Caution....Gear Thread

“Ok what's your favorite tent or tent alternative ?
I'm thinking about purchasing a new 3 season tent.
I really like the 3 person Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight, roomy and still pretty light
at 4 lbs 10 oz. But I'm still looking around.
What are you using???
Or what is your dream tent?”

“I use my dream tent... a hammock tent (Hennessey).”

“What happens when your above timberline and trees are scarce?”

“Like many of us here we are gear pigs and have more then on item ie. sleeping bags, tents etc. I base all my items on the season, terrain, distance travelling and such. If there is any doubts I will take my Sierra Designs Lookout tent.”

“I like using a tarp this time of the year. During the Summer when bugs are bad, I use a Peak 1 Cobra.
The SD Clip Flashlight is a good choice.”

“Awwwwwww shucks!
This really is a gear thread.
How`d that get in here?”

“BTW, I'm waiting to hear from a gear store owner I know who may be closing out some Dana Designs tents at his cost. He said he'd e-mail me his info when he finishes checking his remaining inventory.

A few years ago I replace my ancient, very worthy Eureka Timberline with a Eureka Equinox for canoe camping, and a Walrus Arch Rival for lighter weight trips on ground. New for this season, a Hennessey Hammock for when there are trees.

I've always liked the things said about the Kelty Zen. Anyone got one? And I would like a 4-season tent for some late or early season trips (maybe even winter) here in the northwoods, where snow is a possibility anytime from September through April.”

“Pekka, I have a Zen and I like it a lot. My only complaint is the size of the vestibule. I think if I were to buy a new tent, I'd seriously consider the 3 person SD Clip Flashlight.

I've found that tent sizes must be caluculated by the same guy who caluculates the serving size for freez-dried meals. You know, serves 2....sleeps 2? A three person tent is just the right size for two people and their gear.”

“We have 2 Walrus Arch Rivals and a Kelty Zen.”

“I use different ones for different situations. I have a sil tarp that weighs 1 lb, great for early spring and late fall when bugs aren't a problem, a Sierra designs nightwatch that is bombproof for winter, but heavy, a Sierra Designs Jupiter 3 person tent that we split up to carry when there are two of us, and a L L Bean ultralight for solo camping. I just sold a NF starlight 4 season and bought the Walrus Zoid I, another solo tent. Which is my favorite? Each of them at different times and situations.”

“Kelty Zen!

OR - Standard Bivy”

“I have a Eureka Timberlite 2 - not the XT model - mine's the older version w/o vestibule. In light of kleetn's theory, its actually a 1-1/2 person facility. Two adult campers would be way too crowded - unlsess you wanna get real cozy in the woods with your honey. My dog (40 lbs.) occupies most of the 1/2 space ...and no, I don't get "cozy" with him.

I believe that Eureka claims the Timberlight 2 weighs only about 4 lbs., but methinks they must mean *without* rainfly, poles stakes and bags.

The longer I indulge this compulsion for backpacking, the more seriously I'm attempting to reduce the weight of my gear. Regarding tents, for my next trip I'm going to bring out of mothballs my old $15 K-Mart special. At only c. 2 lbs., its a true lightweight. The 5'x7' floor makes it more roomy inside than my so-called "2-person" Eureka. The polyethylene tub floor has no need for a heavy plastic ground pad (though the slugs still gotta get scraped off the bottom of it when I take it down). The walls are waterproof nylon, and it has a full-size door with a moderate rear window. Though it's waterproof, the external flaps on the door and window can leak a little in wind-driven rain, so I made an almost weightless rainfly for it by taping together two of those cheapo emergency blankets, added 8 small grommets to the corners and edges for tie-downs. The fly hooks onto the front and rear stand-up tent poles via two more small grommets, and allows a very adequate air space between tent and rainfly.

It may not be the flashiest abode, but together with my home-made rainfly, its a very practical shelter for keeping the bugs and bad weather at bay. (I'd like to say its a work of art, but that would be stretching things a bit.)”

“The best way to reduce the weight of your pack is not by buying more lightweight gear, but rather by not buying more gear and taking less gear on the trail. All you need is a bivy and a sleeping bag. A couple clif bars is all you need for food.”

