from the silnylon that MH is using on their lighter tents now. Has four vents to move air around.

Rosey; guilty as charged!!”

“can't wait to see it. thank you for the info.”

“would that be national geographic adventure magazine?”

“I was thinking the samething baume - the MH website said nothing about it. I've been waiting to see more big name makers use SilNy in their tents. They've been a little slow to market.”

“Yup. That's the mag. I found that they are also making a one person model. Both are single pole designs. I emailed MH for more details, if available.”