“I have the 3 person Clip Flashlight... its roomy for 2 people without much weight... gives you room to lay out gear... air socks and spread out. Its my main tent.
There is room for 3, but you lose that extra space.

Only downside I've seen is that you have to stake it. Its held up very nicely, and the weight split between two people is pretty minimal. I'll carry it as backup even if I've got plans to stay at lean to's for a whole trip.”

“I had a Sierra Designs Flashlight (the one before the clip version) for many years. Last year I bought a Mountain Hardware Light Wedge 2. So far, I love it. My first free standing tent. It seems to be one of the best in terms space vs weight ratio. It also helps that I got it on sale for $199. For solo camping, I've got my eye on the Walrus Zoid.”

“Does anyone have a Eureka Solo? I've had my eye on one for a while now. It only costs 69 bucks and it only weighs 2lbs 8oz. Right now I don't use a tent, I only take a tarp for emergencies. The bugs aren't bad after the sun goes down.”

“ThinAir: The Solo weighs about 3 1/2 pounds. You probably mean the Solitaire/Gossamer tents which are right about 2 lb. 8oz. The Sol/Gos are also more likely to sell for 69 bucks.

People have said good things about the sol/gos, but I can't imagine hanging out in them for even a few waking hours when the weather is bad. The heavier Solo is 36" tall at its highest point, the sol/gos pair are 10" shorter (barely more than 2 feet tall at the highest point).”

“My Gossamer is great. Who needs to hide out in the tent during waking hours. If the weather is that bad, you need more than a light weight three season tent - no matter how big it is!”

“Me and my daddy got a new tent. Our old tent had skeeter holes and the roof was tore. The roof had BRID HOLES!
BOL!
do:3

Anyways, we got a new one next year. It is a Reeka! Roarer. It is reel good for me and my daddy and prolly a kittykitty if Skinny Kenny wants to sleep in the woods with us. I can sleep byside my daddy in the sleepy bag if it is reel cold in the woods, or I can sleep by my self on the end by my daddys feets if it is not cold in the woods.

It has a leetle back porch with the nother door that we can open and get things off the back porch that has a roof.

I think it is a good tent that helps our tent needs. It is not reel hevy... mebbe eleventy hunnerd whatcha callits.

It does not get rain on us, neither.
(o:3”

“I have a Sierra Designs Half Moon, which is big enough for two people, or three in a pinch. I've taken it solo camping a few times, but I finally decided it's too big and heavy to haul around on my back. Now I'm in the market for something much lighter. I've been thinking about an 8x10 sil tarp and the OR Bug Bivy (total weight: 26 oz. not including stakes). Or for two people, maybe a 10x12 sil tarp and the Walrus Bug Hut 2 (total weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz. not including stakes).”

“I've been looking at the North Face Canyonlands for a solo tent. 3lbs 14oz packed, $179. I'm basically looking for something light that will sleep one. Any comments?”

“I love my eureka zephyr for 3-season camping...Winter gets a bit chilly though, as I learned the hard way this year. brrrr
I also have a Kelty Jimmy-Bivy...great for lightweight packin overnight in Summertime.

I've been dreaming of a 4-season Bibler...or, since seeing it in action on the Catskills trip, the SD Tyros(dat right, Buddur?)

I've heard only good things about Sierra Designs.”

“* Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight for solo. (2 man, not freestanding)
* Sierra Designs Jupiter for 2 people.(3 man, freestanding)
* Kelty Vortex-4 for car camping.

The only time I've ever had an issue with any of these tents was in Linville Gorge when there wasn't enough soil for stakes. I ended up setting the tent up by tying to trees and using rocks and parachute cord. I've been through heavy rainstorms in all three tents and they're all pretty bombproof.”

“I got'sk a SD Omega CD, Ms.G!

If'n yr ooking to get one cheap...Mr.Switchback has one to get rip of. Check the TT Yard Sale thread.”

“I have a Eureka copy of the clip flashlight I bought 15 years ago. I like the design and used it a lot and still do. I use a TNF Westwind for the winter. It only weighs 5.75 pounds and has a nice vestibule. Sadly, they don't make it anymore. It's a really strong tent. I want to get into tarping more than I have in the past. Don't worry too much about staking. You've got to stake any tent down if a storm is coming.”

“You all may laugh at me but my Wal Mart special ( Coleman backpacker series ) hasnt failed me yet..Its been thru one heck of a rainstorm. winds sounding like frieght trains above my head..Only on tent stake came out of the ground..I stayed dry as popcorn.
It weighs 4 lbs 4 oz..packs up small..I wouldnt trade it for anything..Lot of great memories that tent holds. =)”

“Yeah, I meant the Solitare not Solo. I think I'm gonna get one for myself. I don't encounter many rain storms, and it seems like a good deal. Anyone of yall actually use one?”

“I have a Vaude Quest it's a 2 person tent that weighs 3.6 lbs and I have never been wet or even damp in it plus it would take a tornado to uproot this baby.”

“i use the gossamer, year round.

and i've been in some damned hard rainstorms. it's a good tent.”

“You guys remember that sob story thread I started a few weeks back about breaking up with my girlfriend? Well, in my angst-ridden grief, I did what all my female friends told me to do: go shopping. SO. . . I splurged entirely (several paychecks, but that's the advantage of being 18. I don't yet have to pay for food). I bought a Bibler Pinon. It's freakin awesome! I love it already, and I've only been on a short overnighter (solo) in it. Tents are better than women anyway. Did I just say that? hmmm. . . oh well. It's a 2 person, 3 season (that's what they say, although I'm sure it could stand up to some wicked storms) single wall tent with dual vestibules, and it's under 6 pounds. http://biblertents.com/text/tenttx/escatest.html It totally kicks a$$. $$$ mostly, and it's probly overkill, but what the hell is a guy supposed to do? Gear solves a lot of problems man. And I think this piece will be the last 2 person (not 2 man, but 2 person! I've got those raging hormones) tent I buy. Alright. Blast me for spending too much money now.”

“'Scuse me, correction. It WILL stand up to some wicked storms. I'm this close to getting an internship backpacking in the Absorkas for an entire summer. We'll be collecting grubs that feed grizzlies. I'm psyched for that.”

“Pisgah, you did the right thing. At times I felt this way: The more I learn about women the more I like backpacking. They can drive you pretty crazy.”

“I used my Kelty Zen on both of the Llama Rama hikes. And though it was bombproof in the winds and rainstorms, it was IMO drafty. Not being freedstanding was it's downfall. I sold it last week.

I bought a Sierra Designs Omega CD from REI with a ten percent discount. I set it up in the living room and it looks huge. I'm not sure about this tent and it weighs more than I expected.

I've thought about sending it back and buying a Mountain Hardwear Muir Trail.
Comments anyone about the Omega CD (Buddur?Switchback?) or the MH Muir Trail?”

“Hey Sol, I've heard that there was some issue on the Omega. Something like not being able to get the floor taut. Maybe they fixed it in their newer versions.

The MH Muir is a convertible tent that provides 28.5 sq ft at 6lb 5oz. If you need the strength of a 4 pole design go for it. The MH LW2 provides 35 sq ft at 5lb 6oz. Grnated it is only a 2 pole design, but I've been through some Sierra thunderstorms in it and survived just fine.”

“Kelty Zen's are great tents, never have had a problem with mine. Never felt all that drafty either, but that is probably due more to where and when I've been out.

But I am with kleetn--vestibule size is small and the "2 person" designation for tent size is only if the 2 involved are you and yer mate.”

“Eureka Gossamer 2 lbs. 8 oz.

I use it, Rad uses it. I love it, he worships.

12 in. Frame sections provide very compact fold size
Roll-away fly gives you the option of star-gazing or provides complete weather protection when needed
Lightweight shock-corded 7000 series aircraft aluminum frame gives increased stability over fiberglass
Pole sleeves aid in set up and stability
2 Hoop bivy design creates compact fold size & efficient thermal shape for one person
Overall length of 8 feet fits full-size self-inflating mattress with extra room to store gear
Flashlight ring and 2 storage pockets keep gear off of floor and battery light within reach
Flame Retardant
Carry bags and stakes included
Import”

“This is my lightest waight tent, I love it. ( http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4830053&prmenbr=226 )

Sets up in no time, light, roomy.”

“this is much lighter then that last tent,
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=12272&prmenbr=226”

“Ha Ha. Funny Ice. I like having the two extra rooms on the first one”

“Solitary Hiker, I got the SD Orion in large part because I wanted enough room for two, and lightweight to boot. I love the tent, not too difficult to set up, and roomier than it looks from outside. Mine's under 4 pounds 8 oz. I like the Vaude Quest that Spam has, but I already OWN four tents... maybe I'll have a garage sale...”

“Thin Air. The solo Eureka is pretty baggy in the middle.
Pisgahforest, that tent will last longer than any girlfriend, a wife for that matter.
Got three tents, two bivies, and a sil-tarp.
Love my SD "light year" (con-not FS) My Garuda " Atman" singlewall for the snow. Light, strong, sets up with two hiking poles and a ice axe quick. Top notch quality and material.
My EMS "Pompero" is a awesome shelter, but a tad heavy for a two person 4season,8lbs.and change.
Using my MH mirco mesh bivy this weekend in the desert. Don't need any visitors dur
ing the night,(see snake thread).
My dream tent has not been made. Huge, bomber, light, cheap. I'm such a gear whore!
I really had good times in my Moss "outland" Wish I still had it.”

“Mr.SolitaryHiker. My Omega CD was free...my Mom got it for me for Christmas ~3 years ago, so I think it is the best tent a person could have (...just 'cause it's free).

Anyways, I like it because it's big enough to fit both me and my dog and gear. The vestibule is large enough to cook in. It' 3-4 season, and the ability to zip closed the mesh areas during cold windy weather is a bonus.

However, it weighs just over 7 lbs with rainfly and stakes, and the floor does not sit "taut" like Mr.BaSO4 said (the bottom sides where the poles attach are lifted up from the ground)...however if you stake out the four corners it takes care of that.

Mine has taken a beating and hasn't shown any wear and tear yet. I dig it. My only other shelter is a Trekker Tarp, and between the two, I don't think I'll ever buy another camping shelter”

“What's the difference between the Eureka Solitar and the Gossimer?”

“Pisgahforest, I just checked the Bibler site you posted. =:o Are those metric dollars?”

“Usually carry one of two Walrus Tents: My treasured MicroLight and Rapeede. The Microlight is tight, but as the slogan goes "Strong, light, beautiful" (Was glad to see it this morning on the April BP Mag calendar), also watertight without seam-sealing (comes well-taped... believe me... it's been arduously tested). Weighs in the low 3lb. range.

The Rapeede also is kinda tight for a two-person 3/4 season tent ( I have the model from just a few years back without the cross pole). And one of the poles broke once ( I jerry-fixed it with tape and no noticeable diminution of performance): Walrus replaced it fairly quickly. This tent, especially considering 4-season capability, is also remarkably light (< 6lbs.). I'm satisfied!”

“lol kleetn! metric dollars. . .

actually, I didn't have to pay that much from my own pocket. I got some gift certificates to the outdoor shop earlier this month for my b-day, so it wasn't as bad as it should've been. but still. . .”

“Re: Biblers. Certainly their expedition tents are unparalleled. For 3-season BP'ing they're pretty much overkill. And vulnerable to condensation.”

“I have 3 tents. Solo, an old SD Clip Flashlight. For bombproof shelter or with both my kids an SD stretch dome. And if just two of us, my new SD Meteor Light (which is actually not so light, but a great tent that can handle 3 in a pinch).”

“Well Thanks for all the info ....I placed an order today for the Sierra Designs Orion CD(2000 model)4lbs 14 oz
REI had it on sale for $165.99
I have had a Sierra West tent much like the flashlight or Zen for 19 years.... thought I would try a free standing model this time around .
The 2001 model was $239.00 ....2000 Model works for me!”

“I personally prefer the Sierra Designs Meteor Light. Roomier than the clip light, bit more weather proof, still has great ventilation and has a HUGE vestibule. $279 is about standard though, so the Orion's a much better bargain, but I think the Meteor Light is the best 3+ season out there.